Pet owners cancel their pet insurance for various reasons: maybe costs are tight, or you've found better coverage elsewhere. The good news is you can cancel your coverage anytime, though when you cancel affects whether you'll get money back. Here's the step-by-step process to cancel your policy.
Pet Insurance Cancellation
Updated: November 27, 2025
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Pet Insurance Cancellation: Key Takeaways
You can cancel your pet insurance coverage anytime by contacting your provider through phone, email or written notice.
Most insurers offer full refunds if you cancel your policy within the first 30 days without filing claims, though some providers have shorter windows or state restrictions.
After canceling, your pet's previous health issues become pre-existing conditions, new coverage requires waiting periods and age limits may prevent re-enrollment.
How to Cancel Your Pet Insurance
1. Review Your Policy’s Terms and Conditions
Review your policy documents to determine cancellation fees and refund eligibility. Most insurers refund your full premium if you cancel within 30 days and haven't filed claims. Some providers offer shorter windows or calculate refunds differently, as shown below.
No, AKC refunds unused premium on a daily pro-rata basis. | |
Yes. | |
Yes, but pro-rated refund applies if you submitted claims in the first 15 days. | |
Yes. | |
Yes, but not available in Pennsylvania. | |
Yes, but not available in New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. | |
Yes. | |
No, Liberty Mutual provides full refunds only for policies canceled within the first 10 days. | |
Yes. | |
Yes, but the timeframe varies by state. | |
No, Pets Best refunds unearned premiums on a pro-rata basis. | |
Yes. | |
Yes, but not available in New York and only available in Maine for policies canceled within the first 15 days. | |
Yes. | |
Yes. | |
Yes, plus enrollment fee, if applicable. | |
No, Wagmo provides a premium refund that is less than pro-rated. | |
Terms and conditions for policy cancellation may vary by state and provider. Coverage details, refund policies and cancellation procedures differ significantly between insurers. Always review your specific policy documents and contact your provider directly for accurate information about your coverage.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
2. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Contacting your provider is required to officially request cancellation because simply stopping payments won't cancel your policy and could result in continued charges. Always ask for written confirmation of your cancellation to protect yourself from billing disputes later.
Check the table to see the cancellation methods preferred by the major pet insurance companies:
AKC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
ASPCA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Embrace | ✓ | |||
Fetch | ✓ | |||
Figo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Healthy Paws | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Lemonade | ✓ | |||
Liberty Mutual | ✓ | ✓ | ||
MetLife | ✓ | |||
Nationwide | ✓ | |||
Pets Best | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Prudent Pet | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Pumpkin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Spot | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Trupanion | ✓ | ✓ | ||
Wagmo | ✓ | ✓ | ||
3. Provide Required Information
When requesting cancellation, you'll need to provide your policy number, pet's name and your desired cancellation date. Most insurers also ask for the reason you're canceling, though this is typically optional. Keep records of all communication, including confirmation emails or letters, for your files.
What You Need to Know After You Cancel Your Pet Insurance
Canceling your pet insurance creates three major consequences that affect future coverage options. Understanding these factors helps you make an informed decision.
- 1Pre-existing conditions
Any health issues your pet develops while insured become pre-existing conditions once you cancel. Getting pet insurance from a new insurer excludes these conditions from coverage, meaning you pay all treatment costs yourself. A minor ear infection treated under your old policy could exclude all future ear-related care.
- 2Waiting periods
New coverage triggers fresh waiting periods of 14 days or more. Your pet has zero protection during this gap; accidents and illnesses aren't covered. Emergency vet bills land entirely on you.
- 3Age limits
Your pet may no longer qualify for insurance after being canceled due to age restrictions. Most insurers stop accepting pets over 8 to 12 years old. Older pets who qualify pay higher premiums with fewer coverage options.
How to Cancel Pet Insurance: Bottom Line
Contact your provider directly to cancel your pet insurance. Most companies refund your full premium if you cancel within 30 days, though timing affects your refund amount.
Consider the consequences before canceling. Your pet's current health issues become pre-existing conditions with new insurers, and waiting periods restart from scratch. Age restrictions may prevent coverage entirely if your pet is older.
Can You Cancel Pet Insurance at Any Time?: FAQ
Still have questions about pet insurance cancellation? We’ve compiled answers below:
Can you cancel pet insurance at any time?
You can cancel your pet insurance policy at any time by contacting your provider through phone, email or written notice. Most insurers offer full refunds if you cancel within the first 30 days without filing claims, though some providers like Liberty Mutual only offer 10 days. After the money-back period, you'll typically receive a pro-rated refund for the unused premium.
Do I get money back if I cancel pet insurance?
Most insurers offer full refunds if you cancel within 30 days without filing claims, though Liberty Mutual only gives 10 days. After the money-back period, you'll receive a pro-rated refund for unused coverage. Some providers like Wagmo offer less favorable refund terms, so check your specific policy details.
Can I modify my pet insurance instead of canceling?
Many pet insurance providers allow you to modify your coverage instead of canceling completely. You can often increase your deductible, lower your reimbursement rate or reduce your annual limit to decrease monthly premiums. Contact your provider to discuss modification options before canceling, as this lets you maintain coverage while reducing costs.
What happens if I cancel my pet insurance mid-treatment?
If you cancel during ongoing treatment, your current claims should still be processed according to your policy terms, but future treatment for the same condition won't be covered. Consider timing your cancellation after treatment concludes when possible.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.