Emergency Pet Insurance: What’s Covered? (2024 Review)
According to the Federal Reserve’s 2021 Economic Well-Being Report, 45% of American adults can’t afford an unplanned $400 expense.
Veterinary emergencies can cost well over $400, leading some panicking pet parents to turn down life-saving care due to cost. We think you should never have to worry about money when your precious pet needs your full attention.
To help you prepare for the unexpected, we’ve reviewed companies that offer emergency pet insurance. Pet insurance is a fast-growing financial tool that allows pet owners to pay affordable monthly rates for coverage of unanticipated veterinary bills.
Best Pet Insurance For Emergencies
Continue reading to learn more about the following pet insurance providers so that you can choose the best one for your needs:
- Spot: Best overall
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Compare the Top Pet Insurance Providers for Emergencies
Enrolling in the right pet insurance policy from the get-go could end up saving you hundreds in expensive veterinary bills. Use the table below to compare our top recommended pet insurance providers for emergency coverage.
| Best For | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot |  | Most Inclusive | $22-$80 | Compare Quotes | |
| Lemonade |  | Most Affordable | $16–$30 | Compare Quotes | |
| Embrace |  | Best for Discounts Offered | $23-$85 | Compare Quotes | |
| Healthy Paws |  | Best for Chronic Conditions | $24–$54 | Compare Quotes | |
| Prudent Pet |  | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options | $18-$29 | Compare Quotes |
| Spot | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Inclusive |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $22-$80 |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Affordable |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| Embrace | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Discounts Offered |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $23-$85 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Chronic Conditions |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $24–$54 |
| Prudent Pet | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18-$29 |
Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergencies?
Yes, pet insurance covers emergencies. In general, traditional accident/illness plans and accident-only plans are designed for unexpected veterinary visits. Emergencies are unexpected by default, which means your pet insurance agency will most likely reimburse you for related costs.
Please note that most* pet insurance works on a reimbursement system. This means you’ll have to pay vet bills out of pocket at the time of your pet’s service. Once your buddy is back home safe and sound, you’ll submit a claim to your pet insurance provider for reimbursement.
If the items you submitted are covered, you’ll get a percentage of the money back. However, you’ll have to cover the entire cost upfront, so we recommend always having some emergency vet savings on hand.
Waiting periods are also a factor to consider. A waiting period is a time frame at the beginning of your policy before coverage begins. Providers enforce different waiting periods for accidents and illnesses, often ranging from two days to two weeks. Orthopedic conditions and cruciate ligament injuries can have waiting periods of up to a year, so keep this in mind when purchasing a plan. Your veterinarian will need to specifically note in your pet’s medical records that its hips and knees are healthy before your insurance policy starts.
Any situation – even a serious emergency – won’t be covered if it occurs during a waiting period.
*Trupanion pet insurance is a pet insurance company that will pay your vet directly at the time of service. As long as you’re using a licensed veterinarian, you’ll just cover the deductible and your portion of the bill, and Trupanion will handle the rest.
Best Pet Insurance For Emergencies
We sifted through the fine print and selected our top three picks for the best pet insurance companies with emergency care coverage. These companies cover a wide range of serious mishaps and associated treatments, allowing you to give your pal outstanding care.
Below, you’ll find reviews for the top providers that offer emergency pet insurance coverage. Most of these companies have accident/illness plans for your pet’s unexpected veterinary needs. Some also offer wellness packages to keep your pet up-to-date on routine care services like vaccinations, dental cleanings, and checkups.
Here, we’ll focus mainly on emergency coverage and price points. Read our comprehensive pet insurance company reviews to sniff out more information on each provider’s policy terms and exclusions.
Spot
Most Inclusive
Lemonade
Most Affordable
Embrace
Best for Discounts Offered
Healthy Paws
Best for Chronic Conditions
Prudent Pet
Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Common Pet Emergencies & Costs
Before we dive into pet insurance agencies and plans, let’s look at some common pet emergencies. We’ll go over average costs for treatment with and without pet insurance, so you’ll better understand how crucial coverage can be.
Toxic Ingestion
What is toxic ingestion?
Toxic ingestion is when your pet consumes something poisonous.
Foods that are toxic for pets include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and some sugar substitutes. Several common household toxins might be lurking around your home in the form of plants, coins, and insecticides, so be sure to keep potential dangers out of your pet’s reach.
Take a look at this extensive list of animal toxins to learn more.
What are the signs?
If your pet has ingested something toxic, it may exhibit physical symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, drooling, or difficulty breathing. Toxic ingestion can also cause neurologic reactions like confusion, stumbling, dilated pupils, and seizures.
What’s the cost?
Toxic ingestion is a serious veterinary emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. For treatment, you’ll pay anywhere from $500-$3,000, depending on the severity of the situation. The vet may need to induce vomiting, drain your pet’s stomach, administer IV fluids, or do surgery to remove the toxin.
With emergency pet insurance, your provider will reimburse 70-80% of these vet costs, assuming you’ve met your deductible. With a tool like Pawp’s Emergency Fund, you would get reimbursed up to $3,000, potentially covering the whole incident.
Intestinal Blockage
What is an intestinal blockage?
Intestinal blockage, or bowel obstruction, occurs when your pet swallows something it can’t pass. This serious condition can prevent food and water from passing through your pet’s body, causing intestinal damage and reduced blood flow.
What are the signs?
Signs of intestinal blockage include vomiting, weakness, bloating, dehydration, loss of appetite, and inability to poop.
What’s the cost?
Treating your pet’s intestinal blockage can cost $2,500-$5,000. If your furry family member requires major surgery, the bill could be upwards of $7,000.
Foreign object ingestion typically qualifies as a covered accident, so your pet’s intestinal blockage is likely eligible for coverage. Depending on your provider, you’ll get 70-80% of your money back for your pet’s intestinal obstruction treatment.
Severe Bleeding
What causes severe bleeding?
Severe bleeding, or hemorrhaging, is the rapid release of blood from a vessel. Your pet’s severe bleeding can result from things like deep cuts, bite wounds, or car accidents.
What are the signs?
You’ll notice severe bleeding from your pet’s external wounds, but you should also look for signs of internal hemorrhaging. Symptoms include pale gums, increased heart rate, swelling, vomiting, low body temperature, and collapse.
What’s the cost?
The cost of your pet’s emergency visit will depend on the cause of the bleeding. If your pet was in a fight with another animal, you might pay $500-$1,000 for treatment, disinfection, surgical repair, and prescription medications.
Other bleeding issues might cost more. For example, if your pet is hit by a car or has a hemorrhaging tumor, it might need major surgery to repair internal wounds. Such procedures can cost up to $8,000.
According to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, many owners have their pets put down after car accidents because they can’t afford treatment. With a pet health insurance plan, you can avoid such heartbreaking decisions.
What Options Are Available If You Don’t Have Insurance?
If you don’t have pet insurance, you’ll need to budget pet care costs and save money for emergencies. Emergency veterinary visits are far pricier than routine ones – especially if your pet needs after-hours or critical care. Consider the expenses discussed in this article and create a savings plan to meet those costs should they ever arise.
If you can’t afford a traditional pet insurance plan, we recommend purchasing a Pawp plan. You’ll pay around $300 per year for access to unlimited online vet services and a one-time $3,000 emergency fund.
No matter what, we know saving money takes time, and emergencies don’t wait. Here are some pet owner resources to help you provide your pet with top-notch care on a budget:
- The Humane Society of the United States has compiled some pet owner financial assistance resources. You’ll find low-cost options for veterinary care, spay/neuter procedures, and pet food assistance.
- The Brown Dog Foundation is a public charity organization that helps financially struggling pet parents afford emergency vet care. The foundation works to “bridge the gap between the cost of medical expenses and saving the family pet.”
Our Final Thoughts on Pet Insurance For Emergencies
As a pet parent, few things are scarier than a veterinary emergency. We suggest purchasing a pet insurance policy that covers emergency care items to plan for the mishaps you don’t see coming.
Emergency pet insurance is an excellent tool that gives you peace of mind to handle unexpected vet bills. With the right coverage, you can support your pet’s needs instead of worrying about breaking the bank.
You’ll get reimbursement for the costly and scary vet visit, so you can focus less on money and more on getting your buddy back in tip-top shape.
Our Methodology
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