Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

What is typically covered by pet insurance?

Pet insurance typically covers costs from vet visits following accidents, illnesses and injuries. While each provider may have different offerings, most policies cover:

• Accidents: Fractures and cuts along with surgery costs
• Illnesses: Treatments for both chronic and acute conditions, such as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and cancer
• Diagnostic tests: Procedures that help diagnose conditions, like blood tests, X-rays, MRIs and ultrasounds
• Prescription medications: Reimbursements for vet-prescribed medications, including pain relievers and antibiotics
• Surgeries and hospitalizations: In-patient interventions for accidents or illnesses, excluding most cosmetic procedures

A few pet insurance policies may also include coverage for:

• Alternative and holistic treatments: May include acupuncture, chiropractic care and hydrotherapy
• Prescription diets: Special vet-prescribed foods that help manage illnesses like kidney disease or diabetes

Notice that vaccines aren’t covered, and neither are other routine care procedures, like annual checkups and dental cleanings. Standard pet insurance policies also exclude preexisting conditions — illnesses your pet was diagnosed with or showed symptoms of before your coverage began.

Why doesn’t pet insurance cover vaccines?

Pet insurance mainly covers expenses related to accidents and illnesses, not routine care like vaccines. Vaccines fall under preventive (wellness) care, which standard pet insurance plans typically don’t include. Even though vaccines protect pets from serious diseases — and some, like rabies, are required by law — they aren't normally included in standard pet insurance coverage.

How to get pet vaccines covered

Though most pet insurance plans don’t cover vaccines, you can still get coverage through a wellness plan or a stand-alone preventive care option. Many pet insurance providers offer wellness add-ons that reimburse you for routine care, including vaccinations. These plans help with routine care costs, but they come with an additional premium on top of your base policy.

These pet insurance providers offer wellness add-ons that cover vaccines:

• Lemonade
• MetLife Pet Insurance
• Spot Pet Insurance

If your pet already has insurance, check if your provider offers a wellness add-on that covers vaccines.

If you don’t want traditional pet insurance, Pumpkin Wellness Club offers one of the few stand-alone wellness plans available. Unlike similar coverage at pet insurance companies, Pumpkin Wellness Club doesn’t require you to purchase a base policy to get vaccination coverage.

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How much do vaccines cost?

Pet owners typically spend $20 to $60 per vaccine. You'll pay more for vaccines when your pet is young. That’s because puppies and kittens require multiple rounds of shots in their first few months, while adult pets need boosters less often, typically every one to three years.

The ASPCA lists the following estimates for common pet vaccines, although costs may vary depending on location and provider:

Pet vaccine costs: estimated prices and frequency

How to lower vaccine costs

Vaccines can be expensive, but protecting your pet from dangerous illnesses is well worth the cost. If you’re struggling to pay for vaccinations, here are some options to consider:

• Look for low-cost veterinary services. Petco Love offers a helpful tool to locate cheaper veterinary care, food and supplies along with boarding and grooming services.
• Check for free or low-cost vaccine events from local organizations. Humane societies and some vet clinics offer discounted or even free vaccinations. Petco Love, for example, provides free vaccines in many states, but availability and eligibility vary — so confirm details before attending.
• Consider medical care financing to spread out vaccine costs. Some providers, like CareCredit, offer credit lines that can be used at veterinary clinics. If your application is approved, you can use your credit line to pay upfront and make installment payments over time.