What is Pet Insurance For Preventative Care?

Most pet parents know that veterinary emergencies can cost an arm and a leg. That’s why more and more are signing their fur babies up for pet insurance. But did you also know that pet insurance can help cover the cost of preventative care? That means things like vaccinations and wellness exams? Keep reading to learn exactly what is pet insurance for preventative care?

What Is a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan?

A pet insurance wellness plan is add-on coverage offered by some pet insurance companies that can reimburse you for routine wellness expenses and preventative care for things like routine exams, vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, microchipping, spaying/neutering and more. 

Wellness plans can typically be added to a comprehensive accident and illness policy but not an accident-only policy. While not all providers offer pet insurance for preventative care, more and more are beginning to, and we’ll cover some of the best options for you in just a bit.

What Does a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan Cover?

Each wellness plan offered by a provider may be unique in what it offers, but generally speaking, expenses related to routine care or preventative-related expenses are covered. The following are some further examples of expenses covered by pet insurance wellness plans:

• Blood and fecal parasite exams
• Dental cleanings
• Deworming
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) test
• Flea, tick and heartworm prevention
• Grooming costs, including nail trimming
• Microchip implantation
• Routine anal gland expression
• Routine wellness exams
• Spaying and neutering
• Urinalysis
• Vaccinations

What’s Not Covered by Pet Insurance for Preventative Care?

Wellness plan coverage is designed to cover expenses associated with routine and preventative care. This policy won’t cover expenses related to accidents and illnesses such as cancer treatment or a broken bone. These expenses are covered by your main insurance plan. 

The following are examples of expenses that would not be covered by pet insurance for preventative care:

• Accidents and illnesses
• Alternative treatments 
• Food, dietary and nutritional supplements
• Pre-existing conditions

How Much Does a Pet Insurance Wellness Plan Cost?

Cost of pet insurance for preventative care is based on a variety of factors including the type of pet you have, their age, and your zip code. Each provider will have their own price for this coverage, but what we can tell you is that according to our research, average monthly costs for a wellness plan for a dog is $24 and for a cat is $22. That means you will pay an additional $22 or $24 on top of your monthly premium for your accident and illness plan.

Are Pet Insurance Wellness Plans Worth It?

Wellness plans can be worth it if you think you’ll be making multiple claims and maximizing your reimbursements. Take a look at the annual cost of the wellness plan (so let’s say $22 x 12) and compare that to your potential annual savings and your out-of-pocket costs.

The most important thing to do is to find a good accident and illness policy first. This base coverage will cover your major expenses related to broken bones, torn ligaments, emergency surgeries, cancer and more. You can find the right plan for your needs and budget by comparing pet insurance providers side-by-side or getting multiple quotes. 

Once you’ve found a good policy, see if the provider offers a wellness plan. If they do, compare the price of that plan to your expected routine care costs for the year. Consider things like:

• Your vet’s costs for routine wellness care
• The amount your wellness plan will reimburse for expenses
• Your expected out of pocket costs for routine/preventative care

It’s really important to do this basic math because for some people, the math will add up while for others, it won’t. Take for example Figo’s wellness plan will cover $40 per year for teeth cleaning when the average cost of teeth cleaning is between $150 and $350.

Getting Started with Pet Insurance for Preventative Care

If you currently have a traditional accident and illness policy with a provider, contact them to see what they offer as far as wellness coverage. Then do some math to see if a wellness policy makes sense for you.

If you don’t currently have a regular pet insurance plan and are wondering who to sign up with, we make it very easy by ranking the top pet insurance provider based on real reviews by pet parents like you. 

Here are the top pet insurance providers in order based on over 150,000 authentic reviews from pet parents just like you:

References:

https://www.progressive.com/answers/does-pet-insurance-cover-routine-care/

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.