Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

You might know that pet insurance can be helpful for managing unexpected veterinary costs. But what about your pet’s routine and preventative care? Are vaccines covered by pet insurance? Keeping up with your pet’s annual exams is an important part of your pet’s care and responsible pet ownership. It’s only natural to wonder if your pet health insurance can help with the cost.

Some pet insurance providers offer wellness packages as an add-on to their medical insurance policies, and some do not. Trupanion does not cover routine or preventative care, which includes vaccines, albeit for some very good reasons.

Veterinary clinics may also offer wellness plans that can help pet owners budget for their pet’s care, as long as they consistently visit the same clinic for care. Read on to learn about how the wellness plans offered by pet health insurance companies compare against the wellness plans offered by veterinarians.

How does wellness care offered by a pet insurance company work?

If you find a pet insurance company that helps cover vaccines through an add-on to their accident and illness plans, be sure to read the fine print. Some providers may charge higher premiums for wellness plans than the total claims you can reasonably make in a year, often by including one-time services like microchipping or spaying/neutering in their annual package. Before deciding, take some time to compare the total benefits you can claim in a year to the premiums you’d pay — sometimes saving that money yourself may be more cost-effective.

Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

Pet insurance is designed to help protect your finances in the event of an unexpected accident or illness. While pet insurance doesn’t generally cover vaccines, a quality accident and illness pet insurance policy may help prevent you from having to choose between going into debt and giving your pet the care they need.

How a wellness plan from your veterinarian might help cover vaccines

Many veterinary professionals understand that routine care can be a challenge to budget for, so they have started offering pet owners their own wellness plans. Wellness plans purchased directly from a veterinarian typically function like loyalty plans, offering discounts to customers who commit to ongoing care at their clinic. These monthly plans often help customers pay for annual vet exams, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, examination fees and sometimes include spaying and neutering options. Because the treating veterinarian is not a third party, there is no need to add an overhead fee to the monthly costs of the wellness plan they create — and may help save you money in the long run.

If your veterinarian does not offer a wellness plan, ask about alternatives they recommend. It may be beneficial to ask for a sample invoice for an annual check-up, split those costs into a monthly amount, and set that money aside once a month in preparation for your pet’s annual exam.

Tips for keeping up with your pet’s vaccines

Maintaining your pet’s preventative care, like annual wellness checkups, vaccines and flea, tick and heartworm prevention is essential for your pet’s health and longevity. Keeping your pet current on their vaccines and parasite prevention may even be required if you want your pet to participate in things like puppy classes, doggy daycare or kennel stays.

Start by consulting your veterinarian to create a personalized vaccination schedule based on your pet’s age, breed and lifestyle. Many pet vaccines need to be given annually with boosters once your pet has received their initial dose, so it’s typically manageable during your pet’s annual wellness checkup.

Keep a record of all vaccinations, and set reminders for booster shots, which are often needed annually or every few years. Many vet clinics send automatic phone or email alerts to help you stay on track. Staying informed and organized may help protect your pet from preventable diseases and support overall public and animal health.

Common pet vaccines

Consulting with your veterinarian will help you know which vaccines your pet needs and when. That said, common vaccinations for dogs and cats include:

• DHPP / DAPP — a combination vaccine for dogs that helps protect against Distemper, Adenovirus (Hepatitis), Parvovirus and Parainfluenza.
• FVRCP — a combination vaccine for cats that helps protect against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Distemper.
• Rabies — required by law in many states. This vaccine also helps prevent the spread of this serious illness to humans.
• Bordetella — helps prevent kennel cough. It is often required for pets being boarded or attending daycare.
• Leptospirosis — helps protect dogs against the Leptospira bacteria commonly found in contaminated water or soil.
• Lyme disease — helps protect dogs against a serious illness transmitted by ticks; important in tick-prone areas.
• Canine Influenza — intended for dogs at risk of exposure in social environments.
• Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) — recommended for kittens and outdoor/social cats.

Puppies and kittens typically start vaccines at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until about 16–20 weeks. Adult pets receive boosters yearly or every 3 years, depending on the vaccine (and your veterinarian’s recommendations).

How does pet insurance help with pet care?

While pet medical insurance is not structured to help you save money on routine veterinary care like vaccinations, it can still be a valuable tool to help protect your finances. The cost of unexpected accidents and emergency vet visits can quickly climb to tens of thousands of dollars, especially if a surgery or overnight stay is required.^{footnote 1} Chronic illnesses typically require regular treatments that can add up to thousands of dollars over time. Designed to help cover these unforeseen veterinary expenses, pet insurance may help when costs arise unexpectedly.

Enrolling in pet insurance from a reputable company like Trupanion might make it easier for you to manage your veterinarian’s recommended course of treatment without resorting to potential credit card debt. Reach out to your local State Farm® agent to get your personalized quote today.