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About 35.5% of Minnesota households include a dog among their family members.1 It’s probably a fair assumption that a small percentage of the state’s 1.1 million dogs don’t have pet insurance, given the national figure of 4.41 million insured animals.2 That’s a shame since 75% of pet owners are struggling to keep up with animal-related expenses.3 Let’s see what they’re paying.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
We’ll start with what you can expect to pay: Roughly $75 for an exam, $30 for a rabies vaccination, and $400 for a professional dental cleaning. That makes pet insurance a worthwhile investment if it can make a dent in these expenses. Let’s put it in perspective with the estimated annual cost of roughly $1,200. Throw in a $7,000 bowel obstruction, and it makes sense to get pet insurance.
An unexpected benefit of pet insurance rests with your pet’s quality of life. If you get a policy on your pup that includes wellness care, you’re probably more likely to keep them up to date with shots, buy flea-tick preventive, and get them tested for heartworm disease. The face time with the vet will also make it more likely for them to catch a chronic or potentially fatal disease early for a more promising outcome.
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How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Minnesota?
Owning a dog is undoubtedly one of the most expensive choices among companion animals. Interestingly, cat people pay about 57% of what dog owners pay for annual expenses. It’s not that these individuals don’t care for their pets. Cats just don’t make it easy since they hide when they’re sick so well until discomfort forces them to give up the ghost.
Let’s begin at the national level and work our way down to Minnesota. You can expect to pay—on average—about $49.51 a month for dogs. That’s less than a 2% increase from last year. Minnesotans will have to fork out about $46.58, or about 6% less than the rest of the country. With these statistics in mind, remember that the Land of 10,000 Lakes has less than 2% of the US population.
| Pet Patient | Insurance | With Wellness Coverage |
| Minneapolis, MN | ||
| 6-month male Labrador Retriever | $32.23 | $58.23 |
| 5-year female Cocker Spaniel | $19.18 | $35.18 |
| Rogers, MN | ||
| 6-month male Labrador Retriever | $28.55 | $54.55 |
| 5-year female Cocker Spaniel | $36.24 | $52.24 |
| International Falls, MN | ||
| 6-month male Labrador Retriever | $27.80 | $43.80 |
| 5-year female Cocker Spaniel | $41.68 | $67.68 |
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Wellness or preventive care is usually an optional add-on and not included with accident-only or comprehensive pet insurance. You may also find plans that deal with afterlife expenses. Some insurers will have a cap on the amount or percentage of covered expenses, making them things you’ll have to pay. Your deductible also plays a role in your costs.
Many companies give you the option to customize your plan to cut down on unexpected expenses. We suggest figuring out what you can reasonably afford to spend if an emergency occurs. Remember that most plans are reimbursement instead of direct pay to your vet, which is par for the course.
When Should I Get Pet Insurance?
Expenses start adding up the moment you bring home your pet. Most companies say that 8 weeks is an ideal time to sign up your pup for a plan. Puppies are probably more likely to get into mischief, whether it’s chewing on your dining room table or eating something it shouldn’t, prompting a call to poison control. It’s a better value, in the long run, to start them young.
It also gives you an advantage over chronic health conditions. Chances are good that they’ll show up later in your dog’s life when they’re already covered. It’s often an issue when the opposite is the case. We suggest researching the insurers to find one that you can keep for the long haul to take advantage of the benefits they offer.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover in Minnesota?
You’ll find a lot of variation in coverage when it comes to the conditions an insurer will cover. Of course, it depends on the type of plan. Most will take care of illnesses and accidents.
One difference you should investigate is congenital versus hereditary conditions. The former are those that occur before birth. The latter are the ones that puppies get from their parents. Fortunately, many tests exist that can identify these issues so that reputable breeders can avoid passing on problems to puppies. It’s one advantage of getting a purebred dog versus a mixed pup.
What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover in Minnesota?
There are two sides to this coin. State laws determine the particulars of what Minnesota or any other state can cover. The takeaway is that some things are outside of the company’s control. That means it’s not a con if they can’t do something you want them to do. Another factor is the breed of pet. Some have a higher propensity for specific conditions thanks to genetics.
Thus, you’ll cover many things that insurers don’t cover that swim in these ponds. Usually, they fall under the umbrella of pre-existing injuries, those caused by neglect or abuse, and optional treatments.
Conclusion
The takeaway is that the cost of pet insurance is lower than the national average in Minnesota. Surprisingly, fewer households have dogs, which ultimately affects the cost for those that opt for this coverage. We also saw a wide range of differences in the premium based on the breed. It’s not unusual for the state, but worth knowing upfront.
- Related Read: How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Colorado
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