Accident and illness cover
The standard tier, and the right default. It still isn't everything.
Accident and illness cover is the mainstream pet insurance product and the right starting point for most owners. It handles injuries and illnesses, which between them account for most large veterinary bills.
It isn't comprehensive, and knowing where it stops is what prevents disappointment.
What it generally covers
- Accidents and injuries
- Illnesses, including cancer, infections and organ disease
- Diagnostics — imaging, bloodwork, biopsies
- Surgery and hospitalisation
- Prescription medications, on most plans
- Hereditary and congenital conditions, on many plans, if no prior signs existed
- Specialist and emergency treatment
What it generally doesn't
- Pre-existing conditions, on essentially every plan
- Routine and preventive care, unless a wellness plan is added
- Elective and cosmetic procedures
- Breeding, pregnancy and whelping, on most plans
- Grooming, boarding and food, other than prescription diets on some plans
- Exam fees, on many plans
The four settings that define your plan
Two plans described identically can behave very differently. These are what actually differ.
- Annual limit — including whether an unlimited option exists
- Deductible — annual or per condition
- Reimbursement percentage — commonly offered at levels such as 70, 80 or 90 percent
- Waiting periods, particularly the orthopaedic one
Questions that separate good plans from cheap ones
- Are hereditary and congenital conditions covered?
- Are exam fees covered?
- Are there per-condition or lifetime limits?
- Is coverage for a diagnosed condition guaranteed to continue at renewal?
- Is reimbursement a percentage of my actual bill, or based on a benefit schedule?
- Does the insurer apply bilateral exclusions?
When to enrol
As early as possible. Every day a pet goes uninsured is a day something can appear in the records and become permanently excluded. Timing affects what you can insure far more than shopping affects what you pay.
Common questions
Injuries and illnesses including cancer and organ disease, diagnostics, surgery, hospitalisation and usually prescriptions. Many plans also cover hereditary conditions where no prior signs existed.
Pre-existing conditions on essentially every plan, routine and preventive care without a wellness add-on, elective procedures, breeding, and exam fees on many plans.
Whether hereditary conditions and exam fees are covered, whether per-condition or lifetime limits apply, whether a diagnosed condition stays covered at renewal, and whether reimbursement follows your actual bill or a benefit schedule.
Want this priced for your situation?
This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC is a licensed insurance producer. Nothing here binds coverage.