Accident & illness coverage
Accident and illness plans are the most common type of pet insurance. They cover unexpected injuries and diagnosed conditions. Here's what you need to know.
What accident & illness plans cover
Accidents
- ✓ Broken bones and fractures
- ✓ Lacerations and bite wounds
- ✓ Swallowed foreign objects
- ✓ Toxic ingestion (chocolate, xylitol, etc.)
- ✓ Hit by car / vehicle injuries
- ✓ ACL/CCL tears from play
Illnesses
- ✓ Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- ✓ Infections (ear, urinary, skin)
- ✓ Diabetes and endocrine disorders
- ✓ Heart disease and cardiac conditions
- ✓ Allergies and autoimmune conditions
- ✓ GDV (bloat) and digestive issues
What's typically excluded
Always excluded
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic procedures
- Breeding/pregnancy costs
- Preventive care (unless wellness add-on)
Varies by provider
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Bilateral conditions (both knees, both hips)
- Dental disease
- Behavioral treatments
Waiting periods comparison
Every provider has a waiting period before coverage begins. Here's how they compare:
| Provider | Accidents | Illness | Orthopedic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Paws | 15 days | 15 days | 12 months |
| Trupanion | 5 days | 30 days | 0 months |
| Embrace | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| MetLife | 14 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Pumpkin | 14 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| ASPCA | 14 days | 14 days | 0 months |
| Lemonade | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| ManyPets | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Figo | 1 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Spot | 14 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Fetch by The Dodo | 15 days | 15 days | 6 months |
| Nationwide | 14 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Paw Protect | 0 days | 14 days | 0 months |
| Pets Best | 3 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| AKC | 14 days | 14 days | 12 months |
Is accident & illness insurance worth it?
For most dog owners, accident and illness coverage provides the best value. A single emergency surgery can cost $3,000–$8,000, more than a lifetime of premiums for many breeds.
The math depends on your breed's health profile. Breeds prone to cancer, orthopedic issues, or cardiac conditions almost always break even on insurance. Healthier breeds may find it's a closer call. Use our breed-specific calculators to see the numbers.
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