Learn how and why veterinary bills are increasing, and how a Healthy Paws plan can help.
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What’s the difference between pet insurance and wellness plans?
Like dogs and cats, these two are totally different animals:
Pet Insurance covers unexpected expenses — like when your furry friend eats something they shouldn’t or gets injured. It can cover diagnostics, treatment, and medication that can add up fast. It does not cover routine care. Think of car insurance: It covers accidents, but not oil changes or car washes.
Wellness Plans cover the expected expenses, like annual checkups, vaccines, preventative care, spay/neuter, and even routine dental cleanings. Instead of paying one big bill at your pet’s yearly exam, a wellness plan spreads those predictable costs across the year.
Let’s take a closer look at what each plan covers:
Pet insurance covers veterinary costs to diagnose and treat unexpected injuries and illnesses. Examples: stomach issues, skin conditions, injuries, cancer, urinary tract infections, diabetes.
Wellness plans cover expected veterinary costs and routine care. Examples: exam fees, vaccinations, preventative care, dental cleanings, spay/neuter, microchipping.
Is a pet wellness plan worth it?
That depends on you and your pet. Some pet parents like them because they help spread out the cost of routine checkups and preventative care.
But here’s the thing: you might end up paying more for the plan than you get out of it. For example, spay/neuter or microchip benefits are one-time perks, and you may not use other services, like deworming, flea control, or heartworm testing. It can make more sense financially to simply budget for expected costs and get a pet insurance plan for those those big, unexpected vet bills.
Why doesn't Healthy Paws cover wellness?
Things like annual exams, vaccines, and teeth cleanings are predictable and easy to budget for. We’re there for when life throws you the unexpected, not the routine stuff you can plan for.
Wellness coverage raises your monthly premium, so you may end up paying more than the value you get back.
By leaving wellness out, we keep premiums focused on what matters most — helping you afford care when your pet truly needs it.
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Frequently asked wellness plan questions
In a nutshell, pet insurance covers unexpected expenses like illnesses and accidents. On the other hand (or paw, in this case), wellness plans cover expected expenses like annual checkups and preventative care.
Pre-existing conditions — illnesses, injuries, or health issues that existed before your policy began — usually aren’t covered by pet insurance or wellness plans.
No, a wellness plan only covers expected expenses, such as annual checkups, vaccines and preventative care.
Yes — you can have both. Since they each cover different aspects of your pet’s healthcare, combining them gives your pet all-around protection.