Is pet insurance worth it? What every owner should know
Updated Sept. 4, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. CT
We insure our vehicles, homes, health and more. But what about the furry members of our families? While many pet owners have not traditionally carried pet insurance, more are starting to see the value in protecting their pets—and their wallets.
The North American Pet Health Insurance Association says pet owners insured 7.03 million pets in North America at the end of 2024. That number continues to rise, making pet insurance one of the fastest-growing types of coverage in the U.S.
If you’ve ever wondered how pet insurance works or whether it’s worth it, here’s a helpful overview (plus five key benefits to consider).
Explore pet insurance coverage >
|1| Pet insurance can make treatment affordable
Even with the healthiest pets, the costs of ownership add up:
- Food
- Toys
- Boarding
- Pet licenses
- Routine veterinarian checkups
But when your dog or cat faces an unexpected illness or injury, veterinarian bills can easily reach thousands of dollars.
Without insurance, many pet parents are forced to make heartbreaking decisions about treatment. With pet insurance, you can get reimbursed for covered expenses, helping make lifesaving care more affordable—and giving you peace of mind.
With coverage through providers like Figo Pet Insurance, offered by Dupaco Insurance Services, a portion of eligible costs can be reimbursed.
|2| You can customize your plan
Providers like Figo let you choose your reimbursement percentage, annual deductible and coverage options.
That means you can select a plan that works best for your budget and your pet’s needs.
When comparing plans, you’ll want to think about:
- Your pet’s breed (some are more prone to certain conditions)
- Your financial comfort zone (how much you can pay out of pocket)
- Preventative care coverage (for example, Figo’s optional wellness and preventative care coverage helps reimburse annual exams, vaccines, diagnostic tests and more)
This flexibility makes pet insurance easier to fit into your monthly budget. Just make sure to refer to your policy for complete details regarding coverage, limitations and exclusions.
|3| Coverage for illnesses and injuries
Figo covers all illnesses and injuries—including cancer, hip dysplasia and hereditary and congenital conditions—as long as they’re not pre-existing.
A pre-existing condition is anything that shows clinical signs before your policy begins or during the relevant waiting period.
Like human health insurance, certain exclusions apply. For example, Figo doesn’t cover experimental procedures, cloning procedures, cosmetic surgery, breeding, pregnancy or birth.
See what’s not included in Figo Pet Insurance >
|4| Freedom to choose your veterinarian
Have a favorite veterinarian? No problem.
Unlike human health insurance networks, Figo Pet Insurance lets you to take your dog or cat to any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic or specialist in the U.S. or Canada.
|5| Easy to manage
Getting started with pet insurance is often simpler than people think. Providers like Figo make the process easy:
- Get a pet insurance quote online in minutes
- Submit claims digitally by uploading a bill from your phone or computer
- Track your pet’s health records in your online account
- Get vaccination reminders to stay on top of preventive care
These tools help make managing your pet’s health (and your reimbursement claims) much more convenient.
Is pet insurance right for you?
Pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some owners, it’s a financial safety net that prevents big, unexpected bills. For others, it’s peace of mind knowing their pet can get the best care possible.
If you’re weighing whether pet insurance is worth it, think about:
- Your pet’s age and breed
- How much you typically spend on vet care
- Whether you could comfortably cover a large emergency bill out of pocket
