Updated: October 3, 2024
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Pet insurance coverage depends on the plan and procedure type. Typically, standard and comprehensive pet insurance covers dental procedures related to certain accidents and illnesses. However, routine dental care is often not covered unless you purchase a wellness plan add-on.
Understanding pet insurance dental coverage and knowing which companies offer this coverage can help you find the best policy.
Pet insurance can help manage pet healthcare expenses, including dental-related procedures. Generally, there are three types of plans from which pet owners can choose. The best pet insurance option will depend on your coverage needs.
For instance, an accident and illness plan covers dental-related accidents and dental illnesses. An accident-only policy, on the other hand, only includes dental-related accidents. If you want coverage for routine dental care, consider buying a wellness plan.
Plan Type | Dental-related Accidents | Dental Illnesses | Routine Dental Care |
|---|---|---|---|
Accident & Illness Plan |  | |
|
Accident-only Plan | |
|
|
Wellness Plan |
|
| |
*Accident & illness and accident-only plans can also cover routine dental care procedures if you purchase a wellness plan add-on.
Typically, pet insurance coverage includes veterinary bills due to illnesses, injuries and preventive care. Whether or not a dental procedure is covered depends on the exact type of procedure and the insurance.
Generally, there are two main types of dental coverage: dental-related accidents and dental illnesses. A wellness plan may be necessary for routine dental care coverage.
Pet insurance dental coverage levels depend on the company. Each insurance provider has its list of procedures covered.
Here are some common procedures covered under each type of plan.
Dental-related Accidents
Accident-only plans and accident and illness plans provide coverage for dental-related accidents. These typically include:
Dental Illnesses
Accident and illness plans provide coverage for procedures and treatment of dental illnesses like:
Routine Dental Care
The only type of policy that covers routine dental care is a wellness plan. Routine dental care refers to preventive procedures like:
Dental procedures can be costly, but having the right pet insurance dental coverage can help you manage the expenses. Although accidents and illnesses may happen anytime without warning, getting coverage for conditions your pet is most likely to develop can protect your finances.
Understanding the common procedures each type of pet insurance policy covers can help you determine which type of plan offers the best protection based on your pet’s needs.
If you have a wellness plan, dental cleanings are covered. Oral hygiene is considered routine and preventive care.
If you have an accident-only or accident-and-illness plan, you can purchase wellness insurance as an add-on. With this, dental cleanings will be covered.
Generally, pet insurance dental coverage includes tooth extraction if the cause is an illness. There are various possible reasons why a pet may need tooth extractions, including:
Tooth extractions may also be covered if it’s due to an injury caused by an accident.
Although pet insurance with dental coverage can help you pay for some dental-related procedures and treatments, it doesn’t include certain procedures. Insurance providers usually don’t cover the following:
It’s important to read the fine print before purchasing a pet insurance plan to ensure you’re getting the right dental coverage. Clarify the details, such as the fees, procedures covered and the coverage amount.
Some companies may offer more comprehensive coverage than others. Rates may also vary per insurer. Comparing your options can help you find a policy that fits your pet’s needs at a fair price. Weighing the pros and cons can also give you an idea of which insurance provider is best for your needs.
Below are some pet insurance providers that offer dental coverage:
The cheapest pet insurance companies depend on the location, pet’s age and type of animal. That said, the most affordable option isn’t always the best.
When looking for the best pet insurance, you should also determine which insurance providers have a balance of quality and affordability.
Finding the best pet insurance with dental coverage starts with understanding what is and isn’t covered. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions about dental coverage.
Generally, standard pet insurance policies cover dental procedures related to accidents or illnesses. For routine dental care, adding wellness insurance may be necessary.
Whether a dental procedure is covered or not depends on the type of procedure and insurance provider. Typically, the dental procedures not covered by pet insurance are caps, crowns, crown amputations, extractions or reconstruction due to a pre-existing dental condition, fillings, implants, scaling and planing and other cosmetic dental services.
There are several pet insurance companies that offer dental procedure coverage. Some of the most popular are ASPCA, Embrace, Figo, Healthy Paws, Lemonade, MetLife, Nationwide, Pets Best, Prudent Pet. Pumpkin, Spot, Trupanion and TrustedPals.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
