What Does Pet Insurance Cover? (2024)

What Does Pet Insurance Cover? (2024)

Below are the most common conditions and procedures pet insurance does not cover.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, diagnoses, symptoms or treatments that began before your policy started. For instance, if your dog shows signs of allergies before the policy begins, your insurance provider will consider the condition pre-existing and won’t cover related treatments or medications. However, some pet insurance providers may cover curable pre-existing conditions if your pet does not show symptoms for a year.

To avoid missing out on coverage because of a pre-existing condition, veterinary experts advise enrolling your pet in an insurance policy as early as possible, preferably when your pet is still a puppy or kitten. Our 2022 pet insurance survey showed that 77% of pet owners insured their pets before they turned two years old, resulting in fewer denied claims for pre-existing conditions.

Bilateral Conditions

Bilateral conditions are medical issues that can affect both sides of your pet’s body, which insurance considers pre-existing if symptoms have already developed on one side. For example, suppose your German shepherd develops hip dysplasia in its right hip before your policy’s waiting period is over. In that case, your provider would not cover hip dysplasia in the left hip, even if there are no signs when enrolling.

Congenital or Developmental Conditions

Congenital conditions are those that are present at birth. Developmental disorders may be hereditary or environmental and interfere with the animal’s growth and development. Sometimes these conditions are entirely excluded, but some providers will extend coverage if no signs or symptoms are present when your policy begins.

Death of a Pet

Pet health insurance is not the same as life insurance. Though some providers offer add-ons for end-of-life costs such as cremation, burial, containers or remembrance items, most do not cover these services.

Elective Procedures

If a procedure isn’t deemed medically necessary, your pet insurance will not cover it. This exclusion usually applies to spaying and neutering as well as cosmetic procedures. Other common exclusions include:

  • Anal gland expression or removal
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Declawing
  • Dewclaw removal
  • Ear cropping
  • Gastropexy (bloat prevention)
  • Microchipping
  • Nail trimming
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Tail docking

Experimental Treatments

Pet insurance will not cover procedures and treatments not approved by your state’s veterinary board.

Non-Veterinary Services

Vet bills often include non-medical services, particularly if your pet needs to stay overnight. Many of these costs are not covered under standard pet insurance plans, including the following items:

  • Bank or credit card fees
  • Boarding
  • Copying or sending medical records
  • Food and nutritional supplements
  • Grooming
  • Taxes
  • Transportation
  • Vet visit or exam fees
  • Waste disposal

Pregnancy or Birth

Costs related to breeding or pregnancy are rarely covered, nor are conditions or problems resulting from pregnancy or birth.

Preventable Diseases

Your insurance provider will not cover disease-related treatments if you don’t vaccinate your pet for well-known and preventable diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, canine influenza, kennel cough and giardia.

Theft of a Pet

Pet insurance does not cover expenses if your pet is stolen or runs away, including rewards or the cost of putting up flyers. However, some providers offer add-on coverage for these costs.

Other Potential Exclusions

The above exclusions apply to most pet insurance policies. Some companies offer coverage for the following unique services, but it may be more expensive.

  • Acupuncture
  • Behavioral conditions and treatment
  • Chiropractic care
  • Joint problems (such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament)
  • Wellness exams in a standard plan rather than as an add-on

Age Exclusions

Because most pets need more veterinary care at the beginning and end of their lives, many insurance companies have coverage age limits. Few policies cover pets younger than 8 weeks or older than 14 years. Some companies may extend existing coverage over time if you started the policy when your pet was young, but your premiums may become more expensive as your pet ages.


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