Updated: December 2, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
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.
A pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage takes effect. 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 costs according to your policy's reimbursement rate. Pet insurance coverage specifics vary by policy terms and conditions.
Pet insurance companies offer two main deductibles, each affecting how and when you pay your out-of-pocket costs.
This deductible gets paid once each year, whether you file one pet insurance claim or 20. After meeting your annual deductible, your insurance covers eligible expenses for the rest of the year according to your reimbursement rate (the percentage of eligible costs your insurer pays back to you). This type works well for pets with chronic conditions or multiple health issues since you only pay the deductible once annually.
This is 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.
Some companies like MetLife and Trupanion offer $0 deductible plans. Insurers require deductibles to reduce small claims and share financial risk with policyholders.
$100 to $1,000 | |
$100 to $500 | |
Chewy | $250 to $1,000 |
$100 to $1,000 | |
$250 to $2,500 | |
$100 to $750 | |
$250 to $1,000 | |
$100 to $750 | |
$250 to $1,000 | |
$0 to $2,500 | |
$250 to $1,000 | |
$50 to $1,000 | |
$100 to $1,000 | |
$100 to $1,000 | |
$100 to $750 | |
$100 to $1,000 | |
$0 to $1,000 | |
$250 to $1,000 | |
Deductible options based on MoneyGeek analysis of provider websites. Options may vary by location and policy type. Insurance regulations vary by state and may affect plan availability and options.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
In general, we recommend a $500 annual deductible since it balances out of pocket costs in the case of an incident and has relatively low premiums for your pet insurance policy. Also, you should try to get an annual deductible rather than a per claim deductible if available to save more while not compromising protection.
While this is our overall recommendation, you may have a different financial need. So below we detail which deductible selections we think you should get depending on your situation:
We give you what to consider when getting pet insurance.
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.
Young, healthy pets rarely need expensive treatments, so higher deductibles like $500 to $1,000 may make sense to save you money on premiums. Older pets and animals with ongoing health problems often reach their deductible repeatedly, making lower options like $100 to $250 more cost-effective. Also, factor in your pet's breed when determining how much pet insurance you need; for instance, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers face more health issues than mixed breeds.
Compare monthly costs between different deductible amounts from the same insurer. A $250 deductible might cost $30 more per month than a $500 one, which is $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.
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.
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.
Pet insurance deductible decisions often raise questions, so we've answered the most common questions below:
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.
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.
Most insurers let you change your deductible during policy renewal.
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.
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.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
