Dogs and cats can develop diabetes just like people and the ongoing treatments can get expensive fast. Pet insurance helps cover diabetes if it’s diagnosed after the waiting period and isn’t a pre-existing condition. You’ll usually pay your vet first, then file a claim for reimbursement based on your plan’s terms, minus any deductible.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Diabetes?
Updated: November 18, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Standard pet insurance coverage includes diabetes, provided the condition is diagnosed after your policy's waiting period ends.
Some companies, like Healthy Paws and Trupanion, cover diabetes with no payout limits.
Whether you need pet insurance with diabetes coverage depends on your pet’s breed and age, as well as your financial situation.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Diabetes?
What Covers Diabetes?
Accident and illness insurance covers diabetes-related expenses like insulin, blood glucose monitors, vet visits and emergency care for complications.
Diabetes won't be covered if your pet showed symptoms or was diagnosed before your policy started, as insurers consider it a pre-existing condition. Most policies have a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, meaning diabetes diagnosed during this time will be excluded.
Who Has Diabetes Coverage?
Many pet insurance companies include diabetes coverage in their standard plans, as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing or diagnosed during the waiting period. The table below shows how each insurer offers diabetes coverage.
Covers diabetes if you purchase the HereditaryPlus add-on, plus pre-existing diabetes will be eligible for coverage after 365 days of continuous enrollment | |
Covers diabetes-related treatments and exam fees without the need for a rider | |
Covers diabetes with the option for unlimited coverage | |
Covers diabetes-related treatments and exam fees without the need for a rider | |
Covers diabetes with the option for unlimited coverage and up to 100% reimbursement | |
Covers diabetes with no payout limits and offers the option to pay veterinarians directly | |
Covers diabetes with up to $100,000 in annual limits | |
Covers diabetes-related treatments and exam fees without the need for a rider | |
Covers diabetes-related treatments and exam fees without the need for a rider | |
Covers diabetes with the option to pay veterinarians directly | |
Covers diabetes with the option for unlimited coverage | |
Covers diabetes-related treatments and exam fees without the need for a rider | |
Covers diabetes with the option for unlimited coverage | |
Covers diabetes with no payout limits and offers the option for direct vet pay | |
Covers diabetes with up to 100% reimbursement available | |
Coverage, waiting periods and exclusions vary by state and by policy. Review your policy documents carefully to understand the exact terms before making a decision.
Compare the top pet insurance companies with diabetes coverage to determine the best option for your pet:
Do You Need Diabetes Coverage?
Most pet insurance companies cover diabetes if it develops after the waiting period, helping you manage the ongoing costs of this condition. Whether getting pet insurance with diabetes coverage makes sense depends on your pet’s health risks and your budget for care.
- 1Your Pet's Breed
Certain breeds are more likely to develop diabetes. These include:
- Beagles
- Poodles
- Dachshunds
- Samoyeds
- Australian Terriers
- Miniature Schnauzers
- Burmese
- Russian Blue
- Norwegian Forest
If you have one of these breeds, pet insurance is worth it as it can help with the long-term cost of treatment.
- 2Your Pet's Age
Most pets develop diabetes between seven and 10 years old, though cats can show symptoms as early as age six. Enrolling younger pets in pet insurance with diabetes coverage prevents the condition from being excluded as pre-existing when they reach these high-risk years.
- 3Your Financial Situation
A 2024 CareCredit study found that diagnosing diabetes in dogs costs about $391, with the first treatments and glucose meter adding around $421.
Monthly care runs close to $162. Pet insurance that covers diabetes usually reimburses 60% to 90% of these costs, minus your deductible. Without coverage, you might spend nearly $2,800 a year, not including emergency visits.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Diabetes?: Bottom Line
Pet insurance covers diabetes when it’s diagnosed after your policy's waiting period. Most pet insurers provide diabetes coverage in their standard plans, with some like Healthy Paws and Trupanion offering unlimited payouts. Consider your pet's breed and age, along with your financial situation to determine whether getting the best pet insurance that covers diabetes makes sense for you.
Will Pet Insurance Cover Diabetes?: FAQ
Pet insurance and diabetes coverage can be confusing, so we’ve answered a few common questions below.
Can I get pet insurance if my pet already has diabetes?
Most pet insurance companies won't cover diabetes diagnosed before enrollment, as they exclude pre-existing conditions. Your best option is to enroll your pet before symptoms appear, as diabetes diagnosed after your policy's waiting period for illnesses receives full coverage.
What diabetes expenses does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance covers insulin, blood glucose monitors, test strips, prescription medications, routine vet visits and emergency care for diabetes complications. It also reimburses diagnostic testing, hospitalization for diabetic ketoacidosis and follow-up appointments to adjust insulin doses. These come standard in accident and illness plans, so you don't need additional riders that increase pet insurance costs.
When purchasing coverage, make sure to compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to find the cheapest pet insurance with quality diabetes coverage.
When should I enroll my pet in insurance for diabetes coverage?
Enroll your pet while young and healthy, ideally before age six for cats and age seven for dogs, when diabetes risk increases. High-risk breeds like Beagles, Poodles, Dachshunds and Burmese cats should be enrolled as early as possible since genetic predisposition makes early-onset diabetes more likely.
How long is the waiting period for diabetes coverage?
Most pet insurance companies have a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage, including diabetes. Diabetes diagnosed or showing symptoms during this waiting period won't be covered and will be considered pre-existing.
Can I switch pet insurance companies if my pet develops diabetes?
Switching pet insurance after your pet develops diabetes means the new insurer will exclude diabetes as a pre-existing condition. Your new policy will cover accidents and unrelated illnesses but won't reimburse diabetes treatment costs.
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.
sources
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 30, 2025.