Does pet insurance cover diabetes?

Does pet insurance cover diabetes?

Yes, most standard pet insurance plans cover diabetes, provided it’s not considered a preexisting condition.

A preexisting condition is a health issue that your pet showed symptoms of, was treated for or was diagnosed with before your policy’s effective date. If your pet develops diabetes after your policy begins and any waiting period has passed, diagnosing the condition and relevant treatments should be covered. However, if your pet already showed signs of the disease prior to enrolling, the insurer may exclude the condition from coverage.

According to ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, most pets that develop diabetes are between 7 and 10 years old. Certain breeds may be predisposed to the condition as well. For example, the company lists dachshunds, schnauzers and poodles as breeds that are more likely to suffer from the condition.

Since diabetes tends to affect older pets, it’s wise to consider getting a pet insurance policy early to ensure any diagnosis won’t be ruled a preexisting condition.

How much does pet insurance for diabetes cost?

Pet insurance for diabetic pets generally costs the same as any accident-and-illness plan — unless your pet is already diagnosed, in which case the condition may not be covered.

Embrace Pet Insurance reports that most dog owners pay between $18 and $72 per month, while cat owners typically pay between $8 and $38. Your monthly premium depends on your pet’s age, breed and location, plus your policy’s deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate.

While your premium likely won’t increase right away, it could rise at renewal after a diabetes diagnosis. Chronic conditions like diabetes often require long-term care, and insurers may adjust premiums to reflect that risk.

How much does diabetes treatment cost without insurance?

Treating diabetes in pets can be costly. Lemonade estimates that you could spend upwards of $2,500 a year for diabetes treatment, while Embrace estimates costs at $100 to $200 per month.

Managing diabetes in pets typically requires insulin injections, regular blood glucose monitoring, specialized diets and regular vet visits. MetLife Pet Insurance reports the monthly cost of insulin alone can reach up to $150 for dogs and $300 for cats. That doesn’t include vet checkups, blood tests or other potential treatments.

Since most plans reimburse you between 70% and 90% of your bill, pet insurance can help significantly reduce the cost of treating your pet with diabetes.

What does pet insurance not cover?

Understanding what pet insurance doesn’t cover is just as important as knowing what it does. Most pet insurance excludes coverage for preexisting conditions. Other common exclusions include injuries that happen while a pet is working (for example, dogs used in law enforcement), costs related to breeding (like pregnancy or delivery) and elective procedures (such as tail docking or ear cropping).

» MORE: Does pet insurance cover medication?

How to choose the best pet insurance for diabetes

When choosing a pet insurance plan for diabetes, you’ll want to compare policies to get the right coverage for your pet's needs. Start by looking for plans that don’t have lifetime or per-condition limits. Unlike annual limits that reset every year, lifetime or per-condition limits can be reached quickly with the ongoing treatment required for diabetes. This can leave you facing substantial out-of-pocket costs once the limit is met.

You’ll also need to review deductibles, reimbursement rates and premium costs. The higher the reimbursement rate, the less you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for diabetes treatments. While lower premiums might seem appealing, they often come with higher deductibles or copays, so balance the cost with the coverage provided.

Be sure to also check for coverage specifics. Some plans cover insulin, blood tests and vet visits for managing diabetes, while others may not.

Finally, look out for any waiting periods. Nearly all plans have waiting periods to prevent fraudulent claims. If your pet is older, you may want to choose the shortest waiting period available, just in case.

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Is pet insurance worth it for diabetic pets?

Given the high costs of diagnosing and treating diabetes, pet insurance can certainly be worth it. Most pet insurance plans operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning you pay the bill upfront and then get paid back for a portion of the cost after you file a claim.

For example, if you pay $200 per month for your pet's insulin and your policy reimburses you 90%, you could save over $2,000 a year. This illustrates the significant value that pet insurance can provide for managing diabetes. A solid pet insurance policy can help manage the financial strain of treating diabetes, making it easier to afford ongoing care and treatments.