Did You Know?
5,534 pet owners requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.
What Does Direct Pay Mean for Pet Insurance?
Vet direct pay is when your claim is approved by your provider, they will send reimbursem*nt for any eligible vet expenses — such as emergency care or wellness services — directly to your veterinarian rather than you. This eliminates the need for policyholders to pay out-of-pocket and submit a claim for reimbursem*nt later.
Not all veterinary offices accept direct payments from providers, so check with your vet before purchasing this type of policy for your pet.
With vet direct pay, you are still responsible for paying your insurance deductible and copayment. For example, say you have a $100 deductible and a 90% reimbursem*nt rate and your pet receives emergency veterinary treatment for a covered condition that costs $3,000. You would pay $390 out-of-pocket and your insurance company would pay the remaining $2,610 directly to the vet.
Which Pet Insurance Companies Pay a Vet Directly?
Only a select few pet insurance companies offer vet-direct pay. Most pet care providers operate on a reimbursem*nt-based payment model in which the pet owner pays the full amount for treatment upfront and then seeks reimbursem*nt from their insurance provider. Pet owners who cannot pay for an expensive veterinary bill upfront or prefer immediate reimbursem*nt may prefer a provider that can pay vets directly.
Below, we ranked the top six providers we found that offer vet-direct pay:
- Healthy Paws: Most affordable unlimited coverage
- Pets Best: Our pick for vet direct pay
- Trupanion: Our pick for unlimited lifetime payouts
- Geico: Our pick for Geico members
- State Farm: Our pick for State Farm insurance members
- Progressive: Our pick for Progressive insurance members
Healthy Paws
Most Affordable Unlimited Coverage
4.0
Cost: 5/5
Plan options: 2.3/5
Custom coverage levels: 3.3/5
Covered treatments: 4.7/5
Customer experience: 4/5
Waiting periods: 3.8/5
Reputation: 4.5/5
Eligible age limit: 4.5/5
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates50%-80%Deductibles$250-$1kAnnual LimitsUnlimited
MONTHLY COST$38.98
Healthy Paws Vet Direct Pay
Healthy Paws offers a vet-direct pay option on a claim-by-claim basis, and you must request direct payment before your pet’s treatment. If your request is approved, you will be responsible for paying your deductible and copayment. Your veterinarian must send a claim to Healthy Paws for processing, and once the claim is approved, Healthy Paws will pay the veterinarian directly for the covered expenses.
Pros and Cons
Pros No annual or lifetime limits Fast claims processing Easy-to-use mobile app Cons No pet wellness coverage options Only one plan offered
Pets Best
Our Pick for Vet Direct Pay
4.8
Cost: 4.5/5
Plan options: 5/5
Custom coverage levels: 4/5
Covered treatments: 5.3/5
Customer experience: 5/5
Waiting periods: 5/5
Reputation: 4.5/5
Eligible age limit: 5/5
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates70%-90%Deductibles$50-$1kAnnual Limits$5k-Unlimited
MONTHLY COST$43.87
Pets Best Vet Direct Pay
Before using vet direct pay, you will have to complete a Pets Best vet direct pay release form online and have your vet sign it. You can then submit a claim online for processing and include a copy of the form. Once Pets Best processes your claim, Pets Best will send payment directly to your veterinarian. You will still have to pay the deductible, co-insurance and any other items not covered.
Pros and Cons
Pros Multiple plan options Optional wellness coverage No enrollment age limits Cons Does not cover alternative therapies
Trupanion
Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts
4.2
Cost: 3/5
Plan options: 5/5
Custom coverage levels: 3.3/5
Covered treatments: 5.3/5
Customer experience: 5/5
Waiting periods: 4/5
Reputation: 3/5
Eligible age limit: 4.5/5
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates90%Deductibles$0-$1kAnnual LimitsUnlimited
MONTHLY COST$88.13
Trupanion Vet Direct Pay
Trupanion’s vet direct pay option is only available at partner veterinary practices that have the necessary software, Trupanion Express. Trupanion pays your veterinarian immediately for covered expenses at the time of checkout, minus any applicable deductibles or copayments. You will not have to wait for the claim to be processed.
You can check if your veterinarian accepts direct payment on the Trupanion website. Trupanion Express is a web-based application that allows users to manage claims and receive reimbursem*nts within minutes.
Pros and Cons
Pros Immediate vet direct pay option at participating clinics Optional wellness coverage Offers enrollment from birth Cons No multi-pet discount Enrollment restricted to pets under 14 years of age
Geico Pet Insurance
Our Pick for Geico Members
4.5
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates70%-90%Deductibles$200-$1kAnnual Limits$5k-Unlimited
Geico Vet Direct Pay
Geico pet insurance partners with Trupanion and Embrace, and you can receive quotes from both companies on Geico’s website. Your access to vet direct pay will depend on which provider you select. Trupanion policyholders can utilize direct vet pay at participating veterinary offices, while Embrace pet insurance does not offer the feature at all.
If you already have an insurance product through Geico, like auto insurance, you can bundle your pet policy for a discount.
State Farm
Our Pick for Insurance bundling
3.7
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates90%Deductibles$0-$1kAnnual LimitsUnlimited
Geico Vet Direct Pay
State Farm offers pet insurance through Trupanion. As mentioned above, vet direct pay is only available at partner veterinary practices that use Trupanion Express. State Farm policyholders can also bundle their pet insurance with other insurance products, like renters or car insurance, for a discount.
Progressive
Our pick for Progressive insurance members
4.0
Our Review
Reimbursem*nt Rates70%-90%Deductibles$50-$1kAnnual Limits$5k-Unlimited
Progressive Vet Direct Pay
Progressive pet insurance partners with Pets Best and offers direct vet pay for all pet insurance plans. Refer to our section on Pets Best above for more details. If you already have an insurance policy with Progressive, you can add a pet policy and receive a bundling discount.
Compare Pet Insurance Companies With Vet-Direct Pay
When considering which vet direct pay provider to choose, check out this chart that compares Healthy Paws, Trupanion and Pets Best. If you’re interested in other pet insurance companies, simply add a brand to compare costs.
| Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $24-$54 | 4.0 | 15 days | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $28-$59 | 4.8 | 3 days | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $53-$123 | 4.2 | 48 hours | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $24-$54 | 4.0 | 15 days | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $28-$59 | 4.8 | 3 days | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $53-$123 | 4.2 | 48 hours | EXPLORE PLANS |
No results were found.
Why Trust Us?
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best pet insurance companies
10
Unique Pet ProfilesWe collected quotes for five cats and five dogs, including purebred and mixed-breed pets, using three age ranges covering puppies and kittens, adults and senior pets.
17,330
Quotes CollectedOur team collected more than 17,330 sample quotes from pet insurance companies using unique pet profiles to give readers an accurate view of pricing across competitors. We gather quotes across all 50 U.S. states and update our pages regularly to provide accurate and timely cost information.
21
Analyzed Providers NationwideOur team secret-shopped for policy quotes from 21 of our top-rated pet insurance providers nationwide. We requested quotes from companies that scored the highest across certain areas of our rating methodology, including the available number of plan options and covered treatments.
40
Years of Combined Veterinary ExperienceOur writers and reviewers have over 40 years of combined veterinary experience, confirming the accuracy of our pet-care pricing and weighing in on whether a plan is worth the cost.
Companies That Offer Vet-Direct Pay Through Trupanion
The following companies partner with Trupanion to provide a comprehensive accident and illness plan and vet direct pay:
- Geico: Geico partners with Trupanion and Embrace Pet Insurance. Trupanion offers direct vet pay, but Embrace does not.
- State Farm: State Farm offers pet insurance through Trupanion, which means you will have access to direct vet pay if your vet has Trupanion’s software.
The Benefits of Pet Insurance That Pays Vets Upfront
Vet direct pay can be a great resource for pet owners who prefer a simpler reimbursem*nt process. The benefits include:
Lower out-of-pocket costs: With vet direct pay, you will pay less upfront for covered veterinary treatments. Your insurance provider will pay the bill directly to your vet’s office minus your deductible and copayment.
No waiting for reimbursem*nt: With vet direct pay, instead of paying the full amount upfront and then seeking reimbursem*nt, your insurance provider pays eligible veterinary expenses directly to the veterinarian. This eliminates the need to submit a claim and wait for reimbursem*nt.
Quicker claims approval: Companies that offer vet direct pay often allow you to file your claim before you leave the vet’s office. This can result in quicker claims approval than having to wait until after you paid the bill.
Upfront coverage of expensive vet bills: Vet direct pay can offer peace of mind if you cannot pay for an expensive veterinary bill at the time of medical care. With vet direct pay, you are only responsible for paying your deductible and copayment upfront, and your insurance provider covers the rest.
Tips for Using Direct Vet Payments
Before choosing a vet direct pay plan, use these tips to ensure you can benefit from this reimbursem*nt method:
- Ensure your vet accepts direct payments: Not all veterinarians accept direct payments from insurance providers, so be sure to check with your vet before purchasing this policy for your pet.
- Ensure your vet has the right software: If you have Trupanion, the company requires a vet to have its software to use direct vet pay.
- Have your vet sign the release forms: Progressive partners with Pets Best and requires a vet to sign a release form and submit a claim for approval before providing payment.
Alternatives to Pet Insurance That Pays Veterinarian Bills Directly
If your pet insurance provider does not offer vet direct pay, you may be able to find alternatives. Here are a few options:
- Specialized lines of credit: Paw Protect offers a $2,000 interest-free line of credit to pay bills from a veterinary clinic or emergency hospital.
- Emergency pet funds: A Pawp Pet membership offers coverage for one emergency vet visit bill of up to $3,000 per household each year. However, a Pawp vet must confirm your pet requires emergency treatment before you can activate and use the fund.
- Health credit cards: CareCredit is a health care credit card you can use for human or veterinary medical care. As with any credit card, your application will be subject to approval based on your credit score. Once you qualify for CareCredit, you can charge and pay back veterinary bills over time. CareCredit is interest-free if you pay your debt in the specified promotional timeline, which can vary. However, as with other credit cards, failure to pay off debt on time can result in penalty charges.
- Vet payment plans: If your pet needs emergency medical care that you can’t afford, discuss payment options with your vet. Some vet clinics may offer payment plans or financing options to help you cover the cost of your bill.
Are Direct-Pay Pet Insurance Plans Worth It?
With most pet insurance plans, you must pay all costs upfront and then file a claim with your provider for reimbursem*nt. For pet owners without a line of credit or an emergency cash fund, vet direct pay plans can be a great financial tool. Vet direct pay is also worth it for pet owners who value a convenient and fast reimbursem*nt process since you don’t have to wait for a traditional claim reimbursem*nt.
While vet direct pay provides lower out-of-pocket costs and a faster reimbursem*nt, it may not be the cheapest pet insurance option. Other companies like Lemonade and Spot may offer cheaper monthly premiums.
To determine if direct vet pay is right for you, we recommend you consider your pet’s needs and your financial situation. Then get quotes from multiple providers to find the best balance of cost and coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance Companies That Pay Vets Directly
Pumpkin’s pet plan does not offer vet direct pay. You can get reimbursed for claims via direct deposit or a check in the mail. If you are submitting a preventive care claim, you also have the option to get paid back via eCheck, which is a digital check sent via email.
Embrace pet insurance coverage does not pay the vet directly. After a veterinary visit, you will need to pay the complete invoice. You can then submit an online claim form for reimbursem*nt.
ManyPets pet insurance plans do not pay your vet directly. Instead, policyholders submit an online claim form and receive reimbursem*nts over the next one to 10 days.
Pet insurance companies offer one of two methods to pay claims. Some pet insurance companies make full or partial payments directly to the veterinarian, as with vet direct pay, so you do not have to pay out of pocket or file a reimbursem*nt claim.
Other pet insurance companies require policyholders to pay their veterinarian in full and then file a reimbursem*nt claim. The insurance company will then process the claim and transfer the reimbursem*nt to you via direct deposit or check.
How We Ranked the Best Pet Insurance Companies with Direct Vet Pay
Many pet insurance companies offer high-quality coverage options for pet owners, but a select few offer direct-to-vet payment. We used the following factors to help rank our top pet insurance providers that pay vets directly:
- Offers vet direct pay: Our rankings include only pet insurance companies with options for vet direct pay.
- Ease of process: Companies with fewer requirements and a simpler vet direct pay process ranked higher than those with pre-visit requirements or a lengthier process.
- Cost: We ranked companies with lower average monthly costs higher than more expensive options. We determined costs by collecting and comparing average price plans for four sample pets in every state.
- Coverage: Companies offering more comprehensive coverage, including covered services and plan options, ranked higher than those with fewer options. Companies also earned points for offering ways to customize a policy, including options for higher annual limits and adjustable deductibles.
- Special perks: We also awarded points to companies with special perks, such as payment apps.
- Waiting periods: Providers with shorter waiting periods ranked higher than those with longer waiting periods for covered services.
- Our rating: Our team reviewed more than 35 pet insurance companies using our objective rating methodology. Pet insurance providers with higher overall scores ranked higher on our list.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.
Angela Beal, DVMReviewer
Dr. Angela Beal is a veterinarian based in Columbus, Ohio. She has more than 20 years of experience in the veterinary field and extensive experience writing for pet owners and the veterinary industry. In her spare time, Angela enjoys camping and spending time with her family.
Tori AddisonEditor
Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
