File a pet insurance claim by paying your veterinarian upfront, gathering required documents and submitting your claim through your insurer's online portal or mobile app for 60% to 90% reimbursement after you meet your deductible. Complete this straightforward five-step process:
Pet Insurance Claims Process
Updated: December 1, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Pet Insurance Claims Process: Key Takeaways
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, treatments excluded from pet insurance coverage 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.
How to File a Pet Insurance Claim
1. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Some insurers require notification before or immediately after your veterinary visit to begin processing your claim. Review your policy documents or call customer service to understand your specific plan's requirements, which prevents reimbursement delays later.
2. Gather Required Documents
Collect the right documents upfront to speed claim processing and reduce delays. Most pet insurance providers require:
- Itemized veterinary invoice showing the date of service, treatments performed and individual costs
- Proof of payment such as a receipt, canceled check or credit card statement
- Complete medical records including diagnosis, treatment plan and notes about your pet's condition
- Diagnostic results including X-rays, blood work or lab reports supporting the diagnosis
- Additional insurer-specific forms such as incident reports your provider may require
3. Submit Your Pet Insurance Claim
Submit your claim through your insurer's online portal, mobile app, or paper forms. Compare submission methods by provider:
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Include specific details in your claim form: your pet's symptoms, treatment timeline and relevant medical history. Complete documentation means your insurer can review your claim faster, with fewer follow-up requests for missing information.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
4. Track Your Claim Status
Check your insurer's online portal or mobile app for claim updates. You'll see when problems arise and when reimbursement arrives. Here's the typical timeline:
- Claim receipt: One to two business days
- Initial review: One to three business days after submission
- Document verification: Three to seven business days for standard claims
- Medical review: Five to 10 business days for complex cases needing veterinary assessment
Processing times based on MoneyGeek analysis of major pet insurance providers and may vary by company and claim complexity.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Keep copies of all submitted documents until you receive your reimbursement. Your insurer may need to verify information during the review process.
5. Receive Reimbursement
Approved claims pay 60% to 90% of covered expenses after your deductible, depending on your policy terms. You'll get reimbursement through direct deposit in two to five business days or paper check in seven to 10 business days.
What You Need to Know After You File a Claim
Claims usually process within seven to 15 business days. Your insurer may request additional information, and you have options if your claim is denied.
- 1Follow-up etiquette
Contact your provider if you haven't received an update after three weeks. Check your claim status online first; many questions get answered through your account portal. Respond promptly to requests for additional documentation to keep your claim moving forward.
- 2Claim denial reasons
Pet insurance claims get denied for pre-existing conditions, treatments excluded from your policy or missing documentation. Your denial letter explains the specific reason and references the applicable policy section. Some denials stem from documentation problems you can fix and resubmit.
- 3Dispute resolution options
You can appeal a denied claim through two channels:
- Internal appeals: Contact your insurer's claims department for a formal review. Submit additional documentation like detailed veterinary notes or specialist second opinions. Insurers complete internal appeals within 30 to 60 days and may reverse decisions when new evidence shows coverage applies.
- External appeals: File a complaint with your state's insurance department for independent review if your internal appeal fails. Many states offer free mediation services or formal complaint processes.
Pet Insurance Claims: Bottom Line
File pet insurance claims through your insurer's online portal, email or fax after notifying them and gathering required documents. Insurers approve most claims within seven to 15 business days. Claims get denied for pre-existing conditions, excluded treatments or incomplete paperwork. If denied, request a formal review from your insurer or file a complaint with your state insurance department.
How Do Pet Insurance Claims Work: FAQ
Find answers to common questions about the pet insurance claims process:
How long does a pet insurance claim take to process?
Most pet insurance claims take seven to 15 business days to process from submission to approval. Once approved, you'll receive reimbursement via direct deposit in two to five business days or paper check in seven to 10 business days.
What should I do if my pet insurance claim is denied?
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 the 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.
What documents do I need to file a pet insurance claim?
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.
Can I submit my pet insurance claim using my smartphone?
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.
How do I manage claims for multiple pets with different insurance policies?
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.
How much will I pay out-of-pocket before receiving reimbursement?
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.