Pet insurance in Maine: what it costs and what to plan for

How much is pet insurance in Maine?

The average accident-and-illness policy in Maine costs $45 a month for a dog, according to Forbes Advisor, How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2026).

Forbes Advisor's Maine figure is for a dog policy with a $5,000 annual limit, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. An unlimited policy averaged $68 a month. The national averages on the same basis are $56 for a dog and $24 for a cat. Forbes gives no Maine figure for cats and no city spread.

Your own price depends on your pet's species, breed and age, your ZIP code (vet prices vary by city), and three choices you make: the deductible, the reimbursement rate and the annual limit. A higher deductible or lower reimbursement lowers the monthly premium. See how pet insurance deductibles work.

Maine pet insurance rules

Maine passed a pet insurance law based on the NAIC model in 2022, now Chapter 44 of Title 24-A. It took effect in January 2023. Waiting periods for illnesses and orthopedic conditions are capped at 30 days, and accidents can't have one. Insurers must let you waive the waiting period with a vet exam. You get 15 days from receiving the policy to return it for a full refund, if no claim was filed. Insurers must disclose exclusions, and a covered condition can't become pre-existing at renewal. Buying pet insurance can't depend on joining a wellness program.

Source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, Chapter 44: Pet Insurance

Pet health risks to plan for in Maine

These are the local hazards Maine vets see often, and whether a typical accident-and-illness policy pays for treatment. Routine prevention (vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm medication) is only covered by an optional wellness add-on.

Vets and pet care in Maine cities

• Portland. Maine Veterinary Medical Center in nearby Scarborough is open 24/7 for emergency and specialty care, including surgery, oncology and neurology. (source)
• Lewiston. Maine CDC advises daily tick checks and checking pets for ticks, since the deer tick is spreading across the state. (source)
• Bangor. Lyme disease cases in Maine rise every year as deer ticks spread throughout the state, Maine CDC says. (source)

How to get pet insurance in Maine

You can buy a policy online in a few minutes. Lemonade sells pet insurance for dogs and cats in Maine: you enter your pet's breed and age and your ZIP code, then choose your options, such as the deductible and a 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement rate. Illnesses are covered only after a waiting period, so it pays to start while your pet is young and healthy, before any condition counts as pre-existing (see waiting periods).

Whichever insurer you choose, read the sample policy for exclusions: pre-existing conditions, bilateral conditions, exam fees and how long the waiting periods are.

Tips for Maine pet owners

1. Compare quotes at the same settings. Forbes Advisor's $45 Maine dog average uses a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement and a $5,000 limit.
2. Do daily tick checks and check your dog for ticks, as Maine CDC advises. Lyme treatment is covered, but tick medication needs a wellness add-on.
3. Give heartworm prevention every month. Heartworm is spreading into new parts of Maine, and a lapse can complicate a claim.
4. Enroll before symptoms show. Maine caps illness waiting periods at 30 days, but signs noted before then can be excluded as pre-existing.
5. Use Maine's 15-day free look. Read the exclusions and return the policy for a full refund if it isn't right, before filing any claim.