Don’t Be Someone’s Side Hustle: What Kinds of Insurance Policies Cover Pets?

Everyone knows how important it is to have health, car and home insurance. But when it comes to pets, it’s a gray area. Whether you just got your first fur baby or you’re an experienced pet owner, there are a few truths you’ve got to face. One, your pet is the best and full of surprises. Two, some of those surprises may be health related- and they can get expensive. So making sure you have insurance that covers life’s less than pleasant surprises is vital.

Get answers to all your questions about the different kinds of insurance and what they do and don’t cover when it comes to your fur babies below.

Can health insurance cover pets?

This seems like the most basic, sensible option. The question also has a basic, simple answer… and that answer is, unfortunately, no. No human health insurance will allow you to include your pets on your plan.

Does homeowners insurance cover pets?

When you own a pet, that makes you legally liable for any injuries or damages caused by them. Homeowners insurance can cover some of the expenses if your dog or cat bites someone or damages their property. This does not apply to your own household, though. In other words, your insurance could help cover costs of people outside your family, but not your own family members or damage to your own home. If your cat scratches your neighbor’s carpet to bits, it should be covered. But if your cat rips up yours, you’re on your own. Same with dogs. If your dog bites your neighbor, your insurance could help cover the damages. But if they bite someone in your family, that’s on you.

There are also restrictions against certain breeds that are more prone to biting. If your dog is on an insurance company’s aggressive breeds list, they’ll be excluded from coverage. These dog breeds are often included on such lists:

• American Bulldogs
• German Shepherds
• Mixed-breed dogs
• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers

When you’re filling in your homeowners insurance policy, you should always be honest about owning a pet. That way if anything like this happens, the insurance company can cover it. Do keep in mind, though, that adding pets to your homeowners insurance will increase the price of your plan.

That being said, homeowners insurance doesn’t ever cover any of your pet’s health issues or medical bills.

Does renters insurance cover pets?

Renters insurance is very similar to homeowners insurance in terms of what it does and doesn’t cover regarding your pet. Standard renter policies cover liability claims (i.e. medical expenses, property damage and accident-related lawsuits caused by your pet). 

Renter policies break this down into parts: bodily injury liability or property damage liability. Bodily injury liability can help pay for medical bills from bites, scratches or any other physical harm your pet may have caused others outside your family. Property damage liability is related to any physical damage your pet causes outside your home to other people’s things.

There are also restrictions for certain dogs on renters insurance policies. Some of these restrictions include:

• Dogs with a history of biting
• Dogs that exceed a certain weight limit
• Trained attack dogs
• Unneutered male dogs

Rental insurance policies won’t cover any of your pet’s health needs, but they often offer add-on pet insurance policies for this very reason. 

Why standalone pet insurance is so important

Since other kinds of human insurance exclude your pet’s health from their coverage, it’s a good idea to look into pet insurance. Just like human health insurance, pet insurance helps cover the cost of medical care. Insurance companies have different kinds of plans: accident and illness, or accident-only coverage. The prices of each of these plans and what they include varies a lot from company to company. So it’s really important that you know what yours does before you commit to it.

Some homeowners or rental insurance companies offer add-ons to your policy that cover your pet’s health. There are also many pet insurance companies that primarily focus on the wellness of four-legged friends.

Instead of forcing you to pick between plans, Animalia created an all-in-one pet insurance that covers everything. One premium plan that will take care of all your dog or cat’s medical needs. Read on to explore what head-to-tail coverage really means.

Everything that’s covered with Animalia Pet Insurance

Accidents and injuries

Whether your pet fell out of a tree or slipped on a banana peel, Animalia will cover it. From diagnosis to rehab.

Illnesses

Arthritis, ear infections, eye issues, digestive problems… Whatever the diagnosis, Animalia will cover the treatment.

Hereditary conditions

Certain breeds have specific conditions that they pass down to their litter. Animalia covers inherited conditions like heart disease and hip dysplasia, even when they show up later in life.

Chronic conditions

Ongoing battles with diabetes, kidney disease and cancer can all take a toll. Animalia will be there for your pet from the tests, to the diagnosis, through the whole treatment.

Lab work

Animalia covers blood tests, urinalysis, stool samples, and other types of lab analysis your pet needs.

Imaging scans

If your vet calls for an X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or an ultrasound, Animalia has got it covered.

Emergency care

If something shocking happens, you can go to the nearest emergency hospital and Animalia will cover the cost.

Surgeries

Unexpected or illness-related surgeries like removing a tumor or mending a broken leg are covered.

Hospitalization

Whether your pet needs a quick stop in the hospital or to stay overnight, it’s covered. So are the costs of mediations, fluids and testing while you’re there.

Sick visits

Any fees associated with the visit and the exam is covered. That includes consultations, follow-ups and virtual care.

Cancer treatments

From removing tumors to treating cancer with chemotherapy or radiation, Animalia will take care of the costs of tests and treatment.

Prescription meds

Whether your vet prescribes antibiotics for short-term problems or medicine for chronic or long-term conditions, it will be covered.

Specialist visits

Make an appointment right away, no referral is needed. So if your pet needs to see a dermatologist,an ophthalmologist, an oncologist or another specialist, it’s included.

Behavioral therapy

If your pet needs to see a specially trained behavioral veterinarian, they can go in-person or even online and it will be covered.

Alternative care

When traditional treatments aren’t enough, your pet might need alternative action. This includes acupuncture, chiropractics, hydrotherapy and other kinds of pain reducing therapies.

Remote vet visits

Sometimes you just can’t make it in person to see the vet. You can call, email or have a video call with a vet to get after-hour care or a remote diagnosis. Any time, as often as you need.

Prescription food & dietary supplements

If your pet develops digestive issues and needs a special diet, they’ll be able to get what they need (according to your specific policy).

Orthodontic care

Any dental treatment related to injury or illness is taken care of. This includes crown modifications, tooth eruptions, and more.

What Animalia doesn’t cover

• Incurable pre-existing conditions
• Routine and preventive care (i.e. routine checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and grooming)
• Cosmetic procedures
• Spaying and neutering

Common questions about pet insurance

How does pet insurance work?

Like with many human plans, Animalia’s pet insurance works with reimbursement. That means you pay your vet directly, then submit your bill to Animalia for reimbursement. After your claim is reviewed and approved, you’ll get the money back based on the options you selected for your policy (annual limit, reimbursement rate, and annual deductible).

What if I have multiple pets?

You can get all your dogs and cats covered by Animalia! When you get a quote, you can add as many pets as you’d like. Up to 5 pets can be attached to a single policy. Plus, you can get a 5% discount for getting the whole pack covered!

Does pet insurance cover chronic conditions?

Yes, as long as you have signed up for your insurance before you get the diagnosis. Animalia and other pet insurance companies won’t cover expenses for pre-existing conditions. That means if your pet develops a chronic illness before you have pet insurance, you would have to pay out of pocket for years of medication and treatment. Insuring your pet as early as possible before any surprises will give you peace of mind. And it will help you with any unexpected vet bills down the line!

Your beloved pet is a part of your family, but their health isn’t covered by your health, car or home insurance. If your cat or dog gets injured or very sick, the vet bills can add up quickly. That’s why having pet insurance is so important. Animalia’s premium pet insurance for cats and dogs has no hidden fees, and no surprises. That’s why our coverage is the pick of the litter!