Pet Insurance
Geo depth: Class CPet insurance reimburses owners for eligible veterinary costs from accidents or illnesses, and some plans add optional wellness coverage for routine care. Policies typically involve a deductible, a reimbursement percentage, and an annual or per-incident benefit limit, and pre-existing conditions are generally excluded.
What is pet insurance?
Most pet policies reimburse you after you pay the vet directly: you submit a claim, and the insurer reimburses a set percentage of the covered bill after your deductible is met, up to an annual or per-incident limit. Accident-and-illness plans are the most common; accident-only plans are cheaper but cover a narrower set of events.
Pre-existing conditions — health issues your pet had before the policy's effective date or during any waiting period — are essentially always excluded, which is the main reason many owners choose to insure a pet while it's young and healthy rather than waiting until a condition develops.
What affects your pet insurance cost
Typical costs vary significantly by state, provider, and personal factors — {{VERIFY: national average pet insurance premium not yet sourced}}. Rather than a single number, the factors below are what actually move your quote up or down.
- Species and breed (some breeds are predisposed to certain conditions)
- Pet's age at enrollment
- Reimbursement percentage selected
- Annual deductible and coverage limit selected
- Whether wellness/routine-care coverage is added
- Geographic location
How to compare pet insurance providers
Price is only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, compare each of the following side by side:
- Coverage limits, and exactly what's included or excluded
- Deductible options and how a higher or lower deductible changes the premium
- Financial strength ratings from an independent rating agency (e.g., AM Best, S&P, Moody's) — an indicator of an insurer's ability to pay future claims
- Customer service and claims-handling reputation, including complaint-ratio data where a state Department of Insurance publishes it
- Available discounts and bundling options
- Confirmation that the carrier is licensed to write this coverage in your state
Related calculators
Explore pet insurance by state
Coverage requirements and licensed carriers for pet insurance vary by state. Here are a few popular starting points, or browse the full state directory below.
Browse all 50 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Pet Insurance FAQ
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No — virtually all pet insurance policies exclude conditions your pet had before the policy started or during the plan's waiting period. This is a near-universal exclusion across the industry, not specific to one carrier.
Is wellness care included in pet insurance?
Base accident-and-illness plans generally don't include routine or preventive care (checkups, vaccines) — that's usually offered as an optional add-on wellness rider at extra cost.
How does reimbursement work with pet insurance?
Most plans require you to pay the veterinary bill upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement — typically a percentage of the covered cost after your deductible — rather than the insurer paying the vet directly, though a small number of newer plans offer direct vet payment.
Ready to see pet insurance options?
Compare providers side by side using the factors above, then see options tailored to your state and situation.
Please note: Path to Insure is not an insurance company and does not sell, bind, or issue policies. We help you understand your options and find your path to a licensed insurer who can confirm actual coverage, terms, and pricing. We may be compensated when you use a partner link. Read our full disclaimer.