Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Insurance > Does Pet Assure Cover Emergency Visits? 2024 Update

Does Pet Assure Cover Emergency Visits? 2024 Update

dog anesthesia with veterinary treatment

Pet Assure can be used to gain a discount for most veterinary services, including emergency care, x-rays, surgical procedures, and hospitalization. Pet Assure doesn’t work in the same way as pet insurance, however, and it does exclude some services, like grooming, microchipping, and prescription medication and food.

Keep reading to learn more about Pet Assure, including what it is, how it works, what it covers, and to find out if it’s the right option for you.

divider-multipet

What is Pet Assure?

Pet Assure is not an insurance policy, it is a discount plan. Members can present their card at participating veterinarians’ offices to receive up to 25% off their pet’s treatment bill. Since the Pet Assure plan is available for any kind of pet, regardless of pre-existing conditions, Pet Assure is an attractive option for parents of senior or exotic pets.

Differences Between Pet Assure and Pet Insurance

PetAssure

There are several differences between discount plans and insurance policies. It’s good to bear in mind that Pet Assure can be used in combination with a pet insurance policy, and in some cases, it would be beneficial to do this.

Waiting Time

With pet insurance, you’d have to pay the cost of veterinary treatment before requesting reimbursement from the insurance company. There’s typically a week’s wait for the insurance company to process your claim and, if your claim was successful, send compensation.

With Pet Assure, on the other hand, there’s no waiting period—you can use your card to get a discount upfront for most of your pet’s veterinary needs.

Exclusions

Whereas most basic pet insurance policies only cover accident and injury-related treatments, Pet Assure can be used for preventative care, including vaccinations, dental exams, and routine care, as well as any unexpected illnesses.

Pet insurance companies often deny compensation for illnesses that are prevalent in some breeds—this situation would not happen with Pet Assure, which offers discounts for treatment regardless of your pet’s breed or even pre-existing conditions.

Sad hispanic woman looking upset while caring for her aged ill border collie dog at the veterinary clinic
Image Credit: antoniodiaz, Shutterstock

Compensation

With Pet Assure, you will get a discount of up to a maximum of 25% off your veterinarian’s bill, but with pet insurance, depending on your policy and other circumstances, you can usually reclaim between 80% and 90% of your total bill—sometimes even 100%. That said, the list of circumstances where illnesses or injuries qualify for insurance compensation is far shorter than Pet Assure’s list of qualified treatments.

Availability

While pet insurance can be reclaimed no matter which vet’s office your pet gets treatment at, only participating veterinary practices will accept a Pet Assure discount card. It’s a good idea to check if your local veterinarians accept Pet Assure before signing up.


Top Rated Pet Insurance Providers

Best Dental Coverage
Our rating: 4.5 / 5
Best Customer Service
Our rating: 4.7 / 5
Most Affordable
Our rating: 4.6 / 5

divider-multipet

What Treatments Does Pet Assure Give Discounts On?

Pet Assure covers an extensive list of treatments, including:
  • Wellness visits
  • Sick visits
  • Dental cleanings
  • Dental exams & x-rays
  • Allergy treatments
  • Cancer care
  • Diabetes management
  • Emergency care
  • Hospitalization
  • Routine care & vaccines
  • Spays & neuters
  • Surgical procedures
  • Tumor removal
  • Ultrasound
  • Bloat treatment
  • Treatment for bacterial infections
Vet checking on dog's eyes
Image Credit: Mikhail Nilov, Pexels

Which Treatments Are Excluded from Pet Assure Discount?

Non-medical services, including:
  • Routine grooming & boarding
  • Outsourced services, such as bloodwork or other samples sent to external labs and specialists
  • Prescription medication or supplements

Does Pet Assure Cover Existing Conditions?

One of the most desirable aspects of Pet Assure is that all pets, no matter their age, breed, or whether they have any pre-existing conditions, qualify for the discount plan. So, if your pet has diabetes or hip dysplasia, for example, you can sign up for Pet Assure and get discounted treatment immediately, as long as you go to a participating vet.

How Do I Sign Up for Pet Assure?

Pet Assure is currently only available through participating companies as an employee benefit. Over 6,000 companies in the U.S. offer Pet Assure. To be able to get Pet Assure, first, you need to find out if your company is a Pet Assure partner.

Is Pet Assure Right for Me?

Ultimately, different plans suit different needs. We’ve put together a quick pros and cons list to help you make an informed decision.

Pros
  • Available to all pets
  • No age restrictions
  • Available for pets with pre-existing conditions
  • Covers emergency and routine care
  • Discount is applied immediately
Cons
  • Only available as an employee benefit through some employers
  • Only available through participating veterinarians
  • A maximum discount of only 25%
  • Prescription medication is not included

Find The Best Pet Insurance Companies in 2024

divider-multiprint

In Conclusion

Pet Assure will give you discounts for routine visits and dental care for your pets. However, it’s not available everywhere and to everyone. Before you sign up for anything, make sure that there are participating vets nearby.

If you have a pet with pre-existing conditions, Pet Assure will help lower the cost of all those trips to the vet’s office. We all know how much our pets mean to us, so it’s worth investing in their health, whether it’s through Pet Assure, an insurance policy, or a mix of both!


Featured Image Credit: PetAssure.com

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets