How much does dog & cat insurance cost for the 15 most popular breeds in Iowa?

The price for Iowa pet insurance is almost always the same throughout the state including in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Le Mars, or Pella, etc. However, the prices will vary based on your puppy’s age, health, and breed.

All prices shown below are based on a 90% reimbursement rate with a $500 deductible and a $5,000 annual benefit from Figo pet insurance. Please note: these prices should only be treated as a rough guide as of January 2023 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of pet insurance in Iowa we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

Dog Insurance Prices in Iowa:

1. Mixed Breed – $22.26/ mo
2. Labrador Retriever – $30.34/ mo
3. Golden Retriever – $30.25/ mo
4. German Shepherd – $32.71/ mo
5. Goldendoodle – $26.33/ mo
6. Chihuahua – $13.86/ mo
7. Siberian Husky – $30.42/ mo
8. Yorkshire Terrier – $19.12/ mo
9. American Pit Bull Terrier – $33.67/ mo
10. Australian Shepherd – $20.93/ mo
11. Dachshund – $19.76/ mo
12. Shih Tzu – $17.60/ mo
13. French Bulldog – $41.64/ mo
14. Boxer – $41.82/ mo
15. Labradoodle – $26.33/ mo

Cat Insurance Prices in Iowa:

1. Mixed Breed – $12.95/ mo
2. American Shorthair – $15.31/ mo
3. Bengal – $15.31/ mo
4. Bombay – $15.31/ mo
5. British Shorthair – $15.31/ mo
6. Exotic – $15.31/ mo
7. Himalayan – $15.31/ mo
8. Maine Coon – $16.15/ mo
9. Persian – $16.15/ mo
10. Ragdoll – $16.15/ mo
11. Russian Blue – $15.31/ mo
12. Scottish Fold – $16.15/ mo
13. Siamese – $16.15/ mo
14. Sphynx – $15.31/ mo
15. Abyssinian – $15.31/ mo

Not finding your specific pet breed? Lemonade pet insurance is our #1 recommendation for Iowa and they’ll be able to give you a quick quote for your exact needs.

Iowa Pet Insurance FAQs

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is essentially medical coverage for pets. There are many different providers and plans to choose from, but pet insurance generally offers coverage for veterinary costs that result from sudden illness or accidents. To sign up, you need to select a plan, pay a monthly premium, and then you are all set!

Pet insurance operates slightly differently from human health insurance in that most pet insurance plans use a reimbursement model, which means that pet owners are reimbursed for veterinary costs. While you may need to pay your vet bills up front, you will be refunded a certain amount by your insurance provider.

Is pet insurance available for all pets?

Yes! Pet insurance is available for any house pet that you may have, whether you have a dog, cat, bird, hamster, potbelly pig, or snake.

The specific plans available may vary by animal. For example, the programs available for dogs usually differ from those available for cats. When selecting a plan, make sure that the plan includes coverage for all of your pet’s unique needs.

Are there any age requirements or restrictions to enroll in pet insurance?

Pet insurance plans commonly require that pets meet specific age requirements to be eligible for pet insurance. For example, most plans require kittens to enroll in a plan are at least 6 weeks old. However, age requirements vary by provider and pet.

Conversely, there is usually not an age limit to enroll pets in pet insurance. This means you can enroll your pet any time, as long as the minimum age requirement is met. Also, pet insurance does not expire, as long as you pay the monthly premium.

What services are covered by pet insurance?

Every pet insurance provider and plan is different. However, most offer basic coverage, which includes unexpected/emergency veterinary care for illness and accidents. Other plans offer the basic coverage plan outlined above in addition to prescription coverage and routine check-up coverage. Since every plan is different, selecting the right one for you and your pet is important.

It is important to be aware that pet insurance companies rarely cover expenses related to pre-existing conditions. These include any ailments that were present/diagnosed before coverage began. This is why enrolling your pet in insurance at a young age may be a good idea to avoid potentially high out-of-pocket costs for pre-existing conditions.

How will I be reimbursed?

After your pet receives veterinary care, you will receive a bill. In most cases, you as the owner will need to make an initial payment, and then you can submit a reimbursement request to your insurance provider. Your insurance provider will then reimburse you for the costs incurred.
However, knowing that you will most likely not be reimbursed for the entire bill is crucial. The amount that your pet insurance carrier reimburses you for veterinary costs depends on your reimbursement rate, your deductible, and your annual maximum benefit.

For example, you have cat insurance with an 80% reimbursement rate, a $250 deductible, and a $25,000 maximum benefit. One day, your cat needs emergency surgery and stays in the hospital overnight. The total cost of care comes to $13,000. Then, you submit a reimbursement request to your provider. After factoring in your reimbursement rate, deductible, and maximum benefit, your provider would reimburse you $10,400 minus the $250 deductible. This means that you will ultimately be reimbursed $10,150 and only need to pay $2,850 instead of $13,000.

Should I enroll in a plan that has a high or a low deductible?

There are pros and cons to both high deductible and low deductible plans. Lower deductibles usually mean higher monthly payments. Conversely, plans with higher deductibles mean lower monthly payments but less coverage during an emergency. Whichever plan you choose depends on your personal financial preferences.

Are any pets restricted from homeowners insurance in Iowa?

The pets that are most commonly excluded from homeowners insurance are certain dog breeds. Some breeds are more likely to be aggressive towards humans and other dogs, such as German Shepherds and Pitbulls. Other commonly restricted breeds include:

• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• Bull Mastiffs
• Rottweilers
• Wolfhounds

If you own one of these breeds or want to bring one of these dog breeds into your family, we suggest contacting your homeowner’s insurance company to discuss any restrictions.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Pet Safe & Healthy in Iowa

In addition to pet insurance, there are numerous strategies that you can implement daily to keep your pet healthy and safe in Iowa.

1. For Dogs: Avoid hot paws

Located in the heart of America, Iowa is a hotspot for extreme weather conditions, especially scorching hot summers. Limiting time walking on the pavement when walking your pup is important, as pavement can reach dangerously hot temperatures during the summer. This can damage your puppy’s paws and be quite painful.

2. For (Outdoor) Cats: Watch the Weather

Lots of felines enjoy spending time outside. If you have an outdoor cat, make sure to keep an eye on the weather and watch for potential storms. Due to the heat and humidity, Iowa can experience pop-up thunderstorms and tornadoes during the summer. You would not want your kitty to be outside during one of those storms.

3. For Birds: clean cage

No matter where you live or what kind of bird you have, a clean cage makes for a happy (and sanitary) bird. Make sure that you clean your bird’s cage regularly, including picking up droppings, changing the water, and providing fresh food.

4. For All Pets: Healthy Diet

All pets need to follow a well-balanced diet to stay healthy. While specific nutritional needs vary by animal, it is important to make sure that your pet eats a healthy diet everyday. Some treats are okay, but make sure they don’t snack too much, as weight gain can lead to undesirable health issues.

5. For All Pets: Regular Vet Visits

Some pets may go many years without needing medical treatment. However, bringing your pet in for routine preventative exams at the vet is never a bad idea, especially if your insurance plan covers routine exams.

5 Unique Animal Rescue Shelters in Iowa

Numerous animal rescues and shelters across Iowa rehabilitate thousands of animals every year. If you are interested in bringing a new pet into your family, take a look at these five shelters.

1. Story County Animal Shelter in Nevada, IA

This small county animal shelter rescues dogs and cats primarily. The shelter is a warm and welcoming environment for both animals and humans, and has animal meet and greet rooms and a large play area. Interested families can now apply online to adopt an animal by visiting the shelter’s page on the county’s website.

2. Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter in Oskaloosa, IA

This animal shelter originally operated as a “pound” for lost animals. Today, this shelter prides itself on its dedication to finding solutions other than euthanasia, including foster care. In addition to finding permanent homes for animals, this shelter also engages in programs that educate the local community on properly caring for animals.

3. Boone Area Humane Society in Boone, IA

As a no-kill shelter, this rescue focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating lost and abandoned animals, and finding them permanent homes. In addition to adoption, this shelter also offers a foster program and resources for current pet owners.

4. Emmet County Animal Shelter in Estherville, IA

This shelter is operated entirely by volunteers and follows no-kill policies. This shelter also educates the public on “Adopt, Don’t Shop,” which encourages people to adopt instead of purchasing animals at pet stores to help fight animal cruelty and neglect.

5. Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids, IA

This humane society offers tons of programs to help improve the well-being of all animals in the local community. In addition to rescuing animals of all kinds, this shelter operates a Cat Companions program, which matches a rescue cat to an elderly individual who is seeking companionship.

Conclusion

Even though enrolling in pet insurance can seem confusing, all you need to do is find the right plan for your pet, pay your monthly bill, and then your companion will be covered. Life is unpredictable and your pet can become ill at any time. Pet insurance can help alleviate the financial burden associated with vet bills and make sure that your pet can get the medical care they need. We all want our pets to live with us for as long as possible and pet insurance is a crucial tool to help make that happen. The best overall plan we have reviewed for price and coverage is Lemonade Pet Insurance.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Iowa

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in Iowa based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $500 deductible located in Iowa with a 50317 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews