Updated: August 28, 2025
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With an accident and illness coverage, you can be reimbursed for cancer treatment costs if the condition develops after your policy’s waiting period ends and isn't pre-existing.
Some pet insurance companies like Healthy Paws and Trupanion offer comprehensive cancer coverage with unlimited payouts.
Determining whether you need cancer coverage involves assessing your pet’s age, researching breed-specific cancer risks and considering your financial situation.
Cancer can affect any pet regardless of age, breed or health status, making treatment costs a concern for all pet owners. Pet insurance can cover cancer expenses like chemotherapy, surgery and diagnostic tests, but only if the cancer develops after your waiting period and isn't a pre-existing condition.
You'll pay the veterinary bill upfront, then file a claim and wait for reimbursement based on your policy’s reimbursement rate minus your deductible.
Accident and illness coverage is the only type of pet insurance that covers cancer treatment costs. These include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, biopsies and oncology consultations.
Accident-only and wellness plans exclude cancer treatment since it's classified as an illness, not an accident or routine care.
Most pet insurance companies cover treatment costs for cancer through their accident and illness plans, but only if it's not a pre-existing condition. The table below shows providers with unique features for their cancer coverage.
AKC | Covers cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and oncology consultations through accident and illness plans. Notable for covering curable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage, but this varies by state. |
ASPCA | Complete Coverage℠ covers cancer treatments, including but not limited to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It also covers alternative therapies for cancer treatment like acupuncture when prescribed by a vet. |
Embrace | Covers all types of cancer with a unique feature: if your pet had one type of cancer before coverage, Embrace will still cover a different, unrelated type of cancer that develops later. Includes coverage for surgery and hospitalization, rehabilitation, alternative therapies and follow-up care. |
Figo | Accident and illness plans cover cancer expenses including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and oncology consultations with up to 100% reimbursement. |
Healthy Paws | Comprehensive policies include cancer coverage with direct vet pay option and no caps on annual or lifetime payouts. Covers chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, diagnostic testing, prescription medications, alternative therapy and rehabilitation. |
MetLife | Standard accident and illness plans provide coverage for cancer with up to 90% reimbursement on covered expenses. Offers continued cancer coverage when switching from another insurer to an employer-sponsored MetLife policy. |
Pets Best | BestBenefit Accident and Illness plans cover cancer treatments and therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and diagnostics with direct vet pay option available. |
Trupanion | Covers accidents and illnesses including cancer with no annual or lifetime payout limits. Unique direct vet payment system means lower upfront costs during treatment. |
*Coverage details, waiting periods and exclusions vary by state and individual policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.
Cancer can strike any pet at any stage of life, and watching your furry family member face this diagnosis is heartbreaking enough without worrying about treatment costs. Below are key factors to help you decide if cancer coverage is right for your situation.
Getting coverage while your pet is young ensures cancer won't be considered a pre-existing condition later. You'll have peace of mind knowing expensive treatments are covered if cancer develops down the road.
According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, certain breeds like Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers face higher cancer rates due to genetic factors. Large breeds such as Dobermans, Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds are particularly prone to bone cancers like osteosarcoma.
According to CareCredit’s 2024 data, cancer therapy averages $5,351 for dogs and $3,980 for cats. Multiple vet visits, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests and ongoing medications can further increase these expenses over months or years of treatment. With pet insurance that covers cancer, you can receive reimbursement for covered costs after meeting your deductible, letting you focus on your pet's care rather than the financial burden.
Pet insurance can cover cancer through standard accident and illness plans, provided that it isn’t a pre-existing condition. Some companies like Healthy Paws and Trupanion offer unlimited payouts for treatment costs, but coverage decisions depend on your pet's age, breed risks and your financial situation.
If you still want to know more about how pet insurance covers cancer, we’ve answered frequently asked questions below:
Yes, pet insurance covers cancer treatment through accident and illness plans, but only if the cancer develops after your policy's waiting period ends and isn't a pre-existing condition.
Pet insurance usually covers chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, biopsies and oncology consultations. Coverage also includes prescription medications, hospital stays, follow-up care and in some cases, alternative therapies, though this varies by provider and policy terms.
You'll pay the veterinary bill upfront, then file a claim and wait for reimbursement based on your policy's reimbursement rate minus your deductible. Most policies reimburse 60% to 90% of covered expenses after your deductible is met. Some companies like Healthy Paws, Trupanion and Pets Best offer direct vet payment options to reduce upfront costs.
Pet insurance policies have waiting periods before cancer coverage becomes active, typically 14 days for illnesses. Cancer that develops or shows symptoms during the waiting period won't be covered as it's considered pre-existing.
You can still get pet insurance if your pet has cancer, but it won't be covered as it's considered a pre-existing condition. However, coverage might protect against future unrelated health issues.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
