Pet Insurance Renewal

Pet insurance automatically renews each year with updated terms and pricing. Review your renewal offer to decide if coverage changes are needed.

Explore pet insurance plans for your companion below.

By Mark Fitzpatrick

Edited by Lukas Velunta

Updated: September 17, 2025

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Pet Insurance Renewal: Key Takeaways

Pet insurance policies automatically renew annually with 30 to 60 days' notice, showing any premium changes or coverage updates for the upcoming year. Renewal terms and availability may vary by state and insurer.

Contact your insurer before the renewal date to make changes to your policy, like increasing your annual limit or lowering your deductible.

Evaluate pet insurance renewal based on your pet's profile, claims history and premium increases, along with your customer experience.

How Does Pet Insurance Renewal Work?

Most pet insurance policies automatically renew each year: your insurer will send you a renewal notice 30 to 60 days beforehand with updated terms, premium changes and any new conditions for the following year. You just need to pay your premium by the deadline to continue coverage, though some insurers require you to actively confirm renewal rather than relying on auto-renewal.

Pet insurance renewal requirements and notification periods may vary by state. Check your policy documents for specific terms applicable in your location.

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Some pet insurance policies won't auto-renew if you miss payments or have outstanding balances, so check your account status before your renewal date.

Can You Change Your Pet Insurance at Renewal?

You can make changes to your pet insurance coverage when reviewing your insurer's renewal offer. Determine if policy adjustments make sense for your situation by

1
Reviewing your pet's current health and age
Your pet's health needs change as they age, especially after age seven when senior-related conditions become more common. Look at any new health issues that developed this year and consider whether your current coverage limits are still adequate. If your pet developed chronic conditions, you might want higher reimbursement rates or lower deductibles for ongoing treatments.
2
Examine your claims from the past year
Review what you spent on veterinary care and how much your insurance reimbursed. If you hit your annual limit early or found gaps in coverage, consider increasing your coverage or purchasing optional add-ons, like a wellness plan.
3
Assess any lifestyle or financial changes
Consider whether you moved to an area with higher veterinary costs or your budget changed this year. If you're more financially stable, you might be able to afford lower deductibles or higher coverage limits. Conversely, you might need to adjust your deductible or reimbursement rate if money's tighter.

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Contact your insurer before your renewal date to discuss policy changes, as some adjustments require underwriting approval. Have your specific requests ready, whether that's a lower deductible, higher annual limits or additional riders. Once approved, request a revised policy document and review it carefully to confirm all changes were applied correctly.

Should You Renew Your Pet Insurance?

Renew your pet insurance if you're satisfied with coverage, have filed claims this year, own a senior pet, or face premium increases under 30% annually. Evaluate these key factors when making your renewal decision:

Your pet's profile

Senior pets need more medical care, making insurance more valuable despite higher costs. If your pet is healthy and young, you might consider self-insuring by setting aside monthly premium amounts in a savings account. But accidents and sudden illnesses can happen at any age, potentially costing thousands without coverage.

Claims history and future needs

If you filed multiple claims this year, continuing coverage protects you from those conditions becoming pre-existing with a new insurer. Pets with chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis will need ongoing treatment that insurance helps cover. Even if you haven't filed claims, consider whether your pet's breed is prone to expensive conditions later in life.

Premium increase percentage

Pet insurance premiums usually rise 10% to 25% annually per MoneyGeek analysis of major insurers, but increases above 30% warrant closer examination. Compare your new premium to quotes from other insurers to ensure you're getting competitive rates. Switching means new waiting periods and pre-existing condition exclusions for any health issues your pet developed.

Coverage satisfaction

Review how well your current provider handled claims, customer service interactions and coverage decisions this year. If you're satisfied with claim approvals and reimbursement speed, renewal might be worth the premium increase. Poor experiences might justify shopping for better coverage elsewhere.

Pet Insurance Renewal: Bottom Line

Pet insurance renewal happens automatically each year, though you control the decision to continue coverage. Review your renewal notice 30 to 60 days before your renewal date and contact your insurer if you want coverage adjustments.

Consider your pet's current needs, past claims history and premium changes to determine whether renewing makes financial sense for your situation.

Renewing Pet Insurance: FAQ

Still have questions about pet insurance renewal? We've got answers:

What happens if I stop renewing my pet insurance?

If you stop renewing your pet insurance, your coverage ends immediately and any conditions your pet develops become pre-existing if you try to get new coverage later. You'll lose all benefits of your current policy, including coverage for chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes that were previously covered.

How much do pet insurance premiums increase at renewal?

Pet insurance premiums typically increase 10% to 25% annually as your pet ages, with the largest jumps occurring when pets reach senior status around age 7. Factors driving increases include your pet's age, overall claims in your area, inflation in veterinary costs and your individual claims history.

Can I change my pet insurance deductible at renewal?

Most pet insurance companies allow you to change your deductible during renewal, though some require 30 days' notice before your policy renews. Contact your insurer before renewal to discuss deductible options and get premium quotes for different amounts.

Do I need to renew pet insurance if my pet has pre-existing conditions?

Renewing your pet insurance is especially important if your pet has pre-existing conditions like diabetes, arthritis or heart disease because these conditions remain covered under your current policy. Continuing coverage financially protects you from expensive ongoing treatments that can cost hundreds or thousands annually.

Can I switch pet insurance providers instead of renewing?

You can switch pet insurance providers instead of renewing, but any health conditions your pet developed under your current policy become pre-existing with a new insurer. New coverage also includes fresh waiting periods of 14 to 30 days for illnesses and 14 days for accidents.

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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