Pet Insurance That Covers Vaccinations

Depending on your pet’s age and breed, you could potentially spend hundreds of dollars each year on their scheduled vaccines and the appointments necessary to administer them.

With the right pet insurance plan, you may be able to get some (or all) of these costs covered for your dog or cat, but it’s important to understand exactly what your plan covers. Here’s a look at how you can get routine vaccinations covered through a pet insurance plan.

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Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?
What vaccinations are covered with pet wellness plans?
Pet insurance wellness plans and their vaccination benefits

Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?

Your traditional pet insurance policy will not cover vaccinations, because they’re considered routine care and most pet insurance plans only cover illnesses and injuries. Preventative visits and care are out-of-pocket expenses instead, often resulting in hefty vet bills for pet owners who only have standard insurance plans.

If you want pet insurance that covers vaccinations—as well as routine care such as annual exams, dental cleanings, spay/neuter surgery, and the like—you will need to purchase a wellness plan instead of (or in addition to) a standard pet insurance policy.

Even with wellness plans though, there may be limits on the type or number of vaccines covered each year. However, the coverage these plans do offer can help pay for vaccines as well as many of your pet’s other preventative care costs.

Pet wellness plans typically operate on a reimbursement model, similar to traditional pet insurance companies’ accident and illness plans. This means that pet owners will usually pay their vet directly for the visit, then file a claim for reimbursement from the insurance company.

Example: Let’s say your wellness plan offers vaccine coverage for up to $75 per shot, with an annual plan maximum of $500. If you have four vaccines administered at $60 each, your plan would reimburse you the full $240. You would still have up to $260 remaining in your plan for other covered preventative treatments, like flea control or heartworm prevention.

What vaccinations are covered with pet wellness plans?

In your pet’s first year of life, your vet will likely recommend up to four core vaccines: three doses of DAP and one of rabies. They may also suggest a number of other lifestyle-related vaccines, such as those for Lyme, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, or Canine Influenza.

Most of these vaccines are highly recommended by veterinarians, especially if your dog spends time outdoors, is ever around other animals, or gets boarded when you travel. In some cases, certain vaccines may even be required by your state or local government. You can also expect some vaccines to be required before obtaining certain pet services, such as grooming or boarding.

The most common vaccines that you may encounter for your pet include:

Vaccine	Frequency
Rabies	16 weeks, booster at 1 year, then annually or every 3 years
DHLPP	6 weeks, two boosters every 3 weeks, booster at 1 year
DAP	6-8 weeks
Bordetella	3 weeks, booster at 4 weeks, then annually or every 6 months
Influenza	Two initial doses, then annually
Lyme	Two-shot series, then annually
FVRCP	16-20 weeks, booster at 1 year, then every 3 years

Pet wellness plans and their vaccination benefits

While many pet insurance companies only offer accident and illness coverage, some also offer optional pet wellness plans. These plans are often available as an add-on to an existing insurance plan, though standalone coverage may also be possible. Wellness plans typically offer coverage for routine care, such as vaccines.

Lemonade

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Covers up to $80 for three vaccinations each year

Coverage is available through its optional preventative care add-on
Available for use the day after you purchase your policy
Get a free quote in just two minutes

Lemonade stands out for its affordable policies and digital experience. Reimbursement for vaccinations is available through Lemonade’s preventative care package. This is an optional add-on to a standard accident and illness pet insurance policy.

The amount you’ll be reimbursed depends on the reimbursement rate you select for your pet insurance plan. The higher your reimbursement rate, the more Lemonade covers.

What sets Lemonade apart from competitors is its focus on using technology to enhance the customer experience. The company’s user-friendly app allows for quick claims processing, oftentimes within minutes, making it convenient for pet owners.

Spot

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Covers up to $75 for three vaccinations each year

Choose between its Gold or Platinum preventative care add-on
Reimbursement is only available for specific vaccines

Spot offers one of the most customizable pet insurance policies in the industry. You can select between several deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual coverage limits to find a policy that protects you and your pet.

All policies include two optional preventative care plans. Here’s the vaccination breakdown for both plans.

Vaccination	Gold	Platinum
Dog DHLPP or Cat FVRCP	$20	$25
Rabies and/or Dog Lyme or Cat FIP	$20	$25
Dog Bordetella or Cat FELV	–	$25

Embrace

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Choose a $250, $450, or $650 allowance per year

The net effective savings with an allowance is about $25 over a year
No reimbursement limits per item within your allowance

Embrace provides comprehensive pet protection, including an optional wellness plan that covers vaccinations and a long list of other preventative care items. The Wellness Rewards program enables you to receive reimbursement for routine care such as check-ups, dental care, and vaccinations, providing a well-rounded approach to your pet’s health.

Unlike other companies, Embrace lets you choose how to spend your allowance. There are no per-item limits or excluded vaccinations. All policyholders have access to a free 24/7 pet helpline.