Pet Insurance

Last updated: December 9, 2025 Recently updated

Pet Insurance Guide

Health coverage for your cats, dogs, and other pets

Not sure what coverage you need? Take our free 2-minute quiz to get personalized insurance recommendations.

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet Insurance provides essential protection for you and your family. Understanding how it works helps you make better coverage decisions.

Key Features

Coverage details and benefits
What’s typically included
Common exclusions to be aware of
Cost factors that affect premiums

Who Needs Pet Insurance?

Learn whether this type of coverage is right for your situation and how to determine the appropriate coverage amount.

How to Choose a Policy

Tips for comparing policies, understanding terms, and finding the best value for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about pet insurance answered.

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Data Sources

Pet insurance data in this guide come from NAPHIA (opens in new tab) (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), AVMA (opens in new tab) (American Veterinary Medical Association), and industry surveys. Learn more about our data collection methods on our Methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance typically covers accidents (injuries) and illnesses (diseases, infections). Comprehensive plans cover diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, medications, and sometimes alternative therapies. Wellness plans (often add-ons) cover routine care like vaccinations and checkups. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Is pet insurance worth the cost?

Pet insurance makes sense if you couldn’t afford a major veterinary bill ($3,000-$10,000 for emergencies) or want predictable costs. Calculate lifetime premiums versus potential claims. For some pet owners, setting aside money monthly for vet expenses (‘self-insuring’) works better than insurance.

When should I get pet insurance?

Enroll pets when they’re young and healthy. Premiums are lower for younger pets, and any conditions that develop will be covered. Once a condition exists, it becomes pre-existing and won’t be covered. Most insurers require pets to be at least 6-8 weeks old.