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When you adopt a pet, you should expect to pay for their food, toys, treats, grooming and routine medical care. But could you handle the cost of an emergency visit to the vet because your dog swallowed something toxic or your cat is having trouble breathing? According to MetLife, 1 in 3 pets requires emergency care in the United States each year, and a single emergency can cost thousands of dollars to treat.
Pet insurance can help offset the cost of emergency care, keeping your budget and financial health on track. But it's important to know how emergency pet care works, including any restrictions, before buying a policy.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Visits?
Pet insurance often covers emergency visits, but it depends on the type of plan you have. It's important to review your policy carefully to understand what it will cover and what it won't.
What Is Covered?
Whether you're a new or veteran pet parent, you know how quickly your four-legged family member can get into trouble. Pet insurance policies often cover these issues:
- Broken bones
- Animal bites
- Swallowing an object
- Eating something poisonous
- Diagnostic tests, like X-rays and bloodwork
- Surgery
- Hospital stays
- Medication
What Isn't Covered?
Pet insurance doesn't cover everything that might go wrong, including intentional injuries or injuries from fighting or neglect as well as emergencies that occur during your plan's waiting period. Coverage for hereditary conditions and alternative therapies like acupuncture or chiropractic care your vet might recommend varies by plan.
Additionally, when you apply for coverage, the insurance company will review your pet's medical records to identify pre-existing health conditions that occurred before your policy was active. Nearly all pet insurance excludes coverage for care related to pre-existing conditions. So if your pet had a prior emergency surgery, any complications arising from that surgery will likely not be covered.
How Do I Get Reimbursed?
If your pet is injured, you may not know for sure if the treatment is covered until you submit a claim. Typically, you must pay for care upfront and submit a claim after seeing the vet. If the services are covered under your plan, your coverage will kick in after you meet your deductible and coinsurance requirements. You'll receive payment from the insurance company up to your plan's annual limit.
Pet Emergency Visit Cost and Reimbursement
An emergency visit to the vet can cost thousands of dollars, depending on what's ailing your four-legged family member. For example, surgery to correct a stomach flip—a life-threatening condition in dogs—costs more than $13,000 on average, according to Healthy Paws.
Here's a breakdown of how pet insurance can help in this scenario if your plan has a $500 deductible, a 10% coinsurance payment and an annual plan limit of $10,000.
| Veterinary Care Cost Example | |
|---|---|
| Procedure | Surgery |
| Charge | $13,000 |
| Deductible | $500 |
| Coinsurance | $1,300 |
| Insurance payment | $10,000 |
| Remaining balance | $1,200 |
| Total pet parent responsibility | $3,000 |
In this example, you're still responsible for $3,000 of the total bill, but having pet insurance saved you $10,000. If you have an emergency fund, you can use it to cover part or all of the cost of surgery. If not, other payment options include using a credit card.
If you opt to use a credit card, consider one with a 0% APR offer. It can help you avoid paying interest if you pay off the balance before the introductory period expires. Many intro 0% APR cards require good credit. You can check your credit score for free from Experian to see where you stand.
Some vets also offer financing options specifically for pet medical bills, such as CareCredit or Scratchpay, though these are not always the most cost-effective options.
How to Get Pet Insurance
You can buy pet insurance to meet your needs in a few simple steps.
- Decide what type of plan you want. There are three main types of pet insurance plans: wellness, accident-only and accident plus illness. Wellness covers preventive care. Accident-only covers unexpected events like ingesting a poisonous substance. Accident plus illness covers care for accidental injuries and sickness. You can typically add wellness coverage to an accident-only or accident plus illness policy for more comprehensive coverage.
- Research providers. Plan options and covered services vary among insurers. Comparing plans from multiple providers is the best way to find a plan that meets your needs.
- Get multiple quotes. Rates vary from insurance company to insurance company. Comparing quotes from several insurers can help you find a plan that fits your budget.
- Review policy details. It's essential to read the fine print before purchasing a policy to avoid surprises if you need to file a claim. Before purchasing coverage, make sure you understand the details of the policy, including what it will and won't cover and whether there's a waiting period.
- Enroll. Once you have selected the right policy for you, complete an application and make a payment.
How to Pay for an Emergency Vet Visit
Even if your pet insurance policy will ultimately cover your trip to the vet, you should be prepared to pay the bill at the time of service. Depending on the vet, you may be able to pay via credit card, debit card, check or cash. After your pet's treatment is complete, you can submit a claim to the insurance company for reimbursement. You must meet any deductible and coinsurance requirements before your coverage kicks in.
Timelines for processing claims and making payments vary by insurer. However, if your claim is approved, it generally takes about 10 to 30 days from the time you submit a claim for the insurance company to process it and send payment.
The Bottom Line
With the right type of policy, pet insurance can help offset the cost of your four-legged family member's medical care in an emergency. Purchasing insurance when your pet is young and healthy can help you avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions, providing even more financial protection in the event of an emergency.