Types of Pet Insurance

Comprehensive Pet Insurance

Comprehensive pet insurance covers treatment for accidents and illnesses. (It's also known as "accident and illness coverage.") When you take your pet to the vet for an injury or illness, you typically pay for treatment at the time of service and then submit a claim to the pet insurance company. If your claim is approved, you'll be reimbursed for the cost of covered care, minus any coinsurance and deductible payments. Pet insurance generally has a waiting period before coverage kicks in. This can range from a few days to six months depending on the condition.

What's Included

Although specific coverage may vary, comprehensive pet insurance generally covers:

• Illnesses such as ear infections, arthritis or cancer
• Injuries such as cuts, broken bones, accidental poisoning or animal bites
• Emergency surgery
• Diagnostic testing related to covered conditions
• Prescription medications

What Isn't Included

Comprehensive pet insurance usually doesn't cover:

• Routine preventive care
• Pre-existing conditions
• Accidents and illness during the waiting period
• Elective or cosmetic procedures
• Breeding, pregnancy or giving birth

Accident-Only Coverage

Accident-only pet insurance covers injuries due to accidents but doesn't cover illness. For example, it would cover treatment if your dog is hit by a car or eats a sock, but not if she develops an ear infection or a heart condition. Because it covers fewer things, accident-only pet insurance is typically less expensive than comprehensive pet insurance.

What's Included

Accident-only pet insurance typically covers:

• Injuries such as cuts, animal bites or broken bones from a car accident
• Accidental poisoning, allergic reactions or eating foreign objects
• Emergency surgery for accidents
• Diagnostic testing related to covered injuries
• Prescription medications for covered injuries

What Isn't Included

Accident-only insurance generally doesn't cover:

• Illnesses
• Accidents during the waiting period
• Pre-existing conditions
• Routine preventive care
• Breeding, pregnancy or giving birth

Wellness Plans

You generally have the option to add a wellness plan when you purchase insurance. Some companies sell standalone wellness plans. Pet wellness plans typically pay up to a certain amount for specific kinds of preventative care, such as $20 for vaccinations or $150 for teeth cleaning. You're responsible for any amount over that. Some pet insurance companies sell different levels of wellness plans, with pricier plans covering more veterinary services.

What's Included

Pet wellness plans usually cover:

• Vaccinations
• Preventive medications such as flea, tick and heartworm preventatives
• Preventive dental care
• Routine wellness exams

Some pet wellness plans also cover microchipping, spaying and neutering.

What Isn't Included

Pet wellness plans typically don't cover:

• Accidents
• Illnesses

Pet Insurance Add-Ons

When shopping for pet insurance, it's important to review the details of what each plan covers and excludes. If the company doesn't cover the following as part of their base pet insurance policy, you may be able to purchase add-on coverage for:

• Veterinary exams for illness or injury
• Telehealth vet visits
• Treatment for behavioral issues such as anxiety or aggression
• Physical therapy
• Alternative treatments such as hydrotherapy or acupuncture
• End-of-life costs such as euthanasia and cremation
• Dental illnesses such as periodontal disease
• Preventable conditions, such as parasites
• Hereditary or congenital conditions
• Prescription pet food or vitamin supplements

How to Choose Coverage for Your Pet

To choose the right pet insurance for your pet, follow these steps.

1. Determine what type of coverage you need. Based on your pet's age, health and habits as well as your budget, figure out if you need comprehensive pet insurance. Perhaps a less expensive accident-only plan might be enough. Review how much a wellness plan typically covers and decide if it's worth the cost.
2. Research pet insurance providers. Visit the websites of various pet insurance companies to see if they offer what you need. In addition to coverage, also consider reimbursement rates, payout caps, waiting periods and deductibles.
3. Request quotes. Visit insurance company websites and provide some basic information about your pet to get estimates of how much pet insurance might cost.
4. Compare your options. Narrow your list of potential insurance providers by examining coverage details. Ask for a sample policy (or find one on the website) and read it to see exactly what's covered and excluded.
5. Purchase pet insurance. Choose your insurance carrier and coverage and pay your premiums. Setting up autopayment for your premiums can help ensure your coverage doesn't accidentally lapse if you forget to make a payment.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

On average, comprehensive pet insurance costs about $675 per year for dogs and about $383 for cats, according to 2023 data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Adding wellness coverage increases the average premium to about $1,263 annually for dogs and about $626 for cats.

Accident-only pet insurance is significantly cheaper—about $204 per year for dogs and about $116 annually for cats. Your pet insurance costs can vary depending on factors such as your pet's health, age and breed; your deductible, reimbursement and coverage amounts; and where you live.

Learn more >> Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Can I Use Any Veterinarian With Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance plans can generally be used with any veterinarian you choose. With most plans, you pay the vet bill upfront, submit a claim to your pet insurance provider and receive reimbursement. However, some pet insurance plans pay the vet directly. The vet then bills you for any amount your insurance didn't cover. If your plan pays veterinarians directly, you'll need to choose a vet that accepts your insurance.

The Bottom Line

Pet insurance can ease the financial burden of keeping your pet healthy, but it doesn't cover everything. Consider starting a sinking fund for routine pet care or increasing your emergency fund to prepare for unanticipated vet expenses. Stashing your cash in a high-yield savings account can help it grow faster, so you have more resources to draw on if you're hit with a high vet bill.

Personal loans and credit cards are other options for paying big vet bills. Maintaining good credit can make it easier to qualify for credit at lower interest rates. See where your credit stands by checking your credit report and score. Consider signing up for free credit monitoring from Experian to get alerts of important changes in your credit score. We'll keep an eye on your credit, so you can spend your time playing with your pet.