Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Visits?

You might be sitting in an urgent clinic wondering does pet insurance cover emergency visits? Preparing for an emergency is never fun, but it’s always better to be ready for unexpected circumstances. Pet parents know pets can encounter an emergency anytime, day or night.

Depending on your pet’s issue, emergency visits can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. As a dog mom of several decades, I can attest to large emergency veterinarian bills. However, I am always grateful to have pet insurance and understand what it does and doesn’t cover.

This article will explain what pet insurance typically covers, what it excludes, and how to ensure your pet’s emergency expenses are covered and reimbursable.

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Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Vet Visits?

Fortunately, most pet insurance policies cover emergency vet visits; however, it usually applies to something new, unexpected, and not pre-existing.

For example, if your dog is hit by a car and needs urgent veterinary care, most pet insurance policies cover this emergency. If your cat experiences diabetic ketoacidosis as a result of diabetes diagnosed before your policy took effect, it will likely not be covered.

The amount your pet insurance will cover during an emergency depends on your plan. In most cases, you’ll need to pay the full emergency vet bill up front, and your insurance company will reimburse you later for a percentage of the eligible emergency expenses, based on the coverage details in your policy.

What Emergencies Pet Insurance Typically Covers

Most active pet insurance policies will cover the following common emergencies. Always talk to your provider or check your policy details. 

Accidents and Injuries

In most cases, a pet insurance policy will cover emergencies related to broken bones, cuts, lacerations, bite wounds from other animals or pets, being hit by a car, burns, or eye injuries.

Sudden Illnesses

Sudden illnesses present without warning, such as frequent vomiting, diarrhea, sudden allergic reaction, heatstroke, or an infection, may be covered. Be aware that accident-only plans don’t cover illness. 

Emergency Diagnostic Tests

As long as your policy covers the condition being treated, pet insurance usually pays for x-rays and ultrasounds, MRIs or CTs (on a policy-by-policy basis), or bloodwork and lab testing related to the emergency. 

Hospitalization and Surgery

If your pet requires inpatient hospitalization or ICU care, the treatment is likely covered if it is lifesaving or ongoing. 

What Pet Insurance Won’t Cover in an Emergency 

In most cases, pet insurance will not reimburse you for:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Routine care.
• Preventative visits.
• Some policies exclude certain breeds or hereditary conditions.
• Specific diagnostic tests (if considered non-essential) 
• Owner negligence – some policies may look at what caused the issue
• Ambulance transport if available 
• Some diagnostic testing 
• Fees that are considered beyond reasonable and customary

Pet Insurance Waiting Periods for Emergency Coverage

Most pet insurance policies do not immediately become active because of waiting periods. Once the waiting period is over, the coverage takes effect. 

A waiting period is the time between enrolling in a policy and when the coverage kicks in. Here’s a typical overview of waiting periods related to a pet insurance policy:

Accident Coverage

Some plans offer 24-hour coverage for an accident, but most pet insurance kicks in after one to three days unless otherwise noted in the policy. For example, Embrace Pet Insurance allows pet parents to use the accident portion of the policy the day it is effective. Similarly, MetLife Pet Insurance offers same-day coverage. Check your policy and ask questions before signing up with a carrier so that you clearly understand what is and isn’t covered.

Illness Coverage

In the context of pet insurance, an illness is any non-accidental health issue that impairs your pet’s normal body functions—for example, a urinary tract obstruction, seizures, acute kidney issues, or pancreatitis. A 14-day waiting period is standard for most pet insurance providers. As such, illnesses diagnosed within two weeks of signing the policy are usually not covered. 

Orthopedic Issues

Injuries involving bones, joints, and ligaments, such as a cruciate ligament tear, usually have longer waiting periods between six months and a year. Each insurer has its own set of rules and coverage limits, including Embrace, which has a six-month waiting period for orthopedic issues. 

Some carriers offer fast accident coverage but have waiting periods for other illnesses. Some pet insurance companies provide immediate or reduced waiting periods in certain circumstances. For example, Trupanion offers immediate coverage with no waiting period in conjunction with their Exam Day Offer, more closely detailed in their policy. 

Pre-existing conditions are never covered, even with waiting periods. You can minimize the wait if the carrier offers waivers or has rules in place. For example, Embrace may reduce orthopedic waiting periods if your pet has a veterinary examination within a specific timeframe after signing the policy. 

Best Pet Insurance Plans for Emergency Visits

Fastest Accident Coverage Pet Insurance

Carrier: Pets Best Pet Health Insurance

Accident Coverage: Starts in three days

Emergency Coverage: Covers accidents, illness, diagnostics, surgeries, and medications after a waiting period. 

Pros:

• 24/7 Emergency Veterinarian Helpline
• Easy claim experience 
• Accident-only coverage available for those on a budget
• The waiting period for accidents is three days, much less than others 
• Pets can be enrolled at any age, which helps senior pet parents

Cons:

• Waiting period for illness coverage is 14 days
• Depending on the policy you choose, exam fees for emergency visits may not be covered
• Reimbursement is based on the actual veterinary bill, but it depends on what level of reimbursement you purchased (i.e., 70%, 80%, or 90%).

Best For: Pet parents who want fast accident coverage and/or affordable emergency accident coverage, and for people with senior pets.

Most Comprehensive Emergency Coverage

Carrier: Trupanion 

Emergency Coverage: Accident coverage begins five days after policy activation, illness coverage starts 30 days after enrollment, and over 70 percent of claims are reimbursed within 24 hours. 

Pros:

• Payment can be made directly to the veterinarian during checkout, reducing the pet parent’s out-of-pocket expenses.
• Unlimited coverage without payout caps, even for costly emergencies.
• It covers various comprehensive services, such as emergencies, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and diagnostic testing.
• Deductible options are available, which allow pet parents to customize their policy based on budget.

Cons:

• There is a 30-day waiting period for illnesses, which is longer than others. 
• Premiums tend to be higher due to the comprehensive coverage.
• Trupanion does not cover preventative care or routine wellness visit coverage.

Best For: Pet parents who want comprehensive coverage, fast reimbursement, and no payout caps. 

Best Reimbursement Rates for ER Visits

Carrier: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Emergency Coverage: Accident and illness coverage begins 15 days after the policy is signed. Reimbursement rates are as high as 90 percent for most emergency services, paid within two days. 

Pros:

• Healthy Paws provides unlimited annual and lifetime payouts to help pet parents with costly treatments.
• Most claims are processed within two days.
• Covers an extensive array of emergency services such as diagnostics, medications, hospital stays, and surgeries.
• No referrals needed to see a specialist for your pet.

Cons:

• No coverage for examination fees for accidents or illnesses, prescription diets, behavioral therapies, or wellness and preventive care.
• A 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia claims
• The waiting period for both accidents and illnesses is 15 days.

Best For: Pet parents who need a high emergency reimbursement rate, fast claim reimbursement, and no payout limits.

How to Get Pet Insurance to Cover an Emergency Visit Faster

Modern pet parents should consider insurance sooner rather than later, so emergency visits are covered as quickly as possible. Here’s our top tips for ensuring you have coverage for your pets when you need it most:

• Enroll early: The sooner the better, so you don’t get nixed on pre-existing conditions.
• Choose a plan with a short waiting period: Understand how long it takes for your plan to kick in and consider one with a shorter waiting period.
• Clearly understand your deductible and reimbursement rate: Don’t get stuck with a massive veterinary bill because you didn’t realize what you must pay out of pocket.
• Submit claims properly and follow all instructions to avoid delays: Submit claims with the information requested or have the carrier pay the veterinarian directly if applicable. 
• Consider add-ons and wellness plans to help defray the costs of routine and preventative care: These may both help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Not all pet health insurance carriers offer wellness plans, so read the fine print.
• Download your carrier’s app: Submitting emergency claims through an app is quicker, more efficient, and can help shave off reimbursement times.
• Read the fine print: We can’t stress this enough. Read the policy thoroughly and ask about emergency visits, diagnostics, waiting periods, and medication coverage.
• Understand your waiting periods: Know how long you must wait before accident, insurance, or emergency coverage kicks in.
• Look for unlimited coverage without caps: Providers that do not cap your annual or lifetime payout limit are worth considering. 

Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Visits? Common Misconceptions

Choosing a pet insurance policy, especially one geared toward emergency coverage, can be overwhelming. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions. 

Myth: Pet insurance covers everything.
Reality: Pet insurance isn’t like human insurance in that it covers what is indicated in your policy.

Myth: After signing up today, I can use the policy tomorrow.
Reality: All plans have a waiting period, so pay close attention to these details.

Myth: Emergency visits are covered at 100 percent.
Reality: All policies have co-pays, limits, and deductibles.

Myth: Older pets cannot get emergency coverage.
Reality: Some insurers cover senior pets, but a higher price point may be attached along with some exclusions.

Myth: Wellness plans cover emergency visits for my pet.
Reality: Routine care or add-ons to a pet insurance policy are not the same as emergency, accident, or illness coverage.

When to Get Pet Insurance to Ensure Emergency Coverage

The best time to enroll your pet is when they are young or as soon as they come into your life. Whether your pet has health issues or not, a pet insurance policy can be beneficial, depending on your chosen plan and coverage.

No one wants to think of their pet having an accident or needing emergency care, but life happens. Waiting periods prevent immediate coverage, so the sooner you enroll your pet in a plan, the better. 

Before you enroll, ask your carrier about any exclusions, policy on specific breeds, or whether senior pets are covered. 

Final Word: Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Visits?

Pet insurance can be a fantastic tool; millions of pet parents carry policies. Although there are waiting periods and exclusions, a policy can be a lifesaver overall.
Finances should never decide whether your pet gets treatment. You should never be faced with a life-or-death decision over dollars. 

Immediate pet insurance coverage is rare, so your best bet is to sign up for a plan before an emergency happens. We recommend making a spreadsheet or using a notebook to jot down plans and questions to ask. Once you look at everything offered, along with the pros and cons and your budget, you can make a decision.

Compare plans carefully and find the one with the best emergency coverage, including minimal waiting periods. Either way, be the pet parent your non-human family members know you are. 

Feature photo: Image by Allison Peterson from Pixabay; also Image by Joanna Reichert from Pixabay