Your guide to what pet insurance covers
Vet visits can really claw into your budget, especially if your pet suffers from a serious illness or injury. Whether it's an X-ray or a more complex procedure like surgery, emergency care for a pet can cost anywhere from $150 to well over $5,000. Pet insurance can help cover those costs.
But pet insurance policies can vary significantly in what they cover and what can be added on. It's important to understand what's included so you can choose the best pet insurance coverage for your furry friend.
Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide.
Pet insurance helps pay for part of your pet's vet bills for medically necessary care. A typical accident and illness pet insurance plan will cover the following:
Broken bones
Swallowing a foreign object or something toxic
Bite wounds
Being hit by a car
Cuts and scrapes
Diarrhea
Skin or ear infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Vomiting
Blood-related conditions
Eye problems like cherry eye
Hip issues, including hip dysplasia
Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
Allergies
Arthritis
Stomach problems
Seizures
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart problems
Parasites
Parvo
Lyme disease
Hospitalization
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Endoscopies
Antibiotics
Steroids
Insulin
Eye drops
Infections
Medications for pain
Biopsies
X-rays
MRIs
Ultrasounds
Learn more: The best pet insurance companies of 2025
Based on Yahoo Finance's analysis of what pet insurance covers, the more robust pet insurance policies will also pay for the following:
Alternative care. Specifics will vary by policies but can include acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, laser therapy, and massage.
Behavioral therapy. When prescribed by a veterinarian for issues such as anxiety, constant licking, pulling out fur, repetitive pacing, and destructive behavior (like chewing or scratching furniture).
Dental illnesses. Dental issues like extractions, gingivitis, and gum disease.
Euthanasia. When medically necessary, such as for humane reasons.
A small number of pet insurance companies will reimburse for costs not related to a pet's illness or injury. For example, Fetch and Prudent Pet will cover the following issues up to certain limits:
Kennel costs for the pet while you're hospitalized.
A mortality benefit if the pet dies (Prudent Pet) or reimbursement for the price you paid for the pet (Fetch).
Vacation cancellation costs if you have to cancel a trip because the pet is sick or injured.
Advertising and reward for a lost or stolen pet.
Learn more: Pets Best pet insurance review 2025
Pet insurance falls into two types of policies:
Accident and illness plan
Accident-only plan
Pet wellness plans are often available as add-ons, but technically aren't insurance.
Accident and illness plans are a common choice among pet parents. This type of coverage gives you the most comprehensive coverage for injuries and illnesses. Whether your cat swallows something it shouldn't have or your puppy comes down with kennel cough, accident and illness plans can help cover treatment and medication costs (up to your policy limits).
Routine vet expenses — like wellness checkups and preventive care — aren't paid for by accident and illness plans.
Like the name suggests, accident-only plans cover injuries, not illnesses. So, if your dog gets into a scuffle with another pup, this type of plan can help pay for treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and medication. But if your pet gets sick, it won't cover your vet costs.
Since some accident and illness plans come with age limits, accident-only plans can be a good fit for folks with older pets who may not qualify for full coverage. Plus, they're easier on the wallet since coverage is limited, making them a good option if you're on a tight budget but want some coverage without the higher price tag.
Routine wellness or preventive care plans cover vet costs like checkups, vaccines, and dental cleanings — usually up to a certain amount each year. This type of plan is typically offered as an add-on to an accident and illness policy.
Pet insurance usually won't cover preexisting conditions — meaning any illness or injury your pet had before you signed up for coverage or that started during the pet insurance waiting period. So, if your dog was already diagnosed with allergies, the costs for allergy-related care likely won't be covered.
That said, not all pet insurance policies rule out preexisting conditions forever. Some will cover certain curable conditions — like ear infections, diarrhea, or vomiting — if your pet hasn't shown symptoms or needed treatment for a set amount of time. For example, ASPCA and Spot will cover a curable condition if your pet has been symptom-free for 180 days. (These rules usually don't apply to knee or ligament issues.)
Buying pet insurance coverage early on is a good idea. That way, you can lock in coverage before new conditions start.
How much your pet insurance covers generally depends on three factors:
Annual limit. This is the total amount your pet insurance will reimburse you for during the policy term. Depending on the policy, choices can start as low as $2,000 and go up to unlimited annual coverage.
Deductible. This is what you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts covering some of the vet costs. Most plans have an annual deductible, which can range from $50 to $1,000.
Reimbursement level. After you've paid your deductible, your insurance will cover a portion of the remaining costs (up to the policy's annual limit). Reimbursement levels are usually 70%, 80%, or 90%, though some policies, like Figo, offer a 100% reimbursement option.
Pet insurance policies have waiting periods, which is the time you have to wait after enrolling before your coverage kicks in. Each provider sets its own timelines, but waiting periods typically range from a couple days to 14 days for accidents and 14 to 30 days for illnesses, depending on the insurer.
Some insurers also require longer waiting periods for orthopedic issues, such as joint or ligament problems. For example, Lemonade and Pets Best have six-month waiting periods for cruciate ligament conditions.
Some common pet insurance exclusions are:
Preexisting conditions
Breeding, pregnancy, or giving birth
Genetic testing or cloning
Illnesses or injuries caused by fighting, racing, abuse, or neglect
Cosmetic or elective procedures like ear cropping, tail docking, or dewclaw removal
Routine care like wellness checkups (unless you add a wellness plan)
Whether or not you can change your pet insurance coverage during the policy term depends on the insurer. Some allow you to increase your pet's coverage at any time, while others may require you to wait until your policy renews. For example, Embrace pet insurance lets you increase coverage, although the waiting period and preexisting conditions also reset as of the date the coverage changes.
Conversely, most pet insurers allow you to reduce your coverage. Details will vary by provider. For example, Figo lets you reduce your annual maximum, deductible, and reimbursement at any time.
Pet insurance can cover multiple pets. Most pet insurers will require each pet to have their own policy, but you may get a discount of 5% or 10% per pet by buying multiple policies.
MetLife has a unique way to insure multiple pets: Its Family Plan covers up to three pets under one policy with a shared deductible and annual limit (and a discount). Or choose separate MetLife policies with a multi-pet discount that lets you customize coverage for each pet.
Many pet parents in the U.S. care for animals other than cats and dogs, but it's hard to find pet insurance that covers exotic pets. 'Exotic' usually includes animals like birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals like ferrets. MetLife and Nationwide sell exotic pet insurance.
The average cost of comprehensive pet insurance (an accident and illness policy with a wellness plan) is around $54 per month for cats and $110 per month for dogs. For accident-only plans, the cost is much lower — about $9 per month for cats and $17 for dogs, according to a 2025 report from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
The cost of pet insurance will generally depend on these key factors:
Your annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement level
The pet's age, gender, and breed
Where you live
Deciding on whether you need pet insurance will depend on your pet's needs and your budget. To decide if pet insurance is worth it, make sure to compare the monthly premium with what you might spend on vet care if something goes wrong. Pet insurance can give you some peace of mind that an unexpected vet bill won't cause too much financial disruption.
Pet insurance can be especially helpful for older pets, high-energy animals, or breeds with known health risks. Bulldogs, for example, have unique physical features that often lead to issues with breathing, teeth, eyes, and more.
As an example, let's say you have a pet insurance policy with the following terms:
Unlimited annual coverage
90% reimbursement
$250 annual deductible
$500 annual premium
If your dog has an emergency vet visit that costs $7,500, you'd first pay your $250 deductible toward vet bills. After that, your insurance would cover 90% of the remaining $6,525 bill. That leaves you with just $975 to pay out of pocket instead of the full $7,500. In this case, your insurance could save you over $6,000, which can make the $500 annual premium feel worthwhile.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to pet insurance policies, since coverage and rates vary. That's why it's important to compare similar policies. You'll want to look at things like the range of problems covered, annual coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement levels. Consider these factors:
Check what's covered. Coverage will vary from plan to plan, so focus on what matters most to you — like prescription medications, dental illness, alternative therapies, or behavioral treatments.
See if vet exam fees are included. Not all policies cover the cost of simply visiting the vet for an injury or illness, so double-check that the policy includes this.
Watch for longer waiting periods. Some conditions, like joint or ligament problems, might have a longer waiting period before coverage kicks in.
Compare extra benefits. Many policies go beyond vet bills and offer perks like 24/7 pet telemedicine. Pet insurers like ASPCA, Healthy Paws, and Trupanion also give the option to pay the vet directly, so you don't have to wait for reimbursement.
Ask about discounts. Many pet insurance companies offer savings, such as multi-pet and military discounts.
Pet insurance plans typically don't cover routine care like vaccinations or checkups. But many pet insurers offer wellness add-ons you can buy to help pay for these types of expenses.
Pet insurance policies generally do not cover spaying or neutering. You can usually add this coverage with a wellness plan.
Yes, most pet insurance policies cover treatment for dental accidents. However, not all policies include coverage for dental illnesses, such as treatment for gingivitis. Make sure to check the policy details to see if dental illness treatment is included.
Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article.
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