Best pet insurance in Colorado (CO) in 2024

Mandy Sleight

BLUEPRINT

Updated 5:03 a.m. UTC July 1, 2024

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Pets Best is the best pet insurance company in Colorado, based on our in-depth analysis of accident and illness plans. Pets Best doesn’t have the most affordable pet insurance in Colorado, but it gets top marks for offering unlimited coverage, having a 24/7 pet health line and including coverage for behavioral therapy and end-of-life expenses. With Pets Best pet insurance, you also have the option to add a wellness plan.

Why trust our pet insurance experts

Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
500+ coverage details evaluated.
5 levels of fact-checking.

Best pet insurance in Colorado in 2024

Pets Best: Best pet insurance in Colorado.
ManyPets: Best for included vet exam fees in Colorado.
Fetch: Best pet insurance for military in Colorado.
Lemonade: Best cheap pet insurance in Colorado.
Embrace: Best for behavioral health coverage in Colorado.
Figo: Best for quick accident coverage in Colorado.
Healthy Paws: Best flexible pet insurance in Colorado.

Top-rated pet insurance companies in Colorado of 2024

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Why it’s the best

Pets Best has the best pet insurance in Colorado, according to our in-depth analysis. With certain accident and illness plans with Pets Best, you can take advantage of direct veterinary payments. If you submit a direct payment release form with the company, it will pay your vet for you. Then, you only owe your vet the balance.

Read our full Pets Best review

Pros and cons

Pros

Direct vet payments. Most companies work solely by reimbursement, but Pets Best offers direct veterinary payments with its plus and elite plans.
No upper age limit. Pets Best has no upper age limit for enrollment.
Broad range of deductibles. With Pets Best, you can choose a deductible between $50 and $1,000.

Cons

Not all pets eligible for full coverage: Certain health issues, such as Cushing’s Disease, may make your pet eligible for accident-only coverage.
Processing fees: Opting for monthly payments will cause Pets Best to add processing fees to your charges.
Long waiting period for orthopedic conditions: Instead of the two-week waiting period many other companies require, Pets Best requires six months.

Types of pet insurance

There are three main policy options in Colorado:

Accident and illness

Deductible: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000.
Coverage limits: $5,000 or unlimited.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.

Pets Best has different tiers of coverage within accident and illness policies. Depending on the tier you choose, you could get coverage for additional services, such as veterinary exam fees or acupuncture.

Accident only

Deductible: $250.
Coverage limits: $10,000.
Reimbursement percentage: 90%.

Wellness

Pets Best has two wellness options in Colorado. Depending on the plan you choose, you could get up to $535 in annual reimbursement.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, the average monthly rate for an unlimited accident and illness plan with Pets Best is about $35 for a dog.

Colorado discounts

Pets Best offers discounts for multi-pet insurance in Colorado, and for military service members and veterinary staff.

Pets Best customers can also qualify for discounts on training, pet-sitting services and supplies.

Customer reviews

In general, Pets Best has strong reviews. Its score on Trustpilot is 4.0 out of 5 (great) based on about 4,500 reviews.

Customers praised how easy it was to submit a claim through the company, and the negative complaints tended to be misunderstandings about preventative care coverage.

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Why it’s the best

ManyPets is the best pet insurance company in Colorado for included vet exam fees, according to our analysis. With most insurers, exam fees aren’t coverable expenses. But with ManyPets, exam fees to diagnose or treat your pet for a qualifying condition are reimbursable.

It also covers prescription medications and holistic therapies — including acupuncture and chiropractic therapy — as long as it’s prescribed by a veterinarian.

Pros and cons

Pros

Vet exam fees included. Coverage for exam fees and diagnosis for qualifying conditions.
Quick claims processing. ManyPets offers faster-than-usual reimbursement. According to the company, most claims are processed within 48 hours.
Wellness plan. For an additional fee, you can get a wellness plan through ManyPets to reimburse you for covered routine and preventative care.

Cons

Hip dysplasia not covered in pets enrolled at 6 or older. ManyPets doesn’t cover treatments in older pets, even if they’ve never shown any signs of the condition before.
Up to 18 months of pet records required to submit your first claim. If you don’t have that information handy, it can delay your claim.

Types of pet insurance

ManyPets sells an accident and illness plan in Colorado with an optional wellness add-on.

Accident and illness

Deductibles: $500 or $750.
Coverage limits: Unlimited.
Reimbursement percentage: 70% or 80%.

Accident and illness coverage, sometimes referred to as major medical insurance, covers veterinary expenses to diagnose and treat unexpected injuries or illnesses.

Wellness

Wellness plans are add-on benefits. While this type of plan isn’t insurance, it can reimburse you — up to an annual maximum — for routine or preventative veterinary expenses, such as vaccines or wellness exams.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, ManyPets’ unlimited accident and illness policy for a dog is about $28 per month.

Colorado discounts

ManyPets doesn’t offer any discount programs in Colorado.

Customer reviews

ManyPets has strong customer reviews. On Trustpilot, it has a score of 4.4 out of 5 (excellent) based on about 2,100 reviews.

Customers frequently praised the company for quickly processing claims and responsive customer support.

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Why it’s the best

Fetch is the best pet insurance for military in Colorado, with a discount of up to 10% every month for veterans and active military. Although it doesn’t offer a wellness plan, Fetch’s comprehensive pet insurance coverage has several extras that can be valuable. Its accident and illness plan covers virtual and in-home visits, exam fees for illnesses, aggression and separation anxiety treatment, as well as boarding and advertising for lost pets with a reward. Fetch has a strict 90-day limit on claim filings.

Pros and cons

Pros

Military discount: Active service members and veterans can save up to 10% on their monthly pet insurance premiums with Fetch Pet Insurance.
Many coverage features: You’ll get coverage for boarding fees, lost pet rewards and advertising, sick-visit exam fees, supplements and more.
Healthy pet credit: If you go claim-free for a year, you’ll get a 15% discount on your pet insurance premium. The credit goes up to 30% if you go a second year without hitting your deductible.

Cons

No wellness plan: There is no coverage for routine and preventive care, like dental cleanings, vaccines and flea, tick and heartworm medications.
Lengthy waiting periods: 15-day waiting periods for accidents and illnesses, and six-month waiting periods for hip and knee injuries.
Low annual coverage cap: Unlike some pet insurers who offer an unlimited annual cap on covered expenses, Fetch will only cover up to $15,000 per year.
No multi-pet discount: If you have more than one pet to insure, you won’t get a multipet discount from Fetch.

Types of pet insurance

Fetch Pet Insurance offers one form of coverage in Colorado:

Accident and illness

Deductible: $300, $500 or $700.
Coverage limits: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.

Get standard accident and illness coverage from Fetch Pet Insurance, plus some extra features like virtual and in-home visit coverage, acupuncture and chiropractic care and treatment for aggression and separation anxiety.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, the average cost of a Fetch Pet Insurance accident and illness plan is $39 per month for a dog. According to the company’s website, pet insurance from Fetch is $24 a month for a cat. Cost will vary by location and your pet’s age and breed.

Colorado discounts

Although Fetch Pet Insurance doesn’t have a multi-pet discount, it offers up to 10% savings for active duty military and veterans in Colorado.

If your pet doesn’t get sick or hurt or if you don’t reach your deductible in a policy year you can save up to 15% on your pet insurance premium, while going two years can save up to 30% with the Healthy Pet Credit.

Customer reviews

Fetch Pet Insurance reviews earn the carrier an excellent rating on Trustpilot. Based on about 2,100 reviews, Fetch has a score of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Many reviewers remark on positive customer service experiences and an easy claims process. However, some complain about not getting the right reimbursement for claims, long processing times and high premiums for little added benefit.

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Why it’s the best

Lemonade is the best cheap pet insurance in Colorado, based on our data. It also offers some of the fastest claims response and reimbursement in the industry. Thanks to Lemonade’s artificial intelligence chatbots, most pet owners can submit a claim in a few minutes, get it approved in seconds and be on their way to getting reimbursed for eligible expenses. Some claims can take longer if a human has to manually process it.

Pros and cons

Pros

Lowest average price for dogs. Lemonade has the lowest sample average monthly dog health insurance premium among the insurers we analyzed.
Fast claims processing and direct deposit. Most claims can be processed in just a few minutes.
Short accident waiting period. Lemonade only has a two-day waiting period for accidents.

Cons

Six-month waiting period for cruciate tears. Although Lemonade doesn’t have an orthopedic condition waiting period like other companies, there is a six-month waiting period for any cruciate ligament tears.
No 24/7 telehealth. Unlike some other carriers, Lemonade doesn’t have a 24/7 vet telehealth line, which can help cut down on unnecessary vet visits and expenses.
Lacking popular coverages. Without an add-on, Lemonade doesn’t offer coverage for behavioral therapy, microchipping or prescription food. Vet exam fees can be covered, but only at an additional cost.

Types of pet insurance

Accident and illness

Deductible: $100, $250 or $500.
Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.

Lemonade accident and illness coverage is standard in Colorado, providing coverage for diagnostic and blood testing, urinalysis, labwork, procedures and medication.

Wellness

Lemonade offers two tiers of preventive care that will cover vaccines, microchipping, spay or neuter surgery and two wellness visits, plus, flea, tick and heartworm preventives. The more expensive plan also covers routine dental cleaning and flea, tick or heartworm medication.

Riders available

There are several add-ons available through Lemonade in Colorado:

Vet visit fees.
Dental illness.
Physical therapy.
Behavioral conditions.
End-of-life and remembrance.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, the average cost of an unlimited Lemonade accident and illness plan for a dog is $20 per month.

Colorado discounts

Lemonade offers several discounts in Colorado. You can save 5% by insuring multiple pets, get a 5% annual discount and save 10% if you bundle pet insurance with home or renters insurance from Lemonade.

Customer reviews

With nearly 1,900 reviews, Lemonade has an excellent score on Trustpilot with 4.4 out of 5 stars, but this is for all insurance products the carrier offers — not just pet insurance.

Although most pet insurance reviews are positive, some customers say they have difficulties with what is considered a pre-existing condition. One example includes diarrhea, which is a common curable pre-existing condition other carriers will cover after a specific period being symptom- and treatment-free.

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Why it’s the best

Embrace has the best behavioral health coverage in Colorado, according to our analysis. With some pet insurance companies, advanced treatments such as mobility aids or behavioral care are excluded from coverage. But that’s not the case with Embrace. It covers added services like rehabilitative therapy, prosthetic devices and dental illness care.

Pros and cons

Pros

Coverage for behavioral treatments. Embrace will cover medication and other therapies prescribed by a veterinarian to treat behavioral issues, unlike many competitors.
Diminishing deductible. For each year that you go without filing a claim, Embrace will reduce your deductible by $50.
Coverage for vet exams. While many companies exclude veterinary exams, Embrace will reimburse exams related to a covered injury or illness.

Cons

Lengthy waiting periods: Embrace has 14-day waiting periods for illnesses. For orthopedic conditions, its waiting period is six months.
Physical examinations required: A medical exam is required 12 months before the policy’s effective date or within 14 days after the effective date. Otherwise, any claims will not be paid.
Claims can take 10 to 15 days. While other companies may reimburse your claims within a few days, Embrace typically takes 10 to 15.

Types of pet insurance

Embrace offers three forms of coverage:

Accident and illness

Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000.
Coverage limits: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.

Embrace’s policy in Colorado covers the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses. It also provides up to $1,000 per year in treatments for dental diseases or injuries, and it covers prescription medications and behavioral treatments.

Accident only

Deductible: $100.
Coverage limits: $5,000.
Reimbursement percentage: 90%.

Embrace’s accident-only policy may be a cost-effective choice for senior pets or those with pre-existing conditions in Colorado.

Wellness

You can choose an allowance of $250 to $650 per year to reimburse you for eligible preventative care expenses, such as vaccinations, bloodwork and dental cleanings.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, the average cost of an Embrace unlimited accident and illness plan for a dog costs about $65 per month. We found Embrace to be slightly more expensive than the average for other companies, particularly for older pets.

Colorado discounts

Embrace offers two discounts:

10% Multi-pet discount.
5% Military discount for active service members and veterans.

Customer reviews

Embrace has positive customer reviews and has a score of 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot (great) based on 3,600 reviews.

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Why it’s the best

Figo pet insurance has the shortest waiting period for accident coverage, of the top-rated pet insurance companies in Colorado. When you buy Figo pet health insurance, you only have a one-day waiting period for accidents before coverage begins. The waiting period for illness is 14 days.

Pros and cons

Pros

Short accident waiting period. Accident coverage beings after only 1 day.
No upper age limit: Unlike other companies, Figo will enroll pets at any age.
Multiple deductible options: Figo allows you to pick a deductible between $100 and $750.
Up to 100% reimbursement: Figo allows you to choose up to 100% reimbursement.

Cons

Strict exclusions for hereditary conditions: Figo requires senior wellness plans for dogs over age 8 and may exclude treatments for some ailments if pets are enrolled past a certain age. The requirements can vary by state, so review your policy carefully.
Veterinary exams not covered: Figo doesn’t cover veterinary exams without an additional rider.
Holistic or alternative therapies not covered: Figo doesn’t cover complementary or rehabilitative therapies unless you add an additional rider to your coverage.

Types of pet insurance

Accident and illness

Deductible: $100, $250, $500 or $750.
Coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%.

Figo offers multiple tiers of coverage for accident and illness insurance for dogs and cats in Colorado. The tiers cover the same tests and treatments, but vary by reimbursement limit.

Wellness

Figo offers wellness plans for an additional fee in Colorado. It reimburses you for routine care.

Riders available

Figo offers several riders in addition to the wellness plan:

Veterinary exam fees: This rider provides coverage for exam fees related to the diagnosis and treatment of covered conditions.
Extra care: The extra care rider covers other pet-related expenses such as rewards for lost pets and vacation cancellation due to a pet’s illness.

Colorado rates

Figo’s monthly rate for an unlimited accident and illness plan for a dog is around $40 per month in Colorado.

Colorado discounts

In Colorado, Figo offers a 5% multi-pet discount.

Customer reviews

Figo has a score of 4.0 out of 5 (good) on Trustpilot based on about 1,900 reviews. While that’s lower than some of the companies on our list, many of the complaints focused on annual pet insurance premium increases. Unfortunately, it’s normal for pet insurance companies to raise rates as pets age, as older pets are more likely to develop health issues.

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Why it’s the best

Healthy Paws is the best flexible pet insurance in Colorado, based on our extensive review. You’re not locked into the same deductible and reimbursement percentage choices you made at enrollment because Healthy Paws allows you to make adjustments at any time.

Pros and cons

Pros

Customizable coverage: Before you file your first claim, you can increase your reimbursement percentage or decrease the deductible to save on premium. After submitting a claim, you still have the option to increase the deductible or decrease the reimbursement level.
Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts: There is no limit to the amount Healthy Paws will reimburse you for your pet’s eligible vet expenses.
24/7 pet health line: Get answers to your questions from licensed veterinary professionals, including whether you should get medical attention for your pet.

Cons

No accident-only plan: Healthy Paws only offers accident and illness coverage, so if you want an accident-only plan, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
No wellness plan: Healthy Paws also doesn’t have a wellness plan option to cover preventive and routine care like other pet insurance companies do.
Exams fees aren’t covered: There is no coverage for office visit exam fees, rechecks, consultations, office calls or emergency exam fees.

Types of pet insurance

Healthy Paws offers one form of pet insurance coverage in Colorado:

Accident and illness

Deductible: $100, $250 or $500.
Coverage limit: Unlimited.
Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80% or 90%.

Besides the normal accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, Healthy Paws also covers alternative care treatments. These treatments include acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, laser therapy, homeopathy and veterinary herbal therapy.

Riders available

Healthy Paws does not offer any riders on their pet insurance plan in Colorado.

Colorado rates

In Colorado, it costs about $34 per month for an unlimited accident and illness plan for a dog.

Colorado discounts

Healthy Paws does not offer any discounts in Colorado. It will donate $25 to homeless pets in your name through its refer-a-friend program for every completed referral you receive.

Customer reviews

Healthy Paws pet insurance reviews on Trustpilot have earned the provider an excellent rating with 4.4 out of 5 stars after more than 2,200 reviews.

Happy customers remark about their fast and easy claims process and coverage for their pet’s conditions, from laryngeal paralysis in someone’s cat to lymphoma cancer in another’s dog.

However, there are negative comments about having a hard time canceling the policy after a pet’s death or surrender and frustrations with claims denials, even after submitting the requested paperwork.

Compare the best pet insurance companies in Colorado

Here’s how Colorado pet insurance companies compare.

Pet insurance company

Product rating

Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado

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Pets Best

$35

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Pet insurance company	Pets Best
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$35
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ManyPets

$28

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Pet insurance company	ManyPets
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$28
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Fetch

$39

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Pet insurance company	Fetch
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$39
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Lemonade

$20

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Pet insurance company	Lemonade
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$20
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Figo

$40

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Pet insurance company	Figo
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$40
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Embrace

$65

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Pet insurance company	Embrace
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$65
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Healthy Paws

$34

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Pet insurance company	Healthy Paws
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$34
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Trupanion

$67

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Pet insurance company	Trupanion
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$67
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MetLife

$58

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Pet insurance company	MetLife
Product rating
Average cost of pet insurance in Colorado	$58
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_{*Average monthly pet insurance premiums assume unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage.}

How much is pet insurance in Colorado?

Pet insurance in Colorado costs around $38 per month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited annual maximum coverage. How much your pet insurance costs will depend on your pet’s age, breed and other factors such as your ZIP code.

Here are average rates for the best pet insurance companies in Colorado.

Pet insurance company

Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage

Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage

Lemonade

$10

$20

Pet insurance company	Lemonade
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$10
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$20

ManyPets

–

$28

Pet insurance company	ManyPets
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	–
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$28

Healthy Paws

–

$34

Pet insurance company	Healthy Paws
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	–
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$34

Pets Best

$31

$35

Pet insurance company	Pets Best
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$31
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$35

Fetch

$32

$39

Pet insurance company	Fetch
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$32
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$39

Figo

$28

$40

Pet insurance company	Figo
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$28
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$40

MetLife

$29

$58

Pet insurance company	MetLife
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$29
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$58

Embrace

$46

$65

Pet insurance company	Embrace
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	$46
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$65

Trupanion

–

$67

Pet insurance company	Trupanion
Monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage	–
Monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage	$67

^{*Source: PetInsurer.com. Monthly pet insurance rates are for plans with a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and 90% reimbursement level. Rates for plans with unlimited coverage use the highest annual coverage amount available — $30,000 for Embrace and $100,000 for Lemonade.}

Vet costs in Colorado

When deciding which Colorado pet insurance plan is best for you, consider the average amount you’ll pay each time you take your pet to the vet. Some plans cover vet exam fees, while others don’t.

Here are the average costs for dogs and cats to visit a vet office in some Colorado cities, according to data from Banfield Pet Hospital.

COLORADO CITY	AVERAGE COST OF A VET OFFICE VISIT
Aurora	$65
Colorado Springs	$67
Denver	$65

Average pet insurance claim amount in Colorado

If your pet has a severe accident or illness, you could end up paying much more out of pocket than the average vet visit. In March 2024, the average Colorado pet insurance claim was $466, according to data from Embrace pet insurance.

These states had the highest average pet insurance claims in the nation:

Washington, D.C. – $623
Massachusetts – $527
California – $525
Nevada – $515
Washington – $503
Oregon – $491
Arizona – $483
New Jersey – $482
Virginia – $482
New York – $474
Colorado – $466

How to find the best pet insurance in Colorado

When comparing pet insurance in Colorado, consider these features to help you choose the best plan for your needs and budget.

24/7 vet lines

A 24/7 vet line is available through many pet insurance companies and is staffed by experienced veterinary experts. Most vet lines are available through chat or over the phone, answering general questions about your pet’s health to provide guidance for the best healthcare solutions. If your pet has a medical issue in the middle of the night and your vet’s office is closed, the 24/7 vet line may help you avoid an unnecessary and costly emergency vet visit.

Direct pay option

Some vet offices are directly linked to pet insurance companies. This software connection allows the veterinarian to submit your pet’s invoice electronically so you only pay your portion at checkout, instead of paying in full, then filing a claim and waiting for reimbursement.

Check for discounts

If you own more than one pet, most pet insurers will offer a multi-pet discount ranging from 5% to 10% on each additional policy. There may also be discounts for military members and workers in certain organizations or membership affiliations. Some pet insurance companies, like Embrace, offer a diminishing deductible feature, which lowers your deductible for each policy year you don’t file a claim.

Wellness plan rider option

Pet insurance only covers certain vet expenses for accidents and illnesses. Routine and preventative care, like vaccinations and flea and tick preventatives, will help keep your pet healthy and can extend its life expectancy. Consider pet insurance companies offering preventive care coverage.

Ready to explore your options? How to compare pet insurance quotes

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance pays a portion of your eligible veterinary costs in exchange for a monthly or annual premium.

How much you pay for pet insurance will depend on a number of factors, including:

Your pet’s age, breed and species.
Your pet’s size and gender.
Your Colorado ZIP code. Living in a more rural area like Leadville, Rifle or Pagosa Springs might mean you pay less for pet insurance than Coloradans in Aurora, Denver and Colorado Springs.
The pet insurance company, plan and coverage options you choose.

Types of pet insurance plans

When you compare pet insurance plans, you can choose from an accident and illness plan or an accident-only plan. Depending on the pet insurance company, you may also have the option to add a wellness plan.

Accident and illness. Offering the broadest range of coverage, this comprehensive pet insurance covers both accidents and illnesses. It will cover everything an accident-only plan will, plus breed-specific, chronic and hereditary conditions, heart disease and other illnesses.

Accident-only. This plan is usually cheaper than a comprehensive plan because it excludes treatment for sickness. Accidents include broken bones and teeth, insect or animal bites, ingested poisons, bloat and lacerations. Accident-only coverage may pay for associated costs of hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic testing and prescription medications.

Routine wellness plan. A wellness plan will cover routine and preventative care and is usually available as an add-on to an accident and illness insurance policy. Veterinary expenses to maintain your pet’s health aren’t covered under pet insurance without a wellness plan. This typically includes annual visit fees, microchipping, vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery and dental cleanings.

Is dental coverage included in pet insurance? Pet dental insurance explained

How does pet insurance work?

When you buy pet insurance, you can choose from different levels of coverage, deductible and reimbursement level. The more the insurer reimburses, the higher your premiums will be. Consider these options when comparing pet insurance policies.

Annual maximum limit

The annual maximum coverage limit is the most the insurer will pay per plan year. Most carriers offer an annual cap between $5,000 to unlimited.

Deductible

Before the insurer will reimburse for covered vet expenses, you have to meet a deductible. Pet insurance companies offer deductibles typically from $50 to $1,000. You can save on your premium by having a higher deductible, but you’ll also have to foot more costs on your own.

Reimbursement percentage

Once you’ve met your deductible, the insurance company begins reimbursing for eligible expenses. The reimbursement percentage is the portion of each bill your insurer will pay. Most insurance companies offer 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement. Figo is the only carrier in our lineup offering 100% reimbursement.

Methodology

We analyzed nine pet insurance companies operating in Colorado using data from Petinsurer.com.

For this analysis, average rates are based on accident and illness plans, which account for 98% of pet insurance policies purchased, according to data from the North American Health Pet Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Rates are also based on dog pet insurance, as dogs make up 85% of insured pets, per NAPHIA.

Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:

Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog at two different ages in Colorado, with unlimited annual reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $250 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. The lower the average rate, the higher the number of points.
Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer annual reimbursement of up to $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
Behavioral therapy: 5 points. If an insurance company covers behavior therapy in its pet insurance plans, it scored points.
Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, an insurance company scored in this category.

Colorado pet insurance FAQs

Out of the best pet insurance companies in Colorado that make our rating, Lemonade offers the cheapest pet insurance — charging an average of $20 a month for an accident and illness plan with unlimited coverage.

Pet insurance is not tax deductible in Colorado unless your pet is a service animal. You should speak with an accountant or tax professional to learn if your pet meets eligibility requirements.

Pet insurance may cover vaccinations if you have a wellness plan add on. Wellness plans can cover costs for preventative care, neutering and vaccinations.

In general, pet insurance companies allow you to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian or clinic for care. Unlike health insurance, there is no in-network or out-of-network coverage to deal with or vets that won’t accept your insurance plan.

Pet insurance companies impose waiting periods before coverage goes into effect. Waiting periods vary depending on the policy and insurer, as well as the type of coverage (e.g., accidents, illnesses, orthopedic issues). Typically, the wait for accident coverage may be as brief as one day after the policy’s effective start date, while more serious issues like cruciate ligament events may have a wait time of six months or more.

The cost of pet insurance in Colorado depends on a number of factors, including your pet’s age, breed, where you live, and the coverage and deductible amounts you choose. Based on our analysis, the average cost of pet insurance in Colorado is $43 per month for a plan with unlimited annual coverage.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Mandy Sleight

BLUEPRINT

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Kara McGinley

BLUEPRINT

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

Scott Nyerges

BLUEPRINT

Scott Nyerges is a veteran journalist with experience in insurance and consumer reviews. Before contributing to USA TODAY Blueprint, Scott was the senior insurance editor and content strategist for U.S. News and World Report. He's also written and edited for Consumer Reports, MSN, Cheapism and Consumer Search. He loves helping people make smart money decisions. Scott's expertise lies in car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, pet insurance and small business insurance. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from The University of Missouri-Columbia.