As pet parents, we all want our furry friends to live the longest, happiest lives possible. But the best care can be expensive, and sometimes a little help goes a long way. Pet insurance is a great way to ensure your beloved four-legged family member can get the care they need when they need it. And with the increasing popularity of CBD for pets, some insurance companies offer coverage for these products.
Table of contents
- What is pet insurance?
- How does pet insurance work?
- Does pet insurance cover CBD?
- What else does pet insurance cover?
- What about preventative and wellness care?
- What do pet insurance plans not cover?
- How much is pet insurance?
- Is pet insurance worth it?
- How to choose the right plan
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is the pet equivalent to human health insurance. By purchasing a plan, you sign a contract that requires your insurer to pay some or all of your pet’s veterinary care costs in exchange for a premium. Having your dog or cat protected by a reputable health insurance plan can put your mind at ease by knowing that large, unexpected medical bills will be covered.
How does pet insurance work?
Just like other forms of insurance, pet insurance companies often reimburse you for veterinary care costs that you pay out of pocket for. Your reimbursement amount depends on your insurance policy details and exclusions, the type and cost of each procedure, your policy’s allowance per procedure, and your plan’s deductible.
With pet insurance, you’ll pay a monthly premium to keep your coverage active. Once your deductible is met, you can expect your provider to pay for your pet’s eligible expenses, based on your reimbursement rate, up to your policy’s limit, and depending on their preexisting condition policies.
Does pet insurance cover CBD?
ElleVet’s CBD + CBDA is extremely effective in providing cats and dogs support for a wide range of concerns that can greatly impact overall health and quality of life—itching, stress, cognitive function, neuro support, and joint discomfort. Fortunately, many pet insurance companies now cover ElleVet CBD + CBDA.
Our CBD + CBDA chews, oil, and soft gels are the best on the market, and having pet insurance pay for these products can take the financial burden out of providing animals with the best possible care.
Talk with your provider about their policies on CBD + CBDA, as some providers have specific CBD + CBDA language while others cover CBD + CBDA on a case-by-case basis. If you’re looking for a plan, here are some companies that offer coverage for CBD + CBDA:Â
- Embrace Pet Insurance offers reimbursements for CBD + CBDA supplements under their Wellness Rewards program.Â
- Fetch by The Dodo covers CBD + CBDA supplements if they are prescribed by a vet and the treatment does not violate their pre-existing conditions policy.
- ManyPets will reimburse CBD + CBDA supplement purchases up to $150 per plan term under the Holistic Care category of their Wellness plan.Â
- MetLife offers coverage for holistic care, including CBD + CBDA supplements, if recommended by a veterinarian.Â
- Trupanion offers coverage for CBD + CBDA supplements with their Recovery and Complimentary Care Rider, as long as health concerns were not pre-existing and noted prior to enrollment. 
ElleVet’s customer service team is able to provide itemized invoices with information your provider may need to process reimbursement claims for our CBD + CBDA products. Reach out to us at (844) 673-7287 or [email protected]. We are here to help!
What else does pet insurance cover?
There are two types of plans: accident-only and accident and illness. Anything associated with a sudden physical injury is covered by an accident-only plan. These plans can be a good option for pets with pre-existing illnesses that are excluded from a policy’s coverage.
Accident and illness policies are the most comprehensive plans. They typically cover:
- Accidental injuries
- Unexpected illnesses
- Chronic diseases, if not pre-existing
- Dental issues
- Hereditary conditions, if not pre-existing
- Surgery
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Prescription medications
- Diagnostic testing
- Emergency exam fees
Depending on the insurance company you choose, you may have the option to add additional coverage for expenses like:
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Breeding and pregnancy expenses
- End-of-life care, euthanasia, and cremation or burial
- Alternative strategies* like physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care
- Behavioral modification therapy
*Alternative strategies or products may include CBD + CBDA. Talk with your provider to confirm whether and how this language can be applied to CBD + CBDA.
What about preventative and wellness care?
Some companies also offer an optional wellness plan so that you can avoid paying out of pocket for routine vet visits and preventative care. Wellness plans are becoming increasingly popular for managing expenses associated with:
- Annual exams
- Spay/neuter procedures
- Routine blood panels
- Heartworm testing and treatment
- Fecal testing
- Urinalyses
- Routine vaccinations
- Teeth cleanings
- Flea and tick treatments
- Supplements, which may include CBD + CBDA
What do pet insurance plans not cover?
Pet insurance may not cover pre-existing conditions. Many companies also limit their illness coverage as animals age, and coverage is typically much easier to get at a lower cost when the animal is young. While most companies allow you to sign up for health insurance at any age, it’s in your best interest—and your pet’s—to get insurance while your pet is young to reduce pre-existing condition exemptions.
Some providers will cover curable conditions after a certain waiting period with no recurring symptoms. Also, animals with a pre-existing condition are still eligible for insurance, and their coverage would only exclude the specific condition that already exists. Other accident and illness coverage exclusions may include:
- Pet supplies (food, toys, treats)
- Cosmetic procedures
- Elective surgeries
- Routine care/wellness exams
- Preventive care
- Spay/neuter
- Vaccinations
- Boarding or daycare
- Pet property damage
- Personal liability claims
- Specific exclusions
How much is pet insurance?
On average, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association reports that the monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs is $47 and $29 for cats. Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on where you live, the age and breed of our pet, your individual policy, and any discounts you may qualify for.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Any pet parent who has been caught off guard by an accident or sudden illness will likely tell you that yes, pet insurance is worth it.
It doesn’t matter how well you take care of your pet; accidents happen. In fact, one out of every three pets will require emergency treatment each year, according to Pawlicy Advisor. And although having pet insurance won’t keep accidents and illnesses from occurring, it will allow you to choose treatment more promptly for your dog if an emergency arises.
Whether it’s a toenail that gets caught in the couch cushion or a torn cruciate ligament from jumping off the bed, your pet could have an accident that leads to massive vet bills. With pet insurance, you can remove the financial aspect from your consideration and base your medical decisions purely on what’s best for your pet.
How to choose the right plan
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to shopping for plans. The best plan is the one that offers you the best benefits and coverage for your unique pet at a reasonable price. This can vary by your pet’s age, breed, and even the zip code you live in. Consider your pet’s medical history, lifestyle, what matters most to you for coverage, and your budget. There is a plan for every pet!
