Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is an insurance policy that can reimburse you for a portion of your pet's eligible vet bills. Learn more about how pet insurance works.

As long as your vet is a licensed veterinarian in the U.S., you can file claims for your eligible vet costs with Pets Best or Companion Protect insurance (Pets Best also accepts eligible claims for care provided by licensed veterinarians in Canada). Unlike with health insurance for humans, there are no networks or copays for pet insurance.

If you're unsure how you could afford expensive veterinary bills, pet insurance can prove to be critically important. Treatment for serious illnesses can be a financial burden without a pet insurance plan in place. Pet insurance wellness plans are a great option as well because they reimburse you for the routine care costs you're already spending on your pet each year, helping you keep them healthy while saving money.

In general, prices vary based on the age, breed, and location of your dog or cat (note that Companion Protect doesn't consider breed when setting rates). Your cost for pet insurance also depends on which types of coverage you want, as well as the reimbursement level and annual limit you select during enrollment. Learn more about the cost factors of pet insurance.

Choosing the right pet insurance for you depends on your budget and your pet's health needs. The most affordable plans only cover care for accidents, so many customers choose a more comprehensive plan option that covers treatment for both accidents and illnesses. There are also plan options that cover preventative care, which may be purchased separately or bundled with a more comprehensive plan, depending on the insurer. Learn more about shopping for pet insurance.

You can file a pet insurance claim once the waiting period for the applicable coverage is over, if there is one. A pet insurance waiting period is the amount of time after enrolling before your pet is eligible for coverage. Waiting periods vary by the type of coverage and start on the effective date of your policy. Once met, waiting periods are waived for continuous, uninterrupted policy renewals.

Companion Protect's waiting periods may vary but are typically:

• Accidental injuries: No waiting period^*
• Illnesses: 15 days^*
• Orthopedic care: 30 days^*
• Wellness: No waiting period^*

Pets Best's waiting periods may also vary but are typically:

• Accidental injuries: Three days^*
• Illnesses: Two weeks^*
• Cruciate ligament conditions: Six months^*
• Routine care (if added): No waiting period^*

Pre-existing conditions aren't covered by most pet insurance companies. That's why pet insurance usually has waiting periods, to prevent customers from filing claims for issues that existed before the policy was active. Learn more about pre-existing conditions and pet insurance.

Pet insurance typically also doesn't cover dietary expenses and non-veterinary costs such as grooming and boarding.

Some insurers may allow you to add multiple pets to the same insurance policy, but most will require you to buy a separate policy for each pet. Each pet may also have a separate deductible and reimbursement level. Learn more about insurance for multiple pets.

Most pet insurers just cover cats and dogs. However, you may be able to find specialized pet insurance plans for exotic pets, such as birds or snakes.