Pet insurance companies often cover dental-related injuries, but there’s wide variation on whether pet insurance policies cover other dental health problems.
What a pet insurance company covers for dental care can influence how much you may pay for pet insurance. Pet insurance policies with more types of coverage typically cost more than basic plans.
Key Takeaways
- Pet insurance policies cover dental-related accidents and injuries, but whether they cover dental illnesses varies by policy.
- Optional pet wellness plan coverage may include teeth cleaning.
- Pet insurance costs vary by coverage, type of pet and its age.
When Dental Problems Are and Are Not Covered
Pet insurance generally covers dental accidents like broken teeth. They may not cover dental illnesses like gum disease.
Pet insurance companies view pet dental accidents similarly to other injuries a policy covers. An insurer may cover dental illnesses, but it varies by policy. For instance, Figo, Pets Best and Spot cover pet dental illnesses, and Lemonade covers it if you buy additional dental coverage. Healthy Paws, on the other hand, doesn’t generally cover dental illnesses.
Depending on the specific policy, pet insurance covers dental accidents and illnesses like:
- Crowns
- Damaged teeth
- Gingivitis
- Gum disease
- Root canals
- Stomatitis
- Teeth removal
Rules and limits can also vary by pet insurance. For instance, Embrace covers dental accidents up to policy limits and dental illnesses up to $1,000 per year, while Trupanion covers dental illness and accidents if your pet has an annual dental exam and you follow your veterinarian’s recommended dental care.
Even if a pet insurance policy covers dental work, insurers typically don’t cover:
- Cosmetic, endodontic or orthodontic services, such as caps, fillings and implants.
- Pre-existing conditions, though some pet insurers cover pre-existing conditions if they’re considered curable and the pet hasn’t experienced symptoms or treatment for a period, such as 180 days.
- Routine dental care, such as teeth cleaning, unless it’s part of a pet wellness plan that you add onto the standard pet insurance policy.
Dental Coverage by Pet Insurance Company
| Company | Coverage for pet dental illnesses included in base policy | Coverage for dental cleaning included in pet wellness plan |
|---|---|---|
| ASPCA | Yes | Basic plan: Yes Prime plan: Yes |
| Chewy (through Trupanion) | Yes | No |
| Chewy (through Lemonade) | Yes | No |
| Embrace | Yes | Yes |
| Felix (available only for cats) | Yes | Yes |
| Fetch | Yes | Yes |
| Figo | Yes | Yes |
| Hartville | Yes | Yes |
| Healthy Paws | No | Does not offer a wellness plan |
| Lemonade | No (but dental illness coverage is available for an additional cost) | Preventative plan: No Preventative+ plan: Yes |
How Much Does Pet Dental Coverage Cost?
The average cost of a pet insurance plan that covers dental care can range from $48 to $125 monthly for unlimited coverage for a dog. Costs vary by age and type of pet. For instance, the average cost of pet insurance for a cat is cheaper than dog dental insurance.
Cost of Dog Insurance Plans By Company
| Company | Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a puppy | Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a dog | Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a puppy | Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a dog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chewy Essential Plus | N/A | N/A | $51 | $89 |
| Embrace | $43 | $52 | $62 | $75 |
| Figo | $36 | $48 | $56 | $75 |
| Lemonade | $27 | $32 | $40 | $48 |
| Pets Best Essential | $38 | $45 | $43 | $51 |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate | N/A | N/A | $61 | $80 |
| Pumpkin | $58 | $75 | $97 | $125 |
| Spot | $38 | $46 | $76 | $93 |
| Trupanion | N/A | N/A | $72 | $120 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans for medium sized mixed breed dogs and puppies with $5,000 annual coverage and unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level (90% for Chewy Essential Plus).
Cost of Cat Insurance Plans By Company
| Company | Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a kitten | Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a cat | Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a kitten | Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chewy Essential Plus | N/A | N/A | $26 | $44 |
| Embrace | $32 | $42 | $48 | $63 |
| Figo | $15 | $19 | $24 | $30 |
| Lemonade | $17 | $18 | $24 | $26 |
| Pets Best Essential | $19 | $21 | $22 | $24 |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate | N/A | N/A | $33 | $43 |
| Pumpkin | $27 | $32 | $50 | $59 |
| Spot | $20 | $23 | $39 | $45 |
| Trupanion | N/A | N/A | $40 | $63 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans with $5,000 annual coverage and unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level (90%for Chewy Essential Plus).
Pet Dental Insurance Waiting Periods
Pet insurance waiting periods are the time before your coverage kicks in. Dental accident and dental illness waiting periods differ by company.
| Pet insurance company | Dental accident waiting period | Dental illness waiting period |
|---|---|---|
| ASPCA | 5 days | 14 days |
| Chewy Essential Plus | 5 days | 14 days |
| Embrace | Begins at 12:01 a.m. ET the day after you purchase a plan | 14 days |
| Felix (available only for cats) | 2 days | 14 days |
| Fetch | 15 days | 15 days |
| Figo | 1 day | 14 days |
| Hartville | 14 days | 14 days |
| Healthy Paws | 15 days | Does not include coverage for pet dental illness |
| Lemonade | Begins at 12:01 a.m. ET the day after you purchase a plan | Does not include coverage for pet dental illness in its standard plan |
| MetLife | Begins at 12:00 a.m. ET the day after you purchase a plan | 14 days |
See More
What Does a Pet Dental Treatment Cost?
The average cost to treat a fractured tooth is $950, to treat gingivitis is $770 and to treat periodontal disease is $1,050, according to claims data from Spot pet insurance.
Teeth cleanings aren’t as expensive. The average cost of teeth cleaning for a dog is between $170 and $350. Teeth cleaning for a cat usually costs more and can reach beyond $2,000. Costs are affected by factors, such as the degree of work needed, whether x-rays are required and if a primary care veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary dentist performs the procedure.
Pet Dental Costs by Treatment
| Treatment | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Abscessed teeth | $200 to $500 |
| Crown amputation | $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth |
| Jaw fracture | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Misaligned teeth | $200 to $1,000 |
| Periodontal disease | $400 to $1,000 |
| Restoration | $300 to $500 |
| Root canal | $1,500 to $6,000 |
| Routine dental cleaning (cat) | $150 to $300 |
| Routine dental cleaning (dog) | $170 to $350 |
| Tooth extraction (cat) | $300 to $1,300 per tooth |
Sources: Embrace and Spot
Leave a Reply