Animal lovers in Arkansas should consider pet insurance for peace of mind and financial protection. While we love our furry friends, vet bills can be expensive. With a wide variety of coverage options, pet insurance can help manage unexpected medical costs.
Pet insurance policies can cover a range of services, including routine checkups, prescriptions, and emergency care. You can ensure your pets have the best coverage by exploring comprehensive information about your pet’s health and the policies available to protect them.
Best pet insurance companies in Arkansas
Choosing the right insurance company to protect your fluffy family members is essential. You want to ensure you can afford proper care without breaking the bank. Here are a few of the best pet insurance companies in Arkansas.
Spot: Best for all-around coverage
Sample monthly quote for dogs: $22.42
Sample monthly quote for cats: $12.12
Plans available: Accident and illness, accident only, two preventative care add-ons
Spot is a very comprehensive pet insurance company. Its pricing and coverage options are clear on the website, so you’ll know immediately what you’re getting. It has some of the most comprehensive coverage options, including coverage for end-of-life care and broken teeth. Pet owners can easily find information about waiting periods and exceptions.
Trupanion: Best for unlimited payouts
Sample monthly quote for dogs: $36
Sample monthly quote for cats: $15.60
Plans available: Accident and illness, recovery care add-on
Trupanion is a pet insurance company offering 90% reimbursement on eligible costs across the board and unlimited annual payouts. Customers can set their deductible to adjust their monthly rates. Trupanion has a few exclusions, but they’re worth noting. In addition to pre-existing conditions, most plans don’t cover wellness care or exam visits.
Nationwide: Best for customizing options
Sample monthly quote for dogs: $51.76
Sample monthly quote for cats: $20.11
Plans available: Accident and illness, accident only, wellness
Nationwide has the most cumbersome quote process out of the three listed, but its plans are also the most customizable. If you want to pick and choose every aspect of your pet insurance plan, Nationwide offers that flexibility. Its rates are slightly more expensive than some other companies, but they’re in line with the average cost of pet insurance in Arkansas.
When choosing the best pet insurance companies in Arkansas, we first got quotes from more than a dozen top insurers. For each quote, we used an Arkansas address.
For the sample quotes for dogs, we used a profile of a medium-sized 2-year-old mixed-breed male dog. For cats, we used a profile of a 2-year-old American shorthair female cat. Quotes for both species were for accident and illness coverage with 80% reimbursement, a $500 deductible, and $5,000 or more in annual coverage.
To identify the best companies, we researched each pet insurer’s coverage options, deductible options, discounts, pets covered, waiting periods, and customer reviews. And we chose the companies that offer the best value for the money.
Cost of pet insurance in Arkansas
Arkansas pet owners pay around $27 per month for cat insurance and $48 per month for dog insurance. The cost of coverage in Arkansas is lower than the national average and is comparable to surrounding states like Tennessee and Texas.
Monthly premiums can vary depending on your ZIP code, as well as your pet’s breed and age.
Why pet insurance is important if you live in Arkansas
Purchasing an insurance plan for your pet is essential, no matter where you live. But Arkansas has some unique dangers that could spell disaster if you can’t afford quick treatment for your pet. Common risks to cats and dogs in Arkansas include plant food, insecticides, heat exhaustion, and swimming pools. In addition, popular outdoor destinations like parks, hot springs, and hiking trails can be dangerous for your pet.
Popular plants and trees in Arkansas that could be dangerous for your dog include:1
Azalea
Black walnut
Holly
Lillies
Pokeweed
Oak trees
Red maple
Some snakes are common in Arkansas as well. Venomous snakes that could pose a threat to your pet include:2
Eastern copperhead
Northern cottonmouth
Texas Gulf-Coast coral snake
Timber rattlesnake
Western diamondback rattlesnake
Western pygmy rattlesnake
Arkansas pet regulations and laws
State laws regarding pet ownership vary, and no states currently legally require pet insurance, though some states (like California and Maine) do legislate the sale of policies.
The Natural State does have some laws that may apply to pet owners in Arkansas:
Number of pets: Most cities in Arkansas limit the number of dogs a household can own without a permit. In most cities, it’s up to four dogs.
Leash laws: Leash laws vary by city.
Vaccines: The state does require pet owners to vaccinate cats and dogs for rabies.
Health and safety: In Arkansas, leaving your pet in an unattended vehicle without proper ventilation is illegal.
Spaying and neutering: Arkansas requires shelters and pounds to spay and neuter cats and dogs before they’re released to new owners.
Types of pet insurance coverage
Understanding the types of pet insurance policies and which plan will work best for you and your pet can help you save money and offer peace of mind. If you want to stay with an insurer long-term, researching pet insurance costs, customer service, and waiting times is a good idea.
Three types of pet insurance plans are available: accident and illness, accident only, and wellness.3
Accident and illness plan
An accident and illness plan is a more comprehensive policy, so you’ll pay higher monthly rates for coverage. Most accident and illness plans cover the following:
Costs associated with office visits, exams, and medical supplies
Illnesses (major and minor)
Most injuries
Treatments, such as medication, blood work, ultrasounds, and surgery
An accident and illness policy likely won’t cover pre-existing conditions, vaccines, grooming, or flea and tick treatments.
Accident-only plan
An accident-only pet insurance plan covers injuries from an accident. An accident-only plan typically covers the following:
Diagnostic testing
Emergency care, such as hospital stays, surgery, and medication
Treatments, such as stitches and medication
Accident-only plans don’t cover illnesses or treatments for long-term medical issues, and they don’t cover routine wellness care.
Wellness plan
If you’re looking for a pet insurance policy to help you save on basic pet care costs, a wellness plan may be an excellent place to start. For most basic wellness pet policies, you’ll get coverage for the following:
Checkups and exams
Dental care
Diagnostic tests
Parasite prevention
Spaying, neutering, and microchipping
Vaccinations
Wellness plans are a good option for pet owners who don’t want to spend a lot and need to budget for healthcare for their pets. But a wellness plan doesn’t cover accidents or illnesses.
How to find the best pet insurance in Arkansas
When you’re ready to find a pet insurance company that fits your needs, here are a few steps you should take:
Arkansas pet insurance FAQs
If you’re ready to search for the best pet insurance company for your needs but still have a few questions, check out the additional information below.
How much is pet insurance in Arkansas?
The cost of pet insurance in Arkansas varies by insurer, but on average, pet owners pay around $27 per month for cat insurance and $48 per month for dog insurance.
Is pet insurance more expensive in Arkansas?
No. The cost of pet insurance in Arkansas is lower than the national average, although it’s comparable to nearby Texas and Tennessee.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions in Arkansas?
No. While a wellness plan may allow you to budget for checkups, vaccinations, and essential pet care visits, most pet insurance plans won’t cover the cost of treatment for pre-existing conditions.
What is the best pet insurance company in Arkansas?
The best pet insurance company in Arkansas is the company that best fits your needs. But Spot, Nationwide, and Trupanion rank highly in multiple categories, according to Insurify research.