What Are the Biggest Benefits of Pet Insurance?

Your pet is part of your family — and when an unexpected accident or illness happens, you want to be able to get them the care they need. Pet insurance can help reimburse pet parents for eligible veterinary expenses, with reimbursement rates up to 90% of covered costs after the deductible. With veterinary care costs rising faster than general inflation² — up 7% between May 2023 and May 2024 — more pet families are choosing pet insurance for financial protection.

Here are the biggest benefits of pet insurance and why it is worth considering for your furry family member.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet insurance operates on a reimbursement model. Pet parents pay the veterinarian directly for treatment, then submit a claim to receive reimbursement for eligible expenses. Here is how the process works with Spot Pet Insurance plans:

1. Visit your vet. Get the care your pet needs for an accident, illness, or routine visit (if your plan includes wellness coverage).

2. Pay your bill. Keep your invoice and any supporting documents handy.

3. Submit your claim. Log in to the Spot Member Portal or open the Spot mobile app to upload your bill — it takes about 30 seconds to complete.

After your claim is reviewed, your annual deductible is subtracted from the eligible amount, and your chosen reimbursement rate is applied to the remainder. For example, on an $800 vet bill with a $200 annual deductible and 80% reimbursement rate, the calculation works like this: $800 - $200 = $600 eligible, then 80% of $600 = $480 reimbursed to you*.

_{*Reimbursement amounts may vary depending on the specific terms of the policy, including coverage selected, annual deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary.}

Learn more about what pet insurance helps cover and how pet insurance reimbursement works.

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Pet Insurance?

Financial Protection Against Unexpected Vet Bills

Emergency veterinary care can be expensive — an emergency vet visit can cost $800 to $1,500 on average³, with complex procedures potentially exceeding $5,000. Pet insurance can help pet parents manage these unexpected costs through reimbursement of eligible expenses.

With Spot Pet Insurance plans, pet parents choose their reimbursement rate (up to 90%), annual deductible, and annual limit to fit their budget. After paying the vet bill and submitting a claim, pet parents can receive reimbursement for eligible covered expenses based on their plan terms.

Learn more about how much pet insurance costs and how to choose the right pet insurance.

Peace of Mind for Pet Parents

When your pet gets sick or hurt, the last thing you want is to worry about the cost of treatment. Knowing that eligible veterinary expenses can be reimbursed through pet insurance can help pet parents focus on getting their pet the care they need.

Research shows that pet parents with insurance are more likely to seek veterinary care⁴ for their pets, which can lead to better health outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Customizable Coverage Options

Pet insurance plans can be tailored to fit different needs and budgets. Spot Pet Insurance plans offer flexibility through:

_{^Exam fees for wellness or annual exams are not covered unless you have purchased the optional preventive care coverage.}

Coverage for Chronic and Ongoing Conditions

Some pets develop chronic conditions that require ongoing treatment, such as allergies, diabetes, or arthritis. Accident and illness plans typically help cover eligible treatment costs for a covered chronic condition can continue to be reimbursed up to the annual limit each policy term.

With Spot Pet Insurance plans, there are no per-incident caps on many plan options, meaning eligible treatment costs for a covered chronic condition can continue to be reimbursed up to the annual limit each policy term.

No Network Restrictions

Many pet insurance plans, including Spot Pet Insurance plans, do not have network restrictions or referral requirements. Pet parents can visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist, and submit a claim for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

This flexibility means pet parents can choose the veterinarian they trust most for their pet's care — whether it is a local clinic, a specialty hospital, or an emergency facility while traveling. Explore pet insurance reviews and frequently asked pet insurance questions to learn more.

Preventive Care Can Help Catch Issues Early

Some pet insurance providers, including Spot, offer optional preventive care coverage for an additional cost. This add-on can help cover eligible costs for routine care such as certain vaccinations, wellness exams, and dental cleanings.^

Preventive care can play a role in catching potential health issues early, when treatment may be simpler and less costly. According to the AVMA⁵, regular preventive care is an important part of keeping pets healthy.

_{^Exam fees for wellness or annual exams are not covered unless you have purchased the optional preventive care coverage.}

A Growing Number of Pet Families Are Choosing Coverage

The pet insurance industry is growing rapidly. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)¹, 7.03 million pets were insured across North America at the end of 2024 — a 12.2% increase from the previous year. In the U.S. alone, 6.4 million pets were insured by year-end 2024.

This growth reflects rising veterinary costs and increasing awareness of the benefits pet insurance can offer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics² reported that veterinary service costs rose 7% between May 2023 and May 2024, outpacing general inflation.

Why Pet Parents May Choose Spot Pet Insurance Plans

Spot Pet Insurance plans offer several features that pet parents may find valuable:

_{~10% multi-pet discount available on all pets enrolled after the first.}

_{*Based on 2025 Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. Claims data.}

_{^Exam fees for wellness or annual exams are not covered unless you have purchased the optional preventive care coverage.}

Pet parents are encouraged to research different pet insurance providers and policies to find the one that fits their pet's needs and budget. Explore Spot's dog insurance and cat insurance options — getting a quote takes 30 seconds or less.