pet insurance basics & FAQs
Pet insurance can help you with the costs of veterinary care when your pet gets hurt or sick. With customizable features, there’s a plan for every budget.
what is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is coverage that helps you manage your veterinary costs.
It’s actually a form of property insurance, which sounds strange since we certainly don’t think of our pets as anything other than furry members of our family. But it works similar to an auto or home insurance policy and reimburses you for covered incidents.
why do I need coverage?
Like our own health crises, pet medical emergencies often come out of the blue.
Many times, an unexpected veterinary bill means adding to your credit card debt or draining a savings account. In some heartbreaking cases, it can even mean having to say no to recommended diagnostic tests or treatments. Pet insurance reimburses you for covered veterinary bills, so that you can focus more on your pet’s care – not the cost.
Quality veterinary care is also getting quite expensive, especially as more advanced medical services become available for pets. These days our pets can benefit from all sorts of treatments, including MRI, laser surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Pet insurance can give you the financial cushion you need to provide your pet with the best care possible, even when it comes with a high price tag.
what does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance typically covers pets for injuries and illnesses. With Complete CoverageSM, you can take advantage of more robust coverage that includes:
Accidents
Accident coverage can help you care for your pet when they get hurt without as much worry about the cost. It covers injuries and emergency accidents like bite wounds, cuts, broken bones, swallowed objects, and toxic ingestions.
Illness
With illness coverage, you can get reimbursed for the eligible costs of major and minor illnesses, such as cancer, arthritis, hypothyroidism, ear infections, digestive problems, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
These are conditions that are inherited or caused by birth defects, such as hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Alternative Therapies
There are many alternative therapies that can help pets recover from an accident or health condition, such as chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture. Complete CoverageSM covers these services when they’re used to treat a covered condition.
Behavioral Issues
Compulsive behaviors, such as fur pulling, destructive chewing, and excessive licking, can be harmful to your pet and disruptive to your family. The costs of diagnosing and treating these conditions are covered.
You can also add preventive care coverage to your plan at a low additional cost. This coverage will reimburse you for services that can help keep your pet healthy, such as annual wellness exams and dental cleanings.
how does it work?
If something happens to your pet, you can take them to any veterinarian for treatment, pay for their services as usual, and submit a claim for reimbursement of covered conditions.
Visit
Take your pet to the veterinarian of your choice and pay them as usual.
Submit
Use our app to submit a claim even before you leave the veterinary clinic.
Cash Back
Receive reimbursement for eligible vet bills by direct deposit or check.
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How do I get my money?
You can select our direct deposit option to have your reimbursements deposited right into your bank account. This way, you can get your money as quickly and easily as possible without having to wait for a check in the mail or deposit a check. However, you can choose to have your reimbursements mailed as a check if that works better for you.
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Will I need to switch to a new veterinarian?
Absolutely not! With Complete CoverageSM, you have the freedom to use any veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic in the US or Canada. This means you can stay with the veterinarian you and your pet have both come to trust. Plus, you’ll have coverage if something happens to your pet when your usual veterinary clinic is closed or while you’re traveling with your pet. You can also visit licensed specialists, such as veterinary dermatologists, cardiologists, or oncologists, without needing to get a referral or pre-authorization first.
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What is the Member Center?
The Member Center is our customer platform created to provide a simple way for you to manage your account online or through the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance app. You can use the Member Center or app to:
- Submit & track your claims
- Review your policy & coverage benefits
- Pay bills & view billing history
- Manage your account information
- Access to 24/7 telehealth services provided by The Vet Connection
how much does it cost?
Your cost is based on a few different things, including the age and breed of your pet and your zip code, as well as which plan you choose.
You can get a free quote to see what your monthly premium would be without any obligation to enroll. You can customize your plan by choosing your annual limit, annual deductible, and reimbursement percentage to better fit your budget and coverage needs.
Fetch a Quotewhat should I look for in a pet insurance provider?
As you compare pet insurance online, there are several things you should consider.
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Coverage and Price
It’s important to balance coverage with price. Of course, you want your premium to fit into your budget, but keep in mind that the lowest cost plan may not be the best option if it doesn’t give you the coverage your pet needs.
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Experience and Stability
You want a provider who knows what they’re doing when it comes to pet insurance and will be there for you over the life of your pet. Although you can’t predict the future, a good indicator is to look at how long they’ve been in business.
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Easy Claim Submission
You should look at the process and ways you can submit your claims. Is the claim form short and easy to understand? Can you submit claims online or using an app? It shouldn’t be complicated or time-consuming.
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If you’re having trouble understanding the differences between your options, you can compare the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program with top pet insurance providers. When you’re ready, get a free quote so you can see the options and prices available for your pet.
enroll your pet
Start your pet insurance quote now to help prepare for those unexpected costs!
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