As a pet owner, you want what’s best for your pets, and you want to help them live a healthy life. One way to do this is by purchasing preventative care pet insurance, which covers routine wellness visits, dental cleanings, and vaccines.
But not all preventative care insurance plans are the same, and different insurers offer different levels of coverage. That’s why it’s important to shop around and compare pet insurance quotes from several insurers.
Here’s what you should know about how preventative pet care works and what to consider when selecting your coverage.
What does preventative pet insurance cover?
Routine pet care includes the essential services your pet needs to maintain good health, but those recurring costs can add up fast.
That’s where preventative care coverage can help. It offers financial support for the services your pet regularly needs.1 Coverage varies by insurer, but plans may include:
Annual wellness exams
Dental cleanings
Flea and tick medication
Heartworm prevention medication
Microchipping
Routine blood work
Spaying or neutering
Vaccines
Some wellness plans may also include grooming and supplements.
It’s important to note that preventative coverage is usually separate from other types of pet insurance. For example, a wellness plan typically doesn’t cover illnesses, accidents, or related treatments.
You may also have difficulty finding coverage for certain pre-existing conditions, elective procedures or treatments, or expenses related to breeding and pregnancy.
Preventative pet insurance isn’t meant to cover all veterinary expenses. Still, it may help you detect health issues earlier and potentially prevent them from worsening.
Best pet insurance companies for preventative care
Not all pet insurance plans include preventative care. But some of the best insurers offer wellness add-ons and stand-alone preventative care plans. Here’s a look at our top choices and why we picked them.
ASPCA: Best for senior pets
ASPCA offers the best coverage for senior dogs and cats because it has no upper-age restrictions for applying. The insurer also offers two wellness plans, each with different coverage options. For example, the basic option includes an annual wellness exam, dental cleanings, and most vaccines. With the prime plan, you’ll also get spaying or neutering, blood tests, urinalysis, and more vaccine coverage.
Once you sign up, you’ll have access to 24/7 telehealth services. Depending on your insurance needs, you can choose between comprehensive coverage or an accident-only plan, then add preventative coverage as an optional benefit.
Embrace: Best for curable pre-existing conditions
Embrace is one of the few pet insurance companies offering coverage for certain curable pre-existing conditions. If your pet had a pre-existing condition but has no symptoms for more than a year, Embrace may cover that condition if it returns.
The company also doesn’t exclude coverage for hereditary conditions, assuming your pet isn’t showing symptoms before the end of the waiting period. Annual benefits range from $300 to $700 based on your expected expenses, with no separate limits for individual services. Plans cover blood and fecal tests, wellness exams, vaccines, routine gland expression, and even burial or cremation.
Figo: Best for quick claims
Figo promises a quick claims process and says most claims close in an average of 2.6 working days. It doesn’t have per-incident caps on coverage, and 100% reimbursement options are available.
You’ll also have 24/7 access to a live veterinary professional for answers to your questions. If you choose to add preventative care, you can receive up to $135 or $250 in annual coverage, depending on whether you choose the Basic or Plus plan.
With the wellness plan, Figo reimburses you for annual visits, vaccinations, dental care, exam fees, and spaying or neutering.
Pets Best: Best for direct vet payments
Unlike many pet insurance companies, Pets Best offers direct payments to your vet for approved claims. In other words, you don’t have to pay the bill first and then request reimbursement.
Pets Best also offers up-front transparency about pricing, giving you a range of monthly premium options without requiring you to ask for a quote. Depending on which plan you choose, your total annual benefits will range from $305 to $535. Covered services include wellness exams, vaccines, teeth cleaning, microchipping, preventative medications, and more.
Spot: Best for customizable coverage
Spot pet insurance is a strong option for pet owners looking for customizable coverage. With Spot, you can choose between accident-only and accident and illness coverage, then add a wellness plan.
The insurer offers two different preventative care levels: the Gold plan, which provides up to $250 in annual benefits, and the Platinum plan, which offers up to $450 each year. This gives you even more options for customizing your coverage.
You’ll also have access to 24/7 telehealth, and preventative care claims typically take just two business days to process.
How preventative pet insurance works
Preventative pet insurance is usually available as an optional add-on to an accident or illness policy, though some pet insurance companies may also offer it as a stand-alone wellness plan.
Wellness plans are designed to cover routine and preventative care. They work differently from comprehensive pet insurance, which typically covers unexpected illnesses or injuries — think broken bones, cancer, or emergency surgeries.
While they don’t cover accidents or unexpected health issues, wellness plans can reduce your out-of-pocket costs for routine vet visits and maintenance care. Insurers may offer a flat allowance per covered service or an annual benefit cap.
For example, a wellness plan with a $300 annual cap might reimburse $75 for a vet exam, $75 for vaccinations, and $100 for a dental cleaning, leaving you with $50 to use on other covered services. In most cases, you’ll pay the vet up front and then request reimbursement from your insurer.2 Keep in mind that deductibles or copays may apply.
How to choose the right pet insurance plan
Choosing the right preventative care plan starts with thinking about your pet’s age, its long-term health needs, and your budget for routine care.3 Older pets may need more frequent checkups and diagnostics, while younger pets might benefit from vaccines and early dental care.
Proactive pet owners should prioritize plans that cover services essential to long-term wellness, such as dental cleanings, blood work, and regular exams. These routine services can catch issues early and help you avoid bigger, more expensive health problems later.
Once you know your priorities, compare plans by looking at what’s covered, annual limits, and exclusions. Reading reviews from other pet owners can also help you gauge how reliable an insurer is when it matters most.
State and regional availability
Preventative care plans aren’t available in every state, and coverage can vary depending on where you live. Some insurers may limit availability due to state regulations or licensing restrictions.
Before choosing a plan, check the insurer’s website to see if your state is in the insurer’s coverage area. You can also call the insurer directly or speak with your vet, who may be familiar with regional availability. Verifying this information up front can help you avoid surprises when it’s time to enroll or file a claim.
Coverage limitations
You’ll usually find limits in preventative care coverage that affect how much you’re reimbursed. Many plans have annual caps or set maximums for specific services like exams, vaccinations, or dental cleanings.
Additionally, most plans exclude nonessential or elective services, such as grooming, boarding, and non-prescribed supplements.
Understanding these limitations can help you choose a plan that aligns with your pet’s routine care needs and avoids unexpected out-of-pocket costs. With that in mind, always review the fine print before enrolling.
Pet owner reviews and ratings
Reading online reviews is a smart way to gauge how a preventative pet insurance plan performs in the real world. While a policy may look great on paper, reviews can reveal how easy it is to file claims, how quickly reimbursements are processed, and how responsive the customer service team is.
Platforms like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Google Reviews offer firsthand accounts from pet owners. You can also look for industry ratings from organizations like AM Best and complaints to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to assess an insurer’s financial stability and complaint trends.
Preventative pet insurance FAQs
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about preventative pet insurance policies to help you get the right coverage for your furry friends.
What is considered preventative and routine care?
The exact services covered depend on your insurer and the plan you choose, but most plans typically include:
Annual wellness exams
Dental cleanings
Flea and tick medication
Heartworm prevention medications
Microchipping
Routine blood work
Spaying or neutering
Vaccines
What’s the difference between pet insurance and pet wellness plans?
Pet insurance typically covers accidents and illnesses, while wellness plans help pay for routine care like exams, vaccines, and dental cleanings. Wellness plans are often optional add-ons or separate products focused on preventative health.
How much do pet wellness plans cost?
When you sign up for preventative care pet insurance, you’ll pay a monthly or annual premium. The exact costs will vary depending on your deductible, your pet’s age, and your coverage limits.
How do you enroll in pet insurance that covers preventative care?
To enroll in pet insurance with preventative care, choose an insurer that offers wellness plan add-ons or stand-alone coverage. Get a quote online, review coverage details, and complete the application.
Does preventative pet insurance cover flea treatments?
Yes. Many preventative pet insurance plans cover flea treatments, but it depends on the insurance company and plan. Be sure to review the policy details to confirm what’s included before you purchase a policy.