Reddit Pet Insurance Myths: We Explain Common Misconceptions

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Pet parents who turn to Reddit threads and other online forums for information on pet insurance have a powerful tool at their disposal. There is value in hearing about other people’s experiences and using them to inform your decisions.

However, asking Reddit, “Is pet insurance worth it?” can also leave pet owners misinformed. Learn the facts to help bust common Reddit pet insurance myths.

Why Reddit Is a Go-To for Pet Insurance Advice—But Not Always Accurate

For pet parents seeking the advice of everyday people, Reddit can be a good place to ask questions about pet insurance and share experiences and opinions, but there are a few things pet parents should consider when looking at Reddit pet insurance posts.

Pet owners should keep in mind that pet insurance Reddit threads can contain inaccurate or misleading information. While an expert could technically get online and answer Reddit questions, most of the commenters you’ll find are not pet insurance experts. They may lack an understanding of the different types of pet insurance policies, what constitutes a pre-existing condition, how pet insurance differs from human insurance, and more.

Crowd-sourced information may also contain bias in the information available. On Reddit, for example, you’ll only hear from people with internet access who use Reddit. You’re also more likely to find information posted by people of certain ages, sexes, and ethnicities.

For example, Reddit users tend to be younger, with around half of 2024 users between the ages of 18 and 34. This age group may have limited experience with pet insurance (especially for aging pets), though their experiences and insights can still be valuable.

You may also find that people with pet insurance who are pleased with their experience and have no concerns are less likely to post on public forums like Reddit. People are more likely to leave a negative review after a bad experience than they are to leave a positive one after a good experience. Similarly, people who are experiencing trouble with their insurance policies may be more likely to turn to public websites to find others with similar experiences.

Myth #1: “Pet Insurance Never Pays Out”

When it comes to pet insurance pros and cons, you may come across people talking about the reimbursement system on both ends of the spectrum. With this system, you pay for the veterinary services upfront, submit a claim to your insurance, and then are reimbursed.

You may have deductibles to reach before the plan begins reimbursement, and you’re usually still responsible for a certain percentage of your veterinary bills. Most insurance companies reimburse within a few days to a couple weeks.

Among pet insurance complaints on Reddit, you’ll find people discussing how their claims got denied. If a claim is denied, this is usually due to a pre-existing condition or a condition that’s not covered in the specific policy. Pet insurance plans are meant to cover unexpected veterinary expenses that are medically necessary.

For example, if a Bulldog with brachycephalic airway syndrome develops heatstroke due to their pre-existing, breed-related medical condition, insurance may not pay out. Similarly, a dog who tore their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) six months before the policy started is unlikely to have coverage if the CCL in the opposite knee tears.

The following are tips to avoid denied claims:

• Pick the right type of policy. If you pick accident-only coverage, then chronic illnesses like kidney disease and cancer will be denied. If you’re looking for coverage for wellness needs like vaccines and prevention, you’ll almost always need to elect for a wellness add-on to receive reimbursement.
• Read the fine print. Make sure you know what your specific policy covers and what is considered a pre-existing condition for your pet. Some policies, like Embrace Pet Insurance, may cover hereditary, congenital, and breed-related conditions, while others may not. Some do not cover exam fees while others will.
• Be aware of waiting periods. Some policies will have a waiting period before specific conditions are covered. For example, orthopedic conditions may not be covered for several weeks to several months after your policy starts. This is to avoid fraud, which occurs when a pet owner tries to get insurance to cover an already diagnosed condition.
• Submit complete and accurate information to your provider. Make sure you submit your records and request for reimbursement within the allotted time after your veterinary visit.

Myth #2: “It’s Not Worth It Unless Your Pet Gets Really Sick”

Another common myth is that pet insurance is only worth it if your pet gets really sick. It is true that unless you have a wellness add-on, you’re only going to be reimbursed for accidents and illnesses according to your plan. If that’s the case, is pet insurance worth it?

It is possible that you could pay for pet insurance for your pet’s whole life and that they could remain relatively healthy. In this case, you may pay more for insurance than you get reimbursed, but that should be viewed positively! It means your pet has lived a healthy life!

Pet insurance can be a safety net. It may provide you with peace of mind that if something happens—your pet gets hit by a car, your pet develops cancer and needs chemotherapy, your pet eats something they shouldn’t and needs emergency surgery—that you will not be out thousands of dollars all at once.

Myth #3: “It Covers Everything—Just Like Human Insurance”

While pet insurance may provide coverage for many conditions, it certainly doesn’t cover everything. Most plans have exclusions, which could include any of the following:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Congenital or inherited conditions
• Breed-related health issues
• Preventable diseases (if your pet isn’t vaccinated)
• Breeding, pregnancy, and birthing costs (including cesarean section)
• Behavioral health issues
• Cosmetic or elective procedures (which may include dental cleanings)

If a specific health condition is not covered by your pet’s plan, you will not receive reimbursement. Make sure you understand what is considered a pre-existing condition by your insurer. Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions if they’re curable and have been symptom-free for a certain amount of time.

You may not receive reimbursement for specific issues that pop up during the waiting period either, which can range from several days to several months depending on your plan and the specific condition.

You will also want to make sure you understand how pet insurance works, including annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages.

• An annual limit is the maximum amount that you will be reimbursed for covered expenses each year. If you’ve exceeded this amount, you can expect not to be reimbursed for any future expenses for the remainder of the policy year.
• A deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance policy kicks in.
• Once your policy kicks in, you may have a reimbursement percentage. For example, if you submit a claim and have a 90% reimbursement percentage, you’ll still be responsible for 10% of costs.

So, does pet insurance cover everything? No, but an accident and illness plan may cover a lot! Still, you should make sure you understand your pet’s specific plan and what it covers.

Myth #4: “They Jack Up Prices Once You File a Claim”

Most insurance companies do not increase prices based on a single claim, but some may increase your premium if your pet has frequent or expensive claims. This is because your pet’s risk assessment will show them as a higher risk patient for the company to insure.

It’s also common for pet insurance companies to increase premiums as your pet ages, which is because of the increased likelihood of chronic or serious health issues. Inflation and the price of veterinary care also play a role in how a pet insurance company sets prices.

You can potentially reduce your premium by increasing your deductible, reducing your annual limit, or reducing your reimbursement percentage.

Myth #5: “It’s a Scam—You’re Better Off Saving Your Own Money”

Among common pet insurance misconceptions is the idea that you’re better off saving your own money. Whether you choose to utilize your own savings for your pet’s health or sign up for a pet insurance plan is an individual decision, and there are pros and cons to consider for both scenarios.

Pet Insurance Pros

• May provide peace of mind if you’re covered for an expensive claim.
• You may be reimbursed for advanced diagnostics and treatments that you could not otherwise afford, such as MRI or chemotherapy.
• Plans are often customizable, with add-ons available.
• Wellness add-ons may allow you to distribute the cost of preventative care throughout the course of the year.
• Discounts may be available for multi-pet households.

Pet Insurance Cons

• For many plans, you’ll have to pay the veterinarian upfront and submit a claim.
• Your plan may not cover certain health conditions, such as pre-existing, congenital, or breed-related issues.
• Wellness costs are not covered unless you have a wellness add-on.
• Premiums can rise as your pet ages, if your pet is considered high risk, and with inflating veterinary costs.
• If your pet remains healthy, you may spend more in premiums than you pay in veterinary bills. On the other hand, this means you’ve had a healthy pet, so that’s great news!

Savings Account Pros

• You can use your savings account for any veterinary expense, whether it’s a routine dental cleaning or emergency stabilization after an accident.
• The money is immediately accessible, and you don’t have to submit a claim.

Savings Account Cons

• You may not have enough savings for advanced diagnostics or treatments.
• Emergency treatments can quickly exceed what you have in savings.
• You will not get the money back that you’ve spent.
• If you have multiple pets in your home, saving enough money to cover their health needs can be challenging.

In truth, the ideal way to manage your pet’s veterinary costs may be to enroll in an insurance program and save money. Keep in mind that for a lot of pet insurance companies, you’ll have to pay the veterinary clinic upfront. After reimbursement, you’ll receive a portion of the money you spent (if the condition was covered). You can then return that money to your savings account and remain prepared for the next unexpected veterinary expense.

If your pet has pre-existing conditions or develops a health issue that is not covered by your policy, having both a pet insurance policy and a savings account is ideal. A savings account can also serve as cushion if you max out your annual limit (though some plans are unlimited).

Among pet insurance myths, the idea that pet insurance “isn’t worth it” can do you and your pet a serious disservice. It’s not realistic for many families to have a savings account with enough money to cover high, unexpected veterinary costs. However, with a little budgeting, these same families may be able to afford a monthly insurance premium to help protect their family from the financial burden of surprise vet bills.

How to Choose a Plan That Actually Helps You

The best pet insurance advice we can give you is to ask questions before you buy. You’ll get the most value from your plan by understanding the plan’s terms and what’s covered.

Here are the questions you should ask before purchasing your pet health insurance:

• What conditions are covered? What conditions are excluded? Make sure to ask about the potential exclusions we mentioned in Myth #1. Ask them how they define a pre-existing condition.
• Does this plan cover experimental or alternative therapies?
• Is there a waiting period before insurance kicks in, and how long is it?
• How fast is reimbursement for expenses?
• How are reimbursement claims submitted? What information is needed?
• What are my customization options for this plan? What add-ons are available?
• How is my premium set each year?
• Do you offer discounts to multi-pet households?
• Is there an age at which you will not provide coverage for my pet?

Review the terms of your policy before you pay to ensure it meets your needs. Comparison tools can help you decide which provider is best for you. PetPlace can even help match you with the great plan fast!

What Reddit Gets Right About Pet Insurance

Of course, we’re not saying that there’s nothing valuable to find about pet insurance on Reddit. There are useful tips and warnings you can find from real users, such as:

• Make sure not to choose accident-only coverage if you want illnesses like cancer or diabetes covered.
• Only choose wellness plans if you routinely spend at least the amount of your annual wellness premium on your pet’s yearly wellness care.
• Make sure to submit reimbursement claims in a timely manner. There may be limits to how far out you can submit a claim after the veterinary visit.
• You’ll usually need to pay upfront and get reimbursed later. This means you should still save for veterinary expenses.
• Some plans define “pre-existing conditions” loosely. Make sure you understand what the company considers a pre-existing condition before paying.
• Your pet’s premium may be higher if you sign them up for insurance at an older age. Consider choosing an insurance plan while they’re still young and healthy.

It’s best to do your own research. While this may include the opinions of Reddit users, make sure not to make an important decision about your pet’s health based solely on viral opinions.

Don't Let Myths Stop You from Making an Informed Choice

As with all things, there is a balance with pet insurance. While real frustrations exist and are easy to find on social pages like Reddit, there are a lot of potential benefits to choosing insurance for your pet. Being proactive about your pet’s health care is always a positive, especially when expensive veterinary bills start to pop up.