Exam fees are the charges veterinarians assess for physically examining your pet during office visits, whether for routine checkups, illness evaluations or emergency assessments. Pet insurance covers these fees when your pet needs medical attention for covered conditions, though not all insurers include this coverage. You'll file a claim with receipts and medical records after paying the veterinary bill upfront, then receive payment based on your policy's reimbursement rate minus your deductible.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Exam Fees?
Updated: September 19, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance covers exam fees when your pet receives medical attention for covered accidents or illnesses.
Some pet insurance companies like ASPCA, Fetch and Pumpkin include exam fee coverage in their standard plans, at no extra cost.
Deciding whether you need coverage for exam fees requires tracking your pet’s vet visit frequency, comparing add-on costs to out-of-pocket expenses and reviewing policy terms.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Exam Fees?
What Covers Exam Fees?
Whether exam fees are covered depends on your pet insurance policy type. See below how each plan handles veterinary visit costs.
- Emergency exam fees for injuries like broken bones or cuts
- Trauma-related exam fees from car accidents or animal attacks
- Poisoning exam fees when pets ingest toxic substances
- Primary care exam fees for ear infections, skin conditions or digestive issues
- Emergency physical exam fees for both accidents and sudden illness
- Follow-up exam fees after surgery or during treatment
- Specialist exam fees with cardiologists or oncologists
- Diagnostic exam fees including X-rays, blood tests and urinalysis
Accident-only policy
This plan covers exam fees only when your pet needs emergency treatment for unexpected injuries. Some examples of exam fees covered are:
Accident and illness plan
This type of pet insurance covers exam fees for both unexpected injuries and illnesses, as long as they’re not pre-existing conditions. These include:
Who Has Exam Fees Coverage?
Pet insurance coverage for vet exam fees varies by provider, with some including it in their standard plans, while others require you to purchase optional add-ons. Healthy Paws and Trupanion, on the other hand, don't cover exam fees at all.
AKC | ✓ (ExamPlus coverage) | |
ASPCA | ✓ | |
Embrace | ✓ (Exam Fees add-on) | |
Fetch | ✓ | |
Figo | ✓ (Veterinary Exam Fees Powerup) | |
Lemonade | ✓ (Vet Visit add-on) | |
MetLife | ✓ | |
Nationwide | ✓ | |
Pets Best | ✓ (Examination Fees coverage) | |
Prudent Pet | ✓ (Veterinary Exam Fee coverage) | |
Pumpkin | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | ✓ (Exam Fee endorsement) |
Spot | ✓ | |
Wagmo | ✓ | |
*Coverage details vary by state and individual policy terms. Review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.
Do You Need Exam Fees Coverage?
You need exam fees coverage if your pet visits the veterinarian frequently, you want predictable monthly costs, or surprise veterinary bills would strain your budget. Compare the annual add-on cost to your estimated out-of-pocket exam expenses to determine value.
Is exam fee coverage is worth the extra premium cost? Consider these factors:
- 1
Consider your pet’s yearly exam frequency
Count how often your pet visits the veterinarian each year, including routine checkups, sick visits and follow-up appointments. Most healthy pets need at least one annual wellness exam, but older pets or those with chronic conditions may require monthly or quarterly visits. Multiply your expected veterinary visit frequency by your local exam fees to estimate total annual costs.
- 2
Compare add-on costs to out-of-pocket expenses
Calculate the annual cost of exam fee coverage by multiplying the monthly add-on premium by 12. Compare this total to your estimated out-of-pocket exam expenses. If the add-on costs more than paying directly, you'll save money by skipping the coverage and budgeting for exam fees yourself.
- 3
Factor in your financial situation
Assess whether you can handle unexpected exam fees during emergencies or illness flare-ups. Pet owners with sufficient emergency savings may prefer paying exam fees directly rather than adding monthly premium costs. However, if surprise veterinary visits would strain your budget, predictable monthly add-on fees can help with financial planning.
- 4
Review coverage limitations
Check whether exam fee coverage includes annual limits, per-visit caps or restrictions on covered visit types. Some insurers only reimburse exam fees for covered conditions, excluding wellness visits or pre-existing condition follow-ups. Verify that the coverage terms match your pet's actual veterinary care needs before adding to your base policy.
Exam fee coverage is subject to waiting periods that vary by insurer, typically ranging from immediate coverage to 14 days after policy activation.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Exam Fees: Bottom Line
Pet insurance covers exam fees when your pet needs treatment for covered accidents or illnesses, but coverage varies widely between providers. Companies like ASPCA, Fetch and Pumpkin include exam fee coverage at no extra cost, while others require add-ons or exclude it entirely. Compare potential add-on costs to out-of-pocket expenses and review policy terms to determine if exam fee coverage makes sense for your situation.
Pet Insurance That Covers Exam Fees: FAQ
We’ve answered some common questions about pet insurance that covers exam fees below:
What types of exam fees do pet insurance companies cover?
Pet insurance companies may cover different exam fees depending on your plan type. Accident-only policies cover emergency exam fees for injuries, trauma assessments and poisoning evaluations. Accident and illness plans provide broader coverage including primary care exams for infections and conditions, emergency physical exams, follow-up appointment fees, specialist consultation fees and diagnostic exam fees for X-rays and blood tests.
Why don't some pet insurance companies cover exam fees in their standard plans?
Some pet insurance companies exclude exam fees from standard plans to focus coverage on expensive treatments rather than predictable costs. Other insurers offer exam fee coverage as add-ons, allowing customers to customize their policies based on individual needs.
Do exam fees count toward my annual deductible?
Most pet insurance companies that cover exam fees apply them toward your annual deductible, meaning you'll pay the full exam cost until you meet your deductible amount. But deductible structures vary by insurer; some use per-incident deductibles while others use annual deductibles. Check your specific policy terms.
After meeting your deductible, you'll receive reimbursement based on your policy's reimbursement rate.
Can I add exam fee coverage to my existing pet insurance policy?
Most pet insurance companies allow you to add optional exam fee coverage during your policy renewal period, though some may require underwriting approval or impose waiting periods for new coverage additions. Contact your current insurer to inquire about adding exam fee coverage to your existing policy and understand any restrictions or waiting periods that may apply.
Are virtual veterinary visit exam fees covered the same as in-person visits?
Coverage for virtual veterinary exam fees varies by provider, with some companies treating telehealth consultations the same as in-person visits for covered conditions. Check your policy documents to confirm whether virtual exam fees receive the same coverage as traditional office visits.
Do I need exam fee coverage if I have a healthy young pet?
Although healthy young pets usually need fewer veterinary visits, consider that they can still experience unexpected accidents or illnesses requiring multiple visits. Factor in your financial situation and whether surprise exam fees would strain your budget when deciding if coverage makes sense for your young, healthy pet.
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.