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Best Pet Insurance In North Carolina Of 2024

Written By
Lead Editor, Insurance

Reviewed

|Managing Editor, Insurance
& 1 other
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Key Takeaways

  • Pets Best is the best pet insurance company in North Carolina, based on our analysis.
  • $68 a month is the average pet insurance cost for a dog in North Carolina.
  • $33 a month is the average pet insurance cost for a cat in North Carolina.
Read more

How We Chose the Best Pet Insurance Companies in North Carolina

We analyzed key coverage categories such as pet insurance costs, the ability to pay the vet directly, the availability of a 24/7 vet health line and the option to add a wellness plan. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate insurers so that all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and methodology for the ratings below.

  • 32 coverage categories evaluated
  • 4,066 pet insurance rates crunched
  • 102 years of insurance experience on the editorial team

Compare the Best Pet Insurance Companies in North Carolina

The Best Pet Insurance Companies in North Carolina


Pets Best

Pets Best
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Maximum annual coverage

$5,000 or Unlimited

Average monthly cost for Unlimited coverage

$42 for dogs; $23 for cats

Deductible choices

$50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000

$5,000 or Unlimited

$42 for dogs; $23 for cats

$50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000

Our Expert Take

Consider Pets Best if you’re looking for solid basic coverage with good prices for unlimited annual coverage.

More: Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Pros & Cons
  • Has a 24/7 pet telehealth line.
  • Can pay the vet directly if the vet agrees.
  • Low $50 deductible is hard to find among competitors.
  • Covers behavioral therapy.
  • No coverage for prescription food or alternative therapy such as hydrotherapy.
  • 6-month waiting period for coverage of cruciate ligament issues.

Figo

Figo
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Maximum annual coverage

$5,000, $10,000 or Unlimited

Average monthly cost for Unlimited coverage

$52 for dogs; $22 for cats

Deductible choices

$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 or $1,500

$5,000, $10,000 or Unlimited

$52 for dogs; $22 for cats

$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 or $1,500

Our Expert Take

Figo stands out for its 100% reimbursement option. Coverage highlights include alternative therapies such as acupuncture and dental accidents and illnesses.

More: Figo Pet Insurance Review

Pros & Cons
  • Offers a 100% reimbursement option.
  • Optional wellness plan available.
  • Has a 24/7 pet telehealth line.
  • 6-month waiting period for orthopedic problems but it can be waived with a vet exam.
  • You’ll need to pay extra for coverage for vet exam fees. Some top competitors include this in the base coverage.

ManyPets

ManyPets
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Maximum annual coverage

Unlimited

Average monthly cost for Unlimited coverage

$50 for dogs; $31 for cats

Deductible choices

$500 or $750

Unlimited

$50 for dogs; $31 for cats

$500 or $750

Our Expert Take

ManyPets gets our attention because its waiting period for coverage is 15 days but is reduced to only 24 hours if you’re switching over from another insurer.

More: ManyPets Pet Insurance Review

Pros & Cons
  • Also sells a wellness plan.
  • Covers vet exam fees and end-of-life expenses.
  • Lacks a 90% reimbursement option.
  • Does not cover pet behavioral therapy, unlike many other plans.
  • No 24/7 pet telehealth line.

Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Maximum annual coverage

Unlimited

Average monthly cost for Unlimited coverage

$46 for dogs; $18 for cats

Deductible choices

$100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000

Unlimited

$46 for dogs; $18 for cats

$100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000

Our Expert Take

Check out Healthy Paws because it offers unlimited annual coverage at a lower cost compared to top competitors.

More: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

Pros & Cons
  • Pays vet directly if you make a request to Healthy Paws in advance of treatment.
  • 24/7 pet telehealth line included.
  • Doesn’t offer wellness or routine care coverage.
  • Doesn’t cover vet exam fees for accidents or illnesses.
  • No coverage for dental illness such as periodontitis.

AKC

AKC
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

Maximum annual coverage

$2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, $15,000 or Unlimited

Average monthly cost for Unlimited coverage

$49 for dogs; $25 for cats

Deductible choices

$100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750 or $1,000

$2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, $15,000 or Unlimited

$49 for dogs; $25 for cats

$100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750 or $1,000

Our Expert Take

AKC has a top-notch variety of annual coverage options and deductibles to choose from, so you can adjust reimbursement levels to fit a budget.

More: AKC Pet Insurance Review

Pros & Cons
  • Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period.
  • Covers prescription food.
  • 5% multi-pet discount.
  • 24/7 pet healthline.
  • Only pays for vet exam fees if you buy an add-on.
  • Only covers hereditary and congenital conditions of you buy an add-on, while other competitors include this coverage.
  • Does not pay the vet directly.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in North Carolina?

Pet insurance in North Carolina costs an average of $47 for a dog and $24 per month for a cat, according to our analysis of pet insurance costs. That’s for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level costs an average of $68 per month for a dog and $33 per month for a cat in North Carolina.

Cost of Pet Insurance for Dogs in North Carolina

Company Monthly cost for $5,000 in annual coverage Monthly cost for Unlimited annual coverage Learn more
$37
$42
$33
$52
N/A
$50
N/A
$46
$39
$49

Cost of Pet Insurance for Cats in North Carolina

Company Monthly cost for $5,000 in annual coverage Monthly cost for Unlimited annual coverage Learn more
$21
$23
$14
$22
N/A
$31
N/A
$18
$20
$25

More: How Does Pet Insurance Work?


How To Find the Best Pet Insurance in North Carolina

When you’re examining your choices for the best pet insurance, you may be looking for the cheapest pet insurance policy. Before you go for the cheapest option, see if the policy has these features.

Find Out If There Can Be Direct Vet Payments

Some pet insurers, like Pets Best and Trupanion, can pay a vet directly, which can minimize your initial out-of-pocket cost.

Check for a Multi-Pet Discount

If you have more than one pet, look for a multi-pet discount when you get pet insurance quotes.

Consider a Plan With a 24/7 Vet Helpline

Many pet insurers offer free access to a 24/7 vet helpline, included with the policy. So if your dog gets ill in the middle of the night, you can call the helpline for guidance.

Consider a Wellness Policy for Routine Care 

Annual checkups, vaccinations and other routine care can reduce the chances of significant vet bills later. If you want help paying for preventive care costs, look for a company that can provide a pet insurance wellness plan.

Find Out All the Waiting Periods

Every company applies pet insurance waiting periods. That’s the length of time you must wait after purchase until your pet coverage starts. See if the pet insurer has an extended waiting period for particular conditions. If your pet is prone to these issues you may want to look at a different pet insurance plan.

Look at Whether Vet Exam Fees Are Covered

If you don’t want to get hit with basic vet exam bills, look for pet insurers that will cover this cost.


Veterinary Costs in North Carolina

Although the average vet visit cost in North Carolina is $47 for dogs, if your pet has additional vet needs, like surgery and an X-ray, costs will be higher. Here’s a look at vet visit costs in different cities in North Carolina.

City Average Cost For A Veterinary Visit For One Dog Average Cost For A Veterinary Visit With Additional Dog Total Cost For A Veterinary Visit With Two Dogs
Browns Summit
$65
$51
$116
Cary
$67
$52
$119
Durham
$70
$55
$125
Lewisville
$65
$51
$116
Matthews
$68
$53
$121
Source: Banfield Pet Hospital

Methodology

To find the best North Carolina pet insurance we scored each company based on the following:

  • Pet insurance rates (40% of score): We calculated average rates in North Carolina for medium sized mixed breed dogs age 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 7 years for plans with unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available.
  • Special waiting period (10% of score): Many pet insurance companies have a special waiting period for problems such as cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. Plans that had no waiting period, a waiting period of fewer than six months or the ability to have the waiting period waived scored higher.
  • Direct payment to vet (10% of score): Pet insurance companies that have the ability to pay a vet directly earned points.
  • 24/7 vet health line (10% of score): Insurers that provide access to a 24/7 vet health line earned points.
  • Routine wellness plans (10% of score): Insurers that offer optional wellness plans earned points.
  • Pays veterinary exam fees (10% of score): Plans that cover the vet exam fee received points. Not all insurers cover exam fees, even if the fee is for an illness or accident-related visit.
  • Euthanasia or end of life expenses (5% of score): Insurers that cover end of life expenses, such as euthanasia, cremation or burial fees, received points.
  • Multipet discount (5% of score): Many pet insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one pet. Insurers that offer a multipet discount earned points.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates pet insurance companies


North Carolina Pet Insurance FAQs

Is pet insurance more expensive in North Carolina?

North Carolina has cheaper average pet insurance compared to other states such as Arizona, California and Connecticut.

 

But pet owners in Georgia, Indiana and Ohio are paying less for pet insurance.

What is the cheapest pet insurance in North Carolina?

the lowest average insurance price for dogs in North Carolina, among the companies in our analysis. Its cost averages $32 per month for dogs for unlimited coverage.

 

For cats, ASPCA has the cheapest North Carolina pet insurance, at an average of $17 per month for unlimited coverage.

Is pet insurance worth it in North Carolina?

The best way to determine if pet insurance is worth it is to consider how an unexpected vet bill could impact your personal finances. For example, if you’ve been paying about $50 per month for pet insurance for three years, you’ve paid $1,800 in pet insurance bills.

 

Let’s say your dog swallows a tennis ball and treatment costs $3,500. If you have a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level, your out-of-pocket cost for the vet would be $900 ($250 deductible + 20% of $3,250 = $900). Adding up the premium for three years and what you’ve paid toward treatment, you’ve paid $2,700 and kept $800 by having pet insurance.


Next Up In Pet Insurance


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