Pet insurance deductible
Your pet insurance deductible is the amount you pay yourself before your insurer starts paying out. Most US insurers use an annual deductible, which you pay once each policy year. Trupanion does it differently: you pay one deductible per condition, just once for each illness or injury, for as long as you have the policy. Knowing which kind you have makes it much easier to work out what a claim will cost you.
What would you pay on a claim?
Put in a vet bill, your deductible and your reimbursement rate to see how a claim splits between you and your insurer. Your deductible comes off first, then your insurer pays back its percentage of the rest. With an annual deductible, you only pay it once each policy year.
We've started with an example: a $1,000 vet bill with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. Change the numbers to match your own policy.
Annual deductible or per condition?
An annual deductible starts again every policy year, whatever you claim for. A per-condition deductible is paid once for each condition, so if your dog develops a long-term illness, you only pay one deductible for it in total. Here's which kind each US insurer we've read uses.
- TrupanionPer condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible. Can be raised any time; lowered only in the first 30 days
- NationwideAnnual. Options from $100 on some plans; the FAQ says most owners choose $250
- LemonadeAnnual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording)
- Healthy PawsAnnual: applies once per 12-month coverage term
- EmbraceAnnual, per pet
- Pets BestAnnual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps
- PumpkinAnnual, applies each policy period
- FigoAnnual deductible, plus an optional per-incident copay
- SpotAnnual, applies each policy period
How does pet insurance reimbursement work?
Once you've paid your deductible, your insurer pays back its reimbursement percentage of each eligible vet bill (for example 80%), and you pay the rest. The higher the percentage, the more you get back on each claim.
- TrupanionCoinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90%
- NationwidePercentage of eligible costs on some plans, pre-set benefit allowances on others; the worked example uses 80%
- Lemonade70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance
- Healthy PawsCoinsurance shown on the declarations page
- EmbraceReimbursement percentage shown on the Schedule of Insurance
- Pets Best50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90%
- PumpkinPercentage shown on the declarations page
- FigoCoinsurance shown on the declarations page
- SpotPercentage shown on the declarations page
From each insurer’s own policy documents, read in October 2026. Amounts you choose, or that depend on your dog, are on your own policy schedule. Check the policy before you buy.
More guides to dog insurance: Pet insurance for senior dogs · Puppy insurance · Multi-pet insurance · Dog insurance by breed · Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions · Does pet insurance cover dental? · What does dog insurance cover? · Pet insurance waiting period · Does pet insurance cover hip dysplasia? · Does pet insurance cover cancer? · Does pet insurance cover surgery? · Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites? · Costco dog insurance · PetSmart dog insurance · USAA dog insurance · State Farm dog insurance · Geico dog insurance · Trupanion vs Pets Best · Healthy Paws vs Trupanion