Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Pet insurance is most valuable and most affordable when you enroll while your pet is young and healthy, before any diagnoses are on record.
- Most policies exclude preexisting conditions, so anything diagnosed before your coverage starts will generally not be covered, which is why waiting tends to limit your options.
- The right plan is the one you actually have. Compare a few options, ask other pet owners about their experiences, and do not let the number of choices delay you from getting covered.
Pet insurance for dogs and cats is still relatively new compared to other kinds of coverage, and many pet owners either do not have it or put off getting it until something goes wrong. That is usually when they wish they had signed up sooner.
To talk through why it matters and when to get it, we sat down with Dr. Christie Long, Chief Medical Officer at Modern Animal. "Pet insurance hasn't been around forever. It's kind of a new thing, and a lot of us did not have pet insurance for our pets growing up," she said. Her view on it now is simple: "Just like you wouldn't drive your car without insurance, you probably shouldn't have a pet without pet insurance either."
Below, she explains what pet insurance is for, why enrolling early makes such a difference, how preexisting conditions work, and how to pick a plan without getting overwhelmed.
Why Do Vets Recommend Pet Insurance?
Veterinarians recommend pet insurance because it helps owners say yes to care when a pet faces an accident, emergency, or serious illness. Routine care is usually manageable. The unexpected is what strains budgets, and that is exactly what insurance is designed to cover.
Veterinary medicine has advanced enormously over the last few decades. Conditions that were once untreatable can now be managed or cured with surgery, advanced imaging, cancer treatment, and specialty care. That is good news for pets, but it also means the cost of treating a serious problem can be significant.
Dr. Long has seen the difference insurance makes in those conversations. "In my time as a veterinarian practicing, I found that when I was talking to pet owners about potentially very large bills related to their pet's health, so like emergencies, accidents, illnesses that we didn't see coming, owners that have pet insurance are just more able to deal with those," she said. "Pet insurance really helps you pay bills, especially the ones you're not prepared for."
What that looks like in practice. A dog that swallows a sock and needs emergency surgery. A cat with a urinary blockage that requires hospitalization. A torn ligament, a cancer diagnosis, a sudden bout of pancreatitis. None of these are things you plan for, and each can run into the thousands of dollars. Insurance does not make those situations less stressful, but it does change the range of options you can realistically consider.
What insurance is not for. Pet insurance is not primarily a tool for routine care like annual exams, vaccines, or parasite prevention. Some plans offer wellness add-ons that cover part of those costs, but the core value of insurance is protection against the big, unpredictable bill. If you want to understand what routine care involves, our post on the annual wellness exam is a good place to start.
How does pet insurance work?
Most pet insurance in the United States works on a reimbursement model. You pay your veterinarian directly at the time of care, submit the invoice to your insurer, and the insurer pays you back a percentage of the eligible costs after your deductible is met. A few insurers now offer direct payment to clinics, but reimbursement is still the norm.
That structure means a few terms matter when you read a policy:
Premium. The amount you pay each month or year to keep the policy active.
Deductible. The amount you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. This is usually set per year, though some plans use a per-condition deductible instead. A higher deductible generally means a lower premium.
Reimbursement rate. The percentage of eligible costs the insurer pays back after the deductible, commonly 70, 80, or 90 percent. The rest is your share.
Annual limit. The maximum the insurer will pay out in a policy year. Some plans offer unlimited coverage at a higher premium, while others cap payouts at a set dollar amount.
Waiting period. The gap between when you buy a policy and when coverage begins. Accident coverage often starts within days, while illness coverage usually takes a couple of weeks, and certain orthopedic conditions can have longer waits. Anything that shows up during a waiting period is typically treated as preexisting.
Exclusions. What the policy does not cover. Preexisting conditions are the big one, but exclusions can also include things like elective procedures, breeding-related costs, or specific hereditary conditions depending on the plan.
Types of plans. Most insurers offer accident-only plans (the cheapest, covering injuries but not illness), accident and illness plans (the most common, covering both), and optional wellness add-ons that reimburse part of routine care like exams, vaccines, and screening lab work. For most owners, an accident and illness plan is the coverage that delivers the protection insurance is meant to provide.
When should I get pet insurance?
The best time to get pet insurance is as soon as you bring your pet home. The younger and healthier your pet is at enrollment, the broader the coverage you can get and the lower the premium you will pay.
Dr. Long is direct about this. "I recommend that people get pet insurance for their cats and dogs pretty much as soon as they get their cat and dog," she said.
The reasoning comes down to preexisting conditions. "Most pet insurance companies are going to restrict payment to things that were determined before the policy was in effect," she explains. Because of that, "when your pet is young and healthy, it's much more affordable to have pet insurance than it is when they get older and have diagnoses."
For puppies and kittens. Most insurers will enroll a pet at around eight weeks of age, which lines up with when many puppies and kittens go to their new homes. Enrolling at that point, before the first vet visit turns up anything, gives your pet the cleanest possible health record at the start of the policy. The first year is also when a lot of accidents happen, from swallowed objects to falls to scrapes with other animals, so the coverage tends to earn its keep early.
For adult and senior pets. It is not too late to get coverage for an older pet, but expect two things: higher premiums, and exclusions for anything already in the medical record. Some insurers also set an upper age limit for new enrollment, so it is worth checking that before you assume a plan is available. Even with exclusions, coverage for new problems can still be worthwhile for an older pet.
If you have been putting it off. The math does not improve by waiting. Every year without coverage is a year in which a new diagnosis can become a permanent exclusion. If your pet is healthy today, that is the strongest argument for enrolling today.
What are preexisting conditions and why do they matter?
A preexisting condition is any illness, injury, or symptom that showed up before your policy started or during its waiting period. Nearly all pet insurers exclude preexisting conditions from coverage, which means treatment related to them will not be reimbursed, no matter how long you keep the policy.
This is the single most important concept to understand before you buy a plan, and it is why Dr. Long emphasizes enrolling early. Once a condition is in your pet's medical record, it follows them to any insurer.
What counts. Insurers look at your pet's full veterinary history, not just formal diagnoses. A note about limping, a skin issue, a stretch of vomiting, or an abnormal lab value can all be treated as evidence of a preexisting condition, even if no diagnosis was ever made. Some insurers also consider bilateral conditions as one condition, so if your dog tore a ligament in one knee before enrollment, the other knee may be excluded too.
Curable versus incurable. Some insurers make a distinction between curable preexisting conditions (like an ear infection or a urinary tract infection that fully resolved) and incurable ones (like diabetes, allergies, or arthritis). A curable condition may become eligible for coverage again after a symptom-free period, often six to twelve months. Incurable conditions are generally excluded for the life of the policy. Policies vary here, so read the fine print.
Why this makes timing everything. "When your pet is young and healthy, it's much more affordable to have pet insurance than it is when they get older and have diagnoses," Dr. Long said. "Probably pet insurance is not going to pay for those." A pet enrolled at eight weeks with a clean record has essentially no preexisting exclusions. A pet enrolled at eight years with a history of allergies, dental disease, and a past surgery may have several.
How to keep your pet's record clean and accessible. Regular preventive care does not create preexisting conditions; it catches problems early and documents good health. If you use the Modern Animal app, your pet's exam notes, vaccine records, and lab results are all in one place, which makes insurance applications and claims easier to complete.
Does my pet's breed affect pet insurance?
Yes. Breed affects both what you pay and how important coverage is. Insurers price premiums partly on breed because some breeds are more likely to develop expensive conditions, and those same breeds are the ones where Dr. Long recommends coverage most strongly.
She points to a familiar example. "Especially for certain breeds that are known to have more common problems, like our friends the French Bulldogs, I definitely recommend pet insurance for those pet parents as well," she said.
Why some breeds carry more risk. Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs are prone to breathing difficulties, skin fold infections, eye problems, and spinal issues. Large breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds have higher rates of hip and elbow dysplasia and certain cancers. Dachshunds are prone to back problems. Cats have breed tendencies too: Maine Coons are predisposed to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and Persians to kidney and breathing issues. None of this means your individual pet will develop these problems, but the odds are higher, and the treatments are often costly.
What to check in the policy. Some plans exclude specific hereditary or congenital conditions, or cap what they will pay for them. If you have a breed with known predispositions, look for a plan that explicitly covers hereditary and congenital conditions, and enroll before any symptoms appear so those conditions cannot be classified as preexisting.
Mixed breeds. Mixed-breed pets generally have lower premiums and somewhat lower risk of breed-specific conditions, but they are just as likely to eat something they should not or get hit by a car. Insurance is still worth considering.
If you are not sure what conditions your pet's breed tends to face, members can ask a Modern Animal veterinarian anytime through 24/7 Virtual Care, or bring the question to your next visit. Book an appointment if your pet is due for an exam.
How do I choose the right pet insurance plan?
Choose a plan by comparing a handful of insurers on the terms that actually affect your costs (deductible, reimbursement rate, annual limit, and exclusions), then pick the one that fits your budget and your pet. Do not let the number of options stop you from choosing one.
That last point is the one Dr. Long comes back to. "You might be overwhelmed with all the choices with respect to pet insurance products, but the important thing is to have it," she said. Her advice: "Do some research. Talk to other folks that you know about their experiences, and find a product that works for you and your pet."
Questions to ask about any plan.
- Does it cover both accidents and illness, or accidents only?
- Are hereditary and congenital conditions covered?
- What is the deductible, and is it annual or per condition?
- What is the reimbursement rate, and what is the annual limit?
- How long are the waiting periods for accidents, illnesses, and orthopedic conditions?
- Are exam fees, prescription medications, dental illness, and behavioral care included or excluded?
- Can you see any licensed veterinarian, including emergency and specialty hospitals?
- How does the premium change as your pet ages?
Weigh premium against protection. A lower premium usually means a higher deductible, a lower reimbursement rate, or a capped annual limit. That can be a fine trade-off if your goal is protection against a catastrophic bill rather than reimbursement for every visit. Think about what size of unexpected bill would actually be a problem for you, and choose a plan that covers that scenario well.
Ask other pet owners. Online quote tools show you the numbers, but other owners can tell you how a company handles claims, how quickly it pays, and whether the experience matched the marketing. As Dr. Long suggests, talking to people you know is one of the most useful ways to cut through the noise.
Read the sample policy. Most insurers publish a full sample policy document. It is not exciting reading, but it is where the exclusions and definitions live. Ten minutes with it before you buy can prevent a very unpleasant surprise later.
What does pet insurance cost?
Pet insurance premiums vary widely based on your pet's species, breed, and age, where you live, and the coverage level you choose. Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats, purebred pets more than mixed breeds, and premiums rise as pets get older.
As a rough guide, many dog owners pay somewhere between $30 and $70 a month for an accident and illness plan, and cat owners often pay between $15 and $40. Premiums in large metro areas tend to run higher than the national average because veterinary costs there are higher. These are general ranges, not quotes; your actual premium depends on the specifics of your pet and plan.
What moves the price. A higher deductible or lower reimbursement rate lowers the premium. An unlimited annual payout, a low deductible, or a 90 percent reimbursement rate raises it. Wellness add-ons increase the premium further and are worth evaluating separately, since they often reimburse close to what you pay for them.
How costs change over time. Most insurers raise premiums as your pet ages, and some also adjust for inflation in veterinary costs. It is worth asking an insurer how premiums have changed for pets at different ages before you commit, so a higher bill in year six or seven does not catch you off guard.
How to use veterinary pricing to choose a plan. Knowing what care actually costs helps you set a sensible deductible and annual limit. Modern Animal publishes its exam, service, and test prices so you can see what a routine visit, screening lab work, or a diagnostic workup would run before you decide how much of that you would want insurance to cover.
For a full breakdown of service and test pricing at Modern Animal, visit modernanimal.com/pricing. Everything is listed transparently so you know what to expect before you come in.
The bottom line. Pet insurance for dogs and cats exists for the bills you do not see coming, and it works best when you enroll early, before your pet has a medical history that limits what can be covered. Compare a few plans, ask people you trust about their experiences, and pick one. As Dr. Long puts it, the important thing is to have it. If your pet is new to your family or you have been putting off enrollment, now is a good time to start looking, and if you have questions about what conditions tend to come up for your pet's breed or age, our team is happy to talk it through. Members can reach a veterinarian anytime through 24/7 Virtual Care, or you can book an appointment at any Modern Animal clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, yes, though some insurers set an upper age limit for new enrollment. Expect higher premiums, and expect any condition already in your pet's record to be excluded. Coverage for new problems can still be worthwhile, since senior pets face a higher risk of illness. If your pet is older and uninsured, it is worth getting a few quotes now rather than waiting for the next diagnosis to narrow your options further.
No, in almost all cases. A preexisting condition is anything diagnosed or showing symptoms before your policy began or during its waiting period, and nearly every insurer excludes treatment for it. Some insurers will cover a curable condition, like a past ear infection, after a symptom-free period. Incurable conditions like diabetes or allergies are generally excluded for life. This is why Dr. Long emphasizes enrolling while your pet is young and healthy.
It varies. Many dog owners pay roughly $30 to $70 a month for accident and illness coverage, and cat owners roughly $15 to $40, though premiums depend on breed, age, location, and the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit you choose. Premiums rise as pets age. Getting quotes from a few insurers with the same coverage settings is the easiest way to compare real costs for your pet.
For most pet owners, yes. Pet insurance is designed to cover the large, unexpected costs of accidents, emergencies, and serious illness rather than routine care. Dr. Long has found that owners with insurance are simply better able to handle those situations and say yes to the care their pet needs. The value depends on choosing a plan whose deductible and limits fit your budget, but having some coverage is almost always better than having none.
As soon as you bring them home. Dr. Long recommends enrolling cats and dogs "pretty much as soon as they get their cat and dog," because most insurers exclude any condition that appears before the policy starts. Most companies will enroll a pet at around eight weeks of age. Enrolling then, before the first exam turns up anything, gives your pet the cleanest possible record and the lowest premium.