Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits for accidents or illnesses once waiting periods end, but excludes pre-existing conditions your pet had before enrollment. You pay the emergency vet bill upfront, then file a claim for reimbursement of eligible costs after meeting your deductible. Your reimbursement rate depends on your policy terms, but most insurers pay back 60% to 90% of covered emergency treatments up to your annual limit.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits?
Updated: September 2, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits for accidents and illnesses that happen after waiting periods, reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible costs based on your specific policy terms.
Companies like Fetch, Nationwide and Pumpkin provide coverage for emergency vet visits in their standard plans, including exam fees.
Evaluate your pet's breed risks, location and financial situation to determine if pet insurance with emergency coverage fits your needs.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Emergency Vet Visits?
What Covers Emergency Vet Visits?
Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits, but your coverage depends on which type of policy you choose. See below how the two main types offer different levels of financial protection for emergency care.
Accident-only pet insurance
This provides coverage for emergency visits only when your pet is injured in an accident, such as getting hit by a car, ingesting foreign objects or being poisoned by toxic substances. You'll receive reimbursement for emergency treatments such as surgeries, X-rays and medications needed to treat accident-related injuries.
Accident and illness pet insurance
This covers emergency visits related to both accidents and sudden illnesses, including allergic reactions, severe vomiting or diarrhea, seizures or urinary blockages. Coverage includes diagnostic tests, emergency surgeries, rehabilitation and treatments for both trauma and medical conditions.
Who Has Emergency Vet Visits Coverage?
Most pet insurance companies cover emergency vet visits in their base policies when related to a covered accident or illness. The table below shows how emergency care coverage varies by provider.
AKC | Covers emergency visits under accident-only and accident and illness policies, with 2-day accident waiting period and coverage for pre-existing conditions after 12 months of continuous enrollment. |
ASPCA | Includes emergency vet visits coverage in all plans, with a 14-day waiting period for accidents, which can be waived with a qualifying vet exam in select states. |
Embrace | Reimburses emergency vet visits in its full coverage pet insurance, with immediate accident coverage starting on the policy’s effective date. |
Fetch | Provides coverage for emergency vet visits under standard policies, including exam fees at no additional cost. |
Figo | Includes emergency care coverage in its illness and injury plan, providing a 1-day accident waiting period and reimbursement rates up to 100% for covered treatments. |
Healthy Paws | Covers emergency vet visits at the same reimbursement rate as regular care, with unlimited annual limits and optional direct vet payment. |
Lemonade | Includes emergency care coverage in its base policies, with annual limits up to $100,000 available. |
MetLife | Covers emergency treatments in injury and illness policies, with 0-day waiting period for accidents, plus a $0 deductible option. |
Nationwide | Reimburses emergency vet visits under its accident-only and accident and illness policies, including exam fees. |
Pets Best | Pays for emergency vet visits under its accident-only and BestBenefit accident and illness plans, with direct vet payment available. |
Prudent Pet | Covers emergency care under standard plans, with unlimited coverage available for annual limits. |
Pumpkin | Provides coverage for emergency vet visits through its accident and illness policies, including exam fees. |
Rainwalk | Includes emergency coverage in accident and illness plans, plus exam fees for covered conditions. |
Spot | Covers emergency vet visits in its accident-only and accident and illness policies, with unlimited annual limit available. |
Trupanion | Offers emergency care coverage in its standard accident and illness plan, with direct vet payment available at checkout, plus unlimited annual limit. |
Wagmo | Pays for emergency visits through accident and illness coverage, with reimbursement rates up to 100% available. |
Coverage details vary by state and individual policy terms. Review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.
Do You Need Emergency Vet Visits Coverage?
Since emergency vet visits come standard with most pet insurance policies, the question isn't whether coverage is available but whether pet insurance makes financial sense for your situation. Several key factors determine whether you should invest in a policy with emergency coverage.
- 1
Your pet’s age and breed
Younger pets face higher accident risks due to their curious nature and tendency to get into trouble, while older pets become more susceptible to sudden illnesses requiring emergency care. Also, certain breeds are prone to specific emergency conditions: large dogs risk bloat, brachycephalic breeds can have breathing emergencies and small dogs are more vulnerable to injuries from falls.
- 2
Your location
Urban areas have more emergency vet clinics available but often charge higher fees, especially for after-hours care. Rural pet owners may face limited emergency options, requiring extended travel to specialty facilities, but potentially lower base costs. Research emergency vet costs in your area to understand your potential financial exposure.
- 3
Your financial situation
Emergency care costs vary by procedure. Based on CareCredit's 2024 data, bite wound treatment costs $236 for cats and $570 for dogs, while emergency bladder stone surgery averages $1,439 for cats. With pet insurance that covers emergency vet visits, you can be reimbursed 60% to 90% of eligible costs after you meet your deductible.
Pet Insurance Emergency Vet Visits Coverage: Bottom Line
Pet insurance provides financial protection when your pet needs urgent care for accidents or illnesses, as long as they occur after the waiting periods are over. Companies like Fetch, Nationwide and Pumpkin include emergency vet visits in their standard plans, providing coverage based on your policy's deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate. To determine if you need emergency coverage, consider your pet's specific profile, your location's emergency costs and your current financial situation.
Pet Insurance Plans Emergency Vet Visits Coverage: FAQ
We’ve compiled frequently asked questions about pet insurance that covers emergency vet visits:
Which pet insurance plans cover emergency vet visits?
Most pet insurance companies cover emergency vet visits in their standard accident and illness plans. Based on our analysis, providers like Trupanion and Pets Best offer direct vet payment, while Fetch, Nationwide, Pumpkin and Spot include exam fees in their emergency vet visit coverage at no additional cost.
Does pet insurance cover emergency vet visits for cats?
Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits for cats under accident-only and accident and illness policies, depending on your provider. Cat emergencies commonly covered include urinary blockages, severe vomiting or diarrhea, allergic reactions and difficulty breathing. The same reimbursement rates apply: 60% to 90% of covered costs after meeting your deductible.
Does pet insurance cover emergency vet visits if my pet is injured while on holiday abroad?
Coverage for emergency vet visits abroad depends on your specific policy terms and provider. Some insurers, like Fetch, cover licensed veterinarians in Canada, while others may have geographical restrictions. Contact your provider to confirm coverage areas and any additional requirements for international claims.
Does pet insurance cover emergency vet visits on weekends?
Pet insurance covers emergency vet visits on weekends when related to covered accidents or illnesses. However, emergency clinics on weekends and after hours often charge higher fees, especially in urban areas. Your insurance will still reimburse the same rate (60% to 90%) of eligible costs, but the total bill will likely be higher than during regular business hours.
How does pet insurance work if multiple pets are injured in the same accident?
If multiple pets are injured in the same accident, they usually need a separate policy and deductible. For example, if two dogs are hit by a car and you have $500 deductibles for each, you'd pay $1,000 total in deductibles before coverage begins. Some providers like Nationwide offer multi-pet discounts, but coverage and limits usually apply individually per pet.
Are there waiting periods for emergency vet visits?
Waiting periods apply to emergency vet visits just like regular coverage. Most insurers have 14-day waiting periods for accidents and longer periods for illnesses, though some, like MetLife, offer 0-day accident waiting periods. If your pet has an emergency during the waiting period, it won't be covered and may be considered a pre-existing condition.
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
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 2, 2025.