State Farm Pet Insurance Review
Joy Wallet is advertiser-supported: we may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren't influenced by compensation. To read our full disclosure, click here.
Caring for a dog or cat isn’t inexpensive. And one of the biggest costs? Medical care. Rover.com reported in 2023 that emergency vet bills can range from $160 to $1,290. Dental cleaning can run from $430 to $590. That's a lot of money, and it is why many pet parents invest in pet health insurance, a way to ease the burden of surprise veterinary care bills.
Fortunately, there are many pet insurance providers from which you can choose, including national insurance giant State Farm, which offers its own pet medical insurance through an arrangement with provider Trupanion.
How does State Farm’s protection stack up? Here’s what we’ve found for you.
In this article
What is State Farm pet insurance?
State Farm is a giant in the insurance business, offering health, vehicle, life, disability and homeowners insurance. This insurance provider also offers pet insurance for your furry family members ... sort of.
State Farm's pet insurance is provided by Trupanion, a national pet insurance provider based in Seattle. The company, which was founded in 1998, offers pet insurance policies for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico.
Trupanion provides insurance coverage for a wide range of medical costs, including hereditary conditions, unexpected injuries, diagnostic tests, advanced dentistry, hospital stays, medications, veterinary supplements and prescription food.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
How does State Farm pet insurance work?
Getting a quote and signing up for pet insurance through State Farm is easy. And you can do it all online without speaking to an agent. If you’d prefer to speak to a state farm agent, you can do that, too.
To get started, go to State Farm’s pet insurance website here. In the middle of the page, you’ll see a space to enter your zip code and a large red button that says “Start a quote.”
After you enter your zip code and click the “Start a quote” button, you’ll be taken to a new page. Here, you’ll need to enter your full name and address and click the “Find an agent” button.
After you click the “Find an agent” button, you’ll be taken to a new page listing State Farm agents working in your area. You can scroll through the available agents by clicking the arrow pointing toward the right. Each agent card provides the agent’s name, address, email address and phone number. You can select the agent with whom you want to work and then click the “Continue” button on the bottom of the page.
After you click "Continue"; the next page asks for information about your pet, including its name, whether it is a dog or cat, is male or female and its age. You'll have the choice to enter your phone number, though this is optional. You will have to provide your email address.
You can then click on the green button on the bottom of the screen that says "Continue to pet details."
The next page will ask for more details about your pet, including its breed, whether it is spayed or neutered, if it is an assistant animal or therapy pet and its primary veterinarian.
Once you enter this information, click on the green button on the bottom of the page that says "Get my quote."
Once you click, State Farm – operating through Trupanion – will provide you with a monthly quote. The quote will also state what is covered. You can accept your quote by clicking the “Continue to checkout” button at the bottom of the page. You can also tweak your coverage, adding additional protections or increasing or lowering your deductible.
How much does State Farm pet insurance cost?
The cost of your pet insurance will vary depending on your pet and your location. For instance, for a 3-year-old chihuahua in the Chicago suburbs, State Farm quoted me a policy price of $115.96 a month.
That coverage included a $200 deductible, the amount of money you’d have to pay out of pocket before your pet insurance kicked in to cover the rest of your pet’s medical costs. You can change your monthly payment by increasing or lowering your deductible.
If I changed the deductible on my quote to $500 – meaning I’d have to pay $500 out of pocket before insurance coverage kicked in – my monthly payment would drop to $79.90.
My coverage, no matter my deductible, would include a payout of 90%, meaning that State Farm would cover 90% of my pet’s medical costs while I'd cover 10% plus my deductible.
State Farm gives this example: Say my dog fractures a leg and receives a $3,000 vet bill for treatment. State Farm, again through its partnership with Trupanion, would pay 90% of the cost minus my deductible of $200, which comes out to $2,500. I'd pay 10% of the costs plus my deductible, which comes out to $500.
My plan would cover hereditary and congenital conditions, unidentified issues, unexpected injuries and illnesses, diagnostic tests, hospital stays and surgeries, medications and advanced dentistry. I could add extra coverage in the form of pet owner assistance for $4.95 a month and recovery and complementary care for $23.11 a month.
Pet owner assistance pays up to $1,000 for travel and accommodation expenses you can recover if your pet requires urgent, high-quality medical treatment while you are on vacation or up to seven days before you are scheduled to leave on a trip.
It also helps cover the costs of property damage caused by your pet, pay out if you need to spend money on a newspaper ad to help find a lost pet and cover part of the costs of boarding your pet at a licensed kennel if you are hospitalized for more than four days. This coverage also pays a maximum of $100 for cremation or burial expenses should your pet die from an accident or illness.
Recovery and complementary care coverage helps cover the costs of such treatments as physical therapy or hydrotherapy that your vet might recommend after initial treatment of your pet.
Your monthly payment will vary depending on your pet and location. For comparison’s sake, for a 4-year-old Bengal cat in Orlando, I was quoted a monthly payment of $79.54 with a $200 deductible. This plan, too, paid out 90% of expenses minus my deductible.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
State Farm pet insurance features
On its site, Trupanion -- the company that State Farm works with to offer pet insurance -- states that it provides coverage for your pet from nose to tail. What does that translate to?
Hereditary issues
A Trupanion pet insurance policy provides coverage for any hereditary issues that your breed is more likely to inherit. For instance, Jack Russell dogs might inherit pulmonic stenosis, a genetic disease that partially obstructs the flow of blood from the heart to the lungs. Your Trupanion policy would cover the costs of treatment for this condition as long as it was not a pre-existing condition before you signed up for your policy.
Unidentified issues
Even if your pet doesn't get an official diagnosis from a vet, your Trupanion policy will cover the medical costs associated with treating any aches, pains or adverse conditions.
Congenital conditions
Your policy will cover the costs of caring for any congenital conditions, an inherited medical condition that occurs before or at birth. Your cat, for instance, might be born with heart defects or kidney issues. Your Trupanion policy will help cover the costs of treating these issues.
Illness and injuries
Trupanion says that it provides coverage for a variety of injuries or illnesses that your dog or cat might suffer. This includes bite wounds, swallowed objects, allergies, kidney disease, upper respiratory infections and urinary obstructions.
Medical services
Your policy will also help cover the costs of medical services such as x-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans; surgeries and hospital stays; medications; veterinary supplements; physical therapy; advanced dentistry; and prosthetic devices and carts.
State Farm pet insurance exclusions
Wellness visits and preventive care
It’s important to note that State Farm and Trupanion do not provide coverage for wellness visits and preventative care, including regular visits to your vet. On its site, Trupanion says that its pet insurance is designed to help owners cover unexpected expenses, not regularly scheduled care such as exams and vet visits.
Pre-existing conditions
Trupanion also doesn’t provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your dog has allergies and is receiving treatment for them, your pet medical insurance policy won’t cover any medical bills for treating conditions related to your pet’s allergies. This doesn’t mean that pets with pre-existing conditions shouldn’t sign up for a policy: Trupanion policies will cover other unexpected expenses, just not those related to any known pre-existing conditions before you sign up for insurance.
One key benefit of Trupanion? The pet insurance company pays your vet directly in real time while you check out. This means that you won't have to pay your full bill and then apply for reimbursement.
Trupanion also doesn't limit the amount that it pays out annually or over the life of your pet. As the company says, it never imposes payout limits, something that could be useful if your pet suffers from serious long-term illnesses such as cancer or kidney disease that require long-term care. Just make sure that these are not pre-existing conditions before you sign up for your policy.
Who is State Farm pet insurance best for?
State Farm and Trupanion pet insurance are a good match for many pet owners. Here are some examples:
Those with dogs or cats with long-term health issues. Trupanion doesn’t cap the amount of money it pays out for covered costs of individual cats and dogs. This means that you’ll never run out of coverage even if your furry friend has long-term care needs or is suffering from an expensive illness such as cancer or kidney disease.
Pet owners without a lot of spare cash. State Farm and Trupanion pay your vet immediately when you are checking out. This means that you won’t have to first pay your vet and then wait for reimbursement funds to hit your account. This is a nice feature if you don’t have much extra money in your bank accounts or if you need the funds that are in them to cover other bills.
Owners who want comprehensive coverage. The pet insurance you’ll get through State Farm covers a wide range of issues and procedures, from inherited medical issues and surprise injuries to X-rays, hospital stays and physical therapy. If you want an insurance product that provides a complete care package for your pooch or kitty, a State Farm policy could be a good choice.
Owners who want stability. Trupanion advertises on its site that it won’t increase your rates or reduce your coverage if you must use your pet insurance policy. This provides certainty: You know that your monthly premium will not change just because you requested a payout after your cat fractured its back leg.
Who shouldn’t use State Farm Pet Insurance?
Those who spend a lot on wellness care. State Farm’s pet insurance policies don’t cover routine wellness care such as vet visits or preventative care. If you spend a lot on routine care, you might consider an insurer that offers wellness care coverage.
Those whose pets have pre-existing conditions. State Farm doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. If your cat or dog has a condition that requires costly medical treatments, you might search for an insurer that will cover pre-existing conditions.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
Pros and cons
As with all insurance products, the pet insurance offered by State Farm through Trupanion comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Pros
- Mobile app. Trupanion offers a mobile app on the Google Play and the App Store. You can use the app to file a claim, check the status of a claim, view your account and earn rewards for referring others to Trupanion.
- Fast payouts. Trupanion will pay your vet immediately upon check out. This means that you won’t have to wait for a reimbursement check. This is thanks to Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay. After your pet receives its treatment or services, your vet sends the bill to Trupanion. Trupanion then immediately pays.
- 90% payouts. Your coverage covers 90% of the cost of a treatment and service minus your deductible.
- No payout caps. Trupanion does not cap the amount of coverage you can request for a single pet during its lifetime.
- Widespread coverage. Trupanion offers pet insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Cons
- Coverage can be expensive. Depending on your location and pet, your coverage can be a bit costly. You might end up paying more than $100 a month for your insurance depending on your deductible.
- Limited add-ons. State Farm, through its relationship with Trupanion, offers only a limited number of add-on coverages.
- No coverage for regular vet visits. Trupanion’s policies do not cover the costs of regular vet visits or other forms of preventative care. It is instead reserved for unexpected expenses.
- No coverage for spaying or neutering. Trupanion does not cover the costs of spaying or neutering your pets. This is considered wellness care, which is not covered under Trupanion policies.
State Farm pet insurance vs competitors
Insurer | Reimbursement levels | Annual coverage caps | Optional coverages offered |
State Farm/Trupanion | 90% | Unlimited | Pet owner assistance, recovery and complementary care |
Up to 90% | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited | Wellness Rewards from Embrace reimburses you for vaccinations; spay or neuter surgery; flea, tick and heartworm treatment; and bloodwork. | |
Up to 90% | Limits range from $2,500 to $20,000 annually. You can choose an unlimited coverage option, which will cost more. | Exam, wellness, accident-only, final respects, breeding and hereditary coverage. | |
Lemonade Pet Insurance | Up to 90% | From $5,000 to $100,000. | Vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, cremation services, euthanasia coverage and behavioral treatments. |
USAA
USAA provides insurance and banking products to current members of the U.S. Military, veterans of the Armed Forces and their families. One of these products? Pet insurance. USAA's pet insurance is available for cats and dogs, and covers congenital, genetic and breed-specific conditions; chronic conditions; cancer treatments; emergency room and specialist care; surgery, hospitalization and nursing care; complementary therapies and rehabilitation; and diagnostic testing and imaging.
While many pet insurance providers don't cover routine or wellness care, USAA does. You'll have to pair your pet insurance policy with Wellness Rewards coverage from Embrace Pet Insurance. With this coverage, you'll get reimbursed for vaccinations; spaying or neutering your pets; blood work; and flea, tick or heartworm treatments. If you buy a pet insurance policy through USAA, you'll get a discount of up to 15%. Military members and members with multiple pets might qualify for an extra 10% off for a maximum discount of 25%.
AKC Pet Insurance
The American Kennel Club, or AKC, offers its own pet insurance, one that allows for plenty of customization. Add-ons include exam coverage; coverage for hereditary conditions; wellness coverage, which covers routine and preventative care; breeding coverage, which pays out for emergency C-sections, liver failures and other medical issues associated with breeding; and final respects coverage, which helps cover the cost of burials, cremation and memorials.
AKC's basic coverage includes payouts for broken bones, cancer treatments, the ingestion of toxins, digestive issues, hypothyroidism, allergies and urinary tract infections. AKC also offers a 24/7 vet helpline, covers physical therapy costs, pays out to help cover the costs of microchipping your pets and helps cover the expenses of needed vaccinations. Like other pet insurance programs, AKC's coverage is intended for dogs and cats, but not other pets.
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade touts its quick online service on its website, saying that you can use the company's app or website to sign up for pet insurance in seconds and submit claims and receive approval for them in minutes. The company's pet insurance, available for dogs and cats, provides coverage for blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, lab work, CT scans and ultrasounds. It also pays out to help cover the costs of outpatient procedures, specialty and emergency care, hospitalizations and surgery. You'll also receive coverage for your pet's injections and prescription medications.
Lemonade also provides coverage for wellness exams, heartworm screenings, bloodwork, vaccines, routine dental cleaning and fecal or internal parasite tests. You can also qualify for discounts on your pet insurance. You'll save 10% when you bundle your policy with one of Lemonade's other insurance products, such as renters' insurance, homeowners' insurance, car insurance or life insurance. You'll get 5% off your policy's premium if you insure two or more pets and 5% off if you pay for a full year's worth of coverage at one time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a coverage for Polly my parakeet or Izzy my iguana?
No. State Farm’s pet insurance is only available for cats and dogs.
Can my cat or dog get coverage from State Farm for pre-existing conditions?
No. State Farm will not help cover the costs of medical treatment for pre-existing conditions. Your dog or cat will still be covered for other accidents or illnesses, but you’ll have to pay for the treatments relating to your pet’s pre-existing conditions out of your own pocket.
How much will I pay for State Farm pet insurance?
That depends on where you and your pet live. For instance, when we asked for a quote for a 3-year-old chihuahua in Chicago’s suburbs, State Farm quoted us a monthly price of about $115 with a $200 deductible. For a 4-year-old Bengal cat in Orlando, we were quoted a monthly price of about $79, again with a $200 deductible.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
The bottom line
Choosing insurance for your pet is not an easy decision. It’s important, then, to shop around with different providers to find the most affordable insurance that provides the most comprehensive coverage for your cat or dog. State Farm pet insurance – offered through Trupanion – is a solid choice for pet owners looking for comprehensive coverage with no pay-out limits. You might have to pay a bit more – perhaps more than $100 a month – but State Farm’s policies do provide solid coverage for everything from broken legs and kidney failures to physical therapy and herbal therapy.
Joy Wallet is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor, financial advisor, loan broker, insurance producer, or insurance broker. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. Joy Wallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Featured estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.
Our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market. We are compensated by our partners, which may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on our site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice. Our editorials are grounded on independent research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
We value your privacy. We work with trusted partners to provide relevant advertising based on information about your use of Joy Wallet’s and third-party websites and applications. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing information about your web browsing activities with Meta (Facebook) and Google. All of the web browsing information that is shared is anonymized. To learn more, click on our Privacy Policy link.
Images appearing across JoyWallet are courtesy of shutterstock.com.
Writer
Dan Rafter is a freelance writer who has more than 20 years experience covering personal finance. He's written for the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Rocket Mortgage, NortonLifeLock and several others.
Share this article
