Frequently Asked Questions
Learn about the Spot difference.
Do you have questions about pet insurance and how it works? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Click the questions in the FAQ below to learn everything to know about pet insurance with Spot.
Most Commonly Asked
Pet insurance (also known as pet health insurance) is for paw-rents seeking a financial safety net in case their pet experiences accidents, injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions and more.
Pet insurance is similar to human health insurance in that it has deductibles, payouts, and premiums:
Deductibles
Your annual deductible amount applies during each policy period. We subtract your chosen deductible from covered expenses before applying the reimbursement percentage.
Payouts
Spot Pet Insurance allows you to select your reimbursement percentage. Once your deductible is met, you will be reimbursed according to the reimbursement percentage you select.
Premiums
This is the amount you pay for pet health insurance. Fetch a free quote to see your premium figures today.
Waiting Periods
There is a 14-day waiting period for coverage. The waiting period begins on the first effective date of the applicable coverage. Any condition that occurs during an applicable waiting period is a pre-existing condition.
There is no waiting period for preventive care if you choose to add it to your plan. Find more information on preventative care.
Pre-existing conditions
Illness, disease, injury, or change to your pet's health that first occurs or shows symptoms before coverage is effective or during a waiting period. This includes conditions that are related to, secondary, or resultant from a pre-existing condition.
Visit our dog insurance and cat insurance pages for more information about plans.
Once you have your custom pet insurance policy and have paid your premium on a monthly or annual schedule, you carry on as usual!
When you need to visit the vet for a covered condition, you can submit a claim for reimbursement, which will include an itemized receipt from your vet visit.
Spot Pet Insurance has options to cover the unexpected things that come up with pet health care, whether that is an accident or illness. If your pet gets sick or injured, Spot Pet Insurance is here for you! Our program offers an unlimited annual limit option, no per incident caps, and no lifetime caps.
If your pet shows signs or symptoms of a new covered accident or illness after enrollment, and after any applicable waiting period, it will be eligible for coverage. Our program covers medically necessary veterinary treatments, including but not limited to:
- MRI or CT scans and X-rays
- Poison control consultation fees
- Prescription medications
- Surgery and Hospitalization
- Medical supplies (such as but not limited to bandages, casts and splints)
- Cancer treatments
- Treatment for behavioral problems
- Microchip Implantation
You may use any US licensed veterinarian.
For additional information please click here to see policy specific provisions related to this FAQ.
To learn more, read: what does pet insurance cover?
For a comprehensive list of policy exclusions and limitations, download a copy of the SPOT Pet Insurance policy here.
Some of the most common exclusions we encounter during the claims review process are:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Conditions occurring within policy waiting period(s)
- Non-FDA treatment or supplements
- Pet diets
- Day care/boarding
Scroll through the list below to understand what is and is not covered for our Accident Only coverage.
Covered
- Alternative therapy
- End of life expenses
- Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications
- Medical supplies (such as but not limited to bandages, casts and splints)
- MRI or CT scans and X-rays
- Poison control consultation fees
- Prescription food to treat a covered condition; not for general health maintenance, or prevention, even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Prescription medications prescribed by a veterinarian and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Stem cell therapy
- Supplements to treat a covered condition; not for general health maintenance, or prevention even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Tooth extractions
- Veterinary Treatment, including examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests.
Microchip Implantation
Microchip - Your policy covers microchip implantation by a veterinarian; not any associated fees for registration, monitoring or renewal.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
Exclusions
We will not pay for expenses related to any illness.
We will not pay for costs associated with or resulting from the following:
- Aesthetic, cosmetic, endodontic dental services such as caps, crowns or crown amputation, fillings, implants, and root canals or planing.
- Anal sac (gland) expression and/or resection when no infection is present
- Boarding
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping or nursing
- Conditions that occur during a waiting period
- Cosmetic and elective prostheses or procedures (including but not limited to claw removal, ear cropping, and tail docking)
- Dental cleanings unless used to treat a covered illness or covered by an applicable endorsement
- Experimental or investigational treatment or medication (including clinical trials) that is not generally accepted in the veterinary medical community as effective or proven
- Grooming or grooming supplies (including but not limited to non-prescription baths, ear cleanings, non-prescription shampoos, and nail trims).
- Herbs
- House call fees, time and travel expenses to and from the veterinarian's premises or hospital.
- Illness or injury that results from intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent activities or from failure to perform actions commonly accepted as responsible pet care by you, a member of your household or a caregiver for your pet.
- Non-medical supplies such as but not limited to toys, training devices, and leashes.
- Non-Veterinary services (including but not limited to administrative fees, medical records expenses, medical waste, postage, and tax).
- Pre-existing Conditions that occurred on or before the effective date of the policy or during a waiting period.
- Prescription food, pet food, diets or treats used for prevention or general health maintenance (including weight loss)even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Preventive care without an occurrence (including but not limited to general health maintenance diagnostics, laboratory procedures, medications, physical examinations, and surgery) unless covered by an applicable endorsement.
- Supplements and vitamins used for prevention or general health maintenance (including weight loss) even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Veterinary expenses related to coursing, organized fighting, law enforcement or guarding, personal protection or racing.
Covered
- Alternative therapy
- End of life expenses
- Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications
- Medical supplies (such as but not limited to bandages, casts and splints)
- MRI or CT scans and X-rays
- Poison control consultation fees
- Prescription food to treat a covered condition; not for general health maintenance, or prevention, even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Prescription medications prescribed by a veterinarian and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Stem cell therapy
- Supplements to treat a covered condition; not for general health maintenance, or prevention even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Tooth extractions
- Veterinary Treatment, including examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests.
Illness Benefits
Your policy also reimburses actual costs for covered expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, up to the
applicable limits, exclusions and limitations. Eligible illness expenses are:
- Expenses listed above under accident benefits when applicable to illness.
- Cancer treatments (including but not limited to chemotherapy and radiation treatment).
- Treatment for behavioral problems if performed by a veterinarian or through a written referral by a veterinarian to a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
Microchip Implantation
Microchip - Your policy covers microchip implantation by a veterinarian; not any associated fees for registration, monitoring or renewal.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
We will not pay for costs associated with or resulting from the following:
- Aesthetic, cosmetic, endodontic dental services such as caps, crowns or crown amputation, fillings, implants and root canals or planing.
- Anal sac (gland) expression and/or resection when no infection is present
- Boarding
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping or nursing
- Conditions that occur during a waiting period
- Cosmetic and elective prostheses or procedures (including but not limited to claw removal, ear cropping and tail docking)
- Dental cleanings unless used to treat a covered illness or covered by an applicable endorsement
- Experimental or investigational treatment or medication (including clinical trials) that is not generally accepted in the veterinary medical community as effective or proven
- Grooming or grooming supplies (including but not limited to non-prescription baths, ear cleanings, non-prescription shampoos and nail trims).
- Herbs
- House call fees, time and travel expenses to and from the veterinarian's premises or hospital.
- Illness or injury that results from intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent activities or from failure to perform actionscommonly accepted as responsible pet care by you, a member of your household or a caregiver for your pet.
- Non-medical supplies such as but not limited to toys, training devices, and leashes.
- Non-Veterinary services (including but not limited to administrative fees, medical records expenses, medical waste, postage and tax).
- Pre-existing Conditions that occurred on or before the effective date of the policy or during a waiting period.
- Prescription food, pet food, diets or treats used for prevention or general health maintenance (including weight loss)even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Preventive care without an occurrence (including but not limited to general health maintenance diagnostics, laboratoryprocedures, medications, physical examinations and surgery) unless covered by an applicable endorsement.
- Supplements and vitamins used for prevention or general health maintenance (including weight loss) even if prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian.
- Veterinary expenses related to coursing, organized fighting, law enforcement or guarding, personal protection or racing.
A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness which occurred or had symptoms before the start of your pet’s policy, or during a relevant waiting period. A condition is considered pre-existing whether or not it’s been officially diagnosed or treated; all that matters is when it occurred or symptoms first displayed.
No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions, though each may define a pre-existing condition differently. We define a pre-existing condition as a health problem that occurs before coverage is effective or during a waiting period. However, we will no longer consider a condition to be pre-existing if your pet has been cured of it and without treatment for it or symptoms of it for 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.
SPOT doesn't place an upper limit on age, but advises all paw-rents to insure their pet at a young age (8 weeks or older, that is). Don't let your pet develop a "pre-existing condition" before they're insured.
Yes, you can add preventative care and wellness to your Spot policy for a little more cost. When you add preventive coverage, you’ll be reimbursed up to the scheduled amount for things that help protect your pet from getting sick. You don’t have to satisfy your deductible before you can be reimbursed, and there is no waiting period.
In general, your premium is based on your pet's age, breed and where your pet lives. Some other factors that impact your premium are: the plan you choose, your deductible, your reimbursement percentage, if you have included preventative care or not, and the discounts for which you are eligible.
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee*, so feel free to take a look and see what SPOT can do for you and your pet. If, within the first 30 days of your policy you wish to cancel, we will provide you with a full refund of the premium amount, provided you have not had a claim covered. If you cancel your policy after the first 30 days or if you have claim covered, any possible refund is subject to state regulations.
*Assuming no claims have been filed. Not available in NY.
Yes! Because there's no equivalent of an Open Enrollment period, you can buy and drop pet health insurance at any time.
That's why if you buy pet insurance early, your furry friend will be covered long before they develop any medical conditions and you're more likely to have ailments covered going forward.
You can view our sample policy here: https://spotpetins.com/sample-policy/
Coverage
SPOT’s Platinum Preventive Care plan reimburses up to $150 on spaying/neutering with no deductible. The Platinum Preventive Care is available as an add-on to your coverage for $24.95/month and provides a total annual benefit of $450 in routine care allowance.
See the breakdown of what our Preventive Care plans cover.
When related to a covered condition, SPOT covers end of life expenses for euthanasia, burial, and cremation; but not memorial items. We don’t want finances to add another layer of stress to an end of life chapter.
Not all insurances cover exam fees; SPOT does. Examinations related to covered conditions are eligible for reimbursement.
Routine wellness exams are only covered under SPOT’s Preventive Care plans, which you can add on to your base coverage for a little extra cost.
Accident & Illness Plans only cover dental issues related to an injury or an illness. To get reimbursed on routine cleanings for your dog or cat’s general wellbeing, you’ll need to add preventive coverage to your base plan.
No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions, though each may define a pre-existing condition differently. We define a pre-existing condition as a health problem that occurs before coverage is effective or during a waiting period.
However, we will no longer consider a condition to be pre-existing if your pet has been cured of it and without treatment for it or symptoms of it for 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.
A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness which occurred or had symptoms before the start of your pet’s policy, or during a relevant waiting period. A condition is considered pre-existing whether or not it’s been officially diagnosed or treated; all that matters is when it occurred or symptoms first displayed.
No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions, though each may define a pre-existing condition differently. We define a pre-existing condition as a health problem that occurs before coverage is effective or during a waiting period. However, we will no longer consider a condition to be pre-existing if your pet has been cured of it and without treatment for it or symptoms of it for 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.
With SPOT, there is no type of per incident limits or lifetime caps.
Yes, SPOT loves supporting rescues! We can’t insure pets while they are still in the care of the shelter and we can’t insure pets under 8 weeks old. Other than that, bring them on!
What if I don’t have medical records from my vet?
That’s okay, we know your rescue might not have a vet history with you yet. Just make sure you keep records for future visits so you can submit all the information in a claim.
Premiums depend on factors like location, customized plan variables, and dog age and breed. The fact that your pet is a rescue will not factor into the price of your premium.
Getting Started
Identifying a pre-existing condition is simple. If it's an accident or illness and the symptoms weren't present and it didn’t occur before your enrollment or during the waiting periods, the condition is not pre-existing. However, if the condition occurred or symptoms began before you enrolled or during a waiting period, it will be considered pre-existing and not eligible for coverage.
With SPOT, there is no type of per incident limits or lifetime caps.
We will insure any cat or dog that is at least 8 weeks old with no upper age limits.
If you do not know the exact date of birth of your pet, please use your best estimate based on your pet’s medical records or shelter/rescue documentation. We will validate the correct age when reviewing your pet's medical records.
Medical records for your pet include doctor's notes, laboratory results, and other documentation regarding any of your pet's visits to the veterinarian. These notes are kept by your veterinarian and are not typically sent home with you. If you are filing your first claim, you will need to submit the itemized invoice.
Your veterinarian may also email these to service@customer.spotpetins.com
For additional information please call to speak with SPOT’s licensed insurance agent at 1.800.905.1595.
Yes, starting from the effective date of your policy. There’s a 14 day waiting period for every state.
For additional information please call to speak with SPOT’s licensed insurance agent at
Phone: 1.800.905.1595
Email: service@customer.spotpetins.com
10% off each additional pet that is added.
Yes. SPOT offers 10% off for additional pets, with the discount coming off the lower premium.
Administrative
For questions about upgrading or downgrading your policy — including terms and conditions — please contact SPOT Customer Service for more information at 1.800.905.1595. You can also make changes by logging into the customer portal at https://members.spotpetins.com
If the ownership of your pet changes to another individual, we are able to transfer the policy to the new pet owner without any interruption of coverage. To process this request, you will need to submit proof of new ownership, including the new owner's full name, address and phone number. We will also need to update the billing portion of the policy to include the new customer's preferred payment method prior to processing the policy transfer.
In order to start the transfer of ownership policy change, please reach out to SPOT Customer Service.
If you move within your current state, you are able to adjust your address via the “Account Information” section in the SPOT Customer Portal. You will also need to update your billing address there as well.
Note: your premium may change based on your new zip code.
If you are moving to a new state, please contact the SPOT Customer Service team at 1.800.905.1595 We will need to assist in transferring your policy to your new state, in order to maintain your pre-existing conditions history.
We'd be sorry to see you go, but if you still want to cancel your policy, you must contact us via email, telephone or in writing to advise us of the future date when this policy is to cancel.
For additional information please call to speak with SPOT’s licensed insurance agent: 1.800.905.1595 or email: service@customer.spotpetins.com
The number of days to appeal a claim varies by the state in which your policy was issued.
All requests to appeal your claim must be made in writing to us. Any submitted appeal should state clearly why you or your vet disagree with the initial determination and include supporting documentation. To appeal your claim simply email your request and supporting documentation to us at service@customer.spotpetins.com
Once your appeal has been received by our Claims Department, you will receive an email confirmation. Note: Appeals may take around 30 days to be reviewed.
With pet insurance, you pay your vet bill as you normally would, and then you submit your claim to SPOT to get reimbursed based on the parameters of your coverage.
Yes. If you need to cancel your claim request for any reason, you can do so by calling the call center: 1.855.921.3025.
Renewal
Unless you notify us that you want to cancel or we advise that your policy will not be renewed, we will automatically issue you a new policy at the end of each policy period. Coverage and rates are subject to change at renewal. Your renewal declarations page will specify the coverage and rates that apply. You accept these changes by renewing your policy. We may decide to not renew your coverage at the end of any policy period. In this case, at least 60 days before your coverage ends, we will mail written notice to you at your address as shown on the declarations page.
These necessary increases provide you the opportunity to offer your pet the best medical treatment options available.
Additionally, your premium will be affected by your pet's age each year, as the risk for more costly claims grows higher. SPOT strives to provide coverage well into your pet's old-age by not placing upper-age limitations on our policies. However, your premium will not increase due to filing a claim.
Member Center FAQ's
Claims can be submitted easily through our login page.
If we do need medical records, we’ll contact your veterinarian directly, but it may speed up the process if you send them in with your claim.
You can submit a claim within 270 days from the date of treatment.
We’ll email you when we receive your claim, if we need more information and when it’s complete. You can also check on the status of your claims anytime through our login page.
You can visit any licensed veterinarian in the US, including specialists and emergency care clinics.
Your payments are processed automatically using the payment method and frequency we have on file. If you need to update your billing information, you can make changes by signing in on our login page.
Click the Add A Pet link on the home page of the Member center to fill in your pet’s information and select coverage. Access the member center through our login page.
Consumer App FAQs
Click the Claims icon and follow the simple instructions. Don't forget to take a picture of your invoice and upload it to complete the claim submission.
We’ll email you when we receive your claim, if we need more information and when it’s complete. You can also check on the status of your claims anytime by clicking on the claims icon.
Your payments are processed automatically using the payment method and frequency we have on file. If you need to update your billing information, you can make changes by clicking on the Billing icon.
You can add a pet in the Member Center through our login page or by calling us: 1.800.905.1595
