Does Pet Insurance Cover Emergency Visits?

Emergencies are inevitable, even for our furry friends. As of 2024, it’s estimated that about one in three pets requires emergency veterinary care each year*.

As a pet parent, you might be wondering whether pet insurance will cover an emergency visit. The simple answer is yes, but there are essential details and conditions you need to understand to make sure your pet gets the best possible care when they need it most.

Let’s delve into what you need to know about how pet insurance handles emergency visits, including coverage specifics, limitations, and how to choose the best policy for your pet.

Does pet insurance cover emergency vet visits?

Yes, pet insurance generally covers emergency vet visits. However, the extent of coverage depends on your specific pet insurance plan. Pet insurance companies design their policies to help you manage vet bills that arise from unexpected accidents and illnesses. These policies usually cover emergency care, including hospitalization, diagnostic testing, and emergency surgery.

For instance, if your dog swallows a foreign object and needs immediate medical attention, your pet insurance cover will typically kick in to help with the costs. However, it’s crucial to review your pet insurance policy to understand the specific conditions under which emergency visits are covered.

A base Lemonade pet insurance policy helps cover the costs of emergency vet visits, granted it’s not related to a pre-existing condition.

What types of emergencies are covered by pet insurance?

Pet insurance policies usually cover a wide range of emergencies, ensuring your pet gets the necessary care without a significant financial burden. 

Here are some common emergencies that are typically covered:

Common types of emergencies covered by Lemonade pet insurance
Injury from a car accident
Acute pancreatitis, which can be caused by eating fatty foods
Broken bones from a fall
Severe allergic reactions
Ingestion of toxic substances—like chocolate
Ingestion of a foreign object
Severe infections
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus)
Heatstroke
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
Urinary blockages
Intestinal blockages

These are just a few examples, but pet insurance coverage for emergency treatments depends on your specific plan and policy details, including waiting periods.

Are there any exclusions or limitations for emergency visit coverage?

Pet insurance can be a lifesaver during emergencies, but it’s essential to be aware of potential exclusions and limitations. Here are some common scenarios where coverage might not apply:

Pre-existing conditions

Most pet insurance policies exclude coverage for emergency visits that are related to a pre-existing condition, which is any condition your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before your pet insurance policy’s waiting periods.

Picture this: Your Golden Retriever, Max, who had a known history of epilepsy before you signed him up for pet insurance, suffers a severe seizure requiring emergency medical attention. Unfortunately, the incident would not be covered by your pet insurance policy due to the pre-existing nature of his condition.

That’s just one of the reasons it’s so worthwhile for pet owners to get pet insurance coverage early in their dog or cat’s life, to potentially avoid these types of exclusions. At Lemonade, for example, you can cover your puppy or kitten from two months old.

Waiting periods

There is usually a waiting period before your pet insurance starts covering your pet’s medical expenses. This period can range from a few days to several weeks or months, depending on the insurer and the type of coverage.

During this time, if an emergency happens or your pet falls ill, you might not get reimbursed for the costs. Knowing the length of the waiting period can help you plan better and avoid unexpected expenses.

Specific exclusions

Some pet insurance policies exclude certain emergencies, like those caused by eating non-food items, such as toys or household objects, or injuries from fighting with other animals. This means if your pet has an emergency related to these exclusions, the costs may not be covered.

Make sure to read the exclusions section of your policy carefully to be aware of what’s not covered.

Bilateral conditions

Conditions that can affect both sides of the body, such as hip dysplasia or cataracts, may not be covered if one side was already affected before your policy’s waiting period ended.

Essentially, if one hip was bad before the policy, treatment for the other hip might not be covered either. Understanding bilateral exclusions can help you assess the true value of the insurance for your pet’s specific health needs.

Vet visit fees

A vet visit fee—sometimes called an exam fee or consultation fee—is the cost of the veterinarian’s time and expertise when you bring your pet in for an accident or an illness—including emergencies—and is typically a separate charge on a vet bill from other charges like diagnostics, treatments, and medications.

Many pet insurance companies do not cover vet visit fees as part of a base policy, so it’s important to check the specifics of your coverage.

At Lemonade Pet, for example, we understand that vet visits are vital for maintaining your pet’s health and wellness. That’s why we offer a vet visit add-on that you can easily include as you customize your pet’s insurance plan.

How much of an emergency vet bill does pet insurance cover?

Depends on your policy’s details—including things like the co-insurance, deductible, and annual limit you choose.

For example, with a Lemonade pet insurance policy, you can choose co-insurance of 70%, 80%, or 90%, which is the percentage of the total vet bill you’ll get as a reimbursement on a claim to your pet health insurance, after the deductible is applied.

A deductible is the amount you’ll need to pay for your pet’s medical expenses before your insurance coverage kicks in. You can choose a deductible of either $100, $250, $500, or $750 with Lemonade pet insurance, and your deductible is annual, which means you can exhaust it with one big claim, or chip away at it over multiple claims. 

Let’s say you customize your policy to have an 80% co-insurance and a $500 deductible. You rush your fur baby to the emergency vet one night and end up with a $2,000 bill. If this is your first eligible claim, you’d need to pay the $500 deductible , then your insurance would cover 80% of the remaining $1,500, amounting to a $1,200 reimbursement.

That means that with pet insurance, instead of paying the $2,000 on your own for your pet’s care, you’ll only need to pay as little as $300. The savings could be life-saving for your pet and your wallet.

What is the process for filing a claim after an emergency vet visit?

Filing a claim with your pet insurance provider can involve several steps, and will vary depending on your provider.

Here are some general steps to help you through the process:

1. Visit the vet: Get your pet the immediate care they need. Don’t worry about paperwork until your pet is stable.
2. Collect documentation: Gather all the necessary documents—like an invoice and receipt from your vet visit.
3. Submit your claim: Every pet insurance provider does it a little differently, whether it’s by email, mail, over the phone, using an online portal, or a mobile app. At Lemonade Pet, it’s quick and easy to file a pet insurance claim on the Lemonade app.
4. Follow up: Keep track of your claim status and respond promptly if your provider requests additional information. Did you know that roughly 50% of Lemonade Pet claims are handled instantly and 80% of claims are handled within 5 days?

Keep in mind: Some insurance companies have a deadline for submitting claims, such as within 90 days of treatment. At Lemonade Pet, you have up to 180 days from the date of treatment to submit a claim.

Do I need to notify my pet insurance provider before or during an emergency visit?

In most cases, you do not need to notify your pet insurance provider before seeking emergency care. However, it’s a good practice to inform them as soon as possible.

Take a look at your pet insurance policy to see what’s needed for emergency visits. Be sure to let your provider know during or after the incident. Keep track of all the details from the emergency visit—it’ll make the claim process smoother and help you get reimbursed.

Before we go…

Pet emergencies can be stressful and overwhelming, but having pet insurance can provide peace of mind. Knowing that your furry friend’s emergency care is covered allows you to focus on their recovery instead of worrying about vet bills. With Lemonade pet insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your pet is protected from the high costs of emergency visits.

Don’t wait for an emergency to happen. Click below to start your free quote. It’s quick, easy, and dare we say even kind of fun.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.