Flea and tick treatments are medications that protect your pet from parasites that cause discomfort and can spread diseases. Most pet insurance companies don’t include these in their coverage since they’re considered routine preventive care. Pet insurance focuses on unexpected vet bills, not the regular costs that come with keeping your pet healthy.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Flea and Tick Medication?
Updated: November 19, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Flea and tick medication usually isn’t included in standard pet insurance coverage because it’s considered routine preventive care.
Companies like Embrace, Liberty Mutual and Pumpkin offer optional wellness plans that include flea and tick medication coverage with annual reimbursement limits.
Determine if you need coverage by calculating your annual medication costs, considering your pet's lifestyle and evaluating the add-on plan's total value.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Flea and Tick Medication?
What Covers Flea and Tick Medication?
Wellness plans are the only type of pet insurance that covers routine flea and tick treatments. They work as add-ons to standard accident and illness policies, helping you manage regular costs like parasite prevention. These plans don’t have deductibles or waiting periods but reimburse a set amount each year for routine preventive care.
Who Has Flea and Tick Medication Coverage?
Some insurers that offer pet insurance with wellness plans don't include include flea and tick medication in their coverage. Take a look at the table below to find out which providers do and what their yearly reimbursement amounts are.
*$80 annually under Defender, $95 annually under DefenderPlus | |
*$25 annually under Prime | |
*$300, $500 or $700 annually under Wellness Rewards | |
*$30 annually under Essentials, $50 annually under Advantage, $60 annually under Prime | |
Up to $75 annually under Preventative+ Care package | |
$50 annually under Wellness and Preventive Care Coverage endorsement | |
*$75 annually under Preventive 365, $100 annually under Preventive 575 | |
*$100 annually under Level 1 and Level 2 | |
*$150 annually under Premium for Dog Wellness Plans, $100 annually under Premium for Cat Wellness Plans | |
*$25 annually under Platinum | |
*$100 annually under Classic, $200 annually under Deluxe | |
*Maximum annual benefits also include heartworm prevention medication.
Coverage varies by state and by policy, so check your documents closely to understand what’s included and what’s excluded before deciding.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
Do You Need Flea and Tick Medication Coverage?
Thinking about adding wellness coverage for flea and tick treatments? It really depends on your pet’s needs and how much you want to spend. The steps below can help you decide if adding it to your pet insurance is worth it.
- 1Calculate Your Annual Flea and Tick Medication Costs
Add up what you spend yearly on preventive treatments from your vet. CareCredit’s 2024 research shows flea and tick prevention runs $31 monthly for dogs and $28 for cats, which adds up to $372 per year for dogs and $336 for cats. Compare this amount to the wellness plan's annual coverage limit and monthly premium.
- 2Consider Your Location and Lifestyle
Pets that live in wooded areas, warm climates or homes with yards are more likely to be exposed to parasites than indoor-only pets in apartments. Your vet may recommend year-round prevention in high-risk areas but seasonal treatment in cooler climates. Factor in how often your pet spends time outdoors or around other animals.
- 3Evaluate Your Current Financial Habits
If you set aside money for regular pet care and prefer knowing what you'll pay each month, wellness coverage lets you spread these costs across the year. But if you're good at saving up for pet bills, you might save more by paying directly. Remember that wellness plans often cost $10 to $25 monthly, which may exceed your actual medication expenses.
- 4Review the Plan's Total Value
Wellness plans usually cover more than flea and tick treatments. They also often include vaccinations, annual vet visits and dental cleanings. Add up the value of the services you’ll actually use and get pet insurance with a wellness plan only if those benefits are worth more than what you’d spend on premiums and unused services.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Flea and Tick Medicine?: Bottom Line
Pet insurance treats flea and tick medication as routine care, not an unexpected expense, so it’s not included in standard policies. Some companies, like Embrace, Liberty Mutual and Pumpkin, offer wellness add-ons that can help cover part of the cost.
Before shopping for the best pet insurance with wellness plan, add up what you usually spend on these treatments each year and see if the plan makes sense for your budget and your pet’s needs.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Flea and Tick Meds?: FAQ
Here are some common questions about how pet insurance handles flea and tick medication coverage:
Does pet insurance cover flea and tick medication?
Standard pet insurance plans don’t cover flea and tick medication since these treatments are considered routine preventive care. Some wellness plans include this coverage, but adding it to your base policy can increase pet insurance costs.
Which pet insurance companies offer flea and tick medication coverage?
Several companies offer flea and tick medication coverage through optional wellness plans, including Embrace, Pumpkin, Liberty Mutual, MetLife and Lemonade. Coverage amounts and availability vary by state, so check with individual providers for specific terms in your area. Before purchasing a policy, compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to get the cheapest pet insurance with quality flea and tick coverage.
Are wellness plans worth it just for flea and tick coverage?
Wellness plans often aren't worth it solely for flea and tick coverage, since annual medication costs may exceed plan benefits. However, these plans make more sense when you use other covered services like vaccinations, annual exams and dental cleanings. Calculate the total value of all services you'll use, then compare that to the plan's monthly cost to determine if it's financially worthwhile.
What other services do wellness plans cover besides flea and tick medication?
Most wellness plans cover routine care such as vaccinations, annual exams, dental cleanings, heartworm prevention, deworming, microchipping and sometimes spaying or neutering. Coverage details and reimbursement limits vary by provider and plan level, so review the full benefit list to understand your potential savings.
Do indoor pets need flea and tick medication coverage?
Indoor-only pets in apartments have a lower risk of parasite exposure than outdoor pets, but they’re not completely safe from fleas and ticks. These parasites can enter your home on clothing, other pets or through open doors. Your veterinarian may recommend seasonal treatment for low-risk indoor pets rather than year-round prevention.
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 29, 2025.