Most plans reimburse 60% to 90% of eligible vet expenses after you pay your deductible, giving you financial protection during unexpected visits. The step-by-step guide below can help you find the plan that fits your pet’s needs.
How to Choose Pet Insurance
Updated: November 19, 2025
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Key Takeaways
When choosing, look at the pet insurance coverage details, read through the exclusions and see how much you can adjust the plan to fit your needs.
Compare quotes from at least three insurers and look for discount opportunities that can reduce premiums by 5% to 15%.
After choosing a provider, complete your application, schedule any required veterinary exams and use the free look period to review your policy.
The Best Way to Choose Pet Insurance
1. Evaluate Coverage Options
There are three main types of pet insurance, each with its own level of coverage and cost. Knowing how they differ can help you find a plan that fits your pet and your budget.
Accident-Only Coverage
This plan covers sudden injuries like broken bones, cuts or poisoning. It’s the most affordable option but doesn’t include illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. It’s a practical choice if you only want protection for accidents without paying for full medical coverage.
Accident and Illness Coverage
Go for this plan if you want broader protection that covers both injuries and medical issues such as allergies, infections and chronic diseases that develop after enrollment. It costs more than accident-only coverage but helps pay for most vet bills you’re likely to encounter.
Wellness Plan
Wellness plan focuses on preventive care such as vaccinations, dental cleanings and yearly exams. Often sold as an add-on to accident and illness coverage, it helps manage the cost of routine care. Just remember that these plans usually have per-service annual limits.
2. Review Policy Exclusions and Limitations
Some conditions and situations aren’t covered under most pet insurance plans, which can affect how much you’re reimbursed when your pet needs care. The list below shows the most common exclusions to be aware of.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Any health issue your pet had before coverage starts or during the waiting periods won't be covered, even if it wasn't officially diagnosed. This includes obvious problems like limping or coughing that you noticed but haven't treated yet.
Bilateral Conditions
If your pet had a condition in one body part before enrollment, such as a torn ligament in the left knee, many insurers won’t cover the same issue if it later appears on the other side. This means you might have to pay for the right knee injury yourself, even with active coverage.
Elective Procedures
Cosmetic surgeries and preventive treatments aren't covered unless you have a wellness plan. This includes spaying or neutering, tail docking and declawing. These procedures are considered optional rather than medically necessary.
Breeding-Related Expenses
Pregnancy, whelping complications, cesarean sections and other breeding costs aren't covered by standard pet insurance. This includes prenatal care, delivery assistance and treatment for puppies or kittens until they're old enough for their own policies.
Age Limits
Many insurers won't sell new policies to pets over a certain age, usually 14 years for dogs and 16 for cats. Some companies also reduce coverage or increase premiums as pets age.
Waiting Periods
Coverage doesn't start immediately after you buy a pet insurance policy. Most insurers require up to 14 days for accidents and longer for illnesses before claims are eligible. Some conditions like hip dysplasia may have longer waiting periods of six months to a year.
3. Assess Coverage Flexibility
Many insurers allow you to adjust how much coverage you need so your plan fits both your budget and your pet’s needs.
Deductibles
The deductible is what you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts covering costs, usually between $100 and $1,000 per year. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means paying more when you file a claim.
Annual Limits
This caps how much your insurer will pay per year, with options ranging from $5,000 to unlimited coverage. Plans with higher or unlimited annual limits cost more but provide better financial protection for expensive treatments like cancer care or emergency surgery.
Reimbursement Rates
Most insurers let you choose what percentage of covered expenses they'll pay back, often between 60% and 90%. Higher reimbursement rates mean larger claim payouts but higher monthly premiums.
4. Compare Multiple Quotes
Comparing quotes from multiple insurers helps you find the best value since pet insurance costs can vary by hundreds of dollars annually for identical coverage. Some pet insurance companies offer different discount structures like multi-pet, military or employer discounts that can reduce your premiums by 5% to 15%.
Get quotes from at least three companies to see which combination of coverage and pet insurance discounts works best for your situation.
5. Research Company Reviews
Reading company reviews helps you understand how insurers treat customers during stressful situations like filing claims for sick pets. Focus on the following areas when choosing the best pet insurance plan.
Customer Service
Look for reviews about how helpful and responsive the company is when you call with questions or need assistance. Pay attention to comments about wait times, agent knowledge and whether representatives genuinely help solve problems.
Claims Processing
Check how quickly companies approve and pay claims, since you'll often need to pay the vet upfront and wait for reimbursement. Look for patterns in reviews about denied claims, slow processing or disputes over coverage decisions. Companies with efficient claims processing usually reimburse within one to two weeks of receiving your paperwork.
Financial Stability
Research the insurer's financial strength through ratings from AM Best or similar agencies to ensure it can pay claims long-term. A financially unstable company might delay payments, reduce coverage or go out of business when you need them most.
Browse through our review guides for the top pet insurance companies for your pet:
What You Need to Know After You Choose a Policy
After selecting a provider, you'll need to complete the process of getting pet insurance and set up proper policy management. Here’s what you need to know:
- 1Application Process
Be honest when completing your application and list any known health issues, even minor ones that haven’t been treated. Leaving out details or giving false details could void your policy later and leave you paying for costly treatments. Most forms will ask for your pet’s breed, age and recent vet history, so have those information ready before you start.
- 2Veterinary Exams
Some insurers require a wellness exam within 30 days of applying, especially for older pets or comprehensive coverage. This exam establishes your pet's baseline health and helps prevent disputes about pre-existing conditions later. Book this appointment quickly after applying since your waiting periods won't start until the exam is complete.
- 3Free Look Period
Depending on your state, some pet insurance companies offer a free look period lasting 10 to 30 days. During this time, you can cancel your policy without penalty and receive a full refund.
Use this window to read through your policy and confirm that the coverage matches what you expected. If you decide another plan suits you better, cancel within this period to avoid paying for unwanted coverage.
How to Choose a Pet Insurance Plan: Bottom Line
Take time to review what each pet insurance plan covers, what’s excluded, and how flexible it is for your budget and your pet’s needs. Compare quotes from at least three providers and ask about available discounts that could save you up to 15%. Once you’ve picked a plan, complete your application honestly and use the free look period to make sure it’s the right fit.
How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance: FAQ
Still unsure about which pet insurance plan to get? We’ve answered some common questions below to help you decide.
What should I look for when choosing pet insurance?
Think about your pet’s health and your budget when choosing a plan. Choose between accident-only coverage or one that also includes illnesses.
Read through the exclusions, such as pre-existing and bilateral conditions and see how flexible each plan is with deductibles, limits and reimbursement rates. Getting quotes from a few companies helps you find the most affordable pet insurance for you.
How do pet insurance deductibles work?
Pet insurance deductibles are the amount you pay before insurance coverage kicks in, ranging from $100 to $1,000 annually. Most policies use annual deductibles, meaning you pay the full amount once per year, then insurance covers the remaining eligible expenses based on your reimbursement rate. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums but more out-of-pocket costs when filing claims.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Pet insurance provides valuable financial protection by reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible veterinary costs minus your deductible. The value depends on your financial situation, pet's health risks and chosen coverage level. Young, active pets and breeds prone to specific conditions often benefit most from comprehensive accident and illness coverage.
What's not covered by pet insurance?
Pet insurance excludes pre-existing conditions, bilateral conditions, elective procedures and breeding-related expenses. Routine care like vaccinations, dental cleanings and annual checkups requires separate wellness plan coverage.
How to choose pet insurance on a budget?
Compare quotes from at least three insurers since pricing varies for identical coverage. Look for discounts that can reduce premiums by 5% to 15%, including multi-pet, military, employer or automatic payment discounts. Opt for higher deductibles ($500 to $1,000) to reduce monthly premiums, but ensure you can afford the out-of-pocket expense when filing claims.
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.