Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations?

Standard pet insurance typically does not cover vaccinations, as these fall under preventative care. However, pet owners looking for vaccine coverage in pet insurance do have options. Some providers offer add-ons, known as wellness plans, that cover vaccines. Let’s explore how vaccine coverage in pet insurance works, what providers offer it, and how top plans compare.

Why are vaccines not covered by pet insurance?

Most pet insurance plans are designed to cover accidents and illnesses, such as if your pet breaks a leg, eats something toxic, or has an ear infection. They are not designed to cover preventative care such as vaccines, yearly checkups, and routine health screenings. Therefore, these items are typically excluded from standard plans.

If you’re looking for pet insurance that covers vaccines, you do have options known as wellness plans. Select pet insurance providers offer wellness plans that cover vaccines and other preventative care services.

What are wellness plans?

Wellness plans, sometimes called preventative care plans, are pet insurance plans that cover your pet’s routine care, like yearly checkups, health screenings, and vaccinations. These are added to your accident and illness plan to boost your pet’s coverage.

What do wellness plans cover?

Wellness plan coverage varies among providers but most often, the following services are included:

• Yearly exams
• Vaccinations
• Routine health screenings such as blood work, urinalysis, and fecal tests
• Parasite prevention such as heartworm, flea, and tick medication
• Dental cleanings
• Select plans cover spaying, neutering, and microchipping

How much do wellness plans cost?

Wellness plans range from $15 to $25 a month but prices can vary based on several factors. Some wellness plans start as low as $10 a month for basic coverage, while others can be as high as $50 and include more benefits.

How much can you save on vaccines with a wellness plan?

Individual savings will vary based on the type of plan and local veterinary pricing, but most wellness plans save pet owners between $75 and $150 per year on vaccines and more on other services.

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What pet insurance providers offer vaccine coverage?

Here are some of the top pet insurance providers that offer vaccine coverage options:

1. Lemonade. Provides vaccine coverage under the Preventative Care Package, Preventative+ Care Package, and Puppy/Kitten Package. Coverage includes up to three vaccines per year for adult dogs and cats or up to six for puppies and kittens.
2. Embrace. Offers customizable vaccine coverage in varying amounts through the Wellness Rewards Plan.
3. Pet’s Best. Has vaccine coverage available under the Essential Wellness Plan and Best Wellness Plan. Coverage includes the rabies vaccine and options to customize coverage for additional vaccines.
4. ASPCA. Offers vaccine coverage under the Basic or Prime Preventative Care Plan. Coverage includes up to three vaccines per year.
5. Figo. Provides customizable vaccine coverage through the Wellness Power-up add-on.
6. Pumpkin. Offers vaccine coverage through the Preventative Essentials Package. Coverage includes two vaccines yearly for adult dogs and cats and up to four for puppies and kittens.
7. ManyPets. Provides vaccine coverage of up to $150 per year under the Wellness Plan add-on.
8. Nationwide. Has customizable vaccine coverage available under three levels of Wellness Plan add-ons.
9. Wagmo. Offers vaccine coverage through the Value, Classic, or Deluxe Wellness Plans. Coverage includes between two and four vaccines a year. Wagmo is one of the only wellness plans that are not an add-on and may be purchased as a standalone plan.
10. Spot. Provides customizable vaccine coverage under the Gold or Platinum Preventative Care Plan add-ons.

What vaccines are covered under wellness plans?

While each plan may have a list of eligible vaccines, the most common vaccines covered by pet insurance wellness plans are known as core vaccines. Core vaccines are those considered necessary and, in some cases, even required by law, such as rabies. Current core vaccine guidelines include:

• Core vaccines for dogs. Rabies and DAPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza)
• Core vaccines for cats. Rabies, FCV (feline calicivirus), FHV-1 (feline herpesvirus-1), FPV (feline panleukopenia), and FeLV (feline leukemia for kittens)

Non-core vaccines are recommended based on exposure risks through lifestyle and location. These include vaccines like canine influenza, leptospirosis, and rattlesnake toxoid. Some plans exclude coverage for non-core vaccines, while others offer flexible coverage that lets pet owners decide which vaccines they want included.

Comparing costs and deciding if a wellness plan is worth it

Wellness plans are a great way to save money on your pet’s preventive care, but many pet owners question their worth. Pet owners can spend between $250 and $1,000 annually on preventative care services like exams, vaccines, lab work, and parasite prevention. Considering that most wellness plans cost between $120 and $300 a year, there are opportunities for significant savings.

When deciding on a wellness plan, getting a customized quote is important so you have the most accurate pricing to compare with. It’s also important to consider the total benefits package. Some plans may have lower vaccine coverage but offer multiple exams a year or cover dental cleanings.

As with all pet insurance, there’s no one-size-fits-all wellness plan. But, with some research, most pet owners can find a plan that fits their pet’s needs and aligns with their budget.