Getting pet insurance doesn't have to be complicated. It involves five straightforward steps, which can be easily completed online:
How to Get Pet Insurance
Updated: October 14, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Assess your pet's needs, compare several providers and get your vet's input before choosing pet insurance.
Make sure to choose the right pet insurance coverage for your pet and complete your application online.
Once you have your policy, understand the waiting periods, claims process and reimbursement timeline.
The Best Way to Buy Pet Insurance
1. Consider Your Pet's Needs and Your Budget
Your pet's breed matters when it comes to health problems. Great Danes have different issues than Chihuahuas do. Knowing what's common for your pet helps you pick the right coverage. Here's what some treatments cost:
Vet Treatment | Cost for Dogs | Cost for Cats |
|---|---|---|
$5,351 | $3,980 | |
$2,299 | $4,160 | |
Diabetes (diagnosis) | $391 | $51 |
$680 | $151 | |
Upper respiratory infection | $205–2,076 | $101 |
With this in mind, set a realistic budget for premiums by reviewing your current pet expenses, including routine vet visits, medications and your emergency fund. Decide how much you can add to these without straining your finances.
LIFE STAGE CONSIDERATIONS FOR PET INSURANCE COVERAGE
Your pet's age matters when you're determining how much coverage you need. Young pets are furry tornadoes — they get into everything, and accidents happen. Older pets tend to develop health issues that cost serious money over time, so illness coverage becomes more important.
2. Research and Compare Providers
Comparing multiple providers ensures you get the best value for pet insurance. When you're comparing companies, focus on:
Monthly premiumGet quotes from at least three insurers using identical pet information (same age, breed, weight and ZIP code) to see real price differences and find the cheapest pet insurance option for you.
Coverage scope and exclusionsCheck whether hereditary conditions, chronic diseases or specific treatments are excluded from coverage.
Claims processing speedResearch how quickly each company processes claims and pays reimbursements.
Financial stability ratingsCheck each insurer's AM Best rating to ensure it'll be financially stable when you file claims. Companies with A+ ratings or higher demonstrate strong financial health, while anything below B+ signals potential payment issues.
Customer service qualityRead customer reviews about claim denials, customer support responsiveness and overall satisfaction with the claims experience.
EVALUATING PET INSURANCE COMPANIES AND COVERAGE OPTIONS
To find the best pet insurance, weigh the pros and cons of each company. Check what types of coverage it offers and if special policy features suit your pet.
Browse through our review guides for the top pet insurance companies for your pet:
3. Consult Your Vet
Your vet knows your pet better than any insurance company does. They can tell you what health problems to watch out for based on your pet's breed and lifestyle. Here's what to ask about:
- Hereditary and genetic conditions
Ask about inherited diseases common in your pet's breed. Hip dysplasia is common in German Shepherds, for example, and some cat breeds are prone to heart problems. Your vet can tell you when these conditions tend to appear and what treatment costs.
Size-related health problemsFind out how your pet's size affects its health risks. Large breeds are more prone to joint problems, and small breeds may have breathing or dental problems. Ask about weight management and whether your pet's current size raises its risk of specific conditions.
Activity and lifestyle risksTalk about how your pet's daily activities affect its injury risk, including whether it spends time indoors, outdoors or both and whether it does high-energy activities. Ask which kinds of accidents your vet sees in pets with similar lifestyles and activity levels.
Age-specific concernsAsk what health changes your vet expects as your pet ages and which conditions show up at different life stages. Find out which preventive care your vet recommends and when certain health screenings matter for catching problems early.
4. Choose Your Pet's Coverage
Three key decisions affect your pet insurance cost and value. If you get them right, you'll have affordable coverage for what your pet needs:
Coverage Option | Detail |
|---|---|
What you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts paying. A higher deductible, like $500 or more, lowers your monthly premium but means you pay more up front at the vet. | |
The percentage of your vet bill your insurer pays back after you meet your deductible. Pick the highest rate if you want the most coverage and can afford a higher premium. If you're on a budget but still want help with vet bills, choose 60% to 70%. | |
The most your insurer will pay for covered costs in a policy year. If your pet is prone to expensive conditions, choose unlimited coverage. If you want coverage for most situations at a lower premium, choose a capped limit like $5,000 to $10,000. |
5. Apply Online
Before you start the application, gather your pet's details: exact breed, birth date, weight and any current medications or health issues. You'll need your vet's contact info and your pet's medical records from the past year, too. Don't skip anything or fudge the details — insurance companies will deny claims if they find out you weren't honest upfront.
What You Need to Know After You Buy a Policy
Your new pet insurance doesn't work like flipping a switch; you need to understand some important details. Here's what to expect:
- 1Waiting periods
Your coverage doesn't start the moment you're approved. Most insurers have a waiting period of 14 days for illnesses and 24 hours to five days for accidents. Joint problems like torn cruciate ligaments can have even longer waits, sometimes six to 12 months.
- 2Monthly payments
Your premium is due on the same date each month. If you pay late, you'll have a 10-day grace period before your coverage lapses in most cases, but claims during that time might be denied.
- 3Vet bills
Pet insurance works on a reimbursement model, so you still pay your vet's full bill at the time of service. Bring your insurance information, but plan to pay the bill yourself first.
- 4Claims process
After your vet visit, file a claim through your insurer's app or website within 90 days. Include your receipts and any other paperwork your insurer asks for. Once it has everything, it should review your claim within five to 10 business days.
- 5Reimbursement timeline
After approval, most insurers send your money within a week. Here's an example: you have a $1,000 vet bill with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. You pay the $250 deductible first, which leaves $750. Your insurer pays you back 80% of that $750, or $600.
Get Pet Health Insurance: Bottom Line
To get pet insurance, research insurers, ask your vet which conditions are common in your pet's breed and pick coverage that fits your budget. After you apply online, learn how waiting periods work and how to file claims, so you're ready when your pet needs care.
How to Get Pet Health Insurance: FAQ
You'll need your pet's exact breed, birth date, current weight and complete medical history from the past 12 months (or from birth if under one year old). Additionally, gather your veterinarian's contact information, your pet's current medications and details about any previous injuries, surgeries or ongoing treatments.
Accident-only policies cover injuries from sudden events like broken bones, cuts or poisoning, but they don't cover illnesses like cancer, infections or chronic conditions. Comprehensive plans cover both accidents and illnesses, so you get broader coverage.
Most pet insurance applications provide instant approval decisions after completing the 10 to 15-minute online process. However, your coverage won't start immediately due to waiting periods.
Your pet insurance has waiting periods before coverage begins: 24 hours to 5 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and 6 to 12 months for orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament tears. These periods start from your approval date, not your application date.
About Connor Bolton
Connor Bolton is Senior SEO and Content Manager at MoneyGeek, where he leads the business and pet insurance editorial teams. He sets the research framework, data standards and content structure for his team. All content goes through his accuracy review before publication. Connor also writes in-depth guides and has spent more than four years covering insurance products across personal, commercial and specialty lines.
The research infrastructure Connor built covers auto, home, renters, life, health, business and pet insurance across pricing analysis, carrier research, customer experience and coverage evaluation. It includes over 6 million data points for business insurance across 408 industry areas, all 50 states and 16 vehicle types. The pet insurance side covers over 5 million profiles across 18 major providers, 100+ breeds and ages up to 20 years. Connor’s insurance research and his team's work have been cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, CBS News, Forbes and LegalZoom.
Connor also talks with underwriters and carrier liaisons at Ethos, The Hartford, ERGO NEXT, Nationwide and State Farm, and monitors business and pet owner communities on Reddit. Those sources shape how his team evaluates carriers, structures rate analysis and writes content for real pet owners.
Questions about MoneyGeek's business or pet insurance content? Reach him at connor@moneygeek.com or on LinkedIn.
Sources
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed November 13, 2026.