What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Types of Pet Insurance Coverage

There are three general types of pet insurance: accident and illness coverage, accident-only coverage and wellness plans. Here's an overview of what each usually covers.

What Is Covered by Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance typically covers the following issues, although coverage can vary depending on your provider and plan.

• Accidents and Emergencies
  Emergency surgery

  Injuries from a car accident

  Cuts and lacerations

  Torn ligaments

  Broken bones

  Accidental poisoning

  Ingesting foreign objects

  Burns

  Electrical shocks

  Animal bites

  Allergic reactions (such as to bee stings)

  Bloat

  Heatstroke

• Common Illnesses
  Ear infections

  Urinary tract infections

  Skin infections

  Digestive problems such as acid reflux, GERD or esophagitis

  Diarrhea

  Vomiting

  Some pet insurance plans cover preventable diseases such as parasites, Lyme disease or parvovirus

• Chronic Illnesses
  • Arthritis
  • Allergies, such as allergies to pollen, grass, mold or dust mites
  • Skin conditions such as contact dermatitis
• Serious Illnesses
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
• Hereditary or Breed-Specific Conditions

  Hereditary conditions or those that are common in certain breeds are often covered if there's no sign of the problem before you purchase pet insurance. These include:

  Hip dysplasia

  Elbow dysplasia

  Luxating patella

  Cherry eye

  Progressive retinal atrophy

  Polycystic kidney disease

  Wobbler Syndrome

  Glaucoma

  Invertebral disc disease (IVDD)

  Epilepsy

  Some pet insurance providers exclude hereditary conditions; be sure to check policy details before you buy.

• Tests and Diagnostics

  Diagnostic tests related to a covered condition are generally covered, including:

  Ultrasounds

  X-rays

  Blood tests

  CAT scans

  Biopsies

  Ultrasounds

  MRIs

  Pathology reports

• Medical Procedures
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Chemotherapy
  • Endoscopies
• Dental Disease and Dental Accidents

  Pet insurance generally covers dental issues such as:

  Broken teeth due to accidents

  Gingivitis

  Periodontal disease

  Gum disease

  Oral tumors

  Root canals

  Tooth extraction

  Tooth resorption

  Tooth abscesses

  Stomatitis

  Routine dental care, such as teeth cleaning and exams, aren't covered by pet insurance unless you purchase a wellness plan to help pay for them.

• Prescriptions

  Medications prescribed for covered conditions are generally covered by pet insurance. Dietary supplements or food may be covered if prescribed by a veterinarian for a covered medical condition.

• Alternative Treatments

  If the treatment is prescribed or administered by a veterinarian for a covered condition, pet insurance often covers alternative treatments such as:

  • Chiropractic care
  • Acupuncture
  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation
  • Cold laser therapy
  • Hydrotherapy
• Behavioral Issues

  Many pet insurance plans cover treatment for behavioral issues, such as excessive licking, destructive scratching or chewing, pacing or excessive barking. Treatment must be prescribed by a veterinarian to be covered and may include:

  • Exams to diagnose behavioral problems
  • Prescription medication
  • Behavior modification training
• Wellness

  Most pet insurance providers sell wellness plans you can add to your pet insurance policy. Wellness coverage pays part of the cost of preventive care such as:

  • Vaccinations to protect against illnesses such as rabies, flu, Bordetella, leptospirosis, Lyme, FIV, FELV, FVRCP and DHLPP
  • Wellness exams, like your annual visit with the doctor or a tech fee
  • Preventive medications, such as flea, tick and heartworm medications
  • Preventive dental care, such as exams and cleanings
  • Microchipping
  • Heartworm testing
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Routine anal gland expression
• End of Life Expenses

  Euthanasia is generally covered if recommended by your vet for humane reasons. Cremation and burial may be covered by a wellness plan.

What Is Not Covered by Pet Insurance?

While coverage varies by insurer and policy, pet insurance usually doesn't cover the following issues.

• Pre-Existing Conditions

  Pre-existing conditions are health problems your pet had before your policy took effect, including during the waiting period. Conditions are considered pre-existing even if they haven't been officially diagnosed.

  For example, suppose your dog has been limping all summer, but you haven't visited the vet. In September you buy pet insurance and when the waiting period ends, you take the dog to the vet. He's diagnosed with an injured ligament, but since the symptoms appeared before your insurance took effect, the injury is considered pre-existing.

  Some pet insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions if your pet has been cured, which is usually defined as going a certain amount of time without symptoms or treatment. For instance, an ongoing respiratory infection would be considered pre-existing. Once your pet has recovered from the infection and been symptom-free for the required time without treatment, your insurance may cover respiratory infections again.

  Curable pre-existing conditions include broken bones, sprains and lacerations. Incurable pre-existing conditions include cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

• Accidents and Illnesses During the Waiting Period

  When you buy pet insurance, there's generally a waiting period before you can use it. If an accident or illness occurs during the waiting period, it's considered a pre-existing condition and not covered.

  You can usually purchase wellness plans with no waiting period. However, most accident and illness policies have waiting periods. These can range from a few days to a few weeks for accident and illness coverage, and several months for orthopedic conditions.

  Waiting periods can vary depending on the insurance provider, the condition and state laws. For example, in Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington, state law prohibits waiting periods for pet accident insurance.

• Elective or Cosmetic Procedures

  The following procedures generally aren't covered unless your vet deems them medically necessary:

  • Tail docking
  • Ear cropping
  • Declawing
  • Dewclaw removal
  • Eyelash removal
• Grooming

  Grooming costs including bathing, nail trimming, routine anal gland expression, shampoos or grooming equipment typically aren't covered by pet insurance.

• Experimental Treatments

  Procedures such as cloning or any treatment that doesn't meet accepted veterinary medicine standards generally aren't covered by pet insurance.

• Breeding

  Pet insurance usually doesn't cover procedures or treatments related to breeding, such as:

  • Pre- and post-natal examinations
  • Breeding procedures such as artificial insemination or fertility treatments
  • Pregnancy
  • Giving birth
  • C-sections
  • Complications or health issues due to breeding

  If you plan to breed your dog or cat, some insurance providers offer specialized coverage for breeders.

• Abuse or Preventable Injuries

  Pet insurance typically doesn't cover injuries caused by abusing or neglecting your pet, or by illegal activities like dogfighting.

• Prescription Pet Food or Supplements

  Prescription pet food or dietary supplements may be covered when prescribed for a limited time for a covered medical condition. However, they usually aren't covered on an ongoing basis, even if your vet prescribes them.

• Expenses Unrelated to Veterinary Services

  These may include:

  • Medical waste disposal
  • Taxes
  • Copying fees
  • Government fees
  • Bank or credit card fees
  • OSHA fees

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

On average, pet insurance costs $116 to $625 annually for cats, and $204 to $1,263 annually for dogs, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).

Source: NAPHIA

Pet insurance premiums can vary based on several factors, including:

• Your pet's age: Older pets typically cost more to insure than younger ones.
• Your pet's species: Cats generally cost less to insure than dogs.
• Your pet's gender: Females usually cost less to insure than males.
• The type of coverage: The more comprehensive your policy is, the more you can expect to pay.
• Coverage amount: Plans with higher payout limits (or no limits) typically cost more.
• Your deductible: This is the amount you're responsible for paying before coverage kicks in. You can usually save by opting for a higher deductible.
• Your reimbursement rate: This is the percentage of covered care the plan pays for. Plans that pay a higher percentage tend to cost more.
• Your location: Veterinary care costs may be higher in one area than another.

Learn more >> How to Save Money on Pet Care Costs

How to Get Pet Insurance

You can get pet insurance by following these steps:

1. Figure out what coverage you need. Based on your pet's health and habits and your budget, decide if you want accident and illness coverage, accident-only coverage or a comprehensive package that includes a wellness plan.
2. Do your homework. Check various pet insurance websites to see which ones offer the coverage you're looking for.
3. Get quotes from insurance providers. Provide some basic information about your pet to get quotes from insurance company websites. Be sure you're comparing the same type and amount of coverage, reimbursement rates, caps and deductibles. You can speed up the process by visiting a website that collects quotes from several pet insurance companies in one place.
4. Review coverage and compare. Once you've narrowed the field to a few options, dig into the details of coverage by reading their sample pet insurance policies. (You can usually find these on the website.) Carefully examine coverage limitations and exclusions to make sure the policy fits your needs. If there's anything you're not sure about, contact the insurer for an explanation.
5. Buy a policy. You can usually pay for pet insurance monthly or annually. Avoid a lapse in coverage by setting up autopayments.

Learn more >> Which Pets Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Even common veterinary procedures can quickly add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If your savings account can easily cover those costs, you may not need pet insurance. For pet owners without a hefty financial cushion, however, pet insurance can be worth it to provide a safety net to help handle unexpected veterinary expenses.

For example, suppose your dog is diagnosed with cancer and needs treatment costing $12,000. You have pet insurance with an 80% reimbursement rate, no annual limits on coverage and a $250 deductible, which you've already met.

Without pet insurance, you'd be on the hook for $12,000. With insurance, your responsibility is just $2,400 (20% of the total), a much more manageable amount.

The Bottom Line

Most pet insurance policies require you to pay your vet upfront and file a claim to get reimbursed. Even with pet insurance, you'll need a way to cover veterinary care until your claim is processed. Put some extra money into your emergency fund each month or start a sinking fund for veterinary costs.

Using a credit card that offers an introductory 0% annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases can help you pay for veterinary care without accruing costly interest. Introductory 0% APR credit cards generally require good to excellent credit; check your credit score before applying.