Pet Insurance in Virginia

Virginia pet insurance laws

Lawmakers have not adopted a dedicated pet insurance statute. NAIC model act records also show no current activity in Virginia. Under general property and casualty insurance law, pet policies are classified as inland marine coverage by state insurance rules. Inland marine falls under property insurance and covers movable property, including family pets.

Because no state pet insurance law applies, each company draws up its own contract terms and disclosures. We suggest that you read the sample policy before buying a plan, since it shows how these details are handled:

• Waiting period: days following the purchase of a policy, before coverage begins.
• Free-look period: the period after purchase when you can cancel a new policy and receive a refund.
• Pre-existing condition: an injury or illness for which your pet showed signs before coverage began.

Each insurer sets its own waiting times and refund window because no state pet statute governs these rules. By checking those clauses before paying, you can learn what to expect at the vet.

Virginia pet insurance companies

Plans are available here from carriers publishing availability across all 50 states, including:

• Nationwide (available in every one of the 50 states and DC)
• Spot (offers plans in all 50 states)
• Embrace (available in every one of the 50 states)
• Fetch (plans offered in all 50 states nationwide)
• Trupanion (available across all 50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico; in some states, some people may not get the products or discounts)
• AKC Pet Insurance (serves all 50 states, although some features aren't offered in every state)

For a dog, an accident and illness plan has a national average of $836 a year ($70 a month), according to NAPHIA cost figures. For cats, the average for identical coverage is $435 yearly, or $36 monthly. For dogs, accident-only plans average $190 each year, or $16 monthly; for cats, the average is $112 yearly, or $9 monthly. These figures cover the country as a whole, not Virginia. For cat coverage or dog insurance Virginia insurers sell, the species, age, breed, and ZIP code of your pet all factor into pricing.

Filing a pet insurance complaint in Virginia

Contact State Corporation Commission Bureau of Insurance about a claim denial, billing error, or policy rule problem. Read your policy paperwork first, then ask your insurer to explain its decision in writing.

If the company leaves the problem unresolved, the state's online insurance complaint page lets you file a report. Pull together your insurer messages, policy contract, vet records, and bills, which you can attach to your complaint.