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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
- The insurance advice, products, and links below are intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is licensed as an insurance producer.Insurance advice, products, and links contained in this article are currently intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is currently licensed as an insurance producer. As we expand our licensing to other states we will update our websites and links. If you are located in a state in which we are not currently licensed, but would like to learn more about pet insurance products available in your state, you may contact a licensed insurance agent or broker in your state. The information provided below is offered for educational and informational purposes only. If you have questions regarding particular plans, you should reach out to your insurance company for more information.
One of the most crucial aspects of pet care is ensuring the health of your pet through veterinary care. In this short guide, we’ll explore everything a pet parent should know about pet insurance coverage for trips to the vet, as well as look at some comparison data to see what pet parents can expect.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Vet Visits
The short answer: yes and no. A standard pet insurance policy—otherwise known as an accident and illness policy—typically provides coverage for vet examinations related to an eligible accident or condition. however, these plans typically do not cover annual vet check-ups unless you’ve got a wellness rider added on to your plan.
Let’s break it down a little more.
Types of Vet Visits
There are a few different types of vet visits pet parents may experience under varying circumstances.
Routine check-ups
Routine check-ups—also known as annual wellness exams form the foundation of preventive pet care. These visits are important for monitoring your pet’s overall health and identifying potential issues before they get worse. Veterinarians usually recommend regular check-ups, and the frequency depends on factors such as age, breed, and existing health conditions—though many pets receive these check-ups annually.
Visits related to accidents and illnesses
Accidents and sudden illnesses can occur unexpectedly, requiring immediate attention. These vet visits often involve diagnostic tests, medications, and other treatments, including surgical procedures.
How Are Vet Visits Typically Covered
Coverage for trips to the vet depend on the reason for your visit as well as what kind of policy you have from your provider.
Standard accident and illness plans
Most comprehensive accident and illness pet insurance plans provide coverage for vet visits that are related to eligible accidents and illnesses. Examples of this may include diagnostics to identify a covered condition, such as cancer, or a visit to receive treatment for an accident, such as a foreign object ingestion. These plans typically do not provide coverage for annual wellness check-ups.
Accident-only plans
If you’re a pet parent with a catastrophic accident-only plan, your coverage likely only extends to vet visits that are related to covered accidents. For example, if your pet injured their leg at home or ate some human food they shouldn’t have, an accident-only plan would typically provide coverage for those incidents. Vet visits related to illnesses or annual check-ups would not be covered under these plans.
Wellness plans
Wellness plan add-ons—AKA preventative care packages—are plans you can add on to your regular insurance to provide coverage for items you can plan for. A typical wellness add-on may provide coverage for:
- Vaccinations
- Routine dental cleanings
- Flea and tick treatment
- Spay and neutering
- Annual wellness exams
Adding a wellness plan onto your policy is generally the only way you can receive coverage for an annual check-up for your pet. Wellness plans may not be worth it for everyone, however—pet parents should weigh the costs and benefits to see if a plan may be right for them.
How Does Vet Visit Coverage Work
If your insurance plan covers an eligible vet visit, you’ll handle it as you would any other pet insurance claim.
- After your visit, you’ll submit a claim form to your provider along with an itemized invoice.
- Your provider will take a look at your documentation and your policy to determine if your claim should be approved or denied.
- If your deductible has been met and any relevant waiting periods have passed, your provider will reimburse you if your claim is approved. The amount of money you’re reimbursed for depends on your coverage limit and reimbursement amount that’s outlined in your policy.
Pet Insurance Providers That Cover Vet Visits
Several pet insurance providers offer coverage for a range of vet visits. Below is a table that outlines examples of providers as well as the vet visit coverage they may offer.
Pet Insurance Provider | Vet Visit Coverage |
Provider 1 |
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Provider 2 |
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Provider 3 |
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Provider 4 |
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Provider 5 |
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Provider 6 |
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Provider 7 |
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Provider 8 |
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Provider 9> |
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Provider 10 |
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Provider 11 |
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Further Reading
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? How To Know If It’s a Good Deal for Your Pet
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover, and How Does It Work? A Beginner’s Guide
- How Does a Pre-Existing Condition Affect Pet Insurance Coverage?
- The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans: How Preventive Care Add-Ons Work
- How To Choose the Right Insurance for Your Pet
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
- What To Know About Waiting Periods and Pet Insurance
- What Are Pet Insurance Deductibles, and How Do You Pick One?
- When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
- Savings Account Versus Pet Insurance: Which Is Better?