How pet insurance works
Most pet insurance works by reimbursement. You take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, pay the bill, and submit a claim. After your deductible, the insurer pays back a percentage of covered costs, up to your plan's limit. Three choices shape every plan and its price:
| Plan choice | What it means |
|---|---|
| Deductible | What you pay before coverage starts, usually once a year. A higher deductible lowers your monthly price. |
| Reimbursement rate | The share of covered costs the plan pays back after the deductible — commonly 70%, 80% or 90%. |
| Annual limit | The most the plan pays in a policy year. Some plans offer unlimited annual coverage. |
What pet insurance usually covers
- Accidents — broken bones, cuts, swallowed objects, bite wounds and other injuries.
- Illnesses — from ear and skin infections to cancer, diabetes, allergies and digestive problems.
- Emergency and specialist care — emergency visits, surgery, hospital stays, imaging and lab tests.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions on many accident-and-illness plans, if they weren't present before coverage began.
- Prescriptions for covered conditions.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Pre-existing conditions — problems your pet showed signs of before coverage started. Some insurers will cover a condition that's been cured for a set time; check each policy.
- Routine and preventive care like vaccines, checkups and flea prevention — unless you add a wellness plan.
- Anything during the waiting period right after you enroll, often a few days for accidents and around two weeks for illnesses. Some conditions, like cruciate ligament injuries, can have longer waits.
- Elective and cosmetic procedures, and breeding costs.
Types of pet insurance plans
- Accident and illness — the most common choice. Covers both unexpected injuries and sickness.
- Accident only — a lower-cost plan for injuries alone. Illnesses aren't covered.
- Wellness add-on — an optional extra that helps pay for routine care such as exams, vaccines and dental cleanings.
What affects the price
- Species and breed. Dogs usually cost more to insure than cats, and breeds prone to certain conditions can cost more.
- Age. Prices typically rise as pets get older, and enrolling while your pet is young means fewer conditions are excluded as pre-existing.
- Where you live. Vet costs vary by area, so your ZIP code affects the price.
- The plan you choose. Deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit all change the monthly cost.
Pet insurance by breed
Some breeds are prone to specific, sometimes costly conditions. See what to watch for and what to look for in a policy:
- DogBeagle
- DogBulldog
- DogDachshund
- CatDomestic Shorthair
- DogFrench Bulldog
- DogGerman Shepherd
- DogGolden Retriever
- DogLabrador Retriever
- CatMaine Coon
- CatPersian
- DogPoodle
- CatRagdoll
Tips for choosing a plan
- Enroll early. The sooner your pet is covered, the fewer conditions can be ruled out as pre-existing.
- Read the exclusions. Compare how each plan handles hereditary conditions, dental illness and exam fees.
- Match the deductible to your savings. Pick an amount you could pay comfortably if your pet needs care.
- Compare several companies. Prices and coverage for the same pet can vary a lot between insurers.