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How To File A Pet Insurance Claim And Get Reimbursed For Veterinarian Bills
Having a sick or injured pet can be heartbreaking — and quite expensive.
Pet insurance can help with the cost, but you typically need to pay the bill in full and then file a claim to get reimbursed.
If you have a pet insurance policy, here's what may and may not be included and what you need to do to get repaid by your insurer.
What we'll cover What pet insurance does and doesn't coverLike traditional health care companies, pet insurance companies don't cover everything — especially preexisting conditions. In addition, most policies have a waiting period that can last anywhere from 14 to 30 days, during which your pet is not covered.
You may be able to get your pet covered for an illness they had in the past but fully recovered from. What's considered a "curable pre-condition, however varies greatly among providers. Any carrier should review your pet's records in advance to help you understand what is and is not covered.
There are quite a few things that standard pet insurance policies usually don't cover.
Pet insurance policies typically do cover the following for covered conditions:
Spot, CNBC Select's top choice for pet insurance, includes coverage for microchipping, acupuncture and alternative therapies. Its preventative care plan includes spaying and neutering and dental cleaning.
Spot Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Spot Pet Insurance offers accident and illness and accident-only coverage for cats and dogs. It has a variety of choices of reimbursement rates, annual limits (including an unlimited policy), and deductibles to cater your coverage to your needs and budget. The option to cover preventative care procedures and exams (including a dental cleaning and wellness exam) for an extra fee is available.
There are no upper age limits for new enrollments to Spot and plans include coverage for microchipping. Spot also offers access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline to address questions about wellness and health concerns.
Embrace also offers coverage for alternative therapies, as well as for behavioral therapy and prescription medications.
Embrace Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
A variety of maximum annual limits, reimbursement choices and deductibles allow you to tailor coverage to your needs and budget. A two-day waiting period for accident policies can also help get your pet covered sooner, though illnesses have a 14-day waiting period.
Embrace offers the option of unlimited annual coverage limits. It also offers coverage for non-invasive treatments, like chiropractic care, hydrotherapy and acupuncture.
You'll probably need to cover the full cost of your bill at the time of service. Most pet insurance companies need to review your claim before reimbursing, so get an itemized invoice from the veterinarian.
Request reimbursementSubmit a completed claim form to the pet insurance company via its website, app, mail, email or fax, along with a copy of the itemized invoice, relevant medical records and any other required documentation.
Make sure you've updated your mailing address and bank account information so you can be properly reimbursed by mail or direct deposit.
Check the status of your claimIt can take at least 10 to 15 days for a claim to be processed, though some insurers can take up to 30 days. You can frequently track the process on the company's website.
If your claim is approved, you'll receive a payment according to your reimbursement level — typically between 70% and 90% of the total bill, minus any deductibles and/or annual limits.
Pet insurance companies that pay directlySome pet insurance companies will pay the veterinarian for you at the time of service, saving you the hassle of submitting for reimbursement. You'll need to make arrangements ahead of time and typically sign a release and other forms.
Healthy Paws offers direct payments for situations where you can't pay your vet after treatment. You'll need to request it before your pet is treated, and direct payment is only available during business hours.
Healthy Paws Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Healthy Paws offers accident and illness coverage with unlimited maximum payouts. It offers three options for deductibles and reimbursement options.
While Healthy Paws has one plan, it covers things that would be extras at other insurers, including things like prescription medication, alternative treatments, and hereditary conditions.
Pets Best also has an option to pay bills directly. It doesn't have an age limit for coverage and offers optional wellness plans that cover routine care. For humans with multiple pets, a 5% discount is available.
Pets Best Pet InsuranceThe best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
Available in all 50 states, Pets Best is a standout for its affordable rates. While wellness policies are available, Pet's Best focuses on accident-only policies and accident and illness policies.
Pet's Best offers coverage to cats and dogs as young as 7 weeks old, and has no maximum age limit. An option to pay your vet directly is available.
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Bottom linePet insurance can save you a lot of money, but you typically need to pay for care upfront. Make sure you know what is covered and hold onto invoices, medical records and other documents to get reimbursed promptly.
Why trust CNBC Select?At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost In January 2024
Key pointsThe average cost of pet insurance is $45 per month for a dog for an accident and illness policy with $5,000 of annual coverage and $55 per month for an accident and illness policy with unlimited annual coverage. Pet owners spend more than $3,000 annually on their pets, according to the pet health insurance company Lemonade.
That price skyrockets with advanced diseases. Cancer treatment that includes chemotherapy can run up to $35,000 while diabetes medication can cost around $1,200 per year. Pet insurance can help reimburse you for these medical expenses so you're not stuck paying out of pocket in the event your pet gets sick or injured.
More: Best Pet Insurance Companies
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How much does pet insurance typically cost?Pet insurance costs around $55 per month for an unlimited accident and illness plan for dogs, according to our analysis. The average cost of pet insurance for a cat for the same plan is about $47 per month.
Pet insurance costs for dogs vs. CatsHere's how much different accident and illness coverage plans can cost for dogs and cats.
Pet insurance costs and policy details vary by company. When shopping for pet insurance it is always a good idea to compare rates and benefits to find the ideal policy for you and your pet.
Pet insurance costs by insurance companyHere's how much accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs cost by company per month on average.
The cheapest company for an unlimited plan is ManyPets. Fetch has the highest monthly rates for an unlimited plan, costing $66 per month.
Types of pet insurance coverageMost pet insurance companies offer the following types of plans.
There are several factors that affect the cost of your pet insurance.
AgeAging animals are more susceptible to illness and injury. Just like humans, as our pets age they require more health care. Monthly pet insurance costs typically increase as your pet ages. Some insurers will not cover certain conditions of an elderly pet. For example, cats 15 years of age or older don't qualify for an accident and illness plan with the pet insurance company Embrace, but are eligible for an accident-only plan.
Examples of pet insurance costs by age
Here's the average monthly cost of pet insurance for different aged dogs.
BreedThe breed of your pet is another determining factor of the price of pet insurance. Each breed has its own unique set of physical and personality characteristics — certain breeds are predisposed to certain illnesses. Large dog breeds, for instance, are predisposed to health problems including heart disease and hip dysplasia requiring more trips to the vet and higher overall vet bills.
Examples of pet insurance costs among dog breeds
Here's how monthly pet insurance costs can vary by dog breed and policy details.
LocationBecause vet care is more expensive in some states than others, the cost of your pet insurance may vary depending on which state you live in. Where you live within your state matters, too. For instance, living in an urban area usually means vet costs are higher, so pet insurance rates may be higher. Pet owners living in rural areas might see cheaper pet insurance rates since vet costs are typically lower than urban areas.
Policy detailsThe details of your policy that can impact your rate include:
Pet health insurance policies typically cover a wide range of situations from ear infections to diabetes. A standard pet insurance policy will help cover the costs of diagnostics, procedures and medications to treat a dog's eligible accidents and illnesses.
While every company and particular pet plan differs in what it covers, most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover:
If you want extras besides the basics, comparing pet insurance companies can help you find the right coverage. Figo, for instance, will cover all the above, plus alternative and holistic approaches, such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and hydrotherapy. Lemonade will cover acupuncture and hydrotherapy, but only with a coverage add-on that costs extra.
What pet insurance doesn't coverPet insurance typically doesn't cover expected costs like annual wellness visits and vaccines, unless you opt for a wellness plan add-on. These are also usually not covered by pet insurance:
It's incredibly important to read through the details of your pet insurance policy to know what you can expect when it comes time to file a claim and whether or not you will be reimbursed for the costs.
"It's similar to how car insurance is meant for car accidents, which are unexpected, but it doesn't cover the expected and routine oil changes, brake pads or car washes," said Rob Jackson, CEO of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Foundation.
Because pre-existing conditions are not typically covered, it is important to take out a pet insurance policy on your animal as early as possible. The younger your pet is, the healthier they usually are. As your pet ages, it will require more veterinary care, creating more pre-existing conditions that may not be covered by pet insurance.
How to get pet insuranceYou can get pet insurance over the phone, online and through a mobile app depending on the insurance company. It's a good idea to shop around and compare pet insurance companies to make sure you're getting the best coverage for your pet at the best price possible.
Our insurance experts analyzed 18 pet insurance companies using data provided by PetInsurer.Com. Rates are based on accident and illness plans for dogs.
Plan 1:
Plan 2:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any discounts offered on a pet insurance policy?Yes, many insurers offer discounts that you may qualify for that will lower your monthly pet insurance rates. Some common discounts include multi-pet discounts if you insure multiple pets with one company, veterinarian discount if you work in the vet field and military discounts if you're an active military member or veteran.
Do pet insurance costs go up with age?Pet insurance typically gets more expensive as your pet ages because it is more at risk for accidents and illnesses.
Which are more expensive to cover, cats or dogs?Dogs are typically more expensive to insure than cats, but pet insurance costs vary by breed and age of your pet.
Is pet insurance worth it?Whether or not pet insurance is worth it will depend on your own financial situation. Emergency medical costs for your pet can cost thousands of dollars depending on the severity of it. If you don't have pet insurance, you won't be reimbursed for any of your pet's medical expenses.
Jennifer Simonson covers everything from business to the wine industry to international travel. Outdoor adventure, water parks and all things Texas are by far her favorite beats. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Texas Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Slate and more. You can follow her on Instagram at @storiestoldwell.
Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint lead editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.
Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.
8 Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies Of 2024
Take these steps to find the cheapest pet insurance that's right for you.
Review the Pet Insurance Plan With Your VeterinarianUse your veterinarian as a resource for pinpointing the best coverage. Discuss your pet breed's potential health issues before you purchase a policy.
"It's important to point out that some pet breeds are more susceptible to certain hereditary conditions than others. Because of this, your veterinarian can identify some health concerns worth covering before your pet becomes affected," says Dr. Randy Aronson, a vet advisor at betterpet, a site with advice on pets' well-being.
Compare Pet Insurance PlansHow much you'll pay for pet insurance can vary drastically from one insurance company to the next. The best way to find a good price is to compare pet insurance quotes from several different insurers to find affordable pet insurance.
Make sure you compare plans with similar policy details, such as coverage limits, reimbursement levels and deductibles. That way you're comparing costs in an apples-to-apples way. But keep in mind that coverage features can still vary. For example, not all insurers offer a 24/7 vet telehealth line or cover alternative therapies.
And while your goal may be to find low cost pet insurance, it would be a mistake to focus on price alone. You'll want to take into account other factors such as waiting periods. Some pet insurers have extended waiting periods such as six to 12 months for orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament tears. But you can find pet insurance with no waiting period for orthopedic conditions, such as ASPCA, ManyPets, Pumpkin, Spot and Trupanion.
Buy an Accident-Only PolicyAccident and illness pet insurance policies are typically the most expensive because they cover a wide variety of problems, like broken bones, torn ligaments, hereditary conditions, cancer, emergency room visits, hospitalization and prescription medication.
But if you're comfortable taking on more financial risk, you could save money by opting for a pet medical insurance policy that provides less coverage.
For example, some pet insurance companies will also offer accident-only policies that exclusively cover accident-related expenses such as broken bones or situations where your pet swallows something it shouldn't. Since accident-only plans are not as comprehensive, they cost less than an accident and illness plan, reducing your coverage cost.
Just keep in mind, if you buy an accident-only policy, you won't be covered for illness-related medical bills.
Adjust Your Deductible, Reimbursement and Coverage LevelsThe details and terms of your policy impact the cost you pay for coverage. When you purchase a policy, you can typically select:
Here are some ways to lower your pet insurance costs:
While lowering your deductible, reimbursement and coverage levels can save you money on your pet insurance costs, you will have to pay more out-of-pocket for veterinary expenses.
Ask for Pet Insurance DiscountsPet insurance discounts are a good way to save on your premiums. Here are some to look for:
The sooner you buy pet insurance, the better, says Aronson.
For example, if your pet develops a condition such as heart disease or arthritis before you buy pet insurance, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and excluded from coverage. Meaning you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for any expenses related to this condition.
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