What You Should Know (2023)

What You Should Know (2023)

West Virginia has the highest rates of pet ownership in the nation, approx 71% of families have a cat or dog. If you have a furry family member at home, see how pet insurance in West Virginia can help if your pet is injured or sick.

We at Guides Home have ranked the best pet insurance providers based on important factors like coverage, cost and customer reviews. Read on to compare our top picks for pet insurance in West Virginia.

Pet laws in West Virginia

Like most other states, West Virginia There are laws governing pet ownership. While the laws below are state-level, your specific county or municipality may have additional guidelines for pet owners.

  • You must register all dogs and pay state license taxes until they are six months old. This rule does not apply to service dogs.
  • West Virginia does not have a leash law, but owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dogs when they run loose.
  • Residents can keep some “wild” animals as pets as long as they get a special permit.
  • Pit bulls are prohibited in certain cities in West Virginia.
  • You cannot breed your pet for money unless you are a licensed breeder.
  • All dogs and cats in West Virginia must have a rabies vaccination.

While you are not legally required to spay or spay your pet, West Virginia encourages pet owners to take steps to control overcrowding. The state provides spay and neuter assistance programs To help cover expenses.


West Virginia veterinary costs

If your pet is injured in an accident or suddenly becomes ill, the cost of emergency veterinary care can add up. 900 dollars for cats And 1200 dollars for dogs. These bills add up to your pet’s annual grooming costs, routine health exams, vaccinations, grooming and more.

As most pet owners know, the cost of caring for your dog or cat can add up quickly. We never know if our pet could suffer a serious injury or develop a life-threatening illness, which can result in expensive vet bills.

  • Abdominal abscess, which is a common disease in pets, can undergo emergency surgery It costs more than 3,000 dollarsincluding surgery and medicine.
  • Pet cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can total between $3,200 and $8,000.
  • A dog hit by a car will need surgery, treatment and aftercare for injuries such as broken bones and cruciate ligament tears, which can total $2,000 to $5,000.

The examples above are the types of expenses that pet insurance can help cover. Pet insurance from our top providers – like Lemon, Spot and the ASPCA – can pay for covered veterinary services if your pet has an accident or illness. Additionally, pet insurance can provide peace of mind knowing your cat or dog is covered should the unexpected happen.


Monthly cost of pet insurance in West Virginia cities

If your pet needs care due to an illness or accident, pet insurance can help you with emergency vet visits. To give you an idea of ​​the cost of pet insurance in West Virginia, we’ve compiled sample quotes for various cities in the state.

The table below reflects the average pet insurance policy for a medium-sized 3-year-old mixed breed dog. The policy includes a $250 annual deductible and an 80% return rate.

Methodology: Our system for ranking the best pet insurance companies

Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, mystery shopping quotes and shopping processes, talking to representatives over the phone to evaluate customer service experiences, and examining 1,000 dogs and cats. Pet insurance coverage for owners nationwide to determine the most important factors.

Based on those elements, we scored each provider on a 100-point scale. We divided this final score by 20 to calculate the overall star rating out of 5.0 stars.

Here are more details about each condition and how it is measured:

  • Monthly cost (25 points) The best pet insurance companies combine comprehensive coverage and plan options at affordable prices.
  • Plans (15 points) The major pet insurance companies offer accident-and-sickness plans, accident-only plans, and wellness or preventive care add-ons, giving customers the option to choose the plan that’s best for their pets.
  • Covered Treatments (15 points) Based on the treatments and procedures we cover companies. Companies with a wide range of covered treatments and specialty coverage earned more points than providers with more standard or comprehensive policies.
  • Customization options (10 points) Providers with more annual-limit, deductible, and payment-rate options received the highest scores.
  • Customer Care (10 points) We score companies on the accessibility and overall usability of their websites, customer service offerings, mobile applications (if available), money-back guarantees and veterinary options, providing insurers with additional customer experience offerings.
  • Industry reputation (10 points) We reviewed current ratings and certification information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​and ranked companies based on years of experience in the industry and state presence.
  • Waiting time (10 points) Companies with shorter accident, pain, and bone waiting times between enrollment and coverage start date scored higher than companies with longer waiting times.
  • Acceptable age (5 points) Some companies do not offer policies for pets over a certain age. We have deducted points from providers with age restrictions for covered pets.

To help us determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry, we use our ranking system to compare and contrast each company against major factors. Read our to learn more Complete pet insurance policy To evaluate and score suppliers.