What pet insurance providers do veterinarians recommend?

As a devoted pet parent, you'd do anything to keep your furry family member healthy and happy. It may seem obvious, but veterinarians share that same deep passion for helping cats and dogs get the best medical care possible. They've witnessed too many heartbreaking moments when life-saving treatments are denied because loving pet parents simply can't afford them. Many have also been forced to watch families settle for less optimal veterinary care because the gold-standard options stretch beyond their budget.

Your veterinarian never wants to see you face the devastating choice between your pet's health and your financial stability. That's why it should come as no surprise that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) wholeheartedly supports health insurance for pets, recognizing the profound peace of mind it brings to worried pet parents:

"The AVMA endorses the concept of pet health insurance that provides coverage to help defray the cost of veterinary medical care."

So, what pet insurance do veterinarians recommend to pet owners? While veterinarians cannot sell pet insurance, the AVMA has put specific principles in place to help guide pet owners and pet insurers alike in doing what’s best for the health of dogs and cats everywhere.

9 AVMA guidelines for pet insurance providers

According to the AVMA, medical insurance for your pets is a wise investment that helps protect both your four-legged family members and your financial well-being — but only if it complies with their 9 comprehensive guidelines. To help you find the best medical insurance for your cats and dogs, make sure the companies you're considering can confidently answer "yes" to the following questions:

1. Pet insurance should require a veterinarian/client/patient relationship

• Do you support and strengthen the sacred bond between pet parents and veterinarians?
• Do you collect medical records in a way that reduces strain on the veterinary team caring for my pet?
• Do you actively foster open communication between pet parents and veterinarians?

2. Pet insurance should allow pet parents to choose their veterinarian, including specialists and emergency facilities

• Do you provide coverage across all areas of the country where my family might travel?
• Am I free to visit any veterinarian I trust and choose for my pet's care?
• Will I receive reimbursement if treatment is needed from a specialist, emergency, or critical care hospital during a frightening pet health crisis?

3. Pet insurance should never interfere with your veterinarian's treatment recommendations

• Do you allow my veterinarian to provide the care and treatments genuinely recommended for my pet's well-being?
• Will you accept my veterinarian's professional medical advice without pressuring for less effective procedures just because they cost less?
• Will you reimburse based on the actual cost of the procedures my pet needs, not on arbitrary price caps?

4. Pet insurance should be properly regulated and trustworthy

• Do you work transparently with insurance regulators to offer legitimate coverage in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico?
• Are your prices fair, reasonable, and designed to truly protect pet families?
• Is your policy proven to cover all unexpected injuries and illnesses that could affect my pet?
• Do you make policy exclusions easy to find and understand, so there are no surprises when I need help most?

5. Pet insurance should maintain high ethical standards

• Do you genuinely support the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics and uphold the pet health insurance industry's ethical standards?
• Do you have a meaningful mission beyond simply making profit from worried pet parents?

6. Pet insurance should use licensed veterinarians for claims review

• Do you employ claims specialists who have worked in the veterinary field and understand what pets need?
• Do your claim specialists understand pet medical terminology?
• Do your claim specialists have real-world hospital experience or legitimate veterinary credentials?

7. Pet insurance should be crystal clear about coverage and costs

• Are you completely transparent about what your pet insurance will not cover, so I'm not blindsided during an emergency?
• Do qualified industry experts regularly review and refine your pricing structure to ensure fairness?
• Can I reach you any time — whether it's mid-day or the middle of the night during a pet emergency?

8. Pet insurance should be transparent about financial obligations

• Do you provide a detailed sample policy so I can see exactly how reliable and comprehensive the coverage truly is?
• Do you offer clear, educational information explaining how deductibles and co-pays will affect my out-of-pocket costs?
• Do you provide a completely transparent look into your claims process, so I know what to expect when my pet needs care?
• What exclusions exist, and are they clearly explained upfront?

9. Pet insurance should clearly communicate the reimbursement process

• Do you have reliable systems in place to process claims in a detailed, transparent, and timely manner?
• How exactly do fee reimbursements work, and how quickly can I expect them during stressful times?

Trupanion works alongside veterinarians to keep your pets happy and healthy

Veterinarians understand that a Trupanion policy can be a lifeline when your precious pet faces unexpected injuries and illnesses. They've seen firsthand how insurance can mean the difference between comprehensive care and heartbreaking compromises. That's why over 2,300 veterinary hospitals and more than 10,000 compassionate veterinarians have partnered with Trupanion to offer VetDirect Pay™ — which can help alleviate the worry of covering your entire veterinary bill upfront during already stressful times.

We are deeply honored that so many veterinarians trust and support our mission to help cats and dogs receive the best health care available, regardless of their families' financial circumstances. In fact, the majority of our members enroll their pets in a Trupanion policy after their trusted veterinarian recommended pet insurance, recognizing it as an essential safety net for responsible pet parenthood.