Can You Cancel Pet Insurance at Any Time? (2024)

While you can generally cancel your pet insurance whenever you want, But cancellation policies vary by provider. Here are the cancellation policies for a few of our top pet insurance picks:

• Lemonade: You can cancel your policy at any time through the Lemonade app. Your waiting periods will reset, and anything that occurred or was diagnosed during your first policy will be considered a pre-existing condition for a future policy.
• Spot: Spot offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you want to cancel within the first 30 days of your policy, you can get a full refund of the premium payment amount. However, the 30-day money-back guarantee is only available if you did not file any claims at that time. Also, the guarantee is not available in New York.
• Embrace: Like Spot, Embrace will give you a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of your policy start date and have not submitted any claims. If you cancel after 30 days of the start of your policy or if you have submitted claims in the first 30 days, you may be eligible for a pro-rated refund. The company pro-rates refunds from the day after you cancel to the end of the current billing cycle.

There are many reasons why you might cancel your pet insurance policy, including changes in your financial situation, finding a different insurance provider with better coverage, securing a cheaper premium or if your pet passes away.

While the requirements for canceling your pet insurance policy differ by provider, follow these steps to avoid any unexpected charges:

• Review your policy: Look at your annual deductible, preventative care terms and coverage exclusions and decide if coverage is still important for your budget and your pet. If you wish to cancel, check your pet insurance policy terms and conditions for details about canceling your policy and any associated fees or refunds.
• Contact your pet insurance provider: Reach out to your insurance provider via phone, email or online to let it know you want to cancel. Ask questions about the process, and ensure you receive the answers in writing. You should refer to the answers if you run into any conflicting information before the insurer completes your cancellation.
• Follow specific cancellation instructions: Pay any outstanding premiums or fees and ensure you receive a cancellation confirmation from the insurance provider.
• Stop automatic payments: If you set up automatic payments for your pet insurance premium, cancel future payments through your bank.

Canceling your pet insurance policy is a decision to make thoughtfully. After all, you’re making a decision about your pet’s wellness, which includes emergency care, annual checkups and regular vaccinations.

Here are a few factors to consider before you cancel:

• Your pet’s age: Older pets are usually more expensive to insure than younger ones. If you cancel your policy and decide to get a new one later, your monthly premium may be significantly higher than what you currently pay. Also, some pet insurance providers have age limits for enrolling new pets. If you cancel your pet coverage, you may not be able to re-insure your pet due to age limits.
• Pre-existing conditions: Pet insurance providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions. If you cancel your policy, every condition your pet received treatment for while insured would be considered pre-existing on a future policy.
• Waiting periods:If you cancel your current policy and buy a new policy with a different provider, you must adhere to applicable enrollment waiting periods.
• Fees: Some pet insurance providers charge a cancellation fee. If you are canceling due to the death of your pet, some providers will stop coverage immediately and waive any cancellation fee. You may have to send a copy of your pet’s death certificate during this process.
• Refund eligibility:Whether you get a policy refund depends on your provider and your claim history.
• Consider other options:If cost is your reason for canceling, consider other ways to lower your premium. You can raise your deductible or lower your reimbursem*nt percentage. Ask your provider if you’re eligible for discounts and discuss switching to lower coverage that is less expensive.

Before canceling, weigh the pros and cons of canceling your policy to ensure it is the right choice.

Getting a refund for a canceled pet policy depends on how long your coverage was in place and whether you filed any claims. Most pet insurance providers offer a full refund of the policy premium if you cancel within the first 30 days and do not file claims during that time. If you cancel after the first 30 days, you may be eligible for a partial refund of the unused part of your premium. If you filed any claims before canceling, you likely will be responsible for paying your premiums for the remaining insurance period.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Angela Beal, DVM, loves using her writing to help pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. Angela has worked in private practice and taught veterinary technicians for 15 years. Since 2020, she has worked full-time with Rumpus Writing and Editing, a veterinary-specific writing and editing company. Angela lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, two sons, and their spoiled Chihuahua mix, Yogi.