Pet insurance doesn't cover pregnancy because insurers see it as a planned, predictable event. While injuries or diseases happen without warning, pregnancy requires deliberate action from pet owners and can be prevented through spaying or neutering. This is why it's excluded like other elective procedures.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Pregnancy?
Updated: August 26, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Standard pet insurance doesn't cover pregnancy as insurers consider breeding a planned or preventable event.
AKC, Trupanion and Rainwalk offer specialized breeding riders that cover pregnancy-related accidents, illnesses or complications but exclude routine prenatal care.
Consider your pet's breed risk, financial capacity and breeding plans when deciding if pet insurance that covers pregnancy fits your needs.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Pregnancy?
What Covers Pregnancy?
There are available add-ons or riders to standard accident and illness policies that provide coverage for your pet's pregnancy-related care. These optional coverages don't cover routine prenatal visits or normal deliveries, focusing instead on complications during pregnancy, birthing assistance and emergency c-sections.
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You must purchase a pregnancy add-on before your pet becomes pregnant, as insurers will treat pregnancy at enrollment as a pre-existing condition and deny coverage.
Who Has Pregnancy Coverage?
Based on our analysis of major pet insurance providers, only a handful of companies offer pregnancy coverage as optional add-ons to their standard policies. These specialized riders aren't widely available, making it essential to research and compare providers that provide them if you're considering breeding your pet.
AKC | AKC's optional Breeder Insurance has a 30-day waiting period and covers accidents, illnesses and complications during breeding, pregnancy, whelping or nursing. Coverage includes emergency c-sections, dystocia, eclampsia, pyometra and gestational diabetes. |
Rainwalk | Rainwalk offers a Breeding Endorsement, which can be added within 30 days of your policy’s start date or renewal. It covers breeding-related complications including pyometra, mastitis, eclampsia and emergency c-sections, with a waiting period of 14 days. |
Trupanion | Trupanion’s Breeding Rider provides coverage for illnesses and injuries related to breeding, whelping and queening for dogs and cats. It excludes planned caesarean births unless medically necessary, pre-breeding tests, artificial insemination and fertility treatments. |
*Your actual coverage might be different depending on your state and policy. Pet insurance policies have exclusions and limitations. Always review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms, exclusions and state-specific regulations before purchasing.
Do You Need Pregnancy Coverage?
Whether pregnancy coverage makes financial sense depends on several factors, including your pet’s breed and your breeding plans. Here's how to figure out if the additional monthly cost is worth it for your pet.
- 1
Assess your pet's risk level
Look into your pet's breed and health history to understand pregnancy complication risks. Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and other flat-faced breeds often need c-sections because of their body structure, which makes complications more likely.
- 2
Calculate potential costs
Figure out the most you might spend on pregnancy expenses, including emergency c-sections that can cost $500 to $2,000 or more, according to Dogster. Compare these potential costs against the monthly premium you'd pay for pregnancy coverage over time.
- 3
Evaluate your financial capacity
Determine if you can pay upfront veterinary costs and wait for reimbursement because pet insurance works on a reimbursement model. You'll pay the vet first and get reimbursed after filing claims, usually within two to four weeks.
Think about whether you have savings available for emergency pregnancy complications. If you'd rather build an emergency fund than pay monthly premiums, pregnancy coverage might not be worth it.
- 4
Consider your breeding plans
Consider how many litters you're planning and whether you're a professional breeder or just want one pregnancy. Multiple breeding animals over several years make coverage more worthwhile through consistent reimbursements. Single-litter pet owners may find it more economical to save money specifically for their pet's pregnancy expenses.
Pet Insurance Pregnancy: Bottom Line
Most pet insurance companies won't cover pregnancy because they see it as preventable, but AKC, Trupanion and Rainwalk offer add-ons for accidents, illnesses or complications from breeding. These optional coverages pay for emergencies like c-sections but don't cover routine prenatal care. Your pet's breed risk, budget and breeding plans should help you decide whether adding pregnancy coverage to your standard policy is worth the extra cost.
Does Any Pet Insurance Cover Pregnancy: FAQ
Here are the questions pet owners ask most about pregnancy coverage.
What pet insurance covers pregnancy and breeding?
AKC, Trupanion and Rainwalk are the only insurers in our analysis that offer pregnancy coverage through optional add-ons. All three exclude routine prenatal care and require enrollment before your pet becomes pregnant.
When should I buy pet insurance with pregnancy coverage?
You must purchase pregnancy coverage before your pet becomes pregnant, as insurers treat existing pregnancies as pre-existing conditions and deny coverage. Plan ahead if you're considering breeding; don't wait until you're ready to mate your pet.
Does pet insurance cover c-sections and pregnancy complications?
Yes, pregnancy riders cover emergency c-sections and complications like eclampsia, dystocia, pyometra and gestational diabetes.
Are there waiting periods for pet pregnancy coverage?
Pregnancy coverage has waiting periods that vary by provider. For instance, Rainwalk has a 14-day waiting period before coverage begins, while AKC's waiting period lasts 30 days. These waiting periods mean you need to plan well ahead of breeding to ensure coverage is active when needed.
What are alternatives to pet insurance for pregnancy costs?
Build an emergency fund of $2,000 to $5,000 for pregnancy-related expenses if you choose not to buy coverage. This approach works best for low-risk breeds with minimal pregnancy complications and owners who are consistent savers.
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.
sources
- Dogster. "What Are the Vet Costs for a Pregnant Dog? 2025 Price Update." Accessed August 24, 2025.