Think of pet insurance like car insurance for your pet. You pay a monthly fee; when your pet needs medical care, the insurance company pays you back for most of the costs.
Pet Insurance Coverage
Updated: August 8, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance provides financial protection by reimbursing veterinary expenses after you pay upfront treatment costs.
Pet insurance covers accidents, illnesses, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications and optional wellness plans for routine care.
Pet insurance isn't required by law, but it's smart if you want help paying vet bills or have a breed that gets sick often.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Types of Pet Insurance
You can choose from three main coverage types:
Accident and illness coverage
The most comprehensive option, covering injuries and illnesses. This includes emergency surgeries, ongoing conditions like diabetes, cancer treatments, diagnostic tests and medications. Most policies also include coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions.
When you need it: This works well for pet owners who want coverage for emergencies and ongoing health issues, especially for breeds prone to genetic conditions or pets of any age who could develop chronic illnesses.
Accident-only coverage
This basic option covers injuries from events like broken bones from falls, cuts requiring stitches, foreign object ingestion and poisoning. However, it excludes accidents caused by negligence or abuse.
When you need it: Accident-only coverage makes sense if you're on a tight budget but want financial protection against costly emergency vet bills.
Wellness plans
These cover routine preventive care like annual checkups, vaccinations, dental cleanings and spay/neuter procedures. Wellness plans are rarely offered as standalone policies as they’re often a supplement to comprehensive insurance, featuring no deductibles.
When you need it: This is ideal for pet owners who prefer predictable monthly payments over out-of-pocket payments for routine care, though you'll want to compare the annual cost against your typical veterinary expenses.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance pays for accidents, illnesses, surgeries, diagnostic tests and medications. It won't cover health problems your pet already has, routine checkups or cosmetic procedures. What gets covered depends on which type of plan you pick. Here's what each one includes:
Emergency injuries | ✓ | ✓ | |
Foreign body ingestion | ✓ | ✓ | |
Poisoning treatment | ✓ | ✓ | |
Cancer treatment | ✓ | ||
Chronic conditions | ✓ | ||
Infections | ✓ | ||
Digestive issues | ✓ | ||
Respiratory conditions | ✓ | ||
Skin conditions | ✓ | ||
Hereditary conditions | ✓ | ||
Congenital conditions | ✓ | ||
Diagnostic testing | ✓ | ✓* | |
Prescription medications | ✓ | ✓* | |
Surgical procedures | ✓ | ✓* | |
Hospitalization | ✓ | ||
Fractures and broken bones | ✓ | ✓ | |
Lacerations and wounds | ✓ | ✓ | |
Burns | ✓ | ✓ | |
Eye injuries | ✓ | ✓ | |
Bite wounds | ✓ | ✓ | |
Motor vehicle accidents | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ligament tears | ✓ | ✓ | |
Emergency surgery | ✓ | ✓ | |
Emergency medications | ✓ | ✓ | |
Annual wellness exams | ✓ | ||
Vaccinations | ✓ | ||
Parasite prevention | ✓ | ||
Dental cleanings | ✓ | ||
Spay/neuter procedures | ✓ | ||
Microchipping | ✓ | ||
Routine blood work | ✓ | ||
Fecal examinations | ✓ | ||
Nail trimming | ✓ | ||
Routine deworming | ✓ | ||
Basic grooming | ✓ | ||
Routine urinalysis | ✓ | ||
*Only when directly related to covered accidents
Pet Insurance Coverage Add-Ons
Many pet insurance companies offer optional add-on coverage that helps address needs or concerns that standard policies don't cover. These include:
Add-On Coverage | Details |
|---|---|
Alternative therapy coverage | Includes acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, hydrotherapy, physical therapy and other nontraditional veterinary treatments for pain management and rehabilitation |
Behavioral therapy coverage | Covers consultations with veterinary behaviorists, training sessions for anxiety or aggression issues and prescribed medications for behavioral disorders |
End-of-life care coverage | Provides coverage for euthanasia procedures, cremation or burial services and memorial products to help families during difficult times |
Travel coverage | Covers veterinary emergencies while traveling with your pet, including coverage in other states or countries |
Third-party liability coverage | Covers legal expenses and damage if your pet injures someone or damages property belonging to others |
Breeding coverage | Covers complications during pregnancy, cesarean sections and newborn puppy or kitten care |
Emergency boarding coverage | Reimburses for pet boarding costs if you're hospitalized and unable to care for your pet |
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
You'll pick how much pet insurance coverage you want, your deductible amount and what percentage the insurance company pays back (usually 60% to 90%). You can also add coverage for multiple pets or extras like alternative therapy or behavioral coverage.
Once you buy a policy, most companies give you an app or website to pay bills, update your coverage, file claims and get digital ID cards for your pets.
Pet Insurance Terms and Conditions
Knowing what's in your pet insurance policy prevents claim headaches later. These policy details affect what you pay and what gets covered:
Policy Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
Coverage limits | Most policies include annual limits (like $10,000 per year that resets each policy anniversary) or lifetime limits (such as $50,000 total over your pet's entire life). Some insurers also offer unlimited coverage for higher premiums. These limits apply to all covered conditions combined, not per incident, so a pet with multiple health issues could reach the limit faster than expected. |
Deductible | This is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins, ranging from $0 to $1,000. Most policies use annual deductibles that reset each policy year, though some offer per-incident deductibles. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums but more upfront costs when your pet needs care. |
Reimbursement rate | After meeting your deductible, the insurance company pays 60% to 90% of covered costs. This percentage applies to the remaining eligible expenses after your deductible is subtracted. For example, if your dog needs $2,500 surgery and you have a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, you'll pay the full cost upfront to the veterinarian, then submit your claim to receive $1,600 back from insurance (80% of the remaining $2,000 after your $500 deductible). |
Waiting periods | Most policies require waiting periods before coverage begins: 1 to 3 days for accidents, 14 to 30 days for illnesses and up to 6 months for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia. Any condition that develops symptoms during the waiting period is considered pre-existing and won't be covered, even if not formally diagnosed until after coverage starts. |
Pre-existing conditions | Health issues your pet had before your policy started or during waiting periods are permanently excluded from coverage. Some companies offer coverage for curable conditions if your pet remains symptom-free for a specified period (180 days to 12 months) after treatment ends. |
Annual policy renewals | Pet insurance policies renew annually with potential premium increases based on your pet's age, claims history and overall company rate adjustments. Insurers can also change policy terms, coverage limits or exclude certain conditions at renewal, though they can't cancel policies midterm without cause. |
Age restrictions | Many insurers have minimum enrollment ages (8 to 16 weeks) and maximum enrollment ages (14 years for dogs, 16 years for cats). Once enrolled, most companies won't cancel coverage due to age, but some may reduce benefits or increase premiums for senior pets. |
Benefit schedules vs. actual costs | Some policies reimburse based on predetermined benefit schedules (set amounts for specific procedures), while others reimburse based on actual veterinary costs. Actual cost reimbursement is more favorable to pet owners, especially in high-cost areas where veterinary fees exceed standard benefit amounts. |
Claim filing requirements | Depending on the insurer, you have 90 days to 1 year from the service date to submit claims. Required documentation includes itemized veterinary invoices, medical records and sometimes pre-authorization for expensive procedures. Missing deadlines or incomplete documentation can result in claim denials. |
How Do Pet Insurance Claims Work?
After paying your veterinarian upfront, you'll submit itemized invoices, medical records and other required documentation to your insurance company within 90 days to one year. Processing takes 5 to 14 business days for routine claims, with your reimbursement calculated based on your deductible and reimbursement rate. You'll then receive payment via direct deposit or check, covering the eligible portion of your veterinary expenses.
KNOW YOUR DISPUTE RESOLUTION OPTIONS
If your insurance company says no to a claim you think they should pay, call them within 60 to 90 days and ask them to review it again. Talk to a manager if you need to. If they still won't budge, complain to your state insurance department or the Better Business Bureau.
Do You Need Pet Insurance?
Nobody makes you buy pet insurance, but it can save you serious money on vet bills. It's not worth it for everyone though. Pet insurance makes sense if you want help with vet costs and can afford the monthly payments.
You want reimbursement protection
Since pet insurance requires paying veterinary bills in full before receiving reimbursement, you need available funds for initial payment. Insurance makes sense if you can cover upfront costs but want protection against depleting your savings or emergency funds. The reimbursement helps you recover most expenses while maintaining your financial stability.
You have a young pet
Enrolling pets before age restrictions and before health issues develop ensures maximum coverage benefits. Young pets have decades of potential veterinary expenses ahead, making the long-term value proposition stronger. Starting early also means avoiding pre-existing condition exclusions that could significantly limit coverage if you wait until problems arise.
You have multiple pets
Insuring multiple pets increases your premiums and potential reimbursements, but many insurers offer multi-pet discounts that make coverage more affordable. With multiple pets, you're more likely to face annual veterinary expenses, making the predictable premium payments more cost-effective than treatments without reimbursement protection.
Your pet's breed is prone to expensive conditions
Certain breeds face higher risks for costly health issues like hip dysplasia in German Shepherds, breathing problems in French Bulldogs or heart conditions in Maine Coon cats. If your pet belongs to a breed with known genetic predispositions, insurance can provide crucial financial protection through reimbursement for these predictable but expensive conditions.
How Much Pet Insurance Do You Need?
Once you've decided pet insurance makes sense for your situation, evaluate your pet's breed, age and common health risks and research local veterinary costs to determine which coverage type best fits your needs. Use this assessment to choose appropriate deductibles, reimbursement rates and coverage limits that balance financial protection with affordability.
- 1
Consider your pet's breed and age
Certain breeds are susceptible to health issues that require comprehensive coverage. In addition, senior pets tend to develop chronic conditions. Meanwhile, younger pets primarily need protection against accidents and hereditary conditions. Still, they also require frequent preventive care like vaccinations and spay/neuter procedures that make routine wellness add-ons financially beneficial.
- 2
Assess common health risks
Research the health conditions most likely to affect your pet based on breed, size and lifestyle factors. Based on NAPHIA’s 2025 data, certain conditions consistently led to insurance claims for dogs and cats, indicating the types of expenses you're most likely to encounter.
Most common conditions for dogs:
- GI/Diarrhea/Vomiting
- Otitis/Ear infection
- Allergies
- Skin conditions (infections, allergies, mass, dermatitis)
- Growth/Mass
Most common conditions for cats:
- GI/Diarrhea/Vomiting
- Urinary tract infection/Kidney/Bladder
- Otitis/Ear infection
- Respiratory issues
- Dental disease
- 3
Factor in your lifestyle
Your daily routine and activities with your pet also influence the type of coverage you should prioritize. Active owners who hike, run or engage in outdoor activities with their pets face higher accident risks, making comprehensive accident and illness coverage more valuable than accident-only policies. Indoor cats may need less accident coverage but still require illness protection for conditions like urinary blockages or dental disease.
- 4
Research veterinary costs in your area
Veterinary pricing varies dramatically by geographic location, with urban areas charging 50 to 100% more than rural regions for identical procedures. Contact local veterinary clinics to get pricing for common procedures, such as emergency visits, ACL surgery, cancer treatments and routine surgeries like spay or neuter.
- 5
Determine deductibles, reimbursement rates and coverage limits
Think about how much cash you have — that's your deductible. Then decide what percentage you want back after paying that deductible (the higher the percentage, the pricier your monthly bill). Finally, pick whether you want a cap on yearly payouts, lifetime payouts or no cap at all.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover: Bottom Line
Pet insurance reimburses you for accidents, illnesses, surgeries and medications, but you pay upfront first. While optional, pet insurance gives you valuable financial protection if you have a breed prone to health issues or want help covering veterinary bills.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cover: FAQ
We've answered frequently asked questions about pet insurance coverage to help clarify your options:
What's the difference between pet insurance and wellness plans?
Pet insurance covers unexpected accidents and illnesses like surgeries, diagnostic tests and emergency treatments. Wellness plans focus on routine preventive care, such as annual checkups, vaccinations and dental cleanings. Most wellness plans are add-ons to comprehensive coverage rather than standalone policies and don't feature deductibles.
How much does pet insurance cost per month?
MoneyGeek's analysis of major pet insurers found that the cost of pet insurance averages $53 monthly for dogs and $29 monthly for cats, based on 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with $5,000 annual limits, $500 deductibles and 80% reimbursement rates.
What counts as a pre-existing condition for pet insurance?
Pre-existing conditions are health issues your pet had before your policy started or during waiting periods. These are permanently excluded from coverage, even if not formally diagnosed until after coverage begins. Some companies offer coverage for curable conditions if your pet remains symptom-free for 180 days to 12 months after treatment ends.
How long do I wait before pet insurance coverage starts?
Most pet insurance policies require waiting periods before coverage begins: 1 to 3 days for accidents, 14 to 30 days for illnesses and up to 6 months for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia. Any condition that develops symptoms during the waiting period is considered pre-existing and won't be covered.
Do I need pet insurance if my pet is already old?
Many insurers have maximum enrollment ages, 14 years for dogs and 16 years for cats. While coverage is still possible for older pets, premiums will be higher and some conditions will be excluded.
Can I use any veterinarian with pet insurance?
Most pet insurance companies allow you to visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic or specialist. Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance doesn't have provider networks or require referrals. You pay the veterinarian directly, then submit receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement based on your policy's coverage terms.
What's the most common reason for pet insurance claims?
According to NAPHIA’s data, gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea and vomiting are the top insurance claim reasons for both dogs and cats. Other common claims include ear infections, allergies and skin conditions for dogs, while cats frequently need treatment for urinary tract infections and respiratory issues.
How do I file a pet insurance claim?
Pay your vet bill, then collect all the paperwork: receipts, medical notes, test results. Send everything to your insurance company through their app, website or email. You usually have 90 days to a year to do this. They'll send your money back in about 1 to 2 weeks to your bank account or by mail.
Can I get pet insurance for multiple pets?
Sure! Most companies give you a discount for insuring more than one pet. When you have several animals, you're almost guaranteed to have vet bills yearly, so paying monthly premiums often beats getting hit with surprise bills. Each pet gets its own separate policy, though.
What happens if I disagree with a claim denial?
Contact your insurer's customer service within 60 to 90 days to request a claim review. You can escalate to a supervisor or use formal appeals processes if unresolved. External options include filing complaints with your state's insurance regulatory agency, Better Business Bureau or pursuing binding arbitration if your policy includes it.
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.