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Huh? A Pet Insurance Deductible?

Whether you’re getting started with pet insurance for the first time or switching providers, understanding pet insurance deductibles is the first step to protecting your furry friend.

What Is a Pet Insurance Deductible?

A pet insurance deductible is the initial out-of-pocket expense that you, the pet owner, pay before your pet insurance coverage kicks in. 

When you file a claim for your pet's medical expenses, you'll need to cover this deductible amount before your insurance provider reimburses you for eligible costs.

Here’s how pet insurance deductibles work:

Choose your deductible: At the time of enrollment, you pick an amount set by you or the insurer. With Furkin, you get three options so you can customize your price!

 

Visit the vet: You pay your vet the total bill at the time of checkout

 

Submit your claim: No matter if your eligible vet visit is $1 or $1,000, you should submit your claim so that way any costs can begin counting towards your deductible.

 

Pay towards the deductible: This is the set amount (e.g., $250) you’re responsible for upfront before your insurance covers the remaining eligible costs.

 

Insurance kicks in:  Once you’ve met your deductible, your policy covers eligible costs.

*Note that costs associated with veterinary care and other pet-related expenses excluded from your pet insurance policy will not be applied toward your deductible. This includes costs related to pre-existing conditions or expenses like regular wellness check-ups and grooming, which are not considered eligible under most policies.

The typical deductible for pet insurance ranges from $100 - $1,000.

Furkin helps keep your deductible low.

How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance Deductible?

 

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Choosing the right pet insurance deductible can make a big difference in both your budget and peace of mind. It's all about finding a balance between what you’re comfortable paying upfront and what coverage you’ll need in case of an emergency.

  • Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium since you cover more of the costs each year.
    You may choose this if reducing your monthly premium is a priority.
  • A lower deductible raises your premium, with the insurance covering more.
    This could be helpful if you’d prefer to keep your out-of-pocket expenses lower over your pet’s lifetime.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing a pet insurance deductible. Financial capabilities and your pet's unique healthcare requirements can have a large impact on this decision. Take your time to research, compare options, and consult with insurance providers to find the deductible that best suits your needs and provides the right balance between cost and coverage.

 

At Furkin, we offer three deductible options for dogs and cats, tailored to your pet's age.

Furkin's Age-Based Annual Deductibles

Keep Your Premiums Lower as Your Pet Ages

As pets age, illness risks increase, leading to higher claims. Most insurers raise premiums as pets get older, but Furkin uses Age-Based Annual Deductibles to help keep premiums low. The chart below shows three deductible options based on your pet's age, moving to higher brackets as they age to keep premiums manageable.

Pet Age (Yrs) Dogs Cats
A B C A B C
< 5 $100 $300 $750 $100 $300 $750
5 - 10 $300 $500 $950 $200 $400 $850
> 10 $500 $700 $1150 $300 $500 $950

 

There are so many factors to consider when choosing the right deductible option. Check out our full list in our Deductibles Guide.

At Furkin, we keep things simple with annual deductibles, making it easier to plan for vet visits.

Loving your pet is easy – and so should your pet insurance deductible! That’s why Furkin uses one annual deductible.

 

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How Furkin’s annual deductible works

You pay your set deductible once a year, and Furkin covers the rest of the eligible bills for the rest of the year—awesome, right?

 

Let’s say you have a $100 annual deductible and your furry friend racks up a $750 bill at the vet in eligible expenses. With a $100 deductible, you’d pay the first $100 (your deductible), and then your insurance provider swoops in to cover the rest for eligible expenses. For any future eligible vet visits that year, you're covered!

 

And don't worry—deductibles aren’t payments to Furkin, just your share before we jump in to help!

 

Discover the Purr-fect Deductible with Furkin!

Protecting your pet’s health is a big deal, and choosing the right deductible makes all the difference. Want lower premiums? Go with a higher deductible. Prefer fewer out-of-pocket costs? Opt for a lower one. It’s all about finding what fits your budget and your furbaby’s needs!

 

At Furkin, we know pets are family, which is why we offer flexible plans that work for you. Ready to give your furry friend the care they deserve? Check out Furkin's Pet Insurance options today!

 

FAQs

Nope! If you don’t file any claims for a policy year, you are not responsible for your deductible – yay for a healthy furbaby!

A pet insurance deductible is only applied toward eligible claims. Read your pet insurance policy carefully to understand which services are eligible versus ineligible for reimbursement.

Yes, there are some (very few) pet insurance policies that offer a zero-deductible option. These policies are designed to provide coverage without requiring pet owners to meet a deductible before the insurance company begins reimbursing eligible expenses. However, these policies come with a much higher premium than other pet insurance policies.

Want to dig deeper into how Deductibles work?

Check out our Complete Deductibles Guide.