Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccines? A Guide to Wellness Plans for Your Cat and Dog

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Vaccines play a pivotal role in keeping your puppy or kitten in the best health possible, ensuring they're protected from potentially deadly illnesses. But sometimes, the costs of getting all those shots might feel like a lot. Does pet insurance cover vaccines? The answer varies. While certain pet insurance plans may cover your pet's immunizations, you'll need to read the fine print to make sure you're getting the right kind of plan.

Does pet insurance cover vaccinations?

Is there a pet insurance option that covers vaccines? Yes, but you won't find those options in your standard insurance plan.¹ Basic accident and illness policies primarily safeguard against unexpected events, like getting injured, developing a chronic condition or getting a severe illness like cancer.² For vaccinations, you'll need an optional wellness plan.³

Many insurers offer an add-on or stand-alone policy called a routine care or wellness plan. These reimburse for things like immunizations and other preventive services.² But they don't cover accidents and illnesses.

Pets Best, for example, offers two tiers of wellness plans for cats and dogs that cover:

• Certain vaccinations
• Preventive medication (flea and tick prevention)
• Teeth cleaning
• Spays and neuters
• Microchipping
• Routine wellness exams
• Diagnostic panels

Considerations when choosing pet insurance

When choosing a pet insurance plan (or if you're considering switching plans), read the policy terms and conditions closely and research the following questions.

What is the maximum annual coverage and monthly premium?

First, find out the policy's maximum coverage per year for things like accidents and illness, and if there are separate maximum coverage amount for vaccinations.⁴ Then, determine if the coverage and cost meet your pets needs and your budget. Remember insurance is there to help you afford the best care for your pet. It likely won't provide a financial return but can prevent financial hardship.

Most optional wellness plans use a benefit schedule, which simply means there is no deductible or co-insurance. The reimbursement amount available for things like vaccines is a fixed dollar amount. For example, $30 for vaccinations and titers plus an additional $15 for a rabies vaccine. Traditional pet wellness plans tend to run $20 to $60 a month, sometimes less.⁵ Costs can also vary based on what state you live in.

In general, the more routine care services your pet requires, the more financial sense a routine care plan makes. The cost of a routine care plan might not be in your best interest if your pet only requires a handful of routine services each year, as you'll end up paying for services you don't use.

Which pet vaccines are covered?

Whether you're looking for cat insurance or dog insurance, check which types of vaccinations are covered by the policy. Does it cover all the core vaccines your kitten or puppy needs?

Core vaccines for puppies typically include distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus (usually given as the DAPP vaccine) and rabies. Core vaccines for kittens typically include rabies, FVRCP (which covers calicivirus, feline panleukopenia and viral rhinotracheitis), and in some cases feline leukemia.⁴

Most wellness plans will cover core vaccines, but not necessarily the optional immunizations that might be recommended in your geographical region.³ For example, veterinarians in regions where Lyme disease is endemic might recommend that your pet get the optional Lyme disease vaccine, but not all policies will reimburse this.

Pets Best's wellness plans in Texas, for example, reimburses up to $55 for dog vaccines including: rabies, DHLPP, parvo, coronavirus, Bordetella, Lyme, influenza and rattlesnake venom.

Depending on where you live and how much your dog or cat might interact with other animals, your veterinarian might recommend additional vaccines. Ask your veterinarian what you'll need and check to see if those are covered, too.

How can you make claims?

Check how coverage is paid out. In most cases, you'll cover the cost up front. Then, you'll make a claim and insurance will reimburse you for covered costs. This is similar to the way standard pet insurance works.⁵ Just make sure it's easy to make a claim.

How much do vaccinations cost?

Vaccines aren't super expensive, but costs can add up over time. That can make investing in wellness plans worthwhile—especially when your pet is a young puppy or kitten.

So just how much do vaccinations cost? In New York, for example, the average costs of dog vaccinations per shot are estimated to be:⁶

• DAPP core vaccine: $37.59
• Rabies core vaccine: $26.71
• Bordetella: $32.16
• Bivalent influenza: $50.90
• Leptospirosis: $23.01
• Lyme disease: $41.29

In general, vaccines for puppies can cost $100 to $350 the first year, and then $80 to $250 each year after that.⁷ Costs will vary depending on where you live and which vaccines you get.

For kittens, the costs are similar. Average costs per shot are estimated to be:⁸

• Rabies core vaccine: $12 to $30
• Feline rhinotracheitis/herpesvirus/panleukopenia core: $15 to $40
• Feline calicivirus core: $10 to $30
• Feline leukemia: $25 to $45
• Chlamydophila felis: $20 to $40
• Bordetella: $10 to $30

Alternative options for vaccination coverage

If a pet wellness plan isn't a viable option for you, there are alternatives to help reduce the costs of vaccines.

• Discount plans: These have lower monthly premiums than wellness plans. Rather than reimbursing you, they will take a percentage off your vaccine costs.⁵
• CareCredit credit card: Some individuals use CareCredit to finance their pets' vaccinations due to its lower interest rate and payment options.
• Veterinary discount programs: Often you can find veterinary colleges that offer low-cost vaccine clinics. Some veterinarian offices also have discount programs.⁹
• Low-cost vaccination clinics: Many local nonprofits, private companies and local charities have vaccine clinics. Some even have mobile clinics or pop-up clinics in pet stores.⁹
• Government-funded programs: Many state and city government programs offer low-cost or free vaccinations. For example, Austin, Texas, hosts at least two free rabies vaccine clinics each year.¹⁰

Vaccines are vital for your puppies and kittens

The cost of not getting vaccines can end up being much higher than the cost of the vaccinations themselves. Some diseases that vaccines protect against are fatal.

Others, like parvo in dogs, can cost up to $1,500 or more to treat, for a survival rate of 75% to 80%.¹¹ On top of that, some standard pet insurance plans won't cover treatment for diseases that could have been prevented by vaccinations.¹²

This is why choosing to vaccinate your pets is a proactive step toward ensuring their long-term health and well-being. While the costs of these vaccinations can seem daunting initially, pet insurance can help make them more manageable. Remember, investing in your pets' health now can save both emotional and financial heartache in the future. After all, a healthy pet is a happy companion.

How Pets Best can help you get your dog or cat vaccinated

Purchasing a pet insurance policy early is a great way to help protect your puppy or kitten for life. At Pets Best, our insurance plans can be customized to include a wellness policy that covers a wide range of routine care procedures, including vaccines.

Sources/Citations

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2. “What Is Pet Insurance and How Does It Work?" Mandy Sleight (8/2023), U.S. News & World Report, https://www.usnews.com/insurance/pet-insurance/what-is-pet-insurance, accessed September 5, 2023.

3. “Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations & Shots? 2023 Guide," Brooke Billingsley (6/2023), Pet Keen, https://petkeen.com/does-pet-insurance-cover-vaccinations, accessed August 13, 2023.

4. “Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations?" (7/2023), San Diego Magazine, https://www.sandiegomagazine.com/guides/does-pet-insurance-cover-vaccinations/article_ce705558-2c06-11ee-8469-eb6ef34a2011.html, accessed August 13, 2023.

5. “Pet Wellness Plans," Jennifer Coates (5/2022), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/general-health/pet-wellness-plans, accessed August 13, 2023.

6. “How Much Do Dog Vaccinations Cost?" Ashley Kilroy (3/2023), Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-care/how-much-do-dog-vaccinations-cost, accessed August 13, 2023.

7. “How Much Do Dog & Puppy Vaccinations Cost? (2023 Price Guide)," Nicole Cosgrove (8/2023), Pet Keen, https://petkeen.com/dog-puppy-vaccinations-cost, accessed August 13, 2023.

8. “How Much Do Cat Vaccinations Cost? 2023 Pricing Update," Ashley Bates (8/2023), Pet Keen, https://petkeen.com/how-much-do-cat-vaccinations-cost, accessed August 13, 2023.

9. “Where You Can Find Free and Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations," Brooke A. Lewis (4/2022), GoodRx, https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/pets/free-low-cost-pet-vaccinations, accessed August 13, 2023.

10. “Free and Low-Cost Services," Austin Animal Center, https://www.austintexas.gov/page/free-and-low-cost-services, accessed August 13, 2023.

11. “Parvo in Dogs," Ellen Malmanger (1/2023), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_canine_parvovirus_infection, accessed August 13, 2023.

12. “What Pet Insurance Won't Cover," Andrea Agostini Ferrer (7/2023), Money, https://money.com/what-pet-insurance-wont-cover/, accessed August 13, 2023.