Updated: September 3, 2025
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Filing a pet insurance claim starts with contacting your insurer, gathering required documents like veterinary invoices and medical records, then submitting them through any of the available methods.
Claims usually get denied for pre-existing conditions, non-covered treatments or missing documentation.
If your claim gets denied, you can appeal through your insurer's internal review process or file a complaint with your state insurance department for external mediation.
Pet insurance provides financial protection when your furry friend needs veterinary care for covered accidents or illnesses, reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible medical expenses after you meet your deductible.
To receive reimbursement, you'll pay the veterinary bill upfront, then file a claim with your insurer. This straightforward process can be done online in five steps, as outlined below.
Certain insurers need notification before or right after your vet visit to begin processing your claim. Review your policy documents or call customer service to understand what your specific plan requires. This simple step can save you from reimbursement delays later.
Collecting the right documents upfront speeds up your claim processing and reduces the chance of delays or requests for additional information. Most pet insurance providers require similar documentation to verify your claim and calculate reimbursement. Here's what you'll usually need:
Pet insurance companies offer various ways to submit your claim, from traditional paper forms to modern online portals and mobile apps. The table below shows how to submit a claim by provider.
AKC | ✓ | ✓ |
ASPCA | ✓ | ✓ |
Embrace | ✓ | ✓ |
Fetch | ✓ | |
Figo | ✓ | ✓ |
Healthy Paws | ✓ | |
Lemonade | ✓ | |
Liberty Mutual | ✓ | |
MetLife | ✓ | ✓ |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
Pets Best | ✓ | ✓ |
Prudent Pet | ✓ | |
Pumpkin | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | |
Spot | ✓ | ✓ |
Trupanion | ✓ | ✓ |
Wagmo | ✓ | |
Provide as much detail as possible in your claim form, including your pet's symptoms, treatment timeline and any relevant medical history. Thorough information helps your insurer review your claim efficiently and reduces back-and-forth requests for missing documentation.
Most pet insurers let you check your claim status using online portals or mobile apps. Keeping tabs on your claim's status helps you identify issues quickly and know when to expect your reimbursement check. Processing generally moves through these phases:
Keep copies of all submitted documents until your reimbursement is processed and paid. This helps you prepare for and resolve any questions that may arise during review.
Once your claim is approved, you'll receive reimbursement based on your policy's specific terms, typically 60% to 90% of covered expenses after you meet your deductible. Most insurers offer direct deposit (fastest option at 2 to 5 business days) or paper checks (7 to 10 business days) for reimbursement payments.
Filing your pet insurance claim is just the beginning. Understanding the post-submission process helps you stay on top of your claim and handle any issues that arise.
Most insurers process claims within 7 to 15 business days, so contact your provider if you haven't heard anything after three weeks. Check your claim status online first, as many questions can be resolved through your account portal. If your claim requires additional documentation, respond promptly to avoid processing delays.
Pet insurance claims get denied for several common reasons, including pre-existing conditions, treatments not covered by your policy or missing documentation. Your denial letter should explain the specific reason and reference the policy section that applies. Some denials result from simple documentation issues that you can easily fix and resubmit.
If your pet insurance claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision. Insurers usually provide both internal appeal processes and external review options to ensure claims receive fair evaluation.
The pet insurance claims process involves notifying your insurer about the veterinary visit, collecting necessary paperwork and filing your claim through its preferred submission method, whether online, email, or fax. While most claims get approved, denials can happen due to pre-existing conditions, non-covered treatments or missing paperwork. If your claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision by requesting a formal review with your insurer or filing a complaint with your state insurance department.
We’ve compiled some of the frequently asked questions you have about the pet insurance claims process:
Most pet insurance claims take 7 to 15 business days to process from submission to approval. Once approved, you'll receive reimbursement via direct deposit in 2 to 5 business days or paper check in 7 to 10 business days.
If your claim gets denied, review the denial letter for specific reasons and policy references. You can appeal through your insurer's internal review process by contacting its claims department with additional documentation or medical records. If that fails, file a complaint with your state insurance department for independent review or use binding arbitration if required by your policy.
You'll need an itemized veterinary invoice showing treatments and individual costs, complete medical records including diagnosis and treatment plans, plus proof of payment like receipts or credit card statements. Additional requirements may include diagnostic results or incident reports.
Yes, most major pet insurance providers offer mobile apps for claim submission. Companies like Fetch, Healthy Paws and Spot allow you to photograph receipts and medical records directly through their apps for instant upload.
Keep separate folders (physical or digital) for each pet's documentation and policy information to avoid mixing up claims. Submit claims separately for each pet through their respective insurer's portal or app. Track each pet's deductible status and annual limits individually, as these don't combine across different policies.
You'll pay the full veterinary bill upfront, then receive reimbursement for covered expenses after meeting your deductible, based on your policy's specific terms.
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.
