Pet insurance works differently from human health insurance. You usually pay the vet, file a claim and get reimbursed. To compare plans quickly, focus on these parts of the policy.
The three numbers
- Deductible: what you pay each year before the plan pays anything.
- Reimbursement rate: the percentage of a covered bill the plan pays after the deductible, commonly 70%, 80% or 90%.
- Annual limit: the most the plan will pay in a policy year. Some plans are unlimited.
Changing any of these changes the premium. A higher deductible or lower reimbursement rate lowers the monthly cost but leaves you with more of each bill.
The two exclusions to read first
Pre-existing conditions: anything that showed symptoms before coverage started is typically excluded. Some plans reconsider curable conditions after a symptom-free period.
Waiting periods: accidents may be covered within days, illnesses after a couple of weeks, and some orthopedic conditions later still.
Accident-only vs. accident and illness
Accident-only plans are cheap but skip illnesses like infections, allergies and cancer, which drive many large vet bills. Accident-and-illness plans are the most common choice. Wellness add-ons for routine care help with budgeting but often pay back about what they cost.
Buy early
Premiums rise as pets age, and every new diagnosis before enrollment becomes a potential exclusion.
Compare pet insurance plans.
Compare plansThis guide is general information, not financial, legal, tax or insurance advice. Terms vary by provider and state.