Dog insurance glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terms used across the site, from reimbursement to waiting periods.
- Reimbursement
- The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays back after your deductible. At 80%, a $1,000 covered bill returns $800. Read the guide →
- Deductible
- What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. Read the guide →
- Annual limit
- The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. Read the guide →
- Waiting period
- How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. Read the guide →
- Hereditary and congenital
- Conditions a dog inherits or is born with, like hip dysplasia. Covered only if they were not diagnosed or showing signs before you enrolled. Read the guide →
- Exam fees
- The vet's charge for the visit itself, usually $50 to $150, separate from tests and treatment. Some insurers include it; others sell it as an add-on. Read the guide →
- Wellness add-on
- An optional extra that pays for routine care such as vaccines, check-ups and dental cleanings, which accident-and-illness plans do not cover. Read the guide →
- Relative price
- How this insurer's modeled price compares with the other insurers we list, for the same dog and plan. An estimate, not a quote. How we estimate →
- Underwriter
- The licensed insurance company that carries the risk and pays claims. It can differ from the brand you buy from.
- Estimated monthly price
- Our model's price for a 2-year-old dog at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. Your actual quote will differ. How we estimate →
- Pre-existing condition
- Anything diagnosed or showing symptoms before coverage starts or during the waiting period. No insurer we list covers it. Read the guide →
- Per-condition deductible
- A deductible charged once per diagnosed condition, instead of once per policy year, until that condition's deductible has been met. Read the guide →
- Orthopedic waiting period
- A longer waiting period some insurers apply specifically to joint and ligament conditions, such as cruciate ligament tears, often around six months. Read the guide →
- Direct vet pay
- An option where the insurer pays the vet clinic directly for a covered claim, instead of reimbursing you after you pay the bill. Read the guide →
- Accident-only plan
- A plan that covers injuries such as broken bones and swallowed objects, but not illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. Read the guide →
- Curable pre-existing condition
- A pre-existing condition some insurers cover again after a symptom-free period, often around twelve months, without treatment. Read the guide →
- Free-look period
- A short window after buying a policy, commonly 10 to 30 days, in which you can cancel for a full refund if you have not filed a claim. Read the guide →