Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer?

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cancer Treatment?

Learning your pet has cancer is a scary and stressful time. Navigating your pet insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t covered can often add to that stress. Pet insurance cancer coverage can vary greatly by company and plan. 

Most cancer coverage options fall under the accident and illness bracket of insurance coverage. Preventative care plans, wellness plans, and accident-only plans typically don’t cover cancer diagnosis or treatment. 

While cancer is something no pet owner wants to think about, it’s best to be prepared just in case. Sadly, just like humans, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in pets. An estimated  1 in 4 dogs and 1 in 5 cats will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Cancer treatment for dogs and cats has come a long way in recent years and pet insurance can help offset the cost drastically. There are many ways of treating cancer, and the costs will vary depending on what treatment is suitable. Always discuss the options with your veterinarian.

Pet Insurance That Covers Cancer Treatment

The following are pet insurance companies that currently offer cancer care coverage. 

As with all insurance, changes in coverage or eligibility can occur, additional exclusions may apply, and reimbursement rates, copays, and deductibles vary by individual policy. Be sure to review your plan carefully and contact your insurance provider with any questions. 

AKC

AKC Pet Insurance covers cancer diagnosis and treatment under their Companion Care Plan. Coverage includes advanced imaging, lab tests, surgery, hospitalization, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. 

Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. Deductibles and annual limits vary based on individual chosen coverage. Pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage and there is a 14-day waiting period for new policies.

ASPCA

ASPCA Pet Insurance offers cancer coverage through its Complete Coverage Plan including diagnostics, surgery, and chemotherapy. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible is met. 

While there is no exclusion for breeds with hereditary conditions, previously diagnosed cancers are not covered. Deductibles and annual limits are based on chosen coverage. A 14-day waiting period applies to all new policies. 

Embrace

Embrace Pet Insurance offers comprehensive cancer coverage including exam fees, diagnostics, lab tests, medications, hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and rehabilitation therapy. They cover all types of cancer including suspected cases of breed-specific or hereditary cancers.

Reimbursement rates are 70% to 90%, after deductible. Deductibles and annual limits vary based on individual plans. Pre-existing conditions are not covered and there is a 14-day waiting period for new policies.

Fetch

Fetch Pet Insurance covers cancer treatment, including diagnostic tests, surgery and treatment, once deductibles have been met. Reimbursement rates are 70% to 90% depending on the chosen plan. Annual limits and deductibles vary based on the plan and a 15-day waiting period applies to all new policies.

Figo

Figo Pet Insurance offers cancer coverage including surgery, chemotherapy, and other related treatments. Reimbursement rates can go up to 100%, after the deductible. Annual limits and deductibles are based on individual coverage. Pre-existing conditions are not covered and there is a 14-day waiting period for new enrollments. 

Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance provides cancer coverage including advanced imaging, lab tests, surgery, hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, and rehabilitation therapy. They also offer coverage for some new and alternative therapies.

There are no annual limits or caps on coverage with Healthy Paws. Reimbursement rates go up to 90% once the deductible is met. Deductibles vary based on individual plans. New policies have a 15-day waiting period for coverage to apply and pre-existing conditions are excluded. 

Lemonade

Lemonade Pet Insurance offers coverage for cancer treatment including surgery and chemotherapy. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after the deductible. Deductibles and annual limits vary based on the chosen level of coverage. No pre-existing conditions are covered and new policies have a 14-day waiting period. 

Metlife

Metlife Pet Insurance provides coverage for cancer diagnosis and treatment including chemotherapy and radiation. Breed-specific or hereditary cancers are also covered. 

Annual limits range from $2,000 to $10,000 with deductibles from $50 to $2,500 depending on the chosen plan. Reimbursement rates are 70% to 100% after the deductible is met. Pre-existing conditions are not covered and there is a 14-day waiting period for new enrollments. 

Nationwide 

Nationwide Pet Insurance provides coverage for cancer diagnosis and treatment under their Whole Pet or Major Medical plans. Coverage includes diagnostics, lab tests, surgeries, and chemotherapy. 

Reimbursement rates range from 50% to 90% (after deductible) depending on the chosen plan. The standard deductible is $250. Annual limits are based on chosen coverage. No pre-existing conditions are covered and new policies have a 14-day waiting period.

Pets Best

Pets Best Health Insurance offers cancer coverage under their Accident and Illness Plan. Coverage includes blood work, imaging, medications, surgery, and chemotherapy. They also include rehabilitation therapy, prosthetics, and wheelchairs. 

Reimbursement rates are 70% to 90% after deductible. Deductibles and annual limits are based on chosen coverage options. Waiting periods often apply and are based on specific coverage options. No pre-existing conditions are covered. 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers coverage for cancer treatment and diagnosis, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation with no limits on age or breed. They offer a standard 90% reimbursement plan after deductibles are met. 

Deductibles range from $100 to $1,000 and annual limits are up to 10,000 or more depending on chosen plan. Pre-existing conditions are not covered and there is a waiting period of 14 days for new enrollments. 

Spot

Spot Pet Insurance offers coverage for some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, under their chronic illness coverage option. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% after a deductible is met. 

Deductibles range from $100 to $1,000 and annual limits vary based on chosen coverage. There is a waiting period of 14 days for new enrollments and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Trupanion

Trupanion Pet Insurance offers coverage for cancer diagnosis and treatment including advanced imaging, lab tests, surgery, hospitalization, chemotherapy, and other related cancer treatments. 

Trupanion covers 90% of eligible costs, either by paying direct-to-clinic or owner reimbursement.  Coverage kicks in after the deductible is met. Deductibles vary based on individual coverage. There are no annual limits or lifetime caps on coverage. New policies have a 30-day waiting period for illness coverage and no pre-existing conditions apply.

Are there any breed-specific restrictions or exclusions for cancer treatment coverage?

Some insurance policies do exclude certain dog breeds predisposed to higher rates of cancer under a hereditary or genetic conditions clause. Others may charge higher premiums to insure those breeds. Cancer is also more common in older dogs, and some policies will have age-limits for coverage. When shopping around for pet insurance it’s important to get an accurate quote based on your pet’s individual information including breed and age.

While unfortunately, any dog can develop cancer, some breeds are more predisposed than others. Dog breeds most prone to cancer include:

• Golden Retrievers
• Labrador Retrievers
• Boxers
• Rottweilers
• Beagles
• German Shepherds
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Great Danes

What types of cancer are covered?

Most pet insurance policies that offer cancer coverage do not have any restrictions on cancer type unless your pet had it before the policy went into effect. That would be considered a pre-existing condition. There are many different types of cancer that can affect dogs and cats but some are more commonly seen than others.

The most common cancers in dogs include:

• Lymphoma – cancer of the lymph nodes
• Osteosarcoma – bone cancer
• Mast Cell Tumors – tumors from a type of white blood cell, often seen as a lump on the skin but can also be internal
• Soft Tissue Sarcomas – aggressive soft tissue masses
• Oral and Nasal Tumors

The most common cancers in cats include:

• Lymphoma – cancer of the lymph nodes
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma – aggressive tumors, often found around the mouth and face 
• Fibrosarcoma – soft tissue masses
• Mammary Tumors

What types of cancer treatment are covered?

While every insurance plan is different, most that offer coverage for cancer treatment include common treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy. Some plans also include complementary therapies such as rehabilitation. Most, if not all, do exclude any experimental drugs or therapies from coverage. 

How Much Does Pet Cancer Treatment Cost?

The cost of cancer treatment for pets can vary greatly based on the type of pet, type of cancer, and type of treatment. Cancer treatment is highly individualized to the specific patient. Costs for treatment of cancer can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more depending on what type of diagnostics and treatment are involved. 

Most of the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in pets involve oncological and surgical evaluations, advanced imaging, surgery, hospitalizations, lab tests, chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment, and medications.