What Does Pet Insurance Actually Cover?

Our pets are an integral part of our families and have much love to give. We want to do what’s best for them, and that means making sure they have adequate healthcare. If your pet needs care, medical costs can add up as quickly for them, just as they can for us. That’s why pet insurance is a necessity for any pet owner. If you’re wondering how much pet insurance is and what it covers, or if you’re considering going without this insurance, read on to discover why you may want to consider this coverage.

Why Health Insurance Is Important for Your Pets

It’s easy to fall in love with that adorable puppy full of energy and joy, but many new pet owners are shocked at the cost of a puppy’s first year. The cost of checkups, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations add up quickly.

According to the American Kennel Club, costs for the first year can range between $700 to $1500 annually just in medical expenses. This doesn’t include the cost of adoption or paying a breeder, grooming, food, toys, treats, and other miscellaneous expenses. The lifetime cost of medical expenses for dogs depends on the size. Small dogs usually live about 15 years, with a total lifetime cost of about $15,151. Medium dogs live about 13 years with a cost of $15,782, and large dogs live about 10 years with an average lifetime cost of about $14,480.

The average cost for a routine pet-care visit is around $242 for a dog and $178 for a cat. Surgery can cost as much as $458 for a dog and $201 for a cat. Of course, these are ballpark figures, and depending on the type of surgery or visit and your location, these costs can go up from there. You also need to consider that most illnesses or injuries require multiple visits, so it’s easy to see how the cost of veterinary care can quickly add up.

These costs only include expected regular care, such as checkups, vaccinations, and other routine medical expenses. When it comes to emergency care or illness, caring for your pet can be as costly as human medical care. That’s why pet insurance coverage is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Sadly, approximately 16 percent of pet owners in a MarketWatch survey said they had lost a pet because they couldn’t afford the veterinary bills.

Are Rescue Dogs Eligible for Insurance?

The majority of animals adopted from shelters are deemed "rescued," either after they were surrendered or after being brought into a shelter as strays. While rescue dogs receive veterinary care when they are taken into a shelter, knowing their history - if available - is helpful. Your dog's age, pre-existing conditions, and breed can affect how much you'll pay for pet insurance.

There is a misconception among many people that rescue animals cannot qualify for pet insurance, which may complicate pet ownership. Thankfully, that’s not the case. There's no need to worry if you don't know your rescue dog or cat’s exact age or history or if you don't have their complete veterinary records. Pet insurance is still available, and it's surprisingly simple to get.

What Types of Pet Insurance Are Available?

As with any other type of insurance, you have several options depending on your budget and the needs of your furry friend. Generally, insurers offer three types of coverage: accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and wellness coverage. Holidays are one of the most common times of the year for pet accidents to occur. That’s why having pet insurance coverage is a good idea. However, just as with humans, accidents and injuries can happen at any time.

Insurance for Accidents

If you opt for accident-only coverage in case the worst happens, expect it to cover all accident-related injuries, including:

• Bite wounds
• Broken bones
• Ingestion of harmful substances
• Swallowed objects
• Torn ligaments

Accident-only plans generally cover:

• Diagnostics
• Medications
• X-rays
• MRIs
• Hospitalization
• Surgery

Insurance for Illnesses

Accident and illness pet insurance typically covers the following symptoms and illnesses:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Ear and other infections
• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart disease

In addition to covering many of the same items as accident coverage, such as diagnostics, surgeries, and hospitalization, pet insurance illness coverage should cover chemotherapy and testing.

How much does pet insurance cover? Depending on the policy, there may be coverage limits for certain conditions. Many people purchase pet insurance mainly to protect themselves from the expenses of a pet’s chemotherapy or other treatment, so discuss any limits with the plan provider before buying a policy.

Pet Insurance: What Does It Cover?

The answer to what does pet insurance cover depends on the type of coverage you have. Some owners choose only to have accident coverage. You can also add on illness coverage that allows you to be reimbursed for the costs of major and minor illnesses. This type of insurance can include treatment for conditions such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Hyperthyroidism
• Urinary tract infections

Coverage often includes everything from diagnosis to treatment. Some policies offer alternative and rehabilitative treatments, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and laser services, as add-ons.

Some insurance companies offer wellness preventative care plans that reimburse you for everyday veterinary, training, and grooming costs. These plans are not part of the insurance policy but work great as a budgeting tool for expenses you plan to incur on proactive care for your pet.

Wellness plans may also include:

• Heartworm and flea prevention
• Microchip implantation
• Routine checkups
• Spaying and neutering
• Vaccinations

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

Human health insurance coverage has certain limitations, and similar restrictions apply to pet insurance. Here are some things pet insurance does not usually cover:

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Many policies will not cover pre-existing conditions. Some carriers have a certain waiting period after an injury before future ones will be covered. For instance, if your pet tears a ligament, they might not be covered for 180 days or longer until after they’re symptom-free and no longer need treatment. However, many policies will cover hereditary conditions as long as the issue was not present at the time of the policy purchase. Many such issues do not appear until later in life. Some insurers only cover hereditary conditions as an add-on. Others exclude breeds prone to certain conditions, such as intervertebral disc disease in dachshunds.
• Behavioral Issues: While some behavioral issues may lead to injury, pet insurance does not cover training that may address these problems.
• Breeding or Pregnancy Costs: Standard pet insurance coverage does not include the costs of breeding your animal. If you plan to breed your pet, some insurers offer a rider to cover illnesses and injuries occurring during pregnancy and giving birth, known as whelping for dogs and queening for cats.
• Cosmetic Procedures: Pet insurance does not cover procedures that are primarily cosmetic rather than medical. Your policy may cover getting your dog neutered, but it will not cover the cost of testicular implants so that your dog retains his natural look.
• Cremation or Burial: While pet insurance usually covers euthanasia, many policies do not reimburse pet owners for the disposal of their animal’s remains under accident or accident and illness coverage. Some wellness policies may cover these costs.
• Elective Surgeries: Many pet owners consider spaying or neutering their dog or cat as part of responsible pet ownership, but some insurance companies consider such procedures elective surgeries and will not cover them. Other policies cover spaying and neutering under a wellness rider. Since this is a one-time procedure, find out if there are low-cost spay/neuter clinics in your area that can help defray this expense.
• Experimental Treatments: While veterinary medicine is constantly developing potential new treatments for animals, pet insurance does not cover procedures that your state’s veterinary medical board has not approved.
• Liability: Keep in mind that pet insurance does not cover liability. If your pet bites someone or damages property, you must turn to either your homeowner’s or rental insurance policy for coverage.
• Preventative Care: Some policies offer preventative care as an optional add-on but don’t offer it in the standard policy. You will need to check with your carrier and your individual policy to see if these services are covered. Remember that if your pet develops a disease that was preventable via core vaccinations, your policy may not cover treatment.

Considerations When Shopping for Pet Insurance

The cost of pet insurance can seem high, but it can pay for itself after only one accident or injury. And, of course, you can expect a policy that covers more to have higher insurance premiums. Some policies have reimbursement caps for accidents or illnesses. After that, you would have to pay for any services out-of-pocket.

One thing to consider when choosing an insurance policy for your pet is that certain breeds commonly experience different health problems. For instance, German shepherds are often more prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems than other breeds. Certain border collies are more prone to seizure disorders or neurological issues. Of course, if you have one of these breeds, it doesn’t mean that your pet will have one of these conditions, but it is something to think about just as we consider our own genetic factors when choosing health care for ourselves.

Another thing to consider when choosing pet health insurance is the age of your animal. Just like us, as animals age, they tend to develop more medical conditions. Also, you can expect differences in health in certain individuals. In many ways, our pets are similar to us, so it’s a good idea to consider individual factors when choosing the right healthcare policy.

Check to see if the policy has a cut-off age, after which your pet is no longer covered. You don’t want to find out the hard way that the exclusionary age for a pet is 10, and your 11-year-old animal is sick or injured.

Keep in mind that it is imperative to know beforehand exactly what a pet insurance policy covers and what it does not cover before you make a purchase. Read the policy carefully. If you do not understand whether specific items are covered or have other questions regarding coverage, get clarification from the insurer before buying the policy.

Ask family and friends with pet insurance for recommendations. You can also read online reviews of customer experiences with particular pet insurance providers.

Don’t forget the proximity of services. If your vet does not accept certain types of pet insurance, or there are few vets or animal hospitals in your area that do accept an individual insurer, you will have to choose another insurance company.

Now, you have the answer to the question of what pet insurance covers. One thing to consider is that having a health care plan for your pets in an emergency will give you peace of mind anywhere you go. Having the right amount of health care for your pet helps reduce the stress of potential medical expenses and allows you to enjoy life to the fullest with your four-legged friend.