Sample: Pet Health Insurance Policy
Sample: Pet Health Insurance Policy
Sample: Pet Health Insurance Policy
Please read your Pet Health Insurance Policy carefully to determine the parties’ rights and duties and what is and is not
covered. Some provisions in the policy limit or restrict coverage.
Throughout this policy, the words you and your, refer to the policyholder (Pet Parent) shown in the Declarations Page.
The words we, us and our, refer to the company providing this insurance.
Words and phrases that appear in bold type have special meaning found in Section V. Definitions.
I. INSURING AGREEMENT
We rely on the statements you made in the application. Upon your payment of the premiums when due, we will provide
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coverage as specifically described in this policy for your pet as shown on the declarations page.
Benefits are subject to terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of this policy and to your responsibility for the
coinsurance and deductible. Coverage is in effect at the time and date shown on the declarations page subject to the
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waiting periods described in II. EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS 1) b,.1) c. and 1) d.
1) WE COVER: Reimbursement of the cost incurred by you for medically necessary veterinary treatment
recommended by your veterinarian for conditions covered by this policy. These costs will be covered when your
pet:
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a. develops an illness, or
b. has an injury as a result of an accident;
during the coverage term.
This policy shall not cover amounts charged by the treating veterinary clinic that are greater than the treating
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II. EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS
1) GENERAL EXCLUSIONS
We do not cover:
a. Veterinary examination fees.
b. Injury from an accident that occurs within the first fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date.
c. Illness that occurs or recurs within the first fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date.
d. Illness related to hip dysplasia that occurs or recurs within the first twelve (12) months following the pet policy
effective date.
2) PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
We do not cover pre-existing conditions.
Pre-existing conditions means:
a. illness or the recurrence of any illness or condition which first occurred or displayed any signs and/or symptoms
consistent with the stated illness or condition prior to the pet policy effective date;
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b. an injury or recurrence of an injury that occurred prior to the pet policy effective date; or
c. any condition or complication resulting from an illness or injury that occurred prior to the pet policy effective
date.
4) OTHER EXCLUSIONS
We do not reimburse the costs, fees or expenses associated with:
a. Injury or illness due to any intentional, neglectful or preventable act, including organized dog fighting, by you or
a member of your household;
b. Elective procedures, cosmetic procedures, preventive procedures including but not limited to:
1. tail docking;
2. ear cropping;
3. de-clawing;
4. micro-chipping;
5. dew claw removal; or
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6. ear cleaning;
c. Boarding or transport expenses;
d. Conditions arising from a specific activity if the same or a similar activity occurred prior to the pet policy
effective date and displayed the propensity for the activity to recur and cause injury or illness to your pet;
e. Pre-existing cruciate ligament problems to one leg as respects the cost of future treatment for problems of the
other leg;
f. Diseases preventable by vaccines and prophylactic medications (such as heartworm, lice, internal parasites and
fleas);
g. Complications of conditions excluded or limited by this policy;
h. Abnormalities where clinical symptoms were apparent prior to the pet policy effective date. This includes
conditions that are detectable by a routine physical exam by your veterinarian;
i. Claims in any way arising from the lack of use and/or implementation of preventive healthcare products and/or
methods when such products and/or methods would be in accordance with generally accepted veterinary
standards. Routine healthcare includes: vaccinations, flea control, heartworm medication, de-worming, dental
care, ear plucking, grooming, and prudent regular care;
j. Special diets, pet foods, vitamins, supplements, grooming, nail trims, shampoo and bathing (including medicated
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baths);
k. Any claim for loss from a nuclear incident as defined in the Nuclear Liability Act, nuclear explosion or
contamination by radioactive material; pl
l. Conditions arising from any specific activity if the same or similar activity occurs after you have received written
notice from us regarding the specific activity;
m. Experimental or investigational treatment or medicine;
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n. Breeding or conditions relating to breeding, whelping, and queening;
o. Diagnostic tests for conditions excluded by this policy;
p. Diagnostic tests due to complications of conditions excluded or limited by this policy;
q. Conditions caused by war or war activities whether war be declared or not. War activities include civil war,
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insurrection, rebellion, or revolution or any act or condition incident of any of the foregoing;
r. Feeding, housing or exercise;
s. Behavioral modification, training, therapy or medications for behavioral modification.
5) LIMITATIONS
a. A pet less than six (6) years of age on the date of enrollment must have undergone a complete clinical
examination. The exam must have taken place either in the twelve (12) months prior to the pet policy effective
date, or within fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date. A pet six (6) years of age or greater on
the date of enrollment must have undergone a complete clinical examination within thirty (30) days prior to the
pet policy effective date, or within fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date. Your failure to
submit your pet to a complete clinical examination may void the policy. If the policy is voided, the policy
premium will be refunded.
b. For pets six (6) years of age or greater on the date of enrollment, no coverage shall apply for illness related to
hip dysplasia.
c. For working pets, no coverage shall apply for any condition resulting from activities related to racing, breeding,
law enforcement, guarding or for any commercial use.
d. We will not make any payments for any claims for which you are entitled to be paid under any other insurance
except for any additional sum which is payable over and above such other insurance.
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III. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1) Premium is payable monthly by Direct Debit or by charge to your credit card, according to the option selected by you
on the application. This policy is continued until cancelled, and will renew automatically each month as long as
premium payments are current. When you have not paid the premium, we may cancel this policy. We will let you
know at least twenty (20) days before the date cancellation takes effect. No coverage will be provided for any claim
with a date of veterinary treatment between the premium due date and the cancellation date, unless the premium
payments are current.
2) You may cancel your policy by notifying us in writing via regular mail, fax or email at least fourteen (14) days in
advance of your next premium payment.
3) You must be the owner of the pet(s). If the pet owner dies, becomes unable to care for the insured pet(s), or passes
the ownership of the insured pet(s), the coverage will continue without interruption, if approved in writing by us,
subject to all other terms and conditions of this policy.
4) A pet is covered under this policy only while the pet is in the United States of America, or temporarily away in
Canada.
5) You must agree to implement all reasonable means possible in the care and protection of your pet. You further
agree to protect the pet from aggravation and/or recurrence of the injury and/or illness after occurrence.
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6) This coverage is not transferable to other pets. All new pets are subject to a new application and your monthly
payment will increase.
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7) You are entitled to increase your pet’s deductible level and/or increase your pet’s coinsurance amount at any
time. This request must be made in writing and will become effective the month following approval by us. You may
apply to lower your pet’s deductible level and/or decrease your pet’s coinsurance amount provided that your pet
has not previously filed a claim with us. This request must be in writing and will become effective the month following
approval by us.
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8) Notice of loss must be given by either you or your agent.
9) The loss is payable within sixty days after completion of the claim form, unless applicable state law provides for a
shorter period.
10) In order to process a claim, you must allow us to contact your present and previous veterinarian(s) and provide us
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with the necessary authority to obtain any information we may require. In the event information relating to the history
of the pet is missing or incomplete, the claim will not be processed. You must also agree to submit the pet to
examination, if we require, by a veterinarian we select.
11) In the event of any disagreement between you and us with regards to a claim, the matter will be referred to our
veterinarian. If the matter is not resolved, an independent third party veterinarian shall be appointed by us. This
independent third party veterinarian’s decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
12) Every action or proceeding against us for the recovery of any claim under or by virtue of this contract is absolutely
barred unless commenced within one year after the loss or damage occurs or unless state law requires a longer
period.
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notice of our intent to cancel. The notice will be in accordance with the provisions of III. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1). Otherwise, we may cancel this policy by providing you at least ninety (90) days written notice.
b. You may cancel this policy at any time by notifying us in writing via regular mail, fax or email. This is in
accordance with the provisions of III. GENERAL CONDITIONS 2).
3) STATE LAW – When this policy’s provisions are in conflict with the statutes of the state in which this policy is
issued, the provisions are amended to conform to such statutes.
4) ENTIRE CONTRACT – This policy, the Declarations Page, and any attached endorsement contain all the
agreements between you and us.
5) FREE LOOK PERIOD - If you are not satisfied with this policy within thirty (30) days of the Policy Effective Date, you
may cancel your insurance. We will refund your premium in full, as long as you have not submitted a claim.
V. DEFINITIONS
The following defined words or phrases in the policy are printed in bold type and have the following meanings, unless a
different meaning is described in a particular coverage or endorsement.
1) Accident. An unexpected and unintended event causing injury to your pet.
2) Clinical Examination. A thorough examination performed by a licensed and registered veterinarian encompassing
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all body systems of the pet. Examination can also be referred to as “full physical, physical consultation, full
examination or veterinary examination.”
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3) Clinical Symptoms. Any manifested anomaly in, or deviation from the regular healthy state or function of a pet,
including behavioral traits. Symptoms include any anomaly that is readily detectible by a thorough and complete
clinical examination.
4) Coinsurance. Your portion of the cost of insured veterinary treatment for your pet before any deductible is
applied. Your pet’s coinsurance amount is shown as “Your Share” on the pet schedule of the declarations page.
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5) Condition. Any manifestations of clinical symptoms consistent with a diagnosis or diagnoses, regardless of the
number of incidents or areas of the body affected.
6) Coverage. The insurance protection described in this policy form and on the declarations page.
7) Coverage Term. A twelve (12) month period that begins with the effective date of coverage and continues for each
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b. appropriate and meet generally accepted veterinary practice standards;
c. not primarily for the convenience of the pet parent, your veterinarian or other providers; and
d. consistent with the most appropriate supply or level of services which can safely be provided to the pet.
16) Medication. Any veterinary recommended medications prescribed by your veterinarian and approved by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary use.
17) Neutering. Orchidectomy, or surgical removal of the testicles.
18) Pet or Pets. A domestic cat or dog that is owned for companionship or as a help dog, not owned for commercial
reasons. Commercial reasons include, but are not limited to, a racing dog.
19) Pet Parent. The owner of the pet, including owner’s spouse or partner.
20) Pet Policy Effective Date. 12:01 a.m. of the day following the date you enroll your pet, as shown on the pet
schedule of the declarations page, subject to the waiting periods as defined in II. EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS 1)
b., 1) c., and 1) d.
21) Pet Schedule. The table shown on the declarations page that identifies the pet policy effective date, policy
number and coverage options related to a specific insured pet.
22) Policy. The terms and conditions and most recent declarations page that includes any endorsements that apply.
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23) Policy Effective Date. 12:01 a.m. of the day following the date Shown in the Declarations, subject to the waiting
periods as defined in II. EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS 1) b., 1) c., and 1) d.
24) Pre-existing conditions means: pl
a. illness or the recurrence of any illness or condition which first occurred or displayed any signs and/or symptoms
consistent with the stated illness or condition prior to the pet policy effective date;
b. an injury or recurrence of an injury that occurred prior to the pet policy effective date; or
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c. any condition or complication resulting from an illness or injury that occurred prior to the pet policy effective
date.
25) Racing Dog. A dog, which is owned and maintained for the purpose of competing in organized races or speed
contests.
26) Spaying. Ovariohysterectomy, or resection of the ovaries and uterus.
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27) Supplies. Any item that is medically necessary, as determined by the veterinarian, that is safe and effective for its
intended use, and that omission would adversely affect the insured pet.
28) Surgery (ies). Procedure(s) that treat diseases or injuries by operative manual and instrumental treatment.
29) Vaccination. The administration of an industry-recognized commercial vaccine by a registered licensed veterinarian.
The vaccine must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, following a complete clinical
examination, for prevention of disease.
30) Veterinarian. A properly licensed and registered veterinarian in active practice in the area where your pet is treated
or examined. Veterinarian shall not include you or a member of your immediate family.
31) Veterinary Examinations Fees. Fees charged for the professional opinion of a veterinarian. Also referred to as
consultation, examination, referral, and recheck fees.
32) Veterinary Treatment means:
a. X-rays;
b. Laboratory and diagnostic tests;
c. Medication;
d. Surgeries;
e. Supplies;
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f. Hospitalization;
g. Euthanasia; and
h. Nursing care;
provided by a licensed veterinarian and their staff under direct supervision.
33) Working Pets. Any pet involved in activities other than companionship or helping, including, but not limited to, racing,
breeding, law enforcement, guarding or for other commercial use.
34) Your Pet. The dog or cat named in the pet schedule of the declarations page.
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