How much does pet insurance cost?
Accident-and-illness coverage, the most common plan type, averages about $70/month for dogs and $36/month for cats. Accident-only plans are much cheaper at $16/month (dogs) and $9/month (cats), while full coverage with wellness included averages $118/month (dogs) and $72/month (cats).
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No insurer covers pre-existing conditions — any illness or injury with symptoms appearing before your policy started or during its waiting period is permanently excluded, even after switching insurers.
How long is the waiting period before coverage starts?
Accidents are typically covered after 0–15 days (some insurers cover effective at midnight after enrollment). Illnesses generally require 14–30 days. Orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament tears have the longest waits, from 14 days up to 12 months depending on the insurer.
What's the difference between a per-condition and annual deductible?
A per-condition deductible (like Trupanion's) is paid once per specific illness or injury for your pet's entire lifetime. An annual deductible (like Healthy Paws') resets every policy year regardless of ongoing conditions.
Can I use any veterinarian?
Yes — unlike human health insurance, pet insurance generally has no network restrictions. You can visit any licensed vet, including specialists and emergency clinics, and submit a claim for reimbursement afterward. Some insurers, like Trupanion, also offer direct payment to participating vet clinics at checkout.
Is pet insurance worth it for an older pet?
You can still get coverage — ASPCA and Pumpkin have no age or breed restrictions — but premiums are significantly higher for senior pets, and any already-diagnosed conditions will be excluded. Coverage is most valuable when started while your pet is young and healthy.
Are there discounts for multiple pets?
Yes — ASPCA, Prudent Pet, Embrace, and Pumpkin all offer roughly 10% multi-pet discounts when you insure more than one animal on the same account.