A pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in for covered veterinary costs. It ranges from $0 to $1,000, with most insurers offering options like $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. Once you've met your deductible, your insurer covers the remaining eligible costs according to your policy's reimbursement percentage.
Pet Insurance Deductible
Updated: August 9, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Your pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay upfront before your plan starts covering costs, available in annual or per-incident types.
A few insurers offer $0-deductible pet insurance, but you'll often find minimum deductibles around $50 to $100 with most companies.
Choosing your deductible involves examining your budget, considering your pet's profile and calculating premium differences.
What Is a Pet Insurance Deductible?
Types of Pet Insurance Deductible
Pet insurance companies offer two main deductible structures, each affecting how and when you pay your out-of-pocket costs. Understanding these differences helps you choose the option that best fits your pet's health needs and your budget.
Annual deductible
You pay this deductible amount once per policy year, regardless of how many claims you file. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance covers eligible expenses for the rest of the year according to your reimbursement rate. This type works well for pets with chronic conditions or multiple health issues since you only pay the deductible once annually.
Per-incident or per-condition deductible
You pay a separate deductible for each new illness or injury that occurs. If your pet breaks a leg in January and develops an ear infection in March, you'll pay two separate deductibles. This option typically offers lower monthly premiums but can become expensive if your pet experiences multiple unrelated health issues.
Can You Get Pet Insurance With No Deductible?
Some companies like MetLife and Trupanion offer $0 deductible plans, though most provide low deductible options like $50 or $100 instead. Insurers require deductibles to reduce small claims and share financial risk with policyholders, which helps keep premiums affordable for everyone. See below for deductible options by provider:
AKC | $100 to $1,000 |
ASPCA | $100 to $500 |
Chewy | $250 to $1,000 |
Embrace | $100 to $1,000 |
Fetch | $250 to $2,500 |
Figo | $100 to $750 |
Healthy Paws | $250 to $1,000 |
Lemonade | $100 to $750 |
Liberty Mutual | $250 to $1,000 |
MetLife | $0 to $2,500 |
Nationwide | $250 to $1,000 |
Pets Best | $50 to $1,000 |
Prudent Pet | $100 to $1,000 |
Pumpkin | $100 to $1,000 |
Rainwalk | $100 to $750 |
Spot | $100 to $1,000 |
Trupanion | $0 to $1,000 |
Wagmo | $250 to $1,000 |
How to Choose a Pet Insurance Deductible
Choosing the right deductible comes down to what you can afford monthly versus what you can handle paying the vet upfront. Here's how to find what makes sense for you.
- 1
Examine your budget
Look at how much money you have available to cover vet bills before getting reimbursed. If you've got $2,000 in savings, paying a $1,500 surgery bill upfront won't hurt, but someone with $500 saved should stick to lower deductibles. Remember, you'll pay the full vet bill first, then get money back minus your deductible.
- 2
Factor in your pet's age and health
Young, healthy pets rarely need expensive treatments, so higher deductibles like $500 to $1,000 may make sense to save you money on premiums. Senior pets or those with chronic conditions will likely hit their deductible multiple times, making lower options like $100 to $250 more cost-effective. Factor in your pet's breed too; for instance, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers face more health issues than mixed breeds.
- 3
Calculate the premium difference
Compare monthly costs between different deductible amounts from the same insurer. A $250 deductible might cost $30 more per month than a $500 one — that's $360 annually. If your pet typically needs one major treatment per year costing $2,000, you'll pay $1,750 upfront with the $250 deductible but save $360 on premiums.
- 4
Think about multiple pets
Families with multiple pets should carefully consider per-pet versus family deductibles. Some insurers offer family plans where you pay one deductible for all pets combined. With three dogs, paying three separate $250 deductibles means $750 in total upfront costs versus one $500 family deductible.
How Does Pet Insurance Deductible Work: Bottom Line
Your deductible choice affects what you pay monthly and what you'll owe upfront when your pet needs care. While zero-deductible options exist, most insurers start with a minimum of $50 to $100. Finding the right amount will depend on your budget, your pet's age and health history and how premium costs compare.
What Is a Deductible in Pet Insurance: FAQ
Pet insurance deductible decisions often raise questions, so we've answered the most frequently asked questions below:
Is pet insurance tax deductible?
Pet insurance isn't tax deductible for regular family pets. However, IRS guidelines say you could potentially deduct the cost if your pet works as a service animal or earns money through breeding or showing. Since tax rules change and everyone's situation is different, consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.
What's the difference between annual and per-incident deductibles?
Annual deductibles reset once per policy year, while per-incident deductibles require separate payments for each new illness or injury. If your pet needs surgery in January ($500 deductible) and develops allergies in March, you'd pay one deductible with an annual plan but two separate deductibles with a per-incident plan.
Can you change your pet insurance deductible?
Most insurers let you change your deductible during policy renewal, but you typically can't modify it mid-term. Contact your insurer directly to understand their specific change policies and timing requirements.
How do pet insurance deductibles work with multiple pets?
Most insurers require separate deductibles for each pet, but some offer family plans with combined deductibles. With individual policies, three pets with $250 deductibles means potentially paying $750 total annually. Family plans might offer one $500 deductible covering all pets, saving you money if multiple animals need care.
What is a good deductible for pet insurance?
A good deductible balances your monthly budget with what you can afford upfront. For most pet owners, $250 to $500 works well as it's low enough to handle emergencies but high enough to keep premiums reasonable.
Do all pet insurance companies offer $0 deductibles?
No, most companies start their lowest deductible at $50 to $100. Looking at major insurers, only a few like Trupanion and MetLife provide $0 deductible options.
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.
sources
- Internal Revenue Service. "Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses." Accessed August 8, 2025.