Do You Need Pet Insurance? What Pet Owners Should Know

Veterinary medicine has advanced tremendously in recent years. With improved diagnostics, advanced treatments, and higher standards of care comes increased cost.

Pet health insurance can be a helpful tool to offset some of the expenses associated with diagnosing, treating, and managing your pet’s illness or injury.

While pet insurance isn’t the right choice for every family, understanding how it works can help you decide if it’s a good fit for you and your pet.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet health insurance is designed to help cover veterinary expenses related to accidents, illnesses, and sometimes routine or wellness care, depending on the plan. Most plans work on a reimbursement basis, meaning you pay the veterinary bill upfront and then submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

Do You Need Pet Insurance? Is it Right for You?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether pet insurance makes sense depends on factors such as:

• Your pet’s age, breed, and health history

• Your financial comfort with unexpected veterinary expenses

• The type of coverage you’re interested in (accident-only vs. comprehensive plans)

Talking with your veterinarian and researching different policies can help you make an informed decision.

Important Things to Consider When Choosing Pet Insurance

Before enrolling in a plan, review the policy carefully and ask questions. Here are some key considerations:

Veterinary Care & Choice

• Your veterinarian should continue to monitor your pet’s health as part of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

• You should be allowed to choose your own veterinarian, not be restricted to a specific network.

Coverage Details

• Understand what is covered for routine/wellness care, emergencies, chronic conditions, and extensive treatments.

• Ask about limitations, exclusions, and waiting periods.

• Find out how premiums may increase as your pet ages or if you file claims.

Pre-Existing Conditions

• Most insurance providers do not cover pre-existing conditions.

• Ask how conditions your pet has now—or had in the past—are defined and handled.

Add-On Options

Some plans offer optional coverage, such as:

• Dental care

• Wellness or preventive care

• Travel-related coverage

These may be useful depending on your pet’s lifestyle and needs.

Breed and Risk Considerations

• Some providers may not insure certain breeds or may place restrictions on pets considered “high risk.”

• There may be limits on how many pets you can insure under one policy.

• Many companies offer multi-pet discounts, which can help lower costs.

Understanding Costs

Make sure all costs are clearly explained, including:

• Monthly premiums

• Deductibles

• Co-pays

• Reimbursement percentages

• Any additional fees

Understanding these details helps prevent surprises later.

How Claims and Reimbursement Work

Most pet insurance plans require you to:

1. Pay your veterinary bill at the time of service

2. Submit a claim to the insurance provider

3. Receive reimbursement after the claim is processed

Ask the insurance provider about:

• How claims are submitted

• How long reimbursement typically takes

If paying upfront is a concern, talk to your veterinarian ahead of time about available payment options, so you’re prepared in case of an emergency.

Pet Insurance Providers

Your veterinarian may be able to share experiences with certain insurance companies, but the choice of provider and coverage is ultimately yours. Consumer comparison websites and reviews can be helpful tools when researching plans.

Below is an alphabetical list of pet insurance companies to help you get started. The AVMA does not endorse or recommend any specific provider:

• 24PetWatch

• AKC Pet Insurance

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

• Best Friends Pet Insurance

• Embrace Pet Insurance

• Figo Pet Insurance

• Healthy Paws

• Lemonade

• PetFirst Healthcare

• Pets Best

• Petplan

• Pumpkin

• PurinaCare

• Trupanion

• VPI

Our Recommendation

Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and help manage unexpected veterinary costs, but it’s important to choose a plan that fits your pet’s needs and your budget. Take time to research policies, ask questions, and speak with your veterinarian before enrolling.

Being informed ahead of time can help reduce stress and allow you to focus on what matters most—your pet’s health and well-being.