What Standard Pet Insurance Covers
Standard pet insurance is designed for unexpected veterinary expenses. This includes:
- Accidents like broken bones, lacerations, and poisoning
- Illnesses including infections, cancer, and chronic conditions
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Surgery and specialized treatments
- Diagnostic tests related to illness or injury
Think of it like human health insurance before the Affordable Care Act. It protected against catastrophic expenses but did not cover your annual physical.
What Wellness Plans Cover
Wellness plans (also called preventive care plans) cover routine veterinary services:
- Annual wellness exams
- Vaccinations and boosters
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Spaying and neutering
- Dental cleanings
- Routine bloodwork
Some plans also cover microchipping, nail trims, and grooming services. Coverage varies significantly between providers.
Are Wellness Plans Worth It?
This depends on your pet and your budget. Wellness plans typically cost $15 to $30 per month. Annual routine care for a healthy dog or cat runs roughly $200 to $400 without insurance.
Do the math: a $20/month wellness plan costs $240 per year. If your pet's routine care costs $300, you save $60. But if your pet is healthy and only needs a basic checkup and vaccines ($150-200), you may actually lose money with the plan.
Wellness plans make more sense for puppies and kittens who need multiple vaccine rounds, or for older pets who need more frequent monitoring.
How to Choose a Wellness Plan
If you decide a wellness plan makes sense, compare these factors:
- Annual benefit limits vs premium costs
- Which services are covered and at what amounts
- Whether the plan reimburses you or pays the vet directly
- Waiting periods before coverage begins
Some insurers bundle wellness with their accident/illness policies. Others offer standalone wellness plans you can add to any coverage.