USAA Pet Insurance Review

USAA pet insurance plans and cost

Two plan types are available: accident-and-illness coverage and accident-only coverage. You may also add a wellness plan that covers routine care. The base policy doesn't cover vet exam fees, so you need an add-on to cover them.

The deductible is the yearly amount you pay yourself before your plan starts paying claims. Published pricing data lists $38.77 per month for a cat policy in 50 states, and in Washington, DC for 1-year-old cats and 6-year-old cats. Both are neutered domestic shorthair cats. It uses an accident-and-illness plan that has a $500 deductible and 90% reimbursement, offering $10,000 and unlimited annual limits. This price is one published example for that particular cat profile, rather than a typical price for every pet.

While you set up your policy, you can adjust your options and use available USAA savings:

• Deductibles per year: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
• Reimbursement percentage: 70%, 80%, or 90%
• Your yearly limits: $2,000, $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or unlimited
• An extra 10% off applies to military members and to members with service dogs or multiple pets, with a 25% maximum on total discounts.

Coverage and exclusions from USAA

If injuries or illnesses come up unexpectedly, standard accident-and-illness policies help pay the bills. Based on USAA's coverage information and review findings for plans, the covered items are:

• Hereditary and congenital conditions that parents pass down
• Alternative therapy, along with behavioral treatments
• Dental illness has limited coverage
• Optional add-ons: vet exam fees and routine wellness care

Before coverage starts, any health problem your pet had counts as a pre-existing condition. A free review of your pet's medical history can be requested with a policy, though these conditions are generally excluded. After 1 year without symptoms, curable pre-existing conditions may be covered. Additional exclusions:

• Routine and preventative care isn't included in the base policy
• Pregnancy, whelping, and breeding
• Injury on purpose, neglect, cruelty, fighting, or racing
• Cosmetic procedures, except when they are medically necessary

USAA age limits and waiting periods

For cat policies and USAA dog insurance, young pets can enroll from 6 weeks of age. Pets of any age can be insured, since there's no upper age limit. However, pets older than 14 are limited to accident-only coverage.

Coverage doesn't begin on the day you enroll. Under published waiting rules, accident coverage starts after 2 days, and illness coverage starts after 14 days.

USAA reimbursement and claims

Through the plan administrator's online account, you manage your policy and submit claims. Once you submit your claim and pay the vet bill, the administrator reviews it against your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible. The payout is deposited within 2 working days or less after approval of a covered claim.

The people USAA suits

This USAA animal insurance coverage suits military members, service-dog families, and multi-pet households that want an extra 10% discount. It also fits owners seeking hereditary and congenital care, quick 2-business-day claim deposits, or an annual limit with no cap.

Pet owners seeking new illness coverage for a pet older than 14 may want to look elsewhere, as those seniors receive accident-only plans only. If you want the base price to include vet exam fees, or you need broader dental illness coverage, you might also compare other options.

Common questions

Would you say USAA pet insurance is worth it?

What your policy is worth depends on your pet's age and health history, plus the deductible and annual limit you choose. You may get help with bills you didn't expect for alternative therapy, behavioral care, and hereditary issues, particularly when member discounts are in place. If your pet is older than 14, review the cost closely, since senior sign-ups are limited to accident-only plans.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by USAA pet insurance?

Coverage excludes permanent pre-existing conditions, though a free medical history review is available after you buy a policy so you can see what is covered. A curable condition that your pet had before enrolling may be covered again after 1 year without symptoms.

What are the steps for getting a USAA pet insurance quote?

You can start a quote online through USAA's pet coverage portal, which connects you to its partner administrator. During the quote process, you enter your dog or cat's details and compare prices across the available deductibles, reimbursement percentages, and annual limits.

Does USAA give veterans a military discount on pet insurance?

Yes, USAA's rules give military members an extra 10% off. Members who have service dogs or keep multiple pets also get it. See how your military status applies by checking your quote. Combined discounts on a policy cannot exceed 25% in total.