What is routine care?
Routine care, also known as wellness plans, typically refers to preventive measures that help keep your pet healthy, such as vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and regular check-ups. Some policies may cover routine procedures like spaying/neutering, microchipping, and de-worming. While routine care is not usually considered to be an emergency or necessary medical treatment, it can still be expensive if you have to pay for it out of pocket.
The good news is that many pet insurance policies do cover routine care, either as part of the standard coverage or as an add-on. However, it's important to read the fine print of your policy to see exactly what is and is not covered. Some policies have pre-existing condition exclusions that might prevent certain types of routine care from being covered.
What does pet insurance cover?
There are three types of pet insurance coverage: accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverages. Each level determines the type of care covered as well as the cost.
Although most insurers offer the three types of coverage, each plan will have differences within each plan, so it is important to shop around to compare plans.
- Accident Only (AO) policies offer limited coverage. They do not cover most illnesses. These policies are cheaper than comprehensive coverage and are typically best for emergencies, including:
- Accidents such as car accidents
- Foreign body ingestion (swallowed objects)
- Lacerations
- Poisoning
- Ligament tears
- Accident and Illness (A&I) policies are also known as "comprehensive policies" since they cover accidents plus minor and major illnesses, such as:
- Accidents
- Injuries
- Chronic illnesses (such as cancer, infection, and digestive problems)
- Infections
- Diagnostic testing
- Prescription drugs
- Emergency care
- Wellness policies cover routine and preventive care, such as annual check-ups, vaccinations, and teeth cleaning. Routine care policies tend to be riders to A&I policies. If bundled with an A&I policy, they may include:
- Vaccinations
- Early screening diagnostics
- Dental care
- Consultations for proper nutrition
How much does pet insurance cost?
The cost for pet insurance depends on many variables such as the type of pet, breed, sex, age, location, annual coverage limit, and the deductible. It also depends on the type of coverage you get. Average premium costs can vary from $10 to $50 a month.
Accident only average premiums
- Dog
- Annual: $239.11
- Monthly: $19.93
- Cat
- Annual: $130.24
- Monthly: $10.85
Accident and illness average premiums
- Dog
- Annual: $583.91
- Monthly: $48.66
- Cat
- Annual: $342.84
- Monthly: $28.57
Routine care typically costs $20-$25 per month as a standalone plan. Some pet insurance policies either offer it as part of a standard policy or it can be added on to a plan for an additional fee.
Is routine care for pets worth it?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question since it depends on each pet owner's individual circumstances. Some people feel that routine care is essential for their pet's health and well-being, while others may not think it's necessary. For most pet owners, the cost of a wellness policy is what they would pay out of pocket anyway, so it may not be worth getting a standalone wellness plan. While a basic accident and illness pet health insurance policy will cover pet owners for unexpected vet bills, adding preventive care to a plan can help with expenses they are already paying for.
If pet owners are already paying more than the cost of a preventive care rider for their pet's ongoing healthcare, adding the endorsement can keep their pets healthier. Common items covered under a preventative care or wellness plan include an annual physical exam, fecal or internal parasite test, heartworm test, blood test, vaccines, flea/tick medication, routine dental cleaning, and more.
If your visits to the vet tend to be expensive or your pet needs a lot of preventive care, it may be worth it. Some plans have reimbursement limits for different routine care services. A basic plan may be capped out at $40 for flea prevention, whereas a higher-tier routine care plan may be capped at $60. It is important to know what type of preventive care your wellness plan will cover.
Pet routine care vs. pet insurance plan
There is a big difference between routine care and a pet insurance policy. A routine care plan is a preventive care package that can be purchased from an insurer or even your veterinarian. You are essentially prepaying for care. There is typically no deductible. It will pay up to a certain limit for care such as a wellness exam, vaccinations, spay/neutering, flea/tick prevention, heartworm screening and other preventive services.
Pet insurance, on the other hand, is a type of financial protection that helps to pay for unexpected veterinary expenses, such as emergency surgeries or illnesses. Wellness plans do not typically cover these types of unforeseen costs. There is also a deductible and some plans have no limits on the amount of coverage you receive.
So, which one is right for you? That depends on your budget and your pet's needs. If you're looking for comprehensive coverage that will help you with unexpected vet bills, then pet insurance is the way to go. However, if you're looking for a more affordable way to cover just routine care expenses, then a pet wellness plan might be what you need.
If you're not sure if your pet insurance policy covers routine care, the best thing to do is contact your insurer and ask. They should be able to tell you what is and is not covered under your particular policy. And, if you're in the market for a new pet insurance policy, be sure to compare plans and look for one that offers the coverage you need, including routine care.