Pet Insurance and Welfare Outcomes

Pet insurance increases access to veterinary care and has demonstrable positive effects on welfare outcomes for insured companion animals.

Key Facts

Only an estimated 3-4% of pets in the US are insured, compared to over 25% in the UK and Sweden
Uninsured pet owners are significantly more likely to delay or decline recommended veterinary treatment
Pet insurance covers an estimated 80-90% of veterinary costs for insured conditions in most policies
Pre-existing condition exclusions and breed exclusions can limit coverage for highest-risk animals
Community-based veterinary financing programs extend care access to pet owners who cannot afford insurance premiums

Welfare Considerations

Pet insurance is a welfare tool that is significantly underutilized in most countries. Insured pets receive recommended diagnostics and treatments at higher rates than uninsured pets, leading to better welfare outcomes and earlier disease detection. The barriers to insurance adoption — premium cost, complexity, and lack of awareness — have welfare consequences for millions of animals whose owners would make different decisions with financial coverage. Expanding pet insurance adoption through employer benefits, subsidy programs, and simplified products would produce meaningful population-level welfare improvements.

What You Can Do

Research pet insurance options and consider coverage for your companion animals
Advocate for pet insurance as an employee benefit in workplace wellness programs
Support community veterinary financing programs for low-income pet owners
Share information about CareCredit and other financing options with pet owners facing unexpected vet bills