Key points
- Pet insurance usually does not cover routine or preventive care, including vaccines.
- Adding a wellness plan to your pet insurance policy can provide vaccination coverage.
- Most pet insurance companies offer a wellness plan add-on, but coverage will vary and may not be enough to cover all your pet’s annual vaccination costs.
Does pet insurance cover vaccines?
Pet insurance plans generally do not cover vaccinations because they are considered preventive or routine care. However, you can often add wellness coverage to your pet insurance plan for an additional charge.
How does pet health insurance cover vaccinations?
Although your pet’s accident and illness plan may not cover vaccinations, many insurance companies offer pet insurance that covers vaccinations in the form of wellness plans. Typically, for an additional cost, a pet wellness plan is available to cover your pet’s routine care needs.
Besides vaccinations, a pet wellness plan can also cover:
- Annual wellness exams.
- Blood and fecal testing.
- Dental cleaning.
- Deworming.
- Flea and heartworm preventatives.
- Microchipping.
- Neutering and spaying.
- Titer testing.
Does pet insurance cover other shots?
Pet insurance covers shots if they are required as part of the treatment protocol for a covered injury or illness that is not a pre-existing condition.
For example:
- If your pet develops diabetes and needs insulin injections, your pet insurance policy may cover the insulin shots.
- If your veterinarian administers a steroid shot to treat your pet’s injury or illness, your pet insurance plan will typically cover the costs.
- If a licensed veterinarian prescribes the treatment, your pet insurance policy will likely cover Cytopoint allergy injections to treat your pet’s allergies.
But if the shot is related to preventive or routine care for your pet’s overall health, your pet insurance plan probably won’t cover it.
Which pet insurance companies offer vaccination coverage?
Many of the best pet insurance companies offer vaccination coverage through a wellness plan. The amount of coverage will vary by insurance company and plan.
Here are some examples of wellness plan coverage:
- Embrace: Covers up to $250, $450 or $650 of all preventive expenses annually, depending on the wellness plan you choose.
- Figo: Covers between $20 to $100 per year for vaccinations, depending on the wellness plan tier offered when you buy a plan.
- ManyPets: Covers up to $150 per year for routine exams and vaccinations.
- Paw Protect: Covers up to $250, $450 or $650 per year for preventative care.
- PetsBest: The EssentialWellness plan covers vaccinations up to $45 and the BestWellness plan covers up to $55.
- Spot: Covers select vaccinations up to $40 with a Gold plan and up to $75 with a Platinum plan.
What vaccinations are covered with pet wellness plans?
The types of vaccinations pet wellness plans cover will vary by insurance company and plan. “However, many pet wellness plans typically include core vaccinations that are considered essential for preventing common and potentially serious diseases in pets,” said James Ross, the director of field operations for The Vets, an at-home veterinary care company.
The core vaccines for dogs usually include:
- Adenovirus-2, which causes hepatitis in dogs.
- Distemper.
- Parainfluenza.
- Parvovirus.
- Rabies.
The core vaccines for cats typically include:
- Feline calicivirus (FCV).
- Feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1).
- Feline panleukopenia (FPV).
- Feline leukemia (FeLV) for cats under one year old.
- Rabies.
Additional vaccines may be eligible for reimbursement under your pet insurer’s wellness plan. Comparing plan coverage and the routine vaccinations your pet needs to live a healthy life can help you choose the right wellness plan coverage.
What vaccines does my pet need?
The vaccines your pet needs will depend on several factors like its age, where you live, your lifestyle and your pet’s species. “Individual veterinary recommendations may vary, and consulting with a veterinarian is crucial to tailor the vaccination plan to the specific needs of your pet,” said Ross.
Rabies is usually required by law for all dogs and cats.
The remaining core dog vaccines are often given in a single combined shot called canine DHPP or DHLPP. The shot is administered in two or three doses, depending on the dog’s age, with two to 16 weeks between shots, and then a booster annually or every three years.
Depending on your lifestyle and region where you live, your veterinarian may also recommend the following vaccines for your dog:
- Bordetella bronchiseptica.
- Borrelia burgdorferi (canine Lyme disease).
- Canine influenza virus.
- Crotalus atrox (western diamondback rattlesnake).
- Leptospira.
If your cat is older than one year, your vet may recommend the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Depending on your geographic location and your cat’s lifestyle, your vet may also recommend vaccines for Bordetella bronchiseptica and Chlamydophila felis.
What is the annual cost of vaccinations?
Your annual cost of vaccinations will vary based on factors like:
- Any other services included in the vet visit.
- The fees the veterinarian charges.
- Where you live.
- Your pet’s age and species.
“The cost of basic core vaccinations for dogs and cats in the United States typically ranges from $50 to $100 or more,” said Ross. However, some vets will offer packages for a vaccination schedule that lowers the overall cost, especially if you have a kitten or puppy.
Individual dog vaccines can range from $20 to $75 per vaccine, while cat vaccinations typically cost between $20 to $50 per dose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Pet insurance can cover vaccinations for kittens if you also purchase a wellness plan with your pet’s accident and illness plan. Wellness plan coverage for vaccines can vary, so it’s a good idea to compare different plan options with multiple pet insurance companies to find the plan that meets your needs and budget.
Pet insurance covers veterinary care for your pet’s accidents and illnesses (unless you buy an accident-only plan). This can include hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostic testing like CT scans and ultrasounds, surgeries and prescription medications. Alternative and holistic treatments may also be covered depending on the pet insurance company and plan.
Pet vaccine coverage may be worth it. Consider the cost of the pet wellness plan and your pet’s annual vaccinations, plus any other benefits the plan may cover, like annual exam fees, microchipping or spaying and neutering. Comparing the out-of-pocket cost for your pet’s preventive care and the total cost of the wellness plan add-on can help you determine if adding it to your pet insurance policy is worth the extra cost.
