What All Does Pet Insurance Cover?

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Pet insurance coverage varies greatly depending on the provider and the plan, and some of the exclusions could surprise you. To start, standard coverage frequently excludes checkups, vaccinations, and other routine treatment.

It’s important to comprehend the different sorts of policies and what they cover before purchasing the correct coverage for your pet. However, it’s also a good idea to examine the specifics of comparable policies from rival providers as they vary in terms of what is and isn’t covered as well as when.

You will get to learn about what is generally covered in pet insurance or dog insurance or cat insurance and what is not covered. 

What does pet insurance cover?

The majority of pet insurance plans normally cover the prices of unanticipated illnesses, mishaps, operations, medications, tests, and diagnostics, along with the expenses of emergency care and examinations. But not all expenses in such categories are frequently eligible for reimbursement. The terms of your pet insurance policy will depend on the type of coverage you choose and the provider you choose.

Pet insurance coverage options

The three primary types of coverage that insurers commonly provide are accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and wellness coverage. For instance, some insurers limit the age at which patients can be treated, even though all the firms we looked into cover hip dysplasia (between 10 and 14 years of age). Others with the same condition are unrestricted.

  1. What does accident and illness insurance cover?

Despite the fact that some insurers offer standalone illness coverage, it is much more typical to find it combined with accident coverage. Accident and illness insurance (often referred to as “comprehensive coverage”) covers a variety of conditions, from the small (such as nausea and diarrhea, even if the reason is unknown) to the serious (such as cancer). Additionally, they can pay for any veterinarian hospitalization, treatments, surgeries, examination and consultation expenses, as well as prescription drug expenditures. Unfortunately, some policies exclude specific medicines, such those for behavioral issues, and charge the pet owner for exam costs.

Some Severe Conditions Often Covered

Almost all pet accident and illness policies include coverage for cancer and any form of specialty care. Here are several other conditions for dogs and cats, both chronic and genetic, that you can normally anticipate coverage for – though not all insurers might cover every condition.

Medical ailments covered in pet insurance for dogs

HepatitisArthritisInflammatory Bowel DiseaseHyperthyroidism Diabetes mellitus

Medical Ailments Covered in Pet Insurance For Cats

  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
  • Skin allergies
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Type II diabetes (linked to obesity)

Comprehensive and holistic health protection

There are some comprehensive plans that combine wellness insurance with accident and illness coverage. As we discuss below, wellness coverage can cover a variety of other treatments, such as hydrotherapy, laser therapy, behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. It can even cover alternative therapies. Some plans additionally cover particular meals and dietary supplements required to treat your pet’s health issue.

  1. Accidents-only Coverage for Pets

The other pet insurance coverage plan, i.e. the accidents only coverage plan is less expensive as it requires lower monthly premiums compared to accidents and illness coverage plans. It is ideal for young, healthy animals who are less likely to inherit a disease

What is excluded from accident-only coverage?

Accident-only coverage cover the cost of treating illnesses or injuries brought on by mishaps, regardless of whether the animal caused them or the owner was at fault.

Although accidents caused by these activities won’t result in higher monthly premiums, a breed’s propensity for accidents may have an impact on the price of accident insurance and comprehensive plans that include the coverage. For instance, Labrador Retriever premiums are expensive in part due to the breed’s propensity to consume foreign objects. 

What does Pet Insurance cover?

Wellness coverage, often known as “preventive care” coverage, is offered as an add-on or “rider” to a more comprehensive insurance or, with some carriers, as a distinct stand-alone policy.

There are often several standard veterinary care treatments included. There are times when additional services like training and grooming are also offered.

Wellness: What is and isn’t reimbursed

Here is a list of things that are generally covered under the wellness coverage plan for your pets:

  • Vaccination
  • Flea/tick and heartworm preventatives
  • Microchipping
  • Broken Bones
  • Spay/neutering surgery

Here is a list of things that may not be covered in some pet insurance plans:

  • Pregnancy or other breeding/whelping expenses
  • Routine anal-gland expression
  • Grooming or training