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: September 17, 2025
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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, 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.
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:
AKC | ✓ | ✓ |
ASPCA | ✓ | ✓ |
Embrace | ✓ | ✓ |
Fetch | ✓ | |
Figo | ✓ | ✓ |
Healthy Paws | ✓ | |
Lemonade | ✓ | |
Liberty Mutual | ✓ | |
MetLife | ✓ | ✓ |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ |
Pets Best | ✓ | ✓ |
Prudent Pet | ✓ | |
Pumpkin | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | |
Spot | ✓ | ✓ |
Trupanion | ✓ | ✓ |
Wagmo | ✓ | |
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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.
4. Track Your Claim Status
Track your claim status through your insurer's online portal or mobile app to identify issues quickly and know when to expect reimbursement. Most pet insurance claims move through these processing phases:
- Claim receipt in one to two business days
- Initial review begins one to three business days after submission
- Document verification lasts three to seven business days for standard claims
- Medical review spans five to 10 business days for 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 your reimbursement is processed and paid to resolve any questions that arise during review.
5. Receive Reimbursement
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 (two to five business days) or paper checks (seven to 10 business days) for reimbursement payments.
What You Need to Know After You File a Claim
After filing your pet insurance claim, expect processing within seven to 15 business days, prepare for potential follow-up requests, and know your appeal options if denied. Navigate the post-submission process effectively:
- 1
Follow-up etiquette
Most insurers process claims within seven 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.
- 2
Claim denial reasons
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.
- 3
Dispute resolution options
If your pet insurance claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision through internal and external review processes:
- Internal appeals: Contact your insurer's claims department for a formal review of the denial. Provide additional documentation or medical records such as detailed veterinary notes or specialist second opinions. Internal appeals are usually completed within 30 to 60 days, and companies may reverse their original decision when new evidence shows coverage applies.
- External appeals: If your internal appeal fails, file a complaint with your state's insurance department for independent review. Many states offer free mediation services or formal complaint processes that investigate claim handling practices.
Pet Insurance Claims: Bottom Line
The pet insurance claims process involves notifying your insurer, collecting necessary paperwork and filing your claim through online portals, email or fax. Most claims get approved within seven to 15 business days, though denials can occur due to pre-existing conditions, non-covered treatments or missing paperwork. Appeal denied claims by requesting formal review with your insurer or filing complaints 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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.