Best Pet Insurance In North Carolina 2024 (2024)

North Carolina law prohibits dogs from running at large at night, and local communities usually have additional regulations that require dogs to be leashed when they’re off the owner’s property. Here is a sampling of local pet laws in North Carolina.

Charlotte pet laws

Charlotte dog owners must license dogs, cats and ferrets that are age 4 months or older. The animals must also be vaccinated against rabies. Dog, cat and ferret license fees are $30 for fertile pets. Dog, cat and ferret license fees are $10 per year or $25 for three years for sterile pets. Pet owners age 62 and older with sterilized animals can get free licenses.

Dogs in Charlotte must be on a leash or contained within a fence, which could be an operable and marked invisible fence. You must also leash a dog in city parks except for designated off-leash areas. An animal may be loose in its yard if an adult is next to the pet and the animal responds to direct verbal commands.

Violators may be cited $50 for the first violation and up to $500 and permanent seizure of the pet for a fifth violation.

You cannot drive with your pet on your lap. If you violate this law, you could be fined $100.

Any Charlotte resident with a dog deemed dangerous must install privacy fencing or secure fencing with a top, buy liability insurance, muzzle the dog when it’s off property, tattoo the dog identifying it as dangerous and place warning signs on the property.

Raleigh pet laws

You must inoculate dogs and cats age 4 months or older against rabies.

Raleigh dog owners cannot tether a dog outside for more than three hours within a 24-hour period. That includes using a rope, chain or other line to restrain a dog. The ordinance is in place to prevent a dog from becoming injured or being left in harsh conditions without access to shelter, food and water.

You must pick up after your dog when you are not on your property unless you have permission from the owner of the property.

Animal Control may deem an animal a nuisance for the following reasons:

  • Found repeatedly running at large
  • Damaging property
  • Causing unsanitary conditions of enclosure or surroundings
  • Fouling the air with odors
  • Habitual barking or loud noises
  • Vicious
  • Dangerous to public health

Greensboro pet laws

Pet owners in Greensboro must keep their dogs and cats that are age 4 months or older current on their rabies vaccinations. If your dog or cat is not up to date on their vaccinations, you may be required to produce a rabies vaccination tag or form within 72 hours. Failure to do so could result in a fine.

An animal considered a nuisance, such as a dog running at large, may result in a citation for the owner. Fines are between $100 and $500, depending on the violation.

Guilford County considers it illegal to own an “inherently dangerous animal.” That includes lions, tigers, bears and wolves. Owners of exotic animals must obtain a permit to let animal control know of their whereabouts.

North Carolina has its share of natural disasters, including hurricanes. Greensboro officials recommend you transport your pet in a carrier or keep them leashed during an emergency. They also suggest you have an emergency kit and go bag, including a recent photo of your pet, leashes and/or carriers, pet food, water, bowls, veterinarian contact information, medical records, plastic bags and pet toys.

Related: Guide to disaster preparedness for pet owners

Durham pet laws

Durham County pet owners must keep their furry friends under restraint when off their property. One exception is off-leash dog parks, including Downtown Durham Dog Park, Northgate Dog Park, PetSafe Dog Park and Piney Wood Dog Park.

Dog park fees for city residents are $17 for the first dog and $15 for each additional dog. Non-residents pay $22 for the first dog and $20 for each additional dog. You must register your dogs with Durham Parks & Recreation annually and show proof your dog has vaccinations for rabies, distemper/parvo and bordetella, and have negative fecal exam results.

Dog owners must pick up after their pets on public property, public right of way and private property without permission of the property owner. Violators will be fined between $50 and $150, depending on the number of violations.

You cannot leave an unsupervised pet tethered in an open yard or space. If you do so, Animal Services may contact you and recommend keeping your pet indoors or in a fenced-in area. If you cannot afford a fence, you may be able to have a fence installed free of charge through community partners. Repeat violators could face civil penalties and criminal charges.

Best Pet Insurance In North Carolina 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the best pet insurance in North Carolina? ›

The 6 Best Pet Insurance Companies in North Carolina
  • Lemonade: Our Top Pick.
  • Spot: Most Customizable Coverage.
  • Embrace: Our Pick for Savings.
  • ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Our Pick for Older Pets.
  • Fetch: Our Pick for Comprehensive Coverage.
  • Healthy Paws: Most Affordable Unlimited Coverage.
Apr 5, 2024

At what age should you stop pet insurance? ›

Pet insurers with maximum age limits for new policies often set them at 10 years old, so if your pet is older than 10, you'll want to look for a company with a higher age limit or no limit. Pet insurance for older dogs and cats likely will also be more expensive than a policy for a younger animal.

Does pet insurance get more expensive with age? ›

The older your pet becomes, the more likely he or she is to encounter health issues, some of which may be age-related (or exacerbated by age), resulting in higher veterinary costs that, in turn, may increase your likelihood of filing a pet insurance claim. For this reason, your pet's premiums tend to increase with age.

How can I get the most out of my pet insurance? ›

How To Use Pet Health Insurance Like A Pro
  1. Pay Upfront Treatment Costs On A Credit Card, And Pay It Off With Your Reimbursem*nt. ...
  2. Make Sure Your Vet Knows About Your Pet Insurance Coverage. ...
  3. Make Sure Your Policy Makes Sense For Your Breed, Location, Age, And Any Pre-Existing Conditions.

What are the three types of pet insurance? ›

Background: Pet insurance companies typically divide their products into 3 main categories: accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverages. Each level offers specific services that are covered and excluded and will vary by price. Insurance policies are usually broken down by the type of pet being insured.

Do you want a high deductible for pet insurance? ›

A young and healthy pet is less likely to be diagnosed with a chronic condition, making a higher deductible and lower monthly premium a good choice. For older pets or those predisposed to health conditions, you may want to consider a lower deductible and higher monthly premium.

What is the cheapest and best pet insurance? ›

Based on the evaluation of over a dozen pet insurance providers, Lemonade and ManyPets are the cheapest pet insurance companies. ManyPets is the most affordable pet insurance with an average monthly cost of $23, and the cheapest option for cats at $16.

Is it OK to not have pet insurance? ›

But without insurance coverage, the cost to treat unexpected pet emergencies can present a financial burden for the majority of pet parents — in fact, six out of 10 Americans have less than $1,000 in savings to spend in an emergency. In the worst cases, a pet medical emergency can lead to long-term expenses .

Is pet insurance worth it for a senior dog? ›

Although it's best to enroll your pet in a policy while they're young, you can still get pet insurance for older dogs and cats — and doing so could help you save a significant amount money if they develop health concerns in their late life.

How much does the average person spend on pet insurance per month? ›

We found that, on average, pet insurance costs $66 a month for dogs and $32 a month for cats. However, pet insurance premiums typically range from $15 to $90 a month. Pet insurance is an affordable alternative to paying vet bills out of pocket and can offer financial protection against high-cost emergency vet visits.

What makes pet insurance cheaper? ›

Your deductible and reimbursem*nt level

Choosing a higher pet insurance deductible lowers the cost of your plan but increases your out-of-pocket costs at the vet. A lower deductible increases your plan's price, but you'll be reimbursed more on your claim.

Should I insure my 12 year old dog? ›

Older pets can become unaware of their surroundings, which means they're more likely to have an accident. Treating injuries as a result of an accident is especially important in older pets, so make sure your dog has the right insurance to help support their recovery.

Can you negotiate your pet insurance? ›

Pet insurance, like most consumer insurances, is price-inflexible. While you may be able to reduce the price by removing elements of cover (so in effect, you're buying less insurance), you're unlikely to be able to negotiate the price for the coverage chosen. 1)Research Multiple Providers and compare the quoted prices.

Is pet insurance tax deductible? ›

Is pet insurance tax deductible? Pet insurance may be tax deductible. For example, pet insurance can be tax deductible if your pet is a service animal or performs in a way that contributes to your annual income.

Is lifetime pet insurance worth it? ›

Lifetime pet insurance cover is ideal if your pet develops a long-term illness, such as diabetes or arthritis. Because Lifetime pet insurance policies are so comprehensive, they can cost more than Time limited policies, which offer cover for short-term illnesses and injuries.

Do you think pet insurance is worth it? ›

Ultimately, pet insurance can be helpful for many situations, especially if you want to reduce the stress and difficult decisions that can stem from unexpected vet bills. In general, you want to shop for pet insurance sooner than later so that it's more cost-effective, but even older pets can be insured.

Is Petplan the best pet insurance? ›

Petplan is the UK's No 1 pet insurer. They offer 3 levels of Covered for Life policy with varying Vet Fee limits and an Essential 12 month policy. They pay 97% of all claims and 90% of claims are paid within 5 working days. Petplan work closly with the veterinary profession and can pay your vet direct.

Is pet insurance a good investment for a pet Why or why not? ›

Pet insurance helps cover the cost of medical care for your furry friend. It can reimburse you for expenses like cancer treatment, emergency care, prescription medications and surgery.

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