Pet Insurance That Covers Pregnancy
If you’re considering breeding your pet, you might wonder about pet insurance that covers pregnancy. Welcoming a litter of kittens or puppies is an exciting time for any pet owner. But along with the joy comes the responsibility of ensuring their health and well-being.
The costs associated with pet pregnancies—from routine ultrasounds to unexpected complications—can add up fast. That’s where pet insurance comes in. Below, we’ll explore what’s typically covered, costs associated with pet pregnancies, and alternatives if insurance isn’t in the cards.
In this guide:
- Does pet insurance cover pregnancy?
- Which pet insurance companies cover pregnancy?
- Costs associated with pet pregnancy
- Alternatives to pay for a pet’s pregnancy
- FAQ
Does pet insurance cover pregnancy?
Most standard pet insurance policies focus on unforeseeable and unpreventable illnesses and injuries. Given that pet pregnancy is considered a planned and preventable condition, many pet plans don’t cover pregnancies.
But some insurers recognize the specialized needs of breeders or those who might accidentally find their pet expecting. To cater to this, several pet insurance companies have breeding plans that might cover certain pregnancy-related costs.
But these plans often exclude routine pregnancy expenses, focusing instead on unexpected complications that could arise from the pregnancy, whelping, or nursing.
Which pet insurance companies cover pregnancy?
Most pet insurers do not cover pregnancy-related expenses. However, AKC and Trupanion offer optional breeding coverage.
Fetch and Figo may cover life-saving procedures—for example, an emergency C-section—if they’re medically necessary. Let’s break it down.
Click the company name in the table below to find out more about that company’s pet insurance policy and how it treats pregnancy.
| Company | Insurance covers pregnancy? | Pregnancy coverage available as an add-on? |
| Lemonade | ||
| Fetch | Sometimes covers life-threatening complications | |
| Spot | ||
| Embrace | ||
| Trupanion | ||
| AKC | ||
| Figo | Sometimes covers life-threatening complications |
Lemonade
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Best for fast claims
Lemonade does not offer any type of breeding or pregnancy coverage, but it may step in to cover any complications that arise as long as they’re not considered pre-existing conditions.
A standout feature of Lemonade is its AI digital claims process, which allows for quick processing times. However, the coverage isn’t available in all 50 states, so before you make up your mind that Lemonade is the right company for you, ensure you can get a policy in your location.
- Covers pregnancy? No
- Deductible: $100, $250, or $500
- Annual limit: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, or $100,000
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
Fetch
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.9 out of 5
- Best coverage
Fetch pet insurance typically doesn’t cover costs related to breeding, pregnancy, whelping, nursing, or the treatment of offspring. However, there’s an exception: If complications arise from these activities, Fetch will cover medically necessary treatments.
This coverage applies only if the breeding date is after the policy’s 15-day waiting period. We’re fans of Fetch’s coverage for accidents and illnesses, its preventive care add-on, and the nationwide availability.
- Covers pregnancy? May cover life-threatening pregnancy complications
- Deductible: $300, $500, or $700
- Annual limit: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 15 days for accidents and illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
Spot
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.out of 5
- Best variety of terms
We like Spot for its customizable coverage and lack of per-incident or lifetime caps. It offers a solid 30-day money-back guarantee, so pet parents can ensure it’s right for them.
However, Spot pet insurance doesn’t cover any costs related to breeding, pregnancy, whelping, or nursing.
- Covers pregnancy? No
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Annual limit: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
Embrace
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.7 out of 5
- Best for quick coverage
Embrace’s two-day waiting period for coverage for accidents is unique, and its policy is one of the highest-rated by our standards.
But Embrace does not cover any costs stemming from breeding, whelping, and pregnancy. This includes emergency C-sections.
- Covers pregnancy? No
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Annual limit: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or unlimited
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
Trupanion
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.4 out of 5
- Best for direct vet payments
Trupanion offers a breeding rider for cats and dogs. It covers illnesses and injuries that arise from the pregnancy, whelping, and queening processes.
But if your pet is already pregnant upon enrollment, the current pregnancy is deemed a pre-existing condition, making related claims ineligible for coverage.
Trupanion’s breeding rider excludes coverage for planned C-sections (unless medically needed), routine prenatal checks, pre-breeding tests, fertility treatments, and artificial insemination.
Breeds including English bulldogs, pugs, and French bulldogs have even more exclusions, especially regarding C-sections and dystocia (difficult labors). So if you have one of these breeds, read the fine print, and compare it to other pet insurance that covers pregnancy.
- Covers pregnancy? Yes, with breeding rider
- Deductible: $0, $200, $500, or $700
- Annual limit: Unlimited
- Reimbursement: 90%
- Waiting period: 5 days for accidents, 30 days for illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
AKC
- No LendEDU editorial rating
- No best-for designation
AKC’s pet insurance policy covers pregnancy. It offers a dog-specific breeding rider to help pay for unexpected incidents, illnesses, or complications that can arise during the breeding, pregnancy, whelping, or nursing phases.
Its pregnancy coverage includes emergency situations: life-saving C-sections and treatments for mastitis, gestational diabetes, eclampsia, dystocia, and pyometra, to name a few.
If your dog needs medical attention, you can visit any licensed veterinarian or specialist. After paying your vet bill, you submit a claim to AKC, which then reimburses eligible expenses. But routine or elective procedures such as planned C-sections aren’t covered.
- Covers pregnancy? Yes, with breeding policy
- Deductible: $100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750, or $1,000
- Annual limit: $2,500 $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or unlimited
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Waiting period: 2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs only for breeding rider; dogs and cats for standard policy
Figo
- LendEDU editorial rating: 4.4 out of 5
- No best-for designation
Similar to Fetch, Figo pet insurance will cover complications from breeding, pregnancy, or whelping if the breeding date is at least 14 days after your policy’s start date. This is when your waiting period ends.
As part of Google’s Tech Hub Network, Figo offers interactive, intuitive tools for pet owners who use their insurance—including 24/7 access to a live vet in the app. You might be able to take advantage of several premium discounts from Figo, including those for veterans, medical service pets, and paying your annual premium in one lump sum.
- Covers pregnancy? May cover life-threatening pregnancy complications
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Annual limit: $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%
- Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
- Eligible pets: Dogs and cats
Costs associated with pet pregnancy
Having a pregnant pet can be exciting, but it’s also essential to be prepared for the costs that come with it. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses associated with pet pregnancy, according to Fetch:
- Prenatal care: Just like humans, pregnant pets require regular check-ups to ensure the mother and unborn babies are healthy. These visits include vaccinations, deworming, and routine examinations, which can cost around $150 to $300.
- Health clearances: These are tests to ensure your pet is free from inherited diseases or conditions that could affect the pregnancy. For instance, X-rays to check for hip dysplasia or blood tests for other inherited diseases can cost up to $1,000.
- Brucellosis testing: To ensure both parents are free from the bacteria Brucellosis canis, which can cause miscarriages. This test can run between $30 and $40.
- Ultrasounds and X-rays: To monitor the pregnancy’s progress and the health of the unborn pets, expect to pay about $100 to $250.
- Emergency medical procedures: In some cases, complications might arise that require urgent medical interventions, such as cesarean sections. The cost of these procedures can range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more, depending on the pet’s size, the clinic’s location, and other factors.
- Postnatal care: Once the babies are born, they’ll need initial health checks, vaccinations, and possibly deworming, which can add to the costs.
- Potential complications: Issues like eclampsia (which causes seizures in lactating animals), mastitis (mammary gland inflammation), or dystocia (difficult labor) can lead to additional expenses.
Being prepared financially can help ensure a smoother and stress-free experience for you and your pet. Consult with your veterinarian for a more detailed cost breakdown based on your pet’s specific needs and your location.
CFP® Erin Kinkade offers the following tips to calculate the potential return on investment of a pet insurance policy:
First, add the costs of insurance [including premium payments, deductibles, and the percentage of claims you’d cover based on the pet insurance company’s reimbursement amount (often 70%, 80%, or 90%)]. Compare it to self-insurance (e.g., regular deposits to a high-yield savings account you’ll use to cover expenses you’d make a claim for with your pet insurance company) to make sure an insurance policy is most cost-effective option.
Next, to calculate the potential savings rate, subtract the total cost of self-insuring from the total costs of insuring (including premiums paid). Divide the results by the total cost of insuring (including premiums paid), and multiply the result by 100. That would be your savings rate.
Alternatives to pay for a pet’s pregnancy
If pet insurance that covers pregnancy isn’t the right call for you, don’t worry. Several alternative options can help manage the costs:
- Savings fund: Consider setting up a specific savings fund for your pet’s health care needs. According to Erin Kinkade, CFP®, “If you have the excess cash flow or savings, self-funding could be more cost-effective, depending on the breed of pet you own. However, insurance mitigates the use of emergency funds or the need to borrow in haste, it can provide time for wise planning, and it can help with your peace of mind.”
- Payment plans: Some veterinary clinics offer payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of care over several months. Always check with your vet in advance to see whether they provide these options.
- Pet health credit cards: Companies such as CareCredit offer credit cards designed for health care expenses, including those for pets. They often provide interest-free periods if you repay the balance within a certain time frame.
- Personal loans: In emergency situations, you might consider taking out a personal loan. This might be less than ideal due to interest rates, but it can be a lifesaver in emergencies.
- Negotiate with your vet: Don’t hesitate to discuss your financial situation with your veterinarian. They might offer discounts or be willing to work out a special payment arrangement.
Pet pregnancies can be costly, but these alternatives can ensure your pet receives the best care possible, even without insurance coverage. Planning ahead and exploring these options can make the experience less stressful for you and your furry friend.
FAQ
Are C-sections usually covered by pet insurance that offers pregnancy coverage?
Yes, many pet insurance providers that offer pregnancy coverage include emergency C-sections. Fetch and AKC pet insurance cover emergency C-sections, especially if they’re medically necessary. However, planned C-sections without medical reasons may not be covered.
Is prenatal and postnatal care for the mother and puppies or kittens generally covered?
No, most pet insurance policies do not cover routine prenatal and postnatal care for the mother and her offspring because these are often considered planned or expected expenses. But specialized breeding insurance plans might cover complications related to breeding, pregnancy, or nursing.
Are pregnancy complications—e.g., eclampsia—covered?
Yes, many pet insurance policies that offer breeding or pregnancy coverage cover pregnancy complications, such as eclampsia. AKC specifically mentions coverage for eclampsia and other breeding-related issues.
What happens if a pregnancy is discovered after I’ve purchased a policy but before the waiting period ends?
If a pregnancy is discovered after purchasing a pet insurance policy but before the waiting period ends, it’s often considered a pre-existing condition. Most insurance providers won’t cover the costs related to that pregnancy, even if you have a breeding rider.
Can I get pregnancy coverage for a pet that is already pregnant?
No, pet insurance generally does not cover pregnancies that are already in progress when the policy is purchased. Most insurance providers view an existing pregnancy as a pre-existing condition and won’t cover related costs. But you might get coverage for future pregnancies if you add the appropriate breeding or pregnancy rider to your policy.
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