Does Pet Insurance Cover MRIs?

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance covers MRI scans when they're medically necessary to diagnose new accidents or illnesses.

Major pet insurance companies like AKC, Pets Best and Spot include MRI coverage in their accident-only and accident and illness plans.

Evaluate your pet's age, breed and lifestyle, along with your financial situation to determine if getting pet insurance that covers MRI scans fits your needs.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for MRI Scans?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your pet's internal organs, brain and soft tissues, helping veterinarians diagnose conditions like torn ligaments, brain tumors or spinal injuries.

Pet insurance covers MRI scans when they're medically necessary to diagnose or treat a covered accident or illness, but you'll have to pay the full veterinary bill initially. After treatment, you'll file a claim with your insurer and receive payment based on your policy's reimbursement rate, minus your deductible.

What Covers MRIs?

Your MRI coverage depends entirely on which type of pet insurance you have, as each plan covers different scenarios that might require advanced imaging:

Accident-only policy

This basic policy covers MRI scans only when they're needed to diagnose injuries from accidents, like a car collision or fall that causes internal injuries.

Accident and illness plan

This comprehensive plan covers MRI scans for both accidents and illnesses, including conditions like brain tumors, seizure disorders or spinal disc problems. Any condition showing symptoms before your policy starts or during the waiting period won't be covered as it’s considered pre-existing.

Who Has MRI Coverage?

Most pet insurance companies cover MRI scans through their standard plans when the imaging relates to a new accident or illness. Check out the table below to see how MRI coverage varies by provider.


AKC	Covers MRI under accident-only and accident and illness policies, including curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage.
ASPCA	Includes MRI under Complete Coverage℠ and accident-only coverage, plus exam fees.
Embrace	Reimburses MRI scans under its full coverage pet insurance, with accident coverage kicking in on the policy’s effective date.
Fetch	Covers diagnostic imaging in standard accident and illness policies, including exam fees.
Figo	Provides coverage for MRI in its illness and injury plans, with a 1-day waiting period for accidents and up to 100% reimbursement.
Healthy Paws	Pays for MRI scans under its standard accident and illness plan, with unlimited coverage and direct vet pay option.
Lemonade	Includes MRI coverage in its base policies, with a 2-day waiting period for accidents and up to $100,000 in annual limits.
Liberty Mutual	Reimburses diagnostic imaging under its three standard plans, with a waiting period of 14 days across all coverages.
MetLife	Covers MRI scans in injury and illness policies, with 0-day waiting period for accident coverage and $0 deductible option.
Nationwide	Provides MRI coverage in accident-only and comprehensive policies, with a waiting period of two days for accidents.
Pets Best	Includes MRIs under its accident-only and BestBenefit accident and illness plans, with unlimited coverage and direct vet pay options available.
Prudent Pet	Pays for MRI scans under accident-only and accident and illness policies, with unlimited coverage available.
Pumpkin	Reimburses MRI scans in its accident and illness coverage, including exam fees.
Rainwalk	Includes MRI coverage in its standard accident and illness plans, including exam fees for covered conditions.
Spot	Covers MRIs under its accident-only and accident and illness coverages, including exam fees.
Trupanion	Provides MRI coverage in its standard accident and illness plan, with no payout limits and the option to pay vets directly.
Wagmo	Pays for diagnostic imaging under its accident and illness coverage, with up to 100% reimbursement available.

Coverage details vary by state and individual policy terms. Review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.

Do You Need MRI Coverage?

Since MRI coverage comes standard with pet insurance for covered conditions, the real question is which level of coverage makes sense for your pet. Several key factors can help you decide whether basic accident-only or comprehensive accident and illness coverage better fits your situation.

1
Your pet’s age
Young pets face lower immediate health risks but benefit most from early enrollment before conditions develop. Starting coverage early means you're financially protected if your pet develops chronic conditions that might require ongoing MRI monitoring.
2
Your pet’s breed
Certain breeds are genetically predisposed to conditions that commonly require MRI diagnosis, like brain tumors in Boxers or spinal issues in Dachshunds. Large breed dogs face higher risks of joint problems and neurological conditions that need advanced imaging to diagnose properly. If your pet belongs to a breed with known health risks that typically require MRI scans, pet insurance that covers these costs becomes more valuable.
3
Your pet’s activity level
Active pets who spend time outdoors or participate in sports face higher accident risks. High-energy dogs and adventurous cats are more likely to experience injuries that could require MRI diagnosis, such as head trauma or spinal injuries. Indoor pets with calmer lifestyles may have lower accident risks but can still develop illnesses that need advanced imaging.
4
Your financial situation
The national average cost of a dog MRI is $1,958, but prices can range from $1,532 to $3,840, based on CareCredit’s 2024 data. If an unexpected veterinary bill in this range would strain your finances, pet insurance with MRI coverage provides valuable financial protection.

Will Pet Insurance Cover MRI: Bottom Line

MRI coverage comes included with most pet insurance plans when you need diagnostic imaging for new accidents or illnesses. Insurers like AKC, Pets Best and Spot make this expensive diagnostic tool more affordable through their basic accident-only and comprehensive accident and illness policies. To determine if you need pet insurance that covers MRI scans, evaluate your pet’s profile and your financial situation.

Does Pet Insurance Cover MRI: FAQ

We’ve answered frequently asked questions about pet insurance that covers MRI scans below:

Does pet insurance cover MRI scans for pre-existing conditions?

Most pet insurance companies don't cover MRI scans for pre-existing conditions, which are any illness or injury that showed symptoms before your policy starts or during the waiting period. However, AKC is unique in covering both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous enrollment.

What's the difference between accident-only and accident and illness plans for MRI coverage?

Accident-only policies cover MRI scans only when needed to diagnose your pet’s injuries from accidents, like car collisions or falls. Accident and illness plans cover MRI scans for both accidents and illnesses, including brain tumors, seizure disorders or spinal disc problems.

How long do I have to wait before my pet insurance covers MRI scans?

Waiting periods vary by provider. For example, Liberty Mutual offers a 14-day waiting period for accidents, while MetLife has no waiting period for accident coverage. Check your specific policy for exact waiting period terms.

Which pet insurance companies offer direct vet pay for MRI scans?

Three companies that offer direct vet pay for MRI scans are Healthy Paws, Pets Best and Trupanion. With direct vet pay, your insurance company pays the veterinarian directly for covered expenses, reducing your upfront costs. You'll still pay your deductible and any non-covered expenses, but the insurance handles the bulk of the MRI bill directly.

Will pet insurance cover my dog's MRI if it reveals an unrelated condition?

If an MRI reveals a different condition than expected, coverage depends on when the condition developed. If the MRI uncovers a pre-existing condition that showed symptoms before your policy started, it typically won't be covered. If the MRI discovers a new condition that developed after coverage began, it should be covered under your policy terms.

How do I file a claim for my pet's MRI scan?

With pet insurance's reimbursement model, you pay the full veterinary bill upfront, then file a claim with your insurer. Submit your completed claim form, itemized veterinary invoice and medical records. You'll receive reimbursement based on your policy's reimbursement rate, minus your deductible, usually within a few weeks after approval.

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.

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sources

CareCredit. "How Much Does a Dog MRI Cost? What to Expect and More Explained." Accessed September 1, 2025.

Does Pet Insurance Cover MRI Scans?