Pet Insurance

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Pet Insurance Guide

Pet insurance helps cover unexpected veterinary costs, giving you financial protection when your furry family member gets sick or injured. With veterinary costs rising faster than human healthcare, more pet owners are considering insurance to avoid choosing between their wallet and their pet’s health.

What Pet Insurance Covers

Accidents

Coverage for injuries from unexpected events:

Broken bones and fractures
Lacerations and bite wounds
Swallowed foreign objects
Poisoning and toxic ingestion
Car accidents and trauma

Illnesses

Coverage for diseases and health conditions:

Cancer and tumors
Infections (ear, skin, urinary)
Digestive issues and allergies
Respiratory conditions
Chronic diseases (diabetes, arthritis)

Additional Coverage Options

Wellness/Preventive Care: Vaccines, annual exams, flea/tick prevention (add-on)
Dental Coverage: Dental disease, extractions (often limited or add-on)
Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care
Behavioral Treatment: Some plans cover behavioral therapy
Prescription Food: Coverage for therapeutic diets (limited plans)

What Pet Insurance Doesn’t Cover

Understanding exclusions is as important as knowing what’s covered:

Pre-existing conditions: Any condition present before enrollment
Routine care: Vaccines, spay/neuter, dental cleanings (without wellness add-on)
Breeding costs: Pregnancy, whelping, fertility treatments
Cosmetic procedures: Tail docking, ear cropping, dewclaw removal
Grooming: Bathing, nail trimming, haircuts
Experimental treatments: Unproven or experimental procedures
Elective procedures: Non-medically necessary treatments

Pet Insurance Costs

Average Monthly Premiums

Pet Type	Accident Only	Accident & Illness
Dogs	$10-$20	$30-$50
Cats	$6-$12	$15-$30

Factors Affecting Cost

Pet’s Age: Older pets cost more to insure
Breed: Some breeds have higher health risks
Location: Vet costs vary by region
Deductible: Higher deductible = lower premium
Reimbursement Rate: 70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual Limit: Unlimited vs. capped coverage
Coverage Type: Accident-only vs. comprehensive

Deductible Options

$100-$250: Higher premium, lower out-of-pocket per claim
$500: Balance of premium and out-of-pocket costs
$1,000+: Lowest premium, best for catastrophic coverage only

How to Compare Pet Insurance Policies

Key Comparison Points

What’s covered: Accidents, illness, hereditary conditions, dental
What’s excluded: Pre-existing conditions, breed-specific exclusions
Reimbursement method: Percentage of actual bill vs. benefit schedule
Deductible type: Annual vs. per-incident
Annual/lifetime limits: Unlimited is best; watch for per-condition caps
Waiting periods: Shorter is better
Premium increases: Ask about rate increase history
Claims process: Direct deposit, turnaround time, app availability
Customer reviews: Check BBB ratings and customer satisfaction

Questions to Ask

Does this cover hereditary/congenital conditions?
What’s the claims turnaround time?
Can I see any vet or specialist?
How much have rates increased historically?
Is there a maximum age for enrollment?
What happens if I miss a payment?

When Pet Insurance Makes Sense

Good Candidates for Pet Insurance

Young, healthy pets: Lock in low rates before issues develop
Purebred pets: Higher risk of hereditary conditions
Active/outdoor pets: Greater accident risk
Limited emergency savings: Can’t easily absorb $3,000-$5,000 bill
Peace of mind seekers: Want to always choose best care regardless of cost

When to Consider Alternatives

Substantial savings: Can comfortably self-insure with $5,000+ pet emergency fund
Very old pets: Premiums may exceed likely payouts
Pets with many pre-existing conditions: Limited coverage available
Low-risk, indoor-only cats: Lower likelihood of accidents/illness

The Math: Is It Worth It?

Scenario: Dog with $40/month premium over 10 years = $4,800 in premiums

Pet insurance pays off if your dog needs:

One major surgery ($3,000-$7,000)
Cancer treatment ($5,000-$10,000+)
Multiple emergency visits ($1,000-$2,000 each)
Chronic condition management ($500-$2,000/year)

Many pet owners never file a major claim, but those who do often receive payouts far exceeding their premiums.

Common Pet Insurance Mistakes

1. Waiting Until Your Pet Gets Sick

Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered. Enroll while your pet is healthy.

2. Choosing the Lowest Premium Without Comparing Coverage

A cheap plan with a $5,000 annual limit won’t help if your dog needs $8,000 surgery.

3. Not Understanding Reimbursement

Know whether your plan reimburses actual vet costs or uses a benefit schedule (which may pay less).

4. Ignoring Waiting Periods

Don’t assume coverage starts immediately. Most illness coverage has a 14-day waiting period.

5. Forgetting to Read Exclusions

Breed-specific exclusions can leave you uncovered for common issues in your breed.

6. Not Shopping Around Annually

Rates and coverage change. Compare policies each year at renewal.

Top Pet Insurance Considerations by Pet Type

Dogs

Check hereditary condition coverage (especially large breeds)
Consider breed-specific exclusions (hip dysplasia, IVDD)
Higher premiums due to more claims and larger size

Cats

Generally lower premiums than dogs
Indoor cats may qualify for discounts
Watch for dental disease exclusions

Exotic Pets

Limited insurer options (Nationwide is primary)
Higher premiums relative to coverage
May need exotic vet specialists

How to File a Pet Insurance Claim

Pay your vet bill at time of service
Gather documentation: Itemized invoice, medical records
Submit claim: Online portal, app, or mail
Wait for processing: Typically 5-14 days
Receive reimbursement: Direct deposit or check

Pro tip: Keep all vet records organized. Some insurers have apps that let you snap a photo of your invoice to submit claims instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pet insurance worth it?

Pet insurance is worth it if you want financial protection against unexpected veterinary costs. The average emergency vet visit costs $800-$1,500, and major surgeries can exceed $5,000. If you couldn’t comfortably pay a $3,000-$5,000 vet bill, insurance provides peace of mind. However, if you have substantial savings and prefer to self-insure, you might skip it.

What does pet insurance typically cover?

Most pet insurance covers accidents (broken bones, poisoning, injuries), illnesses (cancer, infections, digestive issues), surgeries, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, and prescription medications. Comprehensive plans may also cover hereditary conditions and alternative therapies. Preventive care (vaccines, dental cleanings) usually requires a separate wellness add-on.

What does pet insurance NOT cover?

Pet insurance typically excludes pre-existing conditions, routine/preventive care (without add-on), breeding costs, cosmetic procedures, and experimental treatments. Most policies also exclude elective procedures and may have breed-specific exclusions for hereditary conditions if not disclosed at enrollment.

How much does pet insurance cost?

Average pet insurance costs $30-$50/month for dogs and $15-$30/month for cats for accident and illness coverage. Premiums vary based on your pet’s age, breed, location, chosen deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limits. Accident-only plans cost less ($10-$20/month) but offer limited protection.

When is the best time to get pet insurance?

The best time to get pet insurance is when your pet is young and healthy—ideally as a puppy or kitten. Enrolling early locks in lower rates and ensures coverage before any health issues develop that could become excluded as pre-existing conditions. Most policies require pets to be at least 6-8 weeks old.

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions—any illness or injury that occurred or showed symptoms before coverage began. Some insurers distinguish between ‘curable’ pre-existing conditions (like ear infections) that may be covered after a symptom-free period, and ‘incurable’ conditions (like diabetes) that are permanently excluded.

How does pet insurance reimbursement work?

Pet insurance uses a reimbursement model: you pay the vet bill upfront, submit a claim, and get reimbursed based on your plan’s terms. Reimbursement rates are typically 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered costs after your deductible. Some newer insurers offer direct vet payment options.

What's the difference between annual deductible and per-incident deductible?

An annual deductible is the amount you pay once per policy year before insurance kicks in—this is more common and usually more economical. A per-incident deductible applies separately to each new condition or injury, which can add up if your pet has multiple health issues in a year.

Does pet insurance cover hereditary and congenital conditions?

Many pet insurance plans cover hereditary conditions (like hip dysplasia in large dogs) and congenital conditions (present from birth), but coverage varies significantly. Some insurers exclude breed-specific conditions or require higher premiums. Always check the policy’s hereditary condition clause, especially for purebred pets.

Can I use any veterinarian with pet insurance?

Yes, most pet insurance plans let you use any licensed veterinarian, including specialists and emergency clinics. Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance typically doesn’t have networks or require referrals. Some plans also cover telehealth vet consultations.

Is there a waiting period for pet insurance?

Yes, all pet insurance policies have waiting periods before coverage begins—typically 14 days for illnesses and 2-5 days for accidents. Some conditions like orthopedic issues or ligament injuries may have longer waiting periods (6-12 months). Waiting periods prevent people from enrolling only after their pet gets sick.

Does pet insurance premium increase with age?

Yes, pet insurance premiums typically increase as your pet ages, usually 5-10% per year. Older pets cost more to insure because they’re more likely to develop health issues. Some insurers also increase rates based on claims history or overall inflation in veterinary costs.

What's the difference between accident-only and comprehensive pet insurance?

Accident-only plans cover injuries from accidents (hit by car, broken bones, poisoning) but not illnesses. Comprehensive (accident and illness) plans cover both accidents and diseases like cancer, infections, and chronic conditions. Comprehensive plans cost 2-3x more but provide much broader protection.

Are exotic pets covered by pet insurance?

Some insurers offer coverage for exotic pets like birds, rabbits, reptiles, and small mammals, but options are more limited than for dogs and cats. Nationwide is one of the few major insurers covering exotic pets. Coverage and costs vary significantly, so shop around if you have an exotic pet.