13 Ways To Get Pet Insurance Discounts, Deals, and Lower Rates
Pet insurance is a great way to protect your four-legged friend against illnesses and accidents. However, we understand the cost of coverage can feel like a bigger commitment than expected for those who are already struggling to budget for pet care. The most recent pet insurance cost data shows premiums averaging $749.29/year for dogs and $386.47/year for cats for accident and illness plans. The good news is that there are various discounts and savings options available to help pet owners find affordable pet health insurance.
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Key Takeaways
- Many pet insurance providers offer discounts such as multi-pet enrollment, employer-sponsored plans, discounts for military members, and senior citizens etc.
- There are also other strategies to save money besides discounts, such as referral programs, diminishing deductibles, and customizing policies to lower the premium.
- Your pet’s breed, species, age, and location will all influence the cost. Pawlicy Advisor allows you to easily compare options side by side to find an affordable policy suitable for your budget and your pet’s needs – and auto-applies multi-pet discounts.
This post looks at some of the most common pet health insurance discounts and other saving strategies that can help you reduce your policy premium.
How do I get a pet insurance discount?
Insure Multiple Pets Under One Policy to Get a Discount
Most providers offer discounts for insuring multiple pets. Multi-pet discounts vary from one insurance company to another, but in some cases, the savings can be as high as 10% off for signing up two or more pets
Each insurer handles multi-pet discounts differently, so it’s important to read the fine print or speak to a licensed insurance expert at Pawlicy Advisor.
Check for Employer-Sponsored Plans that Come with Pet Insurance
36% of employers in the United States1 also offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit. The list of pet insurance providers offering discounts for employees includes ASPCA, Embrace, Figo, Spot, and Fetch.
Check if Your Employer or Union Offers Pet Insurance Deals
Many employee unions offer pet insurance discounts for union members. For instance, the National Education Association (NEA) provides a 5% discount through Pets Best2, while Union Privilege members can get up to a 10% discount on pet insurance3.
Use Club Memberships Like Costco or AAA for Exclusive Discounts
Wholesale clubs like Costco negotiate discounts for their members for various products, including pet insurance. Costco Business and Gold Star members get a 15% discount on pet insurance rates, whereas Executive members enjoy the same savings, plus the first month of premiums and a $15 enrollment fee waived.
Join Groups Like AARP to Unlock Special Insurance Rates
Special Interest Clubs like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) also offer discounts to their members.
AARP members get access to an exclusive Fetch pet insurance discount of up to 10% off, compared to a 5% AAA discount on Embrace Pet Insurance. Note that clubs separated by geographical location, like AAA, might not offer the same discounts and benefits across all their service areas.
Bundle Pet Insurance with Auto, Home, or Renters Coverage
Many insurance companies offer a discount when purchasing more than one policy type. A bundle discount might apply to your pet health insurance policy if the provider offers other insurance products that you also purchase.
For instance, Lemonade offers discounts for bundling pet insurance and renters insurance, whereas GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate customers might be eligible for a discount when bundling pet insurance and auto insurance.
Take Advantage of Military Discounts
Former and active members of the military and their families can get pet insurance discounts through select providers. For instance, Armed Forces Pet Insurance provides a 5% military discount to active or former military members on the policies sold through Embrace, whereas with USAA, military members might save up some more for a maximum 25% discount on pet insurance.
However, pet insurance discounts may vary by state, and you might be required to provide proof of military service to qualify for savings.
Look Into Senior-Specific Pet Insurance Savings
Seniors looking for flexible pricing should consider AARP because it provides its members with a 10% discount on monthly premiums through Fetch.
Other ways to save on pet insurance
Besides the discount options listed above, some pet insurers offer additional savings options. Here are a few other ways you can save money on pet insurance and lower your overall cost:
Some Insurers Will Lower Your Deductibe if No Claims Have Been Paid Out for the Year
If your cat or dog goes without an insurance claim within an annual policy term, your pet's annual deductible may automatically decrease. Several companies offer this deal on pet insurance (known as a “diminishing deductible” or “healthy pet deductible”), including MetLife and Embrace.
Extra Ways to Save: Early Enrollment, Custom Plans, and Comparisons
Lock in lower rates sooner rather than later
Insurance rates change all the time, and they usually go up. Locking in today can save you money across the next 12 months.
NOTE: Monthly premiums will likely increase as your pet ages and becomes more susceptible to health issues. It’s also best to get insurance before any health problems arise, so you’ll have coverage if anything comes up later on, since pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.
Customizing plans to get the desired coverage vs price
Many insurers allow you to customize the price of your insurance premium by selecting the reimbursement rate, annual deductible, and/or annual reimbursement limit. This enables you to choose less coverage in favor of a cheaper pet insurance rate.
Comparing plans side-by-side
By comparing coverage details and pricing differences side-by-side, you can identify which pet insurance has the best deal given your personal preferences and your pet’s needs.
Compare Top Pet Insurance Companies Side-by-Side
Use Pawlicy Advisor to get personalized quotes from leading brands and see how each plan stacks up — instantly.
100% free to use. No fees. No commitment.
Pet Insurance Discount FAQs
Can you combine pet insurance discounts?
Some providers allow you to combine multiple pet insurance discounts — such as multi-pet enrollment through an employer-sponsored plan — helping you amplify your savings even further. Others might discount your premium only once, or limit the total discount you can receive on your premium rate.
Can you share pet insurance discount codes?
Currently, there are no pet insurance discount codes available to policyholders. As states work to tighten restrictions related to pet insurance discounts in the future, discount codes will disappear in the pet health insurance industry.
How much is the cheapest pet insurance?
Monthly pet insurance premiums can range from as low as $9 to $10 in the Midwest for minimal Accident-Only coverage. In comparison, the average cost of pet insurance is $62.44/month for dogs and $32.21/month for cats. The price quote you personally receive for a pet insurance premium will depend on several factors.
What factors determine your monthly premium for pet insurance?
Your pet’s species, breed, age, and location all influence how expensive or cheap pet insurance will be. Dogs tend to be a little more expensive to insure than cats. Some breeds with prevalent genetic disorders are also more expensive.
Older animals are more likely to experience health issues and need veterinary care, so insurance carriers will charge more to cover them. Finally, the average cost of veterinary care in your geographic area will also impact premium rates.
Other factors include customizations you can make to your policy. The following actions will generally result in a lower premium:
- Lower the reimbursement rate
- Increase the deductible
- Lower the annual payout limit
- Opt for annual payments instead of monthly payments
- Remove optional add-ons (eg. wellness plans)
Is there an alternative to pet insurance?
There are some pet insurance alternatives that may help reduce the financial burden of expensive veterinary bills. One option is a veterinary discount plan such as Pet Assure that offers discounted veterinary services for a flat, monthly fee. Another alternative is veterinary financing through companies like CareCredit, which may enable you to defer the upfront cost of an expensive and unexpected vet treatment.
However, most pet insurance alternatives come with strict qualification requirements. In the case of PetAssure, the discount is only accepted by veterinary practices in the Pet Assure network. Pet insurance policyholders, on the other hand, can choose any licensed veterinarian in the country or even abroad, depending on the provider.
Where to find discounted pet insurance
Pawlicy Advisor can help you save money on pet insurance by analyzing your pet’s unique information and recommending plans with the best value. Pawlicy Advisor also auto-applies multi-pet discounts and allows you to purchase bundles on certain insurers that offer other products, like Lemonade.
Speak to a licensed insurance expert at Pawlicy Advisor today to compare top brands and customize a policy that fits your needs and your budget.
Does AAA offer discounts on pet insurance?
AAA members can receive a 5% discount on pet insurance plans with Accident & Illness coverage, administered through Embrace.
Does AARP help with vet bills?
AARP members are eligible to save up to 10% on pet insurance premiums, which can significantly lower the cost of vet bills. There is a 5% AARP member discount, plus an additional 5% off for signing up online.
Does Nationwide offer pet insurance discounts?
Yes. Current Nationwide members get a 5% discount on new pet insurance policies. In addition, you can get a 5% to 10% multi-pet discount, depending on the number of animals you enroll.
Compare Top Pet Insurance Companies Side-by-Side
Use Pawlicy Advisor to get personalized quotes from leading brands and see how each plan stacks up — instantly.
100% free to use. No fees. No commitment.
References:
- Mercer, "Pet insurance – a valued benefit and a good excuse to share pet pics"
- UnionPlus, "Pet Health Insurance"
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Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. As an animal lover with a rescued Terrier named Barry, when she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor, she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
