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

How much is pet insurance in Maryland?

The average accident-and-illness policy in Maryland costs $55 a month for a dog and $26 a month for a cat, according to Forbes Advisor, Best Pet Insurance In Maryland (June 2026).

Forbes Advisor averages quotes with a $5,000 annual limit, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. With unlimited annual coverage the averages rise to $82 for a dog and $39 for a cat. Forbes doesn't price cities, but puts a dog vet visit at $79 in Baltimore and $85 in Columbia.

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.

Maryland pet insurance rules

Maryland adopted the NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act as Insurance Article §§ 19-1101 to 19-1107, which the NAIC dates to 2024–2025. Waiting periods for illnesses and orthopedic conditions are capped at 30 days, and conditions caused by an accident can't have one. Insurers must disclose exclusions and waiting periods before you buy, and can't require a vet exam to renew. Wellness programs can't be required to buy pet insurance and must carry a notice that they are not insurance.

Source: Maryland Code, Insurance § 19-1105, Pet insurance policy conditions

Pet health risks to plan for in Maryland

These are the local hazards Maryland 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 Maryland cities

• Baltimore. Forbes Advisor puts a dog vet visit at $79 in Baltimore, or $140 for two dogs. (source)
• Columbia. Columbia has the highest vet visit price in Forbes Advisor's Maryland list, at $85 for one dog. (source)
• Germantown. A dog vet visit averages $83 in Germantown, matching the state average in Forbes Advisor's data. (source)
• Gaithersburg. Montgomery County vet visits run about $83 for one dog in Forbes Advisor's data. (source)

How to get pet insurance in Maryland

You can buy a policy online in a few minutes. Lemonade sells pet insurance for dogs and cats in Maryland: 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 Maryland pet owners

1. Maryland dog premiums run about $55 a month at a $5,000 limit. Compare quotes on the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit.
2. Check your dog for ticks after woods and tall grass, spring through fall. Lyme treatment is covered, but tick medication needs a wellness add-on.
3. Enroll before symptoms show. Maryland caps illness waiting periods at 30 days, but anything noted first can be excluded as pre-existing.
4. Don't confuse a wellness plan with pet insurance. Maryland law requires wellness programs to say they are not insurance.
5. Give heartworm prevention every month. CAPC says heartworm is moving up the Atlantic coast.