Pet insurance in New York

The Empire State offers a fantastic life for dogs and cats, but there are many reasons why you should get pet insurance in New York.

Owning a pet in New York can be an ambitious but exciting prospect. Like anywhere, there are joys and there are risks, so getting pet insurance in New York is important – so you can have fun with peace of mind.

Though the state is not short on green space, it is the fourth most populous state in all the US (with New York City the most populous city). You need to take this density into account when thinking about the kind of life you want for your pet.

New York City life (of pets)

Many pet parents in New York leave their animals indoors. But among the gorgeous places to take your dog for a stroll is the world-famous Central Park – the 843-acre park in the very heart of New York City. In general, dogs should be kept on leads in the park. However, there are windows of time (before 9am and after 9pm) when that rule is relaxed. You can also give your pets a taste of freedom and the chance to cool off at Prospect Park Dog Beach.

Just be careful that other people are as cautious about their pet as you. If someone else’s furry friend takes a bite out of yours, you might be looking at vet charges of $5,000. Likewise, if your dog does the biting, you’ll need to foot the bill.

Pet-friendly fun in New York

Because it caters to millions of pet parents, New York City offers a wide range of fun activities for your dog! William Secord Gallery is one of the few galleries to allow leashed dogs to roam the exhibitions with their parents. Airbnb experiences like Puppy Picasso and Dinner with Dogs are available to anyone looking for something a little bit out there.

You'll also need to be mindful of the possibility of road accidents in New York. If your pet is hit by a car and breaks their leg, the bill is likely to be significant. In fact, the biggest pet insurance claim in 2021 in the US was in Brooklyn, New York. A pet parent's terrier was hit by a car, but luckily their pet insurance covered the vet bill. This is just as well, because it came to over $50,000.

Don't forget upstate New York

Elsewhere, beyond the bright lights of the big city, there’s beautiful country. Just 50 miles north, there are stunning state parks like Cornwall’s Storm King State Park. Here, your leashed dog can bound around while you’re taking 312 photos of the view or some pics of your French Bulldog in a hat for the ‘gram.

There are beautiful hikes to be had in Niagara Falls State Park as well. Or, if you know your pup has a penchant for sand, the city of Rye has Playland. This is a picturesque beach with a great reputation, where you can take your dogs for walks between October and April.

Don't forget vaccines

Remember, a lot of wild animals that you may encounter can carry unpleasant diseases, including rabies. Make sure your pet is up to date with their vaccines – a preventative and wellness plan will help cover those costs.

Why get pet insurance at all?

At Petted, we sincerely believe that pet insurance is a must for all pet parents, whether you live in New York, North Carolina or Nebraska. It doesn’t matter if you’re a city- or country-dweller, if you have a Bull Mastiff or a Burmese, your beloved pet is at risk from injury, illness and inherited conditions – and these things can cost a lot of money to fix.

If you don’t have a very large savings account then you run the risk of either getting into a ton of debt (we’re talking tens of thousands of dollars in some cases) or – and we hate to think about this – not being able to pay for your pet’s treatment and having to either give them up or, tragically, have them euthanized.

So, for the sake of a few dollars a month, please buy yourself some peace of mind and your pet a healthier, more secure future. To find the best pet insurance policy for where you live, click here. We'll fetch you the perfect quotes in less than a minute.

Some common questions about having a pet in New York State

Do you need pet insurance in New York?

It depends on what you mean by the question! Does the New York State require pets to be insured? No. Should pets in New York be insured? In our opinion, absolutely. That is unless you can afford to pay increasingly expensive vet bills – often reaching five figures. Pet insurance is more affordable than you think and could save your pet’s life.

Where in New York is pet insurance the most expensive?

Ok, this won’t surprise anyone but pet insurance premiums are most expensive in New York City, while you’ll pay less in places like Rochester and Albany. This may not seem fair, especially as life in the Big Apple is expensive enough, but pet insurance premiums take into account many factors and one of those is your address.

If you think about it, rent and other costs are higher for veterinary practices, which is reflected in their bills. There’s also a greater chance of your pet having an accident in a major metropolitan area.

How long are pet insurance waiting periods in New York?

The waiting period is the amount of time between you taking out a policy and it coming into effect. Its main purpose is to stop people from signing up to pet insurance after their pet gets sick. Waiting periods vary from provider to provider and are usually different for the ‘accident’ and ‘illness’ parts of a plan. Accident usually takes 1-3 days to kick in, while illness is ranges from 1-15 days. Some policies have a longer waiting period for certain conditions, such as ACL injuries.

How long do pet insurance claims take in New York?

The pay-out times for pet insurance claims vary from company to company, claim to claim. Assuming your claim is approved, you might get paid in a day or two, or iyt might take up to 30 days, but the likelihood is it’ll be somewhere between the two. That said, some pet insurance providers are quicker on average at processing claims, so make sure you read our pet insurance company reviews.

Is pet rent legal in New York?

In most cases, landlords are legally allowed to charge extra rent if you have an animal in their property. For example, if your monthly rent is $2,000, they might charge $2,200 if you have a pet. They can also charge a separate deposit, which may not be refundable, or refuse permission for an animal to be in the property. In fact, an estimated 75% of rental properties don’t allow pets.

The only exception to the above is if someone with a disability has a service animal. They would be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Is ear-cropping legal in New York?

Unfortunately, painful and usually unnecessary animal mutilations such as ear-cropping, tail-docking, declawing and devocalizing are legal in all US states. New York is one of only nine states that regulates ear-cropping, prohibiting it unless carried out by a licensed veterinarian while the dog is under anesthetic. The American Veterinary Medical Association is opposed to the ear-cropping and tail-docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes.

Are there specific pet laws in New York State?

There are several pet laws in New York State designed to safeguard animal welfare. All dogs over four months old must be licensed, which requires proof of a current rabies vaccination and of the dog being spayed or neutered.

If a dog is a guard or service dog, it must be registered as such. Guard dogs are required to wear their dog license tag as well as their City-issued guard dog tag on their collar – this helps reduce the risk of dangerous dog encounters.

Anyone who adopts a dog must sign a written agreement to neuter or spay them within 30 days of adoption or 30 days of the dog becoming six months old. If your dog bites someone, you may be subject to penalties. If that dog is deemed dangerous, you will be liable for all medical costs resulting from any attack.

There are also laws around animals that are city-specific:

New York City

Any dog in a public place or in an open space abutting a public place must be tethered or kept on a leash no longer than six feet. It’s illegal to tie or chain a dog for more than three hours in a 12-hour period, and to tether them with heavy chains, or choke or pinch collars. The City states that inhumane tethering is not just cruel to the animal, but makes them more likely to become aggressive and harm humans.

The Big Apple was also the first major US city to introduce a canine waste law. Any poop left by your dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, or other public area, must be legally ‘scooped’ and disposed of. Otherwise it’s a fine of $250.

Dog shelters aren’t allowed to releasing dogs older than eight weeks for adoption unless the dog has been neutered or spayed.

Buffalo

If your dog is kept on premises, unless in your immediate custody, it has to be muzzled, securely fastened or otherwise restrained to prevent them from biting anyone lawfully entering or leaving those premises. A family residence or commercial property can have a maximum of three dogs over the age of four months on the premises. Any more than that and it will be classified and defined as a kennel.

It’s a legal requirement to prevent your dog from disturbing the “comfort and repose” of anyone in the vicinity through frequent or long-continued barking, howling or other noise.

Useful pet health resources in New York State

Treats Unleashed – If you live near Buffalo, this independent store could easily be your pet’s happy place. More than a regular pet store, it’s like a health food store for animals (including personalized cakes, but everyone needs a cheat day). Alongside the food and supplements, there are also toys, poop bags and other standard pet store stuff.

Water4Dogs – Dogs are prone to injuries and illnesses that affect their mobility (a big reason to get pet insurance). Rehabilitation from these conditions can be tough but hydrotherapy is a great tool for getting them back on their feet. Water4Dogs is an amazing rehabilitation center in Tribeca that uses hydrotherapy (and other treatments) to staggering effect.

Yuruani Olguin Dog Training – Training your dog – whether they’re a pup, a rescue or even an older dog with a few naughty habits – is really important for their mental and physical health. This school in east Chelsea has an immaculate reputation (seriously, check out the review scores) and is highly recommended to any Manhattanite.