Pet Insurance for Dogs and Cats
What Does Pet Insurance Cover—and What Does It Not Cover?
Pet insurance may help pay for eligible vet bills after an accident or illness. This can include tests, surgery, medicine, emergency care, and hospital stays.
But it does not cover everything. Most plans exclude pre-existing conditions. Routine care, like vaccines and checkups, may also require a separate wellness plan.
Every policy is different. Read the plan details before you buy. The fine print may not be exciting, but neither is learning about an exclusion while sitting in a vet lobby.
Our pet insurance provides coverage from the unexpected to the routine*. Clients can choose from a variety of policy, deductible and reimbursement options to meet their needs.
Two policy options available
An Accident & Illness policy is perfect for covering unexpected, catastrophic incidents with pets, while the more comprehensive Accidents, Illness & Wellness option also includes coverage for wellness services and preventive care.
Many customers may not realize that an Accident & Illness policy alone won’t cover the costs of routine tests and procedures – and those can really add up. Talk with clients about how opting for our Accidents, Illness & Wellness policy can help them control both the unexpected and expected costs of having a pet.
See what's covered with each option:
Accident & Illness
- Accidental injuries (including to permanent teeth)
- Illnesses (including cancer, influenza and kennel cough)
- Alternative medicine
- Behavioral therapy
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Ingestion of a foreign object (up to two treatments per policy year)
- Euthanasia or anesthesia
- Cremation and burial expenses
- Accidental death
Accidents, Illness & Wellness
Everything covered under the Accident & Illness policy, plus fixed payment amounts for the following (not subject to deductible and annual maximum):
| Wellness benefit | 100% of covered expenses incurred up to the following: |
|---|---|
| Routine dental cleaning | $100 |
| Routine physical examination | $50 |
| Fecal examination | $25* |
| Intestinal deworming | $25 |
| Heartworm test | $25* |
| Preventive care benefit | 100% of covered expenses incurred up to the following: |
|---|---|
| Flea and tick prevention | $50 |
| Prescribed medication | $50 |
| Dietary food and vitamin supplements | $50 |
| Vitamin boosters and vaccinations | $50 |
| Spaying & neutering | $100 |
There is a 14-day waiting period for all coverages.
Eligibility
Cats or dogs who are eight weeks or older are eligible for our pet insurance. Your clients can purchase pet insurance regardless of whether they are already a policyholder with us.
Dogs over the age of 13 and cats over the age of 15 are not eligible for new pet insurance policies. Any policy issued before the covered pet(s) has reached age 13 (for dogs) or age 15 (for cats) may be renewed during the lifetime of that pet at our discretion, so long as coverage remains continuously in force.
Pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, spaying/neutering, and/or costs associated with breeding or pregnancy are not covered. Waiting periods, deductibles, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. See list of exclusions by coverage. Wellness coverage reimbursements are based on a schedule. Products, rates and discounts may vary by state and are subject to change.
What Pet Insurance May Cover
Most pet insurance plans cover eligible costs from accidents and illnesses.
This may include:
Emergency vet visits
Broken bones and injuries
Illnesses and infections
Surgery and hospital stays
X-rays, blood tests, and scans
Prescription medicine
Cancer treatment
Allergies and skin conditions
Ongoing care for covered chronic conditions
Some plans may also cover hereditary or congenital conditions. These are conditions linked to a pet’s breed or present at birth. Coverage often depends on whether the condition existed before the policy began.
What Pet Insurance Often Does Not Cover
Pet insurance is not designed to pay every pet-related expense.
Common exclusions may include:
Pre-existing conditions
Routine checkups
Vaccines
Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
Grooming and nail trims
Spaying or neutering
Routine dental cleanings
Breeding, pregnancy, or delivery costs
Cosmetic or elective procedures
Care needed during a waiting period
A pre-existing condition is a health issue, injury, symptom, or diagnosis that existed before the policy started. It may also include an issue that appears during a waiting period.
Each insurer has its own definition. Review it carefully before enrolling.
Routine Care May Need an Add-On
Standard accident-and-illness policies often do not cover routine care.
Some insurers offer a wellness or preventive-care add-on. This may help with costs like annual exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, and routine dental care.
A wellness add-on can help with budgeting. It is not the same as accident-and-illness coverage.
How Claims Usually Work
With many plans, you pay the veterinarian first. Then you submit a claim to the insurance company.
If the claim is approved, the insurer may reimburse part of the eligible bill. Your payment depends on:
Your deductible
Your reimbursement percentage
Your policy limit
Whether the treatment is covered
Any exclusions or waiting periods
For example, a plan may reimburse 80% of eligible costs after your deductible. It will not necessarily pay 80% of the full vet bill.
What to Compare Before Buying
Before choosing a pet insurance plan, ask:
What accidents and illnesses are covered?
What is excluded?
How are pre-existing conditions defined?
Are hereditary or congenital conditions covered?
How long are the waiting periods?
Are exam fees included?
Does the plan cover prescriptions?
Is dental treatment covered?
Is routine care available as an add-on?
What are the deductible and reimbursement choices?
Is there an annual or lifetime coverage limit?
Can you use your current veterinarian?
Bottom Line
Pet insurance may help protect your budget from eligible accident and illness costs. It often will not cover pre-existing conditions or routine care unless the policy includes specific benefits.
Compare more than the monthly premium. Look at what the policy actually covers, what it leaves out, and how claims are paid. If you would like help reviewing pet insurance options, Insurance Brokers Group can help you compare plans and ask the right questions.
Learn more about how pet insurance works.
Sample policy forms