Does Pet Insurance Cover Vaccinations?

Most pet insurance companies offer two types of standard plans, neither of which tend to cover vaccinations:

• Accident-only plan: This type of plan protects your pet in case of an unforeseen event that causes an injury.
• Accident and illness plan: An accident and illness plan covers diagnostics, treatment, emergency care and surgery related to an accident or disease your pet develops.

Although standard plans do not cover routine wellness care, such as annual vet visits, vaccinations, parasite prevention or dental cleanings, most providers offer an optional add-on that supplies wellness coverage. In other words, vaccination coverage is typically available as a policy add-on for an extra cost each month.

For example, Progressive offers three standard plans. The company’s Essential Plan covers accidents and illnesses such as cancer, hereditary conditions and emergency care. The Plus Plan adds coverage for exam fees, and the Elite Plan also covers rehabilitation, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy. For an additional monthly fee, you can add routine care coverage to your base policy to help pay for your pet’s wellness care, including vaccinations.

Pets may need other injections, such as medications to treat various health conditions. Whether your pet insurance policy covers extra shots depends on whether the condition falls within your plan.

For example, if you have an accident and illness plan and your pet develops a gastrointestinal (GI) illness, your plan may cover injectable medications. However, if your pet has had several bouts of GI illness, with some occurring before the purchase of your insurance plan, your provider may consider the condition as pre-existing and not cover related medications. If you have an accident-only plan, it won’t cover medications for a GI illness.

Pet vaccinations are crucial to dog and cat health because they provide protection from viral and bacterial diseases. Some vaccinations, including rabies and leptospirosis, can also protect your human family by preventing pets from becoming infected and transmitting the disease to you. 

Most standard pet insurance policies don’t cover vaccines because they are considered routine care, and pet insurance mainly provides coverage for unexpected accidents and illnesses. While standard plans typically exclude vaccines, many companies offer optional pet wellness plans for policyholders seeking additional coverage. These add-ons generally cover routine and preventive care, including vaccinations, for an additional $10 to $20 per month. 

If your pet spends time outdoors or gets boarded frequently, it should be vaccinated. Many grooming services also require vaccines. Check your local and state governments to see if other vaccines are required.

Pet insurance with a preventative care add-on typically covers vaccinations and routine visits for an additional $10-$20 per month.

Standard pet insurance plans typically only cover accidents, illnesses or a combination. However, several providers offer vaccination coverage for an additional price. See our top recommendations below.

The cost of your pet’s vaccinations will vary depending on the veterinary clinic and which vaccines your pet receives. Puppies and kittens are the most vulnerable to disease because their immune systems are not yet mature enough to mount an effective response and require a series of vaccines to protect their health. Consequently, pet owners generally spend the most — up to $300 — on vaccines during their pet’s first year. After that, you might pay $95 to $300 per year based on our research, depending on your pet’s lifestyle and local prices. Individual boosters cost the same amount for each treatment, though vets administer them at different frequencies. 

Below is a breakdown of the typical annual cost of vaccines and boosters. Some vaccines are only required once, but others may require boosters to ensure your pet remains protected.

• Bordetella: $30–$50
• Canine influenza: $45–$65
• DHPP: $20–$60
• Leptospirosis: $20–$30
• Lyme: $20–$40
• Rabies: $20–$30

See what reimbursement our top recommended pet insurance providers offer for vaccines using the chart below.

*Cost figures are averaged from multiple 2021 reports.

Vaccines for dogs and cats fall into core and non-core categories. Core vaccines are those that every dog or cat should receive to protect against diseases that are particularly prevalent, severe or pose a human health risk. For example, rabies is a core vaccine because, although rabies is rare in the U.S., it is always fatal and humans can contract it.

Veterinarians recommend non-core vaccines based on a pet’s lifestyle to protect against diseases it is likely to be exposed to.

Vaccines for Dogs

Below are common veterinarian-recommended vaccines that dog insurance typically covers.  

• Bordetella: Veterinarians often recommend the bordetella vaccine for dogs that spend time around other animals. Many kennels, daycare and boarding services require your pet to have this vaccine. The shot can be given to puppies as young as three weeks, with a booster three to four weeks later. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, future doses can be given annually or every six months.
• Distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza and parvovirus (DAPP): This vaccine protects dogs from canine distemper, canine infectious hepatitis, parainfluenza virus and canine parvovirus. Dogs typically receive the first DAPP vaccine between 6 and 8 weeks of age, with boosters at three-week intervals until the dog is at least 16 weeks old. We suggest consulting your vet about which combo vaccine is best for your dog.
• Influenza: This vaccine helps prevent your canine from developing canine influenza, or dog flu. It works against the two most common strains of canine influenza, H3N8 and H3N2, which can spread from pet to pet similar to how the human flu spreads among people. This vaccine requires two doses, followed by yearly boosters, which can be administered during your pet’s annual checkup. 
• Lyme disease: This is another highly recommended and common vaccine if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that starts with minor symptoms, such as loss of appetite, but worsens as it progresses, often leading to joint problems, kidney failure, cardiac issues and even neurologic damage. The Lyme vaccine is a two-shot series with an annual booster. Check with your vet to see if your pet could benefit from the Lyme vaccine.
• Rabies: The rabies vaccine is the most highly recommended vaccine and is required by law in most states. The first vaccination is usually given at 16 weeks and a booster is usually required before your pet’s first birthday. After that, rabies vaccines can be given every one to three years, depending on your state’s laws.

Vaccines for Cats

Cats lead a lifestyle that requires fewer vaccinations than dogs, but still require essential core vaccines for disease protection. See the most common vaccines vets recommend for cats below. 

• Rabies: Similar to dogs, this is one of the most recommended vaccines for cats and is required by law in most states. The first rabies vaccination is usually given to cats at 16 weeks, and a booster is required around their first birthday. Like dogs, cat rabies vaccines can be given every one to three years after the initial series.
• Rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and panleukopenia (FVRCP): This vaccine combines the other three core vaccines cats need. Your cat should receive its first FVRCP vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks old, followed by booster shots every three to four weeks until it’s 16 weeks old. After that, your cat should receive a booster every three years.

Pet insurance companies don’t typically cover vaccines in standard accident and illness policies. However, you can receive additional coverage, including vaccine reimbursements, by purchasing a wellness add-on. 

Lemonade Pet Insurance offers comprehensive pet insurance coverage at affordable prices. It’s an excellent choice for puppy and kitten vaccines, as its Preventative+ package covers up to six vaccines annually. We also recommend Spot Pet Insurance, which provides a $25 reimbursement per vaccine in its Premium preventive plan. ASPCA Pet Insurance is a highly experienced pet insurance provider, and the company offers between $20 and $25 of coverage per vaccine. 

We recommend looking for a well-rounded pet insurance policy with some vaccine coverage. Though it’s beneficial to have vaccine coverage, a comprehensive accident and illness plan helps you avoid exam fees and other costly, unexpected veterinary care expenses.

We suggest requesting free quotes from at least three pet insurance providers to compare vaccine coverage. Use our tool below to get started.

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