Why Accident & Illness Is the Most Popular Choice
Accident and illness plans offer the best balance of coverage and cost for most pet owners. They cover the unexpected expenses that can be financially devastating, including emergency surgery ($2,000-$5,000), cancer treatment ($3,000-$10,000), and chronic conditions requiring ongoing medication. About 80% of pet insurance customers choose this coverage level. The cost difference between accident-only and accident & illness is typically $20-$40/month, but illness claims make up about 70% of all pet insurance payouts.
Is Wellness Coverage Worth the Extra Cost?
Wellness add-ons cover routine care like annual exams ($50-$100), vaccinations ($75-$200/year), dental cleanings ($200-$600), flea/tick prevention ($120-$240/year), and spay/neuter ($200-$500). The add-on typically costs $15-$30/month and covers $250-$450 in annual wellness expenses. Mathematically, wellness add-ons rarely save money because the premiums roughly equal the reimbursements. However, they encourage regular preventive care and make budgeting easier with fixed monthly payments.