Is a higher reimbursement rate worth it?

A 90% plan pays more on every claim but costs more each month; a 70% plan is cheaper monthly but leaves you paying more when something goes wrong. The right choice depends on how large a surprise bill you could absorb. This calculator shows the difference on your actual bill.

Does the deductible reset every year?

Most pet plans use an annual deductible that resets each policy year. A few use a per-condition deductible. Once you've met the deductible for the year, further covered claims are reimbursed at your percentage up to the annual limit.

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Pet Insurance Reimbursement Calculator

Enter a vet bill and see exactly what insurance pays, what you owe, and how 70% vs 80% vs 90% plans compare.

💡 The formula every insurer uses: (covered bill − remaining deductible) × reimbursement %, capped at your annual limit. This tool runs it on your numbers.

01 The claim

Vet bill (covered amount)

The eligible portion of the bill. Exam fees and pre-existing conditions may be excluded by some plans.

Annual deductible

Already met this year

Deductible you've already paid toward.

Reimbursement rate

Annual coverage limit

Most plans offer $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited. Enter a big number for unlimited.

02 What you'd pay

Insurance reimburses you

—

Your out-of-pocket on this bill

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Step	Amount

Same bill, different plans

Your out-of-pocket on this exact bill if you'd chosen a different setup.

Plan	$250 deductible	$500 deductible

⚠️ Estimates based on the standard reimbursement formula. Real claims depend on what your policy covers, exam-fee rules, waiting periods, and per-condition vs. annual deductibles. Always check your policy documents.

03 How pet insurance reimbursement works

Unlike human health insurance, most pet insurance is reimbursement-based: you pay the vet in full, file a claim with photos of the invoice, and the insurer pays you back a few days later. Three settings decide how much you get back.

The three dials

Deductible — what you pay before coverage kicks in, usually annual ($100–$1,000; $250 is common). A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium.
Reimbursement rate — the share of the remaining bill the insurer pays (70%, 80%, or 90%). Higher rate, higher premium.
Annual limit — the most the insurer pays per policy year ($5,000, $10,000, or unlimited).

Worked example

$5,000 bill · $250 deductible (none met) · 80% · $10,000 limit

Subtract the deductible: $5,000 − $250 = $4,750. Reimburse 80%: $3,800 back to you. Your share: the $250 deductible plus the 20% ($950) = $1,200 out of pocket. Well under the annual limit, so nothing is capped.

Reimbursement formula and typical plan settings reflect standard North American pet insurance practice. General information, not a quote.

Frequently asked questions

You usually pay the vet in full, then file a claim. The insurer subtracts your remaining annual deductible from the covered amount, pays your reimbursement percentage (70%, 80%, or 90%) of what's left, and you keep the rest. Payouts are capped at your annual limit.

A 90% plan pays more on every claim but costs more monthly; a 70% plan is cheaper monthly but leaves you paying more when something goes wrong. It depends on how big a surprise bill you could absorb. The comparison table above shows the difference on your actual bill.

Most pet plans use an annual deductible that resets each policy year; a few use a per-condition deductible. Once you've met it for the year, further covered claims are reimbursed at your percentage up to the annual limit.