Understanding
Your Pet Insurance
Coverage
Know What's Covered — and What Isn't — Before You Need It
Pet insurance isn't just a financial safety net; it's peace of mind. It ensures you can provide for your pets when they need you most.
That said, figuring out what your policy actually covers can be confusing. Plans might look similar, but every insurer defines coverage differently. One might cover your dog's dental cleaning under wellness care, another under accident and illness, while others may exclude it altogether.
That's why we created this guide—to help you understand how coverage works, what exclusions to look out for, and how to ensure your policy truly protects your pet.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pet insurance won't pay for pre-existing conditions — illnesses or injuries your pet had before you bought coverage.
The reason is simple: if pet parents could sign up only during emergencies and cancel afterward, the system would collapse.
However, insurers do differentiate between curable and incurable conditions:
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Curable pre-existing conditions:
An illness or injury that your pet currently has, but it's getting better, and it's not expected to need treatment for it again. Think broken bone, kennel cough, or a non-chronic ear infection.
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Incurable pre-existing conditions:
An illness or injury that is going to require ongoing or lifelong treatment, like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, or hip dysplasia.
💡 Note: Only AKC Pet Insurance currently offers partial coverage for incurable pre-existing conditions.
Waiting Periods
Every pet insurance policy has a waiting period before coverage begins. This prevents people from enrolling only when emergencies happen.
Typical waiting periods include:
- Accidents: 1–14 days
- Illnesses: 14–31 days
- Orthopedic or ligament injuries: 6 months to 1 year
If you're unsure whether your pet has any pre-existing conditions, your insurer may request a clean bill of health from your vet before coverage starts.
Secure Your Pet's
Health Future Today!
Inadequate coverage could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
Get a Free Policy Review
Find hidden exclusions, compare better options, and make sure your current plan truly protects your pet, all at no cost.
Check My Coverage NowDeductibles and Coinsurances
Like most human health insurance plans, you're not totally off the hook when it's time to pay the vet, even with pet insurance. We dive into more detail in our "How Does Pet Insurance Work" article, but here's the essentials.
When you have a pet insurance plan, you're responsible for paying:
Premium
The monthly fee you pay to keep your pet insurance active and your coverage in place.
Deductible
The amount you must pay out of pocket before your policy begins to cover eligible treatments.
Reimbursement Rate
The percentage your insurer pays after the deductible, usually 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered costs.
Coverage Limit
The annual or per-condition maximum your insurer will pay.
Note: Some insurers, such as AKC Pet Insurance, may offer limited coverage for certain incurable pre-existing conditions. Availability varies by provider.
What (Often) Isn't Covered?
Pet insurance covers many common injuries and illnesses, but no plan covers everything. Each provider defines exclusions differently, so it's important to review your policy before you need to use it.
Below are some of the treatments and conditions that are sometimes or usually not covered.
Sometimes Covered, Sometimes Not Covered:
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Prescription food and supplements
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Dental treatments, such as exams and routine cleanings
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Behavioral therapy for veterinarian-diagnosed issues like aggression (pet insurance plans don't cover puppy training or obedience lessons)
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Chronic or hereditary conditions such as heart disease, eye disorders, and hip dysplasia
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Alternative treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, and homeopathy
Usually Not Covered:
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Pre-existing conditions, as we talked about earlier.
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Bilateral conditions if your pet has a pre-existing condition with one eye or one leg and later develops a (related) problem on the other side.
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Breed-specific exclusions Some breeds of dogs and cats are more prone to certain (expensive) conditions, and pet insurers won't cover treatment in these cases.
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Elective procedures, like declawing, ear cropping, and tail docking.
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Pregnancy and birth care.
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Boarding and grooming.
Choosing The Right Pet Insurance Policy
If it feels like deciding the right policy is a lot, here are five questions to help you
1. What type of pet insurance plan do you need: accident-only, or accident and illness?
2. Do you want to add a wellness package to cover routine and preventive care?
3. Do you want routine dental care to be covered?
4. Is your pet prone to any hereditary or breed-related conditions?
5. Are there any treatments that are "sometimes/usually not covered" that you want to have available to your pet?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you avoid policies that don't give your pet adequate protection, ensuring you get the coverage you need.
Want us to review a policy for missing coverage gaps? Submit it to our review tool (it's free!) and we'll identify any weak points in your plan.
Curious what you'd actually pay for your pet's coverage? Try our free Pet Insurance Calculator to estimate your costs and savings before you buy.
Take the Guesswork Out of Pet Insurance
Now that you know what's covered and what's not, make sure your policy gives your pet the full protection they deserve. Use our free review tool to spot coverage gaps and compare better options, all in minutes.
Secure Your Pet's
Health Future Today!
Inadequate coverage could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
Get a Free Policy Review
Find hidden exclusions, compare better options, and make sure your current plan truly protects your pet, all at no cost.
Check My Coverage Now