Updated: August 26, 2025
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Pet insurance covers euthanasia when it's deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian for covered accidents or illnesses.
Insurers like ASPCA, Figo and Nationwide include euthanasia coverage in their base policies at no additional cost.
Consider euthanasia coverage based on your pet's age, current health status and your budget for unexpected end-of-life expenses.
Pet euthanasia is a medical procedure that peacefully and painlessly ends a pet's suffering when they have a terminal illness or unmanageable pain. Pet insurance will pay for euthanasia costs when a licensed vet recommends it as medically necessary, but coverage varies by your individual policy and insurance company.
You'll need veterinary documentation showing the procedure was recommended for your pet's medical condition, and any waiting periods must be met first.
Understanding the type of pet insurance you have determines when euthanasia will be covered during your pet's final days. Here's how each type provides support during a difficult time.
This type provides coverage for euthanasia only when it directly results from a covered accident. The procedure must be recommended by a licensed vet as the direct result of the accident to qualify for coverage.
This comprehensive policy covers euthanasia for both accidents and illnesses when a veterinarian determines your pet's condition can't be treated or their quality of life has significantly declined. Whether your pet faces a severe injury, organ failure or terminal illness that isn’t a pre-existing condition, coverage applies when euthanasia becomes the most compassionate option.
While most pet insurance policies cover euthanasia when it's medically necessary, there are specific situations where coverage won't apply.
Making the decision about euthanasia for your beloved pet is one of the most difficult choices any pet parent faces. When that heartbreaking time comes, many pet insurance companies can help ease the financial burden by covering end-of-life care under their standard policies or through optional add-ons.
AKC | Yes | No |
ASPCA | Yes | No |
Embrace | Yes | No |
Fetch | Yes | No |
Figo | Yes | No |
Healthy Paws | Yes | No |
Lemonade | Yes | Yes, under end-of-life and remembrance add-on |
Liberty Mutual | Yes | No |
MetLife | Yes | No |
Nationwide | Yes | No |
Pets Best | Yes | No |
Prudent Pet | Yes | No |
Pumpkin | Yes | No |
Rainwalk | Yes | No |
Spot | Yes | No |
Trupanion | Yes | No |
Wagmo | Yes | No |
Every pet parent hopes they'll never need to make end-of-life decisions. Whether euthanasia coverage is right for you depends on your pet's health, age and your financial situation. Consider these factors to make the best choice for your family.
Most young pets won't need end-of-life care for many years, but unexpected accidents or serious illnesses can occur at any age. Enrolling while your pet is healthy ensures you won't face waiting periods or pre-existing condition exclusions if difficult decisions arise later.
Older pets are more likely to develop conditions that could eventually require compassionate end-of-life decisions. Coverage becomes increasingly valuable as your pet ages, since age-related illnesses and quality-of-life issues become more common. However, any conditions your senior pet already has won't be covered, so enrolling while they're still healthy is important.
Pets with ongoing health issues like cancer, kidney disease or heart conditions may eventually need end-of-life care as their condition progresses. If the chronic condition was covered when it first appeared, related euthanasia will typically be covered as well.
Euthanasia procedures for dogs cost an average of $126 for in-clinic services and $456 for at-home services, according to CareCredit’s 2024 data. Having pet insurance that covers euthanasia means there won't be an additional financial stress to your grief during an already emotionally devastating time.
Pet insurance provides financial support during life's most difficult decisions by covering medically necessary euthanasia for covered conditions. Major insurers like ASPCA, Figo and Nationwide include this protection in their standard policies without extra fees. Whether you need this coverage depends on your pet's age, health and your financial preparedness for end-of-life care.
We've answered some frequently asked questions about whether pet insurance covers euthanasia to help clarify your options:
Most pet insurance companies cover euthanasia when it's medically necessary for covered conditions, but cremation coverage varies widely. For instance, Fetch covers euthanasia but not cremation either in its standard policies or optional coverages. Check your specific policy to see if cremation is included or requires an additional add-on.
Most pet insurance companies don't distinguish between locations when determining coverage eligibility for euthanasia. The key factor is whether a veterinarian deemed the procedure medically necessary for a covered condition.
Most pet insurance companies require you to meet standard waiting periods before euthanasia coverage begins, typically 14 days for accidents and illnesses. The specific condition requiring euthanasia must develop after your waiting period ends to qualify for coverage.
Pet insurance won't cover the cost of euthanasia for pre-existing conditions that existed before your policy started or during waiting periods. However, if your pet develops a new, covered condition after enrollment that eventually requires euthanasia, that would be covered.
You'll need comprehensive veterinary documentation to file an euthanasia claim. This includes your pet's complete medical records showing the covered condition, the veterinarian's written recommendation for euthanasia, itemized receipts for all services and your completed claim form.
If your euthanasia claim is denied, first review the denial letter to understand the specific reason, like pre-existing conditions, waiting period violations or conditions excluded from your policy. You can appeal the decision by providing additional veterinary documentation or clarification about your pet's condition timeline. Contact your insurer's customer service team to discuss the denial and appeal process.
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.
