The cost of maintaining our pet’s health can quickly stack up and become much more expensive than we would like. Since the health of our furry friends is so important, many people turn to pet insurance to help alleviate some of the expenses.
The state of South Dakota has plenty of pet insurance options. But which is the best? Choosing the right pet insurance can feel overwhelming and perhaps even impossible. So, we decided to sort through the options for you and present our picks for the pet insurance in South Dakota.
A Quick Look at the Winners for 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Figo
Constant veterinary support
Cheap premiums for cats
Good coverage
Click to Get Quote
Fetch
Dental coverage
Disease coverage
Covers exam fees
Click to Get Quote
Embrace
Can select your own vet
Includes diminishing deductible
Covers exam fees
Click to Get Quote
Pumpkin
Excellent coverage
Discounts for multiple pets
Covers alternative care
Click to Get Quote
Healthy Paws
Easy to understand the plan
App used for an easy claim process
Covers alternative care
Click to Get Quote
Our 10 Pet Insurance Reviews in South Dakota
- Figo – Best Overall
Compare Figo PlansFigo is our pick for the best overall pet insurance in South Dakota. This option offers excellent coverage for accidents and sicknesses and provides plans at a reasonable cost. That includes coverage for hereditary conditions, chronic conditions, and even some alternative therapies.
Figo also allows pet owners to decide which vet they want to take their pet to without lowering coverage. You will also be given constant access to veterinarians through Figo, available whenever you may need assistance. Another benefit to Figo is that they strive to process claims in less than 2 weeks.
Compare Figo Plans
Figo is our pick for the best overall pet insurance in South Dakota. This option offers excellent coverage for accidents and sicknesses and provides plans at a reasonable cost. That includes coverage for hereditary conditions, chronic conditions, and even some alternative therapies.
Unfortunately, Figo does not offer a wellness plan at this time. That means that they do not provide coverage for preventative care such as spaying and neutering. If you are looking for wellness coverage, you will need to find a supplemental plan or look elsewhere.
Pros
Constant veterinary support
Cheap premiums for cats
Good coverage
Quick claim turnaround
Able to choose your veterinarian
Cons
Doesn’t offer a wellness plan
- Fetch
Compare Fetch PlansFetch is a newer pet insurance company that is growing in popularity and for good reason! They have great coverage that includes dental, illness, disease and holistic treatments, if that is something that you prefer for your pet. Many insurance companies do not cover exam fees but Fetch does, which is an added bonus. If you would like to enroll your pet in behavioral training, they offer $1000 in coverage per year for this as well.
The deductible options start at $250 and end at $1,000 and you can choose from three reimbursement percentages: 70%, 80%, and 90%. You must have your pet examined by a veterinarian in order to enroll them.
Constant veterinary support
Cheap premiums for cats
Good coverage
Quick claim turnaround
Able to choose your veterinarian
- Constant veterinary support
- Cheap premiums for cats
- Good coverage
- Quick claim turnaround
- Able to choose your veterinarian
Doesn’t offer a wellness plan
- Doesn’t offer a wellness plan
Compare Fetch Plans
Fetch is a newer pet insurance company that is growing in popularity and for good reason! They have great coverage that includes dental, illness, disease and holistic treatments, if that is something that you prefer for your pet. Many insurance companies do not cover exam fees but Fetch does, which is an added bonus. If you would like to enroll your pet in behavioral training, they offer $1000 in coverage per year for this as well.
Fetch has slightly higher premiums for larger and older dogs. They also won’t pay the vet directly.
Pros
Dental coverage
Disease coverage
Covers exam fees
Cons
Does not pay the vet directly
High premiums for old/large dogs
- Embrace
Compare Embrace PlansEmbrace offers pet owners the option to choose whichever vet they would like to visit—whether out of state or out of the country. This flexibility extends to their Accident & Illness policy, which is highly customizable, allowing you to craft insurance that suits your needs.
Veterinarian exam fees are covered by Embrace. Another benefit is that they offer a diminishing deductible. If you do not receive a claim reimbursement for the year, your deductible will be cut by $50. Your deductible has the potential to decrease down to $0!
Dental coverage
Disease coverage
Covers exam fees
- Dental coverage
- Disease coverage
- Covers exam fees
Does not pay the vet directly
High premiums for old/large dogs
- Does not pay the vet directly
- High premiums for old/large dogs
Compare Embrace Plans
Embrace offers pet owners the option to choose whichever vet they would like to visit—whether out of state or out of the country. This flexibility extends to their Accident & Illness policy, which is highly customizable, allowing you to craft insurance that suits your needs.
The main complaint with Embrace is that their orthopedic waiting period is too long.
Pros
Can select your own vet
Includes diminishing deductible
Covers exam fees
Cons
Long waiting period for orthopedic issues
- Pumpkin
Compare Pumpkin PlansPumpkin has excellent coverage, including services many other insurances deny, such as hereditary conditions, chronic issues, and behavioral concerns. They also provide an affordable preventative care plan, with total reimbursement for exams and vaccinations.
If you have multiple pets, Pumpkin could be the one for you. It provides a discount for each pet you enroll, helping you to save a little extra. One area that could be improved is the lack of flexibility in Pumpkin’s policies. There is little room for customization in the plans, which keeps pet owners from creating a policy that works best for their unique situation.
Can select your own vet
Includes diminishing deductible
Covers exam fees
- Can select your own vet
- Includes diminishing deductible
- Covers exam fees
Long waiting period for orthopedic issues
- Long waiting period for orthopedic issues
Compare Pumpkin Plans
Pumpkin has excellent coverage, including services many other insurances deny, such as hereditary conditions, chronic issues, and behavioral concerns. They also provide an affordable preventative care plan, with total reimbursement for exams and vaccinations.
Pros
Excellent coverage
Discounts for multiple pets
Covers alternative care
Cons
Less flexible policies
- Healthy Paws
Compare Healthy Paws PlansHealthy Paws provides a single, customizable plan for all pet owners. Adding to the convenience of Healthy Paws is their app, used for processing claims. The app is user-friendly and does not require heaps of paperwork to be filled out. Instead, it is as simple as popping into the app on your phone and submitting a picture of your veterinarian bill.
Unfortunately, Healthy Paws does not have a wellness plan.
Excellent coverage
Discounts for multiple pets
Covers alternative care
- Excellent coverage
- Discounts for multiple pets
- Covers alternative care
Less flexible policies
- Less flexible policies
Compare Healthy Paws Plans
Healthy Paws provides a single, customizable plan for all pet owners. Adding to the convenience of Healthy Paws is their app, used for processing claims. The app is user-friendly and does not require heaps of paperwork to be filled out. Instead, it is as simple as popping into the app on your phone and submitting a picture of your veterinarian bill.
Pros
Easy to understand the plan
App used for an easy claim process
Covers alternative care
Cons
Doesn’t cover preventative care
- ASPCA
Compare ASPCA PlansThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (APSCA) was established to ensure the well-being and good treatment of pets across the country. So, it is not surprising that they would break into the insurance world.
APSCA provides excellent coverage, including hereditary, chronic, dental, behavioral problems, and alternative therapies. The company even covers exam fees, which is a nice bonus.
Easy to understand the plan
App used for an easy claim process
Covers alternative care
- Easy to understand the plan
- App used for an easy claim process
- Covers alternative care
Doesn’t cover preventative care
- Doesn’t cover preventative care
Compare ASPCA Plans
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (APSCA) was established to ensure the well-being and good treatment of pets across the country. So, it is not surprising that they would break into the insurance world.
A downside to APSCA is that they do not have a wellness plan. Likewise, they do not cover costs related to breeding and pregnancy.
Pros
Excellent coverage
Covers exam fees
Covers hereditary conditions
Covers chronic issues
Includes prescription medication and supplements
Cons
Doesn’t cover preventative care
Doesn’t cover breeding or pregnancy-related costs
- Hartville
Compare Hartville PlansHartville Pet Insurance covers several situations and issues, including congenital and hereditary conditions. They also offer a wellness plan which provides pet owners with zero payment on preventative care such as spaying and neutering, blood testing, heartworm and flea protection, feline FELV treatment, and canine Bordetella treatment.
Filing a claim has no negative repercussions since the policy price will not increase. The multiple pet discounts also help you save money, meaning Hartville’s policies can be stable and affordable. As a bonus, pet owners can choose which veterinarian they would like to visit.
Excellent coverage
Covers exam fees
Covers hereditary conditions
Covers chronic issues
Includes prescription medication and supplements
- Excellent coverage
- Covers exam fees
- Covers hereditary conditions
- Covers chronic issues
- Includes prescription medication and supplements
Doesn’t cover preventative care
Doesn’t cover breeding or pregnancy-related costs
- Doesn’t cover preventative care
- Doesn’t cover breeding or pregnancy-related costs
Compare Hartville Plans
Hartville Pet Insurance covers several situations and issues, including congenital and hereditary conditions. They also offer a wellness plan which provides pet owners with zero payment on preventative care such as spaying and neutering, blood testing, heartworm and flea protection, feline FELV treatment, and canine Bordetella treatment.
However, the customer service options are limited to phone calls only, and there are no other avenues to reach customer service, making this insurer more limited than others.
Pros
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
Able to choose your own veterinarian
Multiple pet discounts
Cons
Mediocre customer service
- Pets Best
Compare Pets Best PlansPets Best is an affordable option with excellent coverage. They do not raise their policy price when you file a claim and allow you to go to whichever vet you choose. Plus, they have a Pet Helpline option that provides constant support for pet owners.
Through the BestBenefit policy, pet owners can have their veterinarian bills covered when faced with unanticipated issues, such as illnesses. The BestBenefit Accident and Illness Plan covers a little more, such as prosthetics, treatment for cancer, hereditary and congenital conditions, and prescribed medication.
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
Able to choose your own veterinarian
Multiple pet discounts
- Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
- Able to choose your own veterinarian
- Multiple pet discounts
Mediocre customer service
- Mediocre customer service
Compare Pets Best Plans
Pets Best is an affordable option with excellent coverage. They do not raise their policy price when you file a claim and allow you to go to whichever vet you choose. Plus, they have a Pet Helpline option that provides constant support for pet owners.
Pets Best does not cover behavioral issues, and only some of their plans cover alternative care.
Pros
Affordable
Able to choose your vet
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
24/7 support with Pet Helpline
Cons
Doesn’t cover behavioral issues
- Prudent Pet
Compare Prudent Pet PlansPrudent Pet works to save you money by offering a multiple pet discount as well as a diminishing deductible. Likewise, they will not raise the price of your policy if you file a claim. Prudent Pet covers hereditary problems, congenital conditions, chronic issues, accidents, dental, illness, and more.
However, behavioral issues are only sometimes covered, depending on the circumstances.
Affordable
Able to choose your vet
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
24/7 support with Pet Helpline
- Affordable
- Able to choose your vet
- Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
- 24/7 support with Pet Helpline
Doesn’t cover behavioral issues
- Doesn’t cover behavioral issues
Compare Prudent Pet Plans
Prudent Pet works to save you money by offering a multiple pet discount as well as a diminishing deductible. Likewise, they will not raise the price of your policy if you file a claim. Prudent Pet covers hereditary problems, congenital conditions, chronic issues, accidents, dental, illness, and more.
Pros
Excellent coverage
Multiple pet discount
Includes diminishing deductible
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
Cons
Rarely covers behavioral issues
- MetLife
Compare MetLife PlansMetLife is another great option for savvy money-savers. It provides pet owners with diminishing deductibles and will not raise the policy price if you file a claim. Its prices are moderate compared to other pet insurance providers.
MetLife provides coverage for illnesses, accidents, genetic issues, and dental treatments. It also covers alternative therapies, which most competitors exclude. Unfortunately, it does not provide coverage for behavioral problems.
Excellent coverage
Multiple pet discount
Includes diminishing deductible
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
- Excellent coverage
- Multiple pet discount
- Includes diminishing deductible
- Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
Rarely covers behavioral issues
- Rarely covers behavioral issues
Compare MetLife Plans
MetLife is another great option for savvy money-savers. It provides pet owners with diminishing deductibles and will not raise the policy price if you file a claim. Its prices are moderate compared to other pet insurance providers.
Pros
Includes diminishing deductible
Able to choose your vet
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
Cons
No behavioral issue coverage
Includes diminishing deductible
Able to choose your vet
Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
- Includes diminishing deductible
- Able to choose your vet
- Does not raise policy price if you file a claim
No behavioral issue coverage
- No behavioral issue coverage
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Pet Insurance Provider in South Dakota
What to Look for in Pet Insurance
We want to help you be the most informed pet owner you can be, and we put together a list of what to look for in pet insurance. The list includes policy coverage, customer service, claim repayment, price, and customization.
Policy Coverage
Different plans will provide various levels of coverage. Typically, the more expensive plans will offer more coverage. There are some services that pet insurance providers will rarely, if ever, cover for you. These include pre-existing conditions, grooming, experimental treatments, and dietary supplements. Occasionally, policies may cover partial costs for specific treatments, but it is not common.
Customer Service & Reputation
Look up reviews of pet insurance providers—much like this very article. What are people saying about that provider? Do you hear glowing praises? Or are there only terrible horror stories?
A company’s reputation is an essential indicator of how helpful it will be when you are in need. If you constantly hear how excellent a specific provider is, there is a decent chance that your experience will also be. But if you read review after review of how difficult the customer service is, that may be a provider you want to steer clear of.
Claim Repayment
Claim repayment, otherwise known as claim reimbursement, is the amount your insurance provider pays to help cover your veterinarian expenses. This amount depends on your chosen plan, so it is vital to choose wisely.
The claim repayment is usually expressed as a percentage. For instance, one policy may cover up to 70% of your total bill from the veterinarian. So, if your policy covers 70% and you receive a bill of $1,000, your insurance will cover $700 and leave you with $300. You will also be expected to pay the deductible, which may vary depending on your plan.
Price Of Policy
Several factors can influence the price of your pet insurance policy. These include your pet’s age, health, breed, and your location.
Consider what you want to be covered and what you can budget for before choosing a pet insurance provider. Also, investigate how or when they change their prices. For example, will they raise prices if you file a claim? These are all important factors to consider.
Plan Customization
Customizing your pet insurance plan can include altering the reimbursement percentage, the deductible, or other areas of the policy. The more flexible a plan is, the more you can shape it to meet your needs. When it is less flexible, you will be limited in your options.
Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding pet insurance.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Absolutely. Even if your pet is healthy right now, the odds are that you will eventually need to take them to the vet. The right pet insurances cover most of your bills from the vet, alleviating significant expenses on your behalf. If you end up at the vet’s office for an unforeseen reason, you will not want to be caught without pet insurance.
I received a Quote. Is That Exactly What I Will Need to Pay?
Insurance payment quotes are estimates rather than exact amounts. While they can provide insight into how much a particular plan may cost for you, they cannot predict every cost that may occur in your unique situation.
What Are Pre-Existing Conditions?
Although pre-existing conditions may be defined differently by each pet insurance provider, it is generally agreed upon that they are conditions that existed in your pet before you enrolled them in the policy. These can include illnesses or injuries, regardless of whether a veterinarian diagnosed them.
What are Capped Benefits?
If a pet insurance policy has a capped benefit, there is a limit to what the provider will pay. These limits can be organized however the company sees fit, such as caps based on payout per incident, per year, or lifetime. Once you reach the limit, your provider will end reimbursement for the year. Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best For You?
While there are plenty of great pet insurance options that we can recommend, at the end of the day, it is up to you to decide which suits you. Consider the needs of your pet before making a decision by investigating what is covered, what the costs are, and the company’s reputation.
The options in this review are all excellent providers, so if you are unsure where to begin, start with the list we put together.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this review, you have a better idea of how to navigate the world of pet insurance. Although it can sometimes feel like you are drowning in the mass of information, when it comes down to it, picking the right insurance is as simple as asking two questions. What is best for you? What is best for your pet? Those questions alone will help guide you to the insurance plan that suits your needs.
Sources
pawlicy.com policygenius.com
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
- pawlicy.com
- policygenius.com
