Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering? – Forbes Advisor

Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering? We analyzed policies from 13 pet insurance companies to find out. We’ll explain the costs and coverage you can expect. Our research can help you decide if buying pet insurance for neutering and neutering is worth it.

Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?

A standard pet insurance policy covers unforeseen illnesses and accidents, and neutering doesn’t fall into any of these categories. This is because spaying and sterilization are predictable procedures and expenses.

For example, when you adopt a puppy or kitten, you know that you will need to bring it in for this procedure if the shelter or rescue organization has not already done so.

But there’s still a way to get pet insurance coverage for neutering and neutering: through a pet wellness plan. Many pet insurance companies offer wellness plans in addition to accident and sickness insurance plans.

Related: What does pet insurance cover?

What Does a Pet Wellness Plan Cover?

A pet wellness plan or routine care plan covers preventative care. The exact items covered may vary depending on the insurer and the plan you purchase, but may include the following:

• Blood tests
• Canine bordetella vaccine/titer
• DHLPP canine vaccine/titer
• Dental cleanings
• Deworming drug
• Faecal tests
• Feline FELV Screening/Vaccination/Titration
• Grooming
• Heartworm test
• microchip
• Food supplements
• Pet advice chat service
• Prescription diet food
• Preventive medications against fleas, ticks and heartworm
• Routine examinations
• Castration/sterilization surgery
• Securities
• Urine analysis
• Vaccination

What does a pet wellness plan not cover?

A pet wellness plan does not cover accidents or illnesses. You’ll need a pet accident and sickness insurance plan to protect your bank account against expenses like cancer treatment, asthma medication, or emergency surgery after a dog fight involuntary. If you are not concerned about coverage for an illness, you can purchase cheaper pet insurance.

A pet wellness plan may not cover all of the items listed above, especially if it is a less expensive plan. And even for covered items, a pet wellness plan will only cover your costs up to a certain dollar limit.

If you want sterilization covered, look for a wellness plan that includes this option. Be sure to note the plan’s sublimit for this type of surgery, as it may not cover the full cost.

The Platinum Preventative Care Plan offered by Spot Pet Insurance, for example, includes $150 coverage for neutering or neutering. This plan costs $24.99 per month, or just under $300 for the year. It offers a maximum annual benefit of $450.

Can I get a standalone pet wellness plan?

You usually can’t just buy a pet wellness plan. Pet insurance companies usually offer pet wellness plans or preventative care plans as an add-on when you purchase an accident-only or accident-and-sickness insurance plan. That’s what you’ll find with pet wellness plans offered by Spot, ASPCA, and Embrace, for example.

Banfield Pet Hospital’s Optimal Wellness Plans are an exception. These are standalone blueprints, but the catch is that you can only use them in Banfield locations. Wellness plans provided by pet insurance companies usually reimburse you for services at the veterinarian of your choice.

Banfield plans offer unlimited office visits, two comprehensive exams per year, two virtual vet visits per year, and other preventative services in 42 states and Puerto Rico. Some states have far fewer Banfield locations than others. There are no Banfield Pet Hospital locations in Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Pet insurance companies that offer coverage for neutering and neutering in a wellness plan

How does neutered and neutered animal insurance work?

If you purchase a preventative care plan that covers spaying and sterilization, you may need to pay upfront for the surgery. Request an invoice from the veterinary clinic.

Then, submit the bill to the pet insurance company where you purchased your pet wellness plan. They will reimburse you for part of the costs. To find out how much they reimburse you, check your policy or contact the insurance company.

Some pet insurers will pay your veterinarian directly, allowing you to skip the reimbursement process. Yet, they will only pay the amount allowed by your plan. You may still owe something out of pocket at the time of service.

Is pet insurance worth it for neutering and neutering?

Pet insurance isn’t worth it for neutering or neutering alone. A pet insurance policy without a wellness plan supplement will not cover neutering and neutering.

If you’re already considering getting pet insurance, it might be a good idea to sign up for a spaying and neutering wellness plan. Here the answer is less clear.

Sterilization and spaying surgeries are a one-time expense. The cost can range from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on the service providers in your area and your pet. Dogs can be more expensive to spay or neuter, especially large dogs.

Several pet wellness plans that cover neutering and neutering cost around $25 per month, or $300 per year. They reimburse up to $150 for the surgery.

However, if your pet has complications after being spayed or neutered, a pet insurance plan with health coverage could make your pet’s aftercare care more affordable.

If your main goal is to save money on neutering or the neutering itself, you may consider adopting a pet that has had previous surgery or finding a low-cost clinic in your area. .

Another question to ask yourself is whether you can afford the ongoing costs of owning a pet if you are concerned that you can afford spaying or spaying surgery. It’s a relatively small expense compared to the ongoing costs of food, exams, blood tests, and vaccines, and it’s considerably cheaper than veterinary bills for emergencies, accidents, and illnesses.

Related: Is pet insurance worth it?

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