How to Use Pet Insurance for Veterinary Emergencies

Pet insurance covers expenses for ill or injured pets. Like human health insurance, you can select a policy that offers the amount of coverage that’s best for your preferences.

Pet insurance provides peace of mind during pet emergencies, which are typically more expensive than a family vet visit. It may also cover veterinary expenses like:

• Sick visits at your family vet
• Diagnostic imaging (such as x-rays, ultrasound, MRI)
• Specialist care (including cancer care or managing a chronic condition like diabetes)
• Prescription medications
• Therapies and rehabilitation
• Surgery
• Hospitalization

The following types of care are typically not covered by insurance:

• Routine wellness visits. Some family vets offer wellness programs that can save you money on preventive care.
• Pre-existing conditions. These are medical issues that your pet had before you purchased the policy.
• Non-prescription medications. These are typically out-of-pocket expenses.

Each policy is unique, and the list of expenses covered can vary greatly. When shopping for a policy, or if you already have one, ask the insurance provider for more details about what is and isn’t covered by your plan so you can feel prepared and get the most out of it.

There are often short waiting periods before your policy’s coverage takes effect. That means if you’re actively experiencing a pet emergency, you can’t purchase insurance to cover the current visit.

How does pet insurance work in emergencies?

Most pet insurance policies offer some level of coverage for emergencies. Reimbursement is the most common way that insurance pays for emergency situations. Here’s how it works:

1. Tell your emergency vet team about your insurance policy. They can make a note on your account and provide the documentation you’ll need to submit your claim later on.
2. Receive an estimate and select your care. During your pet’s ER exam, you’ll receive an estimate with care options, including costs. You can decide which diagnostic and treatment options you’d like to proceed with.
3. Pay your bill. You’ll pay your bill in full before you leave the hospital.
4. Submit a claim. After your pet’s visit, submit a claim to your pet insurance provider. You’ll need to include key information and documentation about the visit, including a copy of the final bill.
5. Receive your reimbursement. Your insurance adjuster will apply the coverage as stated in your policy. After your claim is processed, you'll receive reimbursement, which usually arrives in the form of a mailed check.

Some emergency vet clinics partner with pet insurance providers so you’re only charged your portion of the coinsurance at the time of visit.

How much does pet insurance cost?

Pet insurance costs can range from about $20 per month to over $100 per month. The cost of your pet’s insurance policy depends on a few factors, including:

• Coverage. Policies with more coverage usually have higher premiums.
• Your pet’s breed. Breeds that are at higher risk for certain medical problems are more expensive to insure.
• Where you live. Some states have higher or lower premiums compared to the national average.
• Your pet’s age. Insurance rates are typically lower for younger pets.
• Pre-existing conditions. If your pet has a pre-existing condition (like cancer, epilepsy or diabetes), you may be charged a higher rate.
• Discounts. You may be eligible for a discount if your employer offers pet insurance. Many providers also offer discounts for military members.
• Insurance provider. Each insurance provider has different rates for their policies.

Pet insurance offers one policy per pet. So, if you have multiple pets, you’ll need to purchase multiple policies.

Like health insurance, every pet insurance policy has a few figures that determine your cost and coverage:

1. Premium: How much you pay to keep your policy active every month.
2. Deductible: The amount you pay out of pocket for a covered claim before the insurance company covers costs.
3. Coinsurance: The percentage of the cost that you pay after your deductible is met.
4. Out-of-pocket max: The most amount of money you’ll pay for covered claims in a given year.

Is pet insurance worth it for emergencies?

Pet insurance is usually worth it if your pet has a medical emergency. Like human medicine, veterinary ER visits are typically more costly than family practice visits. That’s because emergency animal hospitals are equipped with advanced diagnostics, life-saving treatments and highly experienced teams.

Pet insurance can easily save you money during an unexpected trip to the ER.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say your dog is accidentally injured and you take them to the ER for care, where you receive a bill of $1,000.

You have a pet insurance policy with a $200 deductible and 10% coinsurance, so your insurance covers the claim as follows:

• Bill amount = $1,000
• Bill amount - deductible ($200) = $800
• 10% (your coinsurance) of $800 = $80
• Deductible ($200) + coinsurance ($80) = $280.

You save $720 on your emergency vet bill.

While you’ll pay the $1,000 bill in full at the time of your visit, you’ll be reimbursed the $720, which means you’ll pay only $280 total for the trip when all is said and done.

Keep in mind that some pets fortunately never need emergency care. That means you’re paying for a premium on an insurance policy and potentially losing money overall.

Here is an example:

• Your premium is $50 per month.
• $50 per month x 12 months = $600 per year
• Your pet doesn’t need care that qualifies as a covered claim.
• You receive $0 from the insurance company.
• You’re at a loss of $600 for the year.

Even in this scenario, pet insurance can still save you money in the long run. Here is an example:

• You pay $600 per year.
• You’ve paid for two years. $600 x 2 = $1,200
• During year two, your pet goes to the ER with a bill that qualifies for $3,000 of coverage.
• $3,000 of coverage on your claim - $1,200 premium payments = $1,800 savings.

Peace of mind is one of the main reasons why people purchase pet insurance. So, if you’re in the mindset of wanting coverage no matter what, pet insurance may be a good fit for you.

How do I get pet insurance?

Fortunately, it’s simple and easy to purchase pet insurance. Here are a few ways to start shopping for policies:

1. Check with your employer. Many companies are starting to offer pet insurance as an employment benefit.
2. Check with your existing insurance providers. In some cases, you can bundle pet insurance with one of your other insurance policies, like auto or health, at a discounted rate.
3. Shop online. It’s easy to shop online and get quotes directly through pet insurance providers’ websites.
4. Call your vet. Your pet’s family vet may have recommendations for insurance providers or policies that are a good fit for your pet.
5. Check with your fellow pet owner network. Ask your friends and family members who also have pets if they have any insurance recommendations. Feel free to ask at dog parks or play dates too.