Pet Insurance 101
Written by Small Door's medical experts
When your pet suddenly gets sick or injured, pet insurance can make the difference between a difficult decision and life-saving care. With so many providers, policies, and add-on options to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Doing a little research upfront can help you find the best plan for you and your pet.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide general guidance about pet insurance. While we reference specific providers, this should not be construed as an endorsement or specific recommendation. For personalized advice, consult with an insurance agent.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is a type of health insurance that helps cover the cost of veterinary care. Most plans include coverage for unexpected accidents and illnesses, while some also offer optional wellness benefits for things like vaccines, bloodwork, or routine exams. In many ways, it works like human health insurance.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Pet insurance usually follows a reimbursement model: you pay your vet bill upfront, then submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement. How much you get reimbursed depends on your plan, deductible, and reimbursement rate.
Here’s how it typically works:
Premium: You pay a monthly fee for your policy.
Deductible: This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.
Reimbursement rate: You can usually choose a percentage (like 70%, 80%, or 90%) of the costs to be reimbursed.
Coverage limit: Some plans cap how much you can be reimbursed each year.
Most policies also have waiting periods before coverage starts, and pre-existing conditions are often excluded from coverage—we’ll dive into these details later on.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans
There are two main types of coverage to consider:
Reactive plans: These cover accidents, illnesses, and unexpected medical issues—think emergency surgeries, broken bones, or sudden infections.
Proactive plans: These offer more comprehensive coverage, including preventive and routine care like annual exams, vaccines, and lab work. They tend to be more expensive but can be helpful if you want broader protection.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Pet insurance is usually paid for through a monthly premium, which can vary widely based on several factors, such as your pet’s breed, age, where you live, and the type of coverage you choose. Plans for younger pets with basic coverage tend to be more affordable, while older pets or those with comprehensive plans may cost more.
When you visit the vet, you’ll typically pay the bill upfront, then submit a claim to your insurance provider to be reimbursed for eligible expenses, depending on your plan’s terms. At Small Door, we make this process easier by submitting claims on your behalf.
What Are Waiting Periods And Pre-Existing Conditions?
Two very important things to understand when evaluating pet insurance are waiting periods and pre-existing conditions.
Most pet insurance providers won’t cover any health issues that were present before your policy took effect. These are considered pre-existing conditions, and unfortunately, they’re not reimbursable, even if you didn’t know the issue existed.
Waiting periods make this even trickier. A waiting period is the time between when you sign up for a policy and when coverage actually begins (often a few days for accidents and a few weeks for illnesses). If your pet gets sick or injured during this time, it could be classified as a pre-existing condition and may not be covered later.
That’s why it’s smart to enroll your pet as early as possible, ideally when they’re young and healthy.
Pet insurance is a personal choice, but we recommend it. Life with pets is full of surprises, and generally, 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary care each year.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
Pet insurance is a personal choice, but we recommend it. Life with pets is full of surprises, and generally, 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary care each year.
While there’s always some uncertainty with insurance (you might never need it), it’s designed to act as a safety net when the unexpected happens. And when it does, it can make the difference between affording a critical surgery or treatment or not.
At Small Door, we help make the process easier by submitting insurance claims for our members, so you can get reimbursed as quickly as possible.
I’m in. When Should I Get Pet Insurance?
The best time to sign up is as early as possible. The younger and healthier your pet is when you enroll, the lower your monthly premium will be, and the more conditions your provider will be able to cover.
Waiting until your pet is older or already dealing with health issues may limit what your plan will reimburse, so acting sooner can save you money and offer better protection in the long run.
What Questions Should I Ask When Considering Pet Insurance?
Not all pet insurance policies are created equal. To make sure you choose the right plan for your pet’s needs and avoid surprises down the line, ask these key questions:
Does the policy cover chronic conditions, long-term medications, and geriatric care?
These are especially important for aging pets, who are more likely to need ongoing treatment.Does the policy cover dental cleanings and procedures? Many insurers cover extractions for diseased teeth, but not all include routine cleanings to help with decay. We recommend looking for dental cleaning coverage, either as part of accident and illness plans if related to an illness or injury, or included in a wellness add-on for preventative care.
Are any breed-specific conditions excluded or considered pre-existing?
Some breeds are more prone to certain health issues, and not all policies will cover them.Are there age limits for enrollment or renewal?
Some insurers won’t enroll older pets or may stop offering coverage at a certain age.What’s actually covered?
Look for coverage that includes accidents, illnesses, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medications, and emergency care. Some plans also offer add-ons for routine wellness or alternative therapies, so consider what fits your pet’s needs.What’s the deductible and reimbursement rate?
Understand how much you’ll need to pay out of pocket before coverage begins, and what percentage of the bill the insurer will reimburse.Are there exclusions or waiting periods?
Know which treatments or conditions aren’t covered, and how long you need to wait before coverage starts for specific issues.Is there an annual or lifetime payout limit?
Some policies cap how much they’ll reimburse each year, or over your pet’s lifetime. Make sure the limit aligns with your expectations for potential veterinary costs.How are claims submitted and paid out?
Find out how easy the claims process is and how long reimbursements typically take. (At Small Door, we help by submitting claims for you for most providers.)Do premiums increase with age or after filing claims?
Ask if, and how, your premium might go up as your pet gets older or after you’ve used the insurance.
How Does Pet Insurance Work With a Small Door Membership?
At Small Door, we work with all pet insurance providers, and we help you submit claims to make the process easier. The best policy for you may depend on which Small Door membership plan you have.
Pay As You Go and Annual Memberships: These plans let you pay for veterinary services as needed, so you can choose any type of insurance coverage, whether it’s for accidents, illnesses, or wellness.
Wellness+ Bundles: Our bundles include preventive care services like exams, vaccines, and routine testing. While we can provide a detailed breakdown to support your insurance claim, not all pet insurance companies will reimburse for services included in a plan like this, where services are already paid for up front. For this reason, we generally recommend selecting a policy that focuses on reactive care (such as accidents and illnesses) to avoid overpaying for overlapping coverage.
Not sure which pet insurance option is right for your Small Door membership plan? Our team is happy to help you navigate the basics. For personalized recommendations or coverage details, we recommend reaching out directly to pet insurance providers.
Pet Insurance Providers We Work With Often
We encourage you to explore their offerings to find a plan that meets your needs.
Pumpkin
Pets Best
Nationwide
Lemonade
Embrace
Trupanion
Fetch
MetLife
