Pet insurance helps cover the cost of veterinary bills over your pet’s life. It often covers common types of illnesses and injuries, but the exact coverage varies, depending on the type of plan you choose and your pet’s individual needs.

In this article, we explore what pet insurance plans may or may not cover, different types of pet insurance plans, and tips for finding the most suitable pet insurance plan for you.

Getting pet insurance may give you more peace of mind about your pet’s health.

A 2020 study on dog caregivers found that those with pet insurance were more likely to spend more money and access more services at the veterinarian’s office. This may be because having pet insurance helped to ease their concerns about the amount of veterinary costs they would need to cover.

Typically, pet insurance covers accidental or unexpected health problems, such as injuries and illnesses. Depending on the type of plan you have, pet insurance might also cover chronic or hereditary health conditions.

These conditions are typically covered if they are new and not related to a pre-existing condition:

  • common health complaints, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and infections
  • accidental injuries, such as broken bones or toxic ingestion
  • severe health conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, or heart disease
  • chronic health conditions, such as allergies or diabetes
  • congenital or hereditary health conditions, such as kidney disease or hip dysplasia

Some plans may include behavioral conditions, such as aggression or separation anxiety, though coverage varies widely and may require specific add-ons.

Some pet insurance plans also cover certain procedures and treatments, which may include:

  • diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or imaging scans
  • prescription medications
  • emergency care
  • surgery, medical procedures, and hospitalization
  • cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy
  • alternative therapies, such as hydrotherapy or chiropractic care

Your vet may suggest that you consider getting pet insurance while your pet is very young, for example, when they are a puppy or kitten. This is because coverage may start before your vet discovers any possible pre-existing conditions that your pet may have.

Additionally, many pet insurance companies notice a trend of claims for young pets within the first 18 months of their lives, when they may be more prone to injury or illness. Typically, people then submit fewer claims until their pets begin to enter their older years.

If you already have pet insurance and are unsure about exactly what’s included in your plan, your insurer should be able to offer guidance and support over the phone or through online services.

All pet insurance plans have limitations and exclusions. Depending on your individual pet insurance plan, some of the following conditions or circumstances may not be covered.

Pre-existing conditions

Insurers typically define pre-existing conditions as any illness or injury that your pet develops before your coverage begins or during the plan’s waiting period.

Most of the time, insurers do not cover pre-existing conditions.

However, some insurers might cover certain pre-existing conditions if your pet hasn’t needed treatment and doesn’t experience any recurring symptoms of these conditions for at least a year.

Preventive care

Wellness expenses, or preventive care, for your pet, may include services such as:

  • microchipping
  • vaccinations
  • spaying or neutering surgery
  • routine blood tests
  • examination fees

These services are not usually included in basic pet insurance plans. However, insurers may offer coverage for these types of services in a separate or add-on wellness plan.

Waiting periods

Many insurers implement a “waiting period”, which encompasses the time between when you purchase the plan and when its coverage officially starts. Depending on the insurer, the waiting period may vary from around 2 days to several weeks.

Additionally, certain conditions have longer waiting periods in some policies. Therefore, it is important to fully familiarize yourself with the plan terms and documentation before taking out the policy.

If your pet experiences any injury or illness during the waiting period, these conditions will count as pre-existing and will not be covered.

Pregnancy or breeding

Many insurers do not cover pregnancy or birthing costs, including any health complications that may result from pregnancy or birth.

However, some insurers may offer this type of coverage as an add-on option.

Other exclusions

Pet insurers may also exclude:

  • diagnosis and treatment of preventable health conditions, such as dental conditions and certain parasites
  • behavioral problems
  • cosmetic procedures, such as tail docking or ear cropping
  • bilateral conditions, if one side of your pet’s body was affected before enrollment, examples of these conditions include cruciate injuries and hip dysplasia

There are three main types of pet insurance plans:

Accident-and-illness plans

These plans cover a range of pet health concerns from accidental injuries to chronic and severe conditions.

Pre-existing conditions are not usually covered in accident-and-illness plans, but individual plans and insurer terms vary.

Accident-only plans

These plans only offer coverage for accidental injuries, such as broken bones, bites from other animals, or toxic ingestion.

Accident-only plans do not offer coverage for any other types of veterinary care.

Preventive care or wellness plans

These plans cover routine or preventive pet health services, such as vaccinations and dental cleaning. Some insurers offer these plans as an add-on option to standard pet insurance plans, while others offer them as separate plans.

The exact coverage and costs of preventive care plans vary depending on the insurer.

The cost of pet insurance can vary widely, depending on a range of factors, including:

  • the species, breed, age, and sex of your pet
  • which city or state you live in
  • the type of plan, its coverage, and the deductible amount

You might want to consider coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates when comparing pet insurance premiums.

Coverage limits

The annual coverage limit refers to the maximum amount your insurance company will annually reimburse you for your pet’s healthcare.

Insurers will typically give you several options to choose from.

It’s also important to note that you’ll need to pay any expenses that exceed your plan’s annual coverage limit.

Most policies also have a per-incident limit. Some policies also have lifetime caps.

Deductibles

A deductible refers to the amount of veterinary care costs you’ll need to pay before your insurer reimburses you.

Insurers will often give you several options to choose from.

While choosing higher deductibles means lower monthly premiums, they also come with higher upfront costs before your insurer reimburses you.

Reimbursement rates

The reimbursement rate refers to the amount the pet insurance company pays you back for the cost of your pet’s veterinary care.

Some of the most comprehensive pet health coverage options will reimburse 80% to 100% of your total vet bill, after you meet your deductible.

Once you have paid the vet bill upfront and submitted a claim, the pet insurance company is likely to reimburse you within about a week.

When choosing a pet insurance plan, you might want to consider:

  • the type of plan you want to go for and any potential add-on coverage options
  • how much you can spend on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs
  • comparing quotes online to make sure you get a good deal
  • your pet’s medical history, and whether any insurers will cover any pre-existing conditions they have

Before deciding on a plan, make sure you’re familiar with all the terms and conditions. Pet insurance companies should be able to explain anything that doesn’t make sense.

Pet insurance helps cover the cost of veterinary bills. The exact coverage and costs vary depending on the type of plan you choose and other individual factors, such as your pet’s age and medical history.

You might want to try comparing quotes from different insurers before choosing a pet insurance plan. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions before starting a plan. If anything in the terms and conditions is unclear, the insurer should be able to provide more context and examples for clarity.