One of the most important elements when it comes to pet insurance is understanding what the policy actually covers. Different plans will cover the costs of different things, like office visits and exam fees, veterinary procedures, prescriptions and medications, routine care, or all of the above. Plans won’t cover preexisting conditions, but the right pet insurance policy will help with unexpected accidents, injuries or illnesses, so you don’t have to gut-wrenching choice between your pet’s health and your wallet.

Pet insurance helps cover the costs of veterinary bills related to your pet’s ongoing health. For example if your pet has an unexpected accident, injury or illness, an insurance plan will mitigate your total out of pocket expenses. Depending on your customized policy, covered expenses can include office visits and exam fees, veterinary procedures, routine care, and prescriptions and medications.

Impact Pets will cover any pet that’s at least seven weeks old — newborns and youngsters will have to wait until then to enroll. But don’t wait too long! The sooner you enroll, the sooner you and your furry friend will be covered in case something happens.

We know pets of all ages need love and care, that’s why Impact Pets plans have no upper age limit. Just make sure you enroll sooner rather than later in case an accident happens while you’re not covered. If your pet is already sick or injured, it might be too late. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by pet insurance. That said, if you enroll in a health insurance plan and your pet develops a medical issue like heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes or allergies, treatment is covered under your plan.

If you’re worried that enrolling in a pet insurance plan will force you to switch vets, then worry no more! Impact Pet insurance plans allow you to see any certified, licensed veterinarian in the U.S., without having to stress about running into pre-authorization procedures, finding the right network, or sticking to a benefits schedule. Our plans even cover after-hours emergency clinic visits and specialists appointments.

You’ll have to wait three days from the active policy date for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and six months for cruciate ligament events and other related conditions. However, you can start routine care after only one day!

There are no fees to join, and our insurance is available anywhere in the U.S. except in AK, CO, FL, IL, MA and WA. And since we don’t use a benefit schedule, we’ll reimburse a flat percentage of the actual vet bill up to 70, 80 or 90 percent, depending on your plan, up to the plan’s maximum benefit.