How to File a Pet Insurance Claim

Filing a pet insurance claim for the animals in your family is often much easier than filing a claim for humans. If you are considering buying a pet insurance policy for the first time, or if you already have one, the steps below will show you how easy it is to get reimbursement for veterinary expenses, or your pets' prescriptions. The process is basically the same regardless of company you buy pet insurance from.

First, call the veterinarian's office or your pet insurance company to verify that your pet insurance policy is accepted at the animal clinic. Most pet insurance companies will cover visits to any vet's office. Insurance for exotics may have more restrictions depending on the animal.

When you take your pet to the vet for its appointment, give the receptionist your insurance info, and pay the deductible, if any. In many cases, the veterinarian's office will file the insurance paperwork for you, so you won't have to mail anything to the insurance company to get a reimbursement. However, if you need to file the claim on your own, the receptionist will give you the necessary receipts after the appointment.

A few days later, you should receive an invoice from the animal clinic in the mail. If your pet insurance went through, you have nothing more to pay. If you have a balance due, and you are not sure why, call your pet insurance company for an explanation of why the charge was not covered. Read the fine print of your policy to find any exceptions. Otherwise, if insurance has not yet been applied to your pet's doctor bill, mail the appropriate forms to your pet insurance company, and wait for your claim to be approved. (For prescription pet medicines, the procedure is similar.) When your claim is approved, you will receive a reimbursement check in the mail.

If your current pet insurance company does not cover certain vet services, or the deductible is too high, shop around for better insurance deals, or call to change the terms of your policy.

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