What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance works like a reimbursement plan: you pay the vet bill upfront, submit a claim, and the insurer reimburses a set percentage (commonly 70–90%) after your deductible, up to your policy's annual limit. The NAIC's pet insurance consumer guidance recommends reading the policy's covered-conditions list closely, since coverage varies significantly by plan tier.

What's typically covered

• Accidents: Broken bones, swallowed objects, car accidents, bite wounds.
• Illnesses: Infections, cancer, digestive issues, urinary tract disease.
• Hereditary and chronic conditions: Covered on comprehensive plans — hip dysplasia, allergies, diabetes — but usually NOT on accident-only plans.
• Diagnostics and treatment: X-rays, bloodwork, MRIs, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medication tied to a covered condition.

What's excluded on nearly every policy

Pre-existing conditions — anything your pet showed symptoms of before the policy's effective date or during a waiting period — are excluded industry-wide. Elective and cosmetic procedures, breeding-related costs, and routine wellness care (annual exams, vaccines, flea/tick prevention) are also excluded from standard accident-and-illness plans, though many insurers sell a separate wellness rider that adds a fixed reimbursement pool for preventive care.