What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Emergency surgery

Injuries from a car accident

Cuts and lacerations

Torn ligaments

Broken bones

Accidental poisoning

Ingesting foreign objects

Burns

Electrical shocks

Animal bites

Allergic reactions (such as to bee stings)

Bloat

Heatstroke

Ear infections

Urinary tract infections

Skin infections

Digestive problems such as acid reflux, GERD or esophagitis

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Some pet insurance plans cover preventable diseases such as parasites, Lyme disease or parvovirus

• Arthritis
• Allergies, such as allergies to pollen, grass, mold or dust mites
• Skin conditions such as contact dermatitis

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

Hereditary conditions or those that are common in certain breeds are often covered if there's no sign of the problem before you purchase pet insurance. These include:

Hip dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia

Luxating patella

Cherry eye

Progressive retinal atrophy

Polycystic kidney disease

Wobbler Syndrome

Glaucoma

Invertebral disc disease (IVDD)

Epilepsy

Some pet insurance providers exclude hereditary conditions; be sure to check policy details before you buy.

Diagnostic tests related to a covered condition are generally covered, including:

Ultrasounds

X-rays

Blood tests

CAT scans

Biopsies

Ultrasounds

MRIs

Pathology reports

• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Chemotherapy
• Endoscopies

Pet insurance generally covers dental issues such as:

Broken teeth due to accidents

Gingivitis

Periodontal disease

Gum disease

Oral tumors

Root canals

Tooth extraction

Tooth resorption

Tooth abscesses

Stomatitis

Routine dental care, such as teeth cleaning and exams, aren't covered by pet insurance unless you purchase a wellness plan to help pay for them.

Medications prescribed for covered conditions are generally covered by pet insurance. Dietary supplements or food may be covered if prescribed by a veterinarian for a covered medical condition.

If the treatment is prescribed or administered by a veterinarian for a covered condition, pet insurance often covers alternative treatments such as:

• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Cold laser therapy
• Hydrotherapy

Many pet insurance plans cover treatment for behavioral issues, such as excessive licking, destructive scratching or chewing, pacing or excessive barking. Treatment must be prescribed by a veterinarian to be covered and may include:

• Exams to diagnose behavioral problems
• Prescription medication
• Behavior modification training

Most pet insurance providers sell wellness plans you can add to your pet insurance policy. Wellness coverage pays part of the cost of preventive care such as:

• Vaccinations to protect against illnesses such as rabies, flu, Bordetella, leptospirosis, Lyme, FIV, FELV, FVRCP and DHLPP
• Wellness exams, like your annual visit with the doctor or a tech fee
• Preventive medications, such as flea, tick and heartworm medications
• Preventive dental care, such as exams and cleanings
• Microchipping
• Heartworm testing
• Spaying and neutering
• Routine anal gland expression

Euthanasia is generally covered if recommended by your vet for humane reasons. Cremation and burial may be covered by a wellness plan.

Pre-existing conditions are health problems your pet had before your policy took effect, including during the waiting period. Conditions are considered pre-existing even if they haven't been officially diagnosed.

For example, suppose your dog has been limping all summer, but you haven't visited the vet. In September you buy pet insurance and when the waiting period ends, you take the dog to the vet. He's diagnosed with an injured ligament, but since the symptoms appeared before your insurance took effect, the injury is considered pre-existing.

Some pet insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions if your pet has been cured, which is usually defined as going a certain amount of time without symptoms or treatment. For instance, an ongoing respiratory infection would be considered pre-existing. Once your pet has recovered from the infection and been symptom-free for the required time without treatment, your insurance may cover respiratory infections again.

Curable pre-existing conditions include broken bones, sprains and lacerations. Incurable pre-existing conditions include cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

When you buy pet insurance, there's generally a waiting period before you can use it. If an accident or illness occurs during the waiting period, it's considered a pre-existing condition and not covered.

You can usually purchase wellness plans with no waiting period. However, most accident and illness policies have waiting periods. These can range from a few days to a few weeks for accident and illness coverage, and several months for orthopedic conditions.

Waiting periods can vary depending on the insurance provider, the condition and state laws. For example, in Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington, state law prohibits waiting periods for pet accident insurance.

The following procedures generally aren't covered unless your vet deems them medically necessary:

• Tail docking
• Ear cropping
• Declawing
• Dewclaw removal
• Eyelash removal

Grooming costs including bathing, nail trimming, routine anal gland expression, shampoos or grooming equipment typically aren't covered by pet insurance.

Procedures such as cloning or any treatment that doesn't meet accepted veterinary medicine standards generally aren't covered by pet insurance.

Pet insurance usually doesn't cover procedures or treatments related to breeding, such as:

• Pre- and post-natal examinations
• Breeding procedures such as artificial insemination or fertility treatments
• Pregnancy
• Giving birth
• C-sections
• Complications or health issues due to breeding

If you plan to breed your dog or cat, some insurance providers offer specialized coverage for breeders.

Pet insurance typically doesn't cover injuries caused by abusing or neglecting your pet, or by illegal activities like dogfighting.

Prescription pet food or dietary supplements may be covered when prescribed for a limited time for a covered medical condition. However, they usually aren't covered on an ongoing basis, even if your vet prescribes them.

These may include:

• Medical waste disposal
• Taxes
• Copying fees
• Government fees
• Bank or credit card fees
• OSHA fees