How much does dog and cat insurance cost in South Carolina for the 15 most popular breeds?

The price for South Carolina dog and cat insurance is almost always the same throughout the state including in Jackson, Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, or Brewton etc. However, the prices will vary based on the age, health and breed of your pet.

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 2024 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of pet insurance in South Carolina we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

Dog Insurance Prices in Charleston South Carolina:

1. Mixed Breed – $26.62/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $40.24/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $25.03/ mo
4. Boxer – $49.98/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $16.56/ mo
6. Dachshund – $23.61mo
7. French Bulldog – $49.76/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $39.10/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $31.46/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $36.17/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $31.46/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $36.25/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $21.03/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $36.35/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $22.85/ mo

Dog Insurance Prices in Summerville South Carolina:

1. Mixed Breed – $26.62/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $40.24/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $25.03/ mo
4. Boxer – $49.98/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $16.56/ mo
6. Dachshund – $23.61mo
7. French Bulldog – $49.76/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $39.10/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $31.46/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $36.17/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $31.46/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $36.25/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $21.03/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $36.35/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $22.85/ mo

Dog Insurance Prices in Myrtle Beach South Carolina:

1. Mixed Breed – $25.20/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $38.10/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $23.70/ mo
4. Boxer – $47.31/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $15.68/ mo
6. Dachshund – $22.36/mo
7. French Bulldog – $47.11/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $37.03/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $29.80/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $34.25/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $29.80/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $34.31/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $19.92/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $34.41/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $21.63/ mo

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

South Carolina Pet Insurance FAQs

How does South Carolina pet insurance work?

Protecting your pet against accidents and emergencies is next to impossible, but having an excellent pet insurance plan can give you peace of mind that you can get them any care, no matter the price. To get started, apply for a policy from your preferred provider and stay on top of your premium payments to maintain an active policy.

Should your pet experience a veterinary emergency, your insurer will require you to pay the bill at the time of service and then file a claim with them for reimbursement. Be aware that pre-existing conditions rarely fall under the coverage of standard pet insurance plans, so you will want to get a policy in place while your pet is as young and healthy as possible.

Does my pet have to be a certain age to get insurance?

Most pet insurance companies have a minimum age requirement of 8 weeks, and we encourage pet parents to insure their furry friends as young as possible, so they get the most comprehensive coverage at the lowest rates. Some insurers have maximum age limits for issuing new policies but do not limit how old an animal can be to receive benefits. Every company is different, so it’s best to follow up directly with each provider you’re interested in.

How is SC pet insurance beneficial?

As with pets across the country, South Carolina pets are equally vulnerable to sudden injury and illness. Emergencies can strike anytime, requiring you to seek urgent veterinary care. Since such services are expensive, regardless of where you live, pet insurance can offset many of these costs, leaving you responsible for a mere fraction of them.

Many urgent vet visits result in bills totaling upwards of $2,000. Is paying small monthly premiums more financially beneficial than having to pay such large bills out-of-pocket in one go? Only you can answer that question based on your circumstances.

What do typical pet insurance policies include and exclude?

While no two providers offer the exact same benefits, a general baseline of coverage exists that extends to all illnesses and injuries deemed “sudden and catastrophic.” Such events could include but are not limited to allergies, broken bones, open wounds, intestinal blockages, bloat, and urinary tract infections.

Keep in mind that most standard pet insurance plans do not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, routine dental care, elective procedures, behavioral disorders or preventative care. That said, some insurers may include some of these in their basic plans, but most will offer them in their optional wellness packages.

How do insurers calculate reimbursements?

Should your pet suffer a qualified emergency, your insurer will reimburse you according to the terms of your specific policy. For our purposes, let’s say your policy terms include a $250 annual deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and an annual benefit amount of $15,000. If your furry companion needs an urgent operation that will cost you $6,000, your insurer will pay $5,400 minus your $250 deductible if you haven’t yet paid it that year. Therefore, their share is $5,150 and yours is only $850. Should a second occurrence take place in a given policy year, a similar formula would apply, but without requiring you to pay the deductible since you already have done so.

Remember that most providers require you to pay the vet bill upfront before, and then you file a claim for reimbursement. If paying large sums for vet care at the time of service and waiting to be reimbursed could cause you intense financial stress, Trupanion could be a great alternative. They pay veterinarians within their network directly, so you don’t have to.

Is a higher deductible better than a lower one? Or vice versa?

The deductible you end up choosing will depend on your financial situation and preferences since different deductible amounts yield different premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. For example, if you choose a lower deductible, your monthly premiums will be higher but your share of emergency vet care costs will be lower. And if you prefer a higher deductible, your premium will be lower but your portion of urgent vet care costs will be higher. Many insurance companies have calculators on their websites you can use to run the numbers. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, our research shows that most South Carolina pet parents prefer $250 and $500 deductibles.

Are there breed restrictions for homeowners insurance?

Most homeowners insurance policies have breed restrictions for dogs but not cats. If you have a small or exotic animal, it’s best to check with your provider to make sure you don’t need a pet-specific liability rider.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Pet Safe & Healthy in South Carolina

1. Feed your pet the right food

Feeding your pet a species-appropriate diet is key to their health. Dogs thrive on meat, poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables, whereas cats are pure carnivores. Premium raw cat and dog foods or canned foods free from cheap fillers are ideal. Examples of cheap fillers are corn, soy, meals, gums, wheat and other grains. Kibble should not be the focal point of your pet’s diet as it dehydrates and loads them up with carbohydrates, which causes obesity, diabetes and other chronic health problems in these pets. If you have a small animal, please research the correct food for them. It should mimic most closely what they would eat in nature.

2. Keep your pet hydrated

Following the dietary recommendations above, you are already ahead in keeping your pets hydrated. However, you can take additional steps to ensure your little pal has a healthy level of water consumption each day. First, give them a bowl of fresh water that you empty, wash and refill at least twice daily. This will keep their bowl free of bacteria buildup and dust collecting. Second, mix a small amount of water into each of their meals. Be sure not to add so much that it becomes soupy, but just enough to notice. The latter strategy is essential for cats as they are not naturally inclined to drink water, and when they do, it’s rarely enough.

3. Make sure your pet stays active

Like you, your pet needs exercise and play to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Making sure they get enough physical activity each day, specifically for their animal type and breed, is crucial and can help prevent all the diseases and ailments associated with a sedentary life. Moreover, play and exercise can be great opportunities for bonding between you and your pet.

4. Create a grooming routine and stick to it

Developing a grooming routine for your furry friend while they are young will make it so much easier in the long run. For cats and dogs, cleaning their ears, brushing their coats and teeth as well as clipping their nails are essential in keeping your pet healthy. Ask your veterinarian to demonstrate safe techniques for these things so that you don’t permanently injure your cat or dog. You will also need to bathe your dog, but do so using only dog-specific products. Shampoos and other products for humans, including children, can burn your dog’s skin and damage their fur. Avoid bathing cats, as they are skilled at keeping themselves clean as long as they have a healthy and safe living environment.

5. Treat your pet for parasites

Parasites such as fleas, ticks and worms can lead to your pet developing serious health issues and chronic pain if not dealt with swiftly. Some such problems are Lyme disease, tapeworms, anemia, Bartonella, flea allergy dermatitis, etc. If you have a dog or cat that spends time outdoors, always treat them for fleas and ticks. Consult your veterinarian for the best spot-on treatment and ask about appropriate parasite tests.

5 Unique Pet Rescue Shelters in South Carolina

1. Pet Haven of South Carolina in Greenville, SC

Run by a husband and wife team, along with the help of their assistant, Pet Haven of South Carolina dedicates their time, effort and resources to the rescuing, healing, nurturing and homing of homeless and neglected cats and dogs. They also tend to feral cat colonies by setting up feeding stations, initiating TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs and socializing those cats that are receptive to it. Those open to socialization will be available for adoption and those that aren’t will eventually find homes with farms that provide food and shelter for “barn” cats or return to their original habitat. Pet Haven treats all their cats and dogs for any medical ailments they may have, spayed or neutered and vaccinated according to age.

2. Charleston Animal Society in Charleston, SC

As a combined shelter and animal hospital, CAS serves as a cornerstone for animal rights and welfare advocacy in South Carolina. Established in 1874, CAS has a long history of protecting animals throughout the south. They provide veterinary care, love, safety and refuge for abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless animals, including hamsters, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, horses and more. Cats and dogs from Charleston Animal Society are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped prior to adoption.

3. All4Paws in Pawleys Island, SC

All4Paws is a cat and dog rescue organization serving coastal South Carolina. They focus a great deal of their efforts in rescuing cats and dogs from kill-shelters who are close to being euthanized. If they have space they take them in or bring them to another shelter who has space available. Approximately 1 in 4 of the animals All4Paws brings in are special needs, so they provide them with all the essential veterinary care and therapy to help them live comfortable lives. All dogs and cats undergo a physical exam by a vet, tested for heartworms, dewormed, spayed or neutered, microchipped, treated for fleas and vaccinated according to age.

4. Final Victory Animal Rescue in Columbia, SC

FVAR is a dog and cat rescue organization that serves central South Carolina. They take in dogs from the streets, kill-shelters and neglected homes. Final Victory operates entirely through a foster care network, giving all animals a safe and loving environment to lend before finding their forever homes. They offer transport to states in the Northeast of the US for an additional fee.

5. Critter Connection in Spartanburg, SC

FVAR is a dog and cat rescue organization that serves central South Carolina. They take in dogs from the streets, kill shelters and neglectful homes. Final Victory operates entirely through a foster care network, giving all animals a safe and loving environment to lend before finding their forever homes. In addition, they offer transport to states in the Northeast of the US for an additional fee.

Conclusion

We hope this article helps you to see that finding the best South Carolina pet insurance plan needn’t be complicated and how vital can be in getting your furry friend potentially life-saving veterinary care. To get the most coverage at the lowest price, we suggest insuring your pet before their first birthday as they are less likely to have pre-existing conditions. Nevertheless, insuring your pet, regardless of age, can support their health and well-being and shield you against financial hardship in the event of a medical emergency. Through our research, we have found Lemonade to offer the most dynamic coverage and service, along with the lowest monthly premiums.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for South Carolina

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in South Carolina 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 South Carolina with a 35206 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