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. You'll receive 60% to 90% reimbursement after meeting your deductible. Follow these five steps:
Pet Insurance Claims Process
Updated: December 29, 2025
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Pet Insurance Claims Process: Key Takeaways
File a pet insurance claim by contacting your insurer, gathering veterinary invoices and medical records, then submitting your documentation.
Insurers deny claims for pre-existing conditions, pet insurance coverage exclusions or incomplete documentation.
If your claim gets denied, appeal with your insurer or file a complaint with your state insurance department.
How to File a Pet Insurance Claim
1. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Some insurers require notification before or immediately after your veterinary visit. Check your policy documents or call customer service to confirm your plan's notification requirements and avoid reimbursement delays.
2. Gather Required Documents
Gather these documents before filing to speed claim processing:
- Itemized veterinary invoice with service dates, treatments and costs
- Proof of payment (receipt, canceled check or credit card statement)
- Medical records with diagnosis, treatment plan and condition notes
- Diagnostic results (X-rays, blood work or lab reports)
- Any insurer-specific forms your provider requires
3. Submit Your Pet Insurance Claim
Submit your claim via your insurer's online portal, mobile app or paper forms.
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Include specific details in your claim form: your pet's symptoms, treatment timeline and relevant medical history. Thorough documentation speeds up claim review and reduces follow-up requests.
Compare the top pet insurance companies:
4. Track Your Claim Status
Check your insurer's online portal or mobile app for claim updates and reimbursement status. Average processing timeline:
- Claim receipt: One to two business days
- Initial review: One to three business days
- Document verification: Three to seven business days (standard claims)
- Medical review: Five to 10 business days (complex cases requiring veterinary assessment)
Processing times based on MoneyGeek analysis of major pet insurance providers and may vary by company and claim complexity.
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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
Reach out to your provider if you haven’t received an update after about three weeks. Check your claim status online first, since many questions can be answered through your account portal.
Respond quickly to any requests for extra documents so your claim continues moving forward.
- 2Claim denial reasons
Claims may be denied due to pre-existing conditions, treatments that aren’t included in your policy or missing documentation.
The denial letter outlines the reason and points to the relevant policy section. Some denials are caused by documentation issues you can correct and submit again.
- 3Dispute resolution options
You can challenge a denied claim in two ways:
- Internal appeals: Contact your insurer’s claims department and request a formal review. Provide any additional documents that support your claim, such as detailed veterinary notes or a specialist’s second opinion. Internal appeals are usually completed within 30 to 60 days and decisions may be reversed if new information shows the treatment is covered.
- External appeals: If the internal appeal doesn’t resolve the issue, you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance department for an independent review. Many states offer free mediation or a formal complaint process.
Pet Insurance Claims: Bottom Line
File pet insurance claims through your insurer's online portal, email or fax. Notify your insurer and gather required documents first. Insurers approve claims within seven to 15 business days. Insurers deny claims for pre-existing conditions, excluded treatments or incomplete paperwork.
If denied, appeal with your insurer or file a complaint with your state insurance department.
How Do Pet Insurance Claims Work: FAQ
Get quick answers to the most common questions about pet insurance claims:
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. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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.