Takeaways
- Multi-pet insurance allows you to have two separate policies under the same account.
- If you have multiple pets, purchasing a multi-pet policy could give you access to 5 to 10% discounts and an easier claims process while still providing you with customizable coverage.
- Always shop around for the best pet insurance plan before making a final selection. In some cases, a plan with a multi-pet discount will still be more expensive than purchasing separate plans elsewhere.
If you have more than one dog, having their pet insurance under one provider can make your life a whole lot easier. Plus, it allows you to take advantage of multi-pet discounts, which can help lower your premiums without lessening your coverage.
What Is Multiple Pet Insurance?
Multi-pet insurance is exactly as it sounds – pet insurance for more than one pet. When you take out multi-pet insurance, you’re actually purchasing two (or more) separate policies that you can manage through the same account.
Costs can quickly add up when you have more than one pet! Pet insurance can drastically reduce the stress of having a poorly pet. It’s reassuring to know that you can focus on the best treatment plan for your pet, without worrying about the bill.
Dr. Lizzie Youens, Veterinary Surgeon
Taking advantage of multi-pet discounts can be a great way to reduce the cost of pet insurance. However, all policies vary as to what, and how much, they cover; so be sure to choose the best policy for your pets’ unique needs. This may involve choosing different insurance policies, or even companies.
Benefits of Multi-Pet Insurance
Beyond the ability to have multiple policies under one account, there are a few other benefits of multi-pet insurance:
Discounts. Most pet insurance companies will offer a 5-10% discount for insuring more than one pet. Depending on the cost to insure your pets, this can amount to substantial savings.
Easier Claims Process. Rather than needing to remember which pet has which insurance, you’ll know that all pets are under the same company. This makes filing a claim simpler, as you can log into one online portal instead of hopping from site to site.
Customizable Coverage. Even when linking the policies, you’ll still be able to customize the coverage you want for each pet. Pets can have different levels of coverage, deductibles, and maximum payment amounts, even if linked together.
The Different Types Of Multi-Pet Insurance
With all pet insurance, you’ll need to decide between a few different types of plans:
Accident Only
Accident-only pet insurance is just as it sounds — it covers injuries caused by accidents, not illnesses. This may include coverage for things like broken bones, foreign object ingestion, and accidental poisoning.
Accident-Illness
Accident-illness plans cover both accidents, like the ones listed above, and illnesses like chronic diseases, cancer, and hip dysplasia.
Accident-Illness + Wellness Coverage
For the most comprehensive coverage, opt for a wellness coverage add-on. This will give you coverage for all the traditional accident- and illness-related expenses, plus costs from routine preventative care, spaying/neutering, microchipping, teeth cleaning, vaccinations, and more.
Is Multi Pet Insurance Cheaper?
Multi-pet insurance typically comes with a 5-10% discount. In some cases, this may make it cheaper than purchasing policies from separate insurance providers.
In other cases, you may find that insuring pets separately is more cost-effective. For example, if you want Fido to have wellness coverage because of his medical conditions, but Fifi doesn’t need it, it may be cheaper to purchase two separate policies at two different insurance companies.
Factors Affecting Cost
Remember, there are a variety of factors that will influence the cost of pet insurance, such as:
Age: Older pets tend to be more expensive to insure.
Breed: Some breeds are predisposed to certain medical conditions, making them more costly to insure. For example, french bulldogs are predisposed to skin allergies, which might make insurance premiums a bit higher than average.
Location: Veterinary care in metropolitan areas tends to be higher than in rural areas. If vet care is more expensive where you live, you can expect that to reflect in your insurance premium.
Coverage: Generally speaking, the more coverage you want, the more expensive it will be. Likewise, policies with less coverage will be cheaper.
Deductible: The lower the deductible you choose, the higher your premium is likely to be, and vice versa.
Reimbursement Level: Pet insurance policies have a reimbursement level, or how much of a bill the insurance company will reimburse you after you’ve met your deductible. Generally, the higher the reimbursement level, the more expensive your premium will be.
Payment Schedule: Some pet insurance companies will allow you to pay yearly, rather than monthly, in exchange for a small discount.
Always Shop Around
The cost of pet insurance can vary significantly between providers. Before purchasing a policy, compare rates from multiple companies. You may find that a multi-pet discount with one provider is compelling, but not enough to make it cheaper than insuring pets separately at different providers.
Always research your options before purchasing a policy.