Wellness plans
Wellness plans, explained
Coverage for routine care like checkups and vaccines, and how to tell if it’s worth the extra cost.
What wellness covers
Wellness coverage helps pay for routine, planned care that standard pet insurance usually excludes, such as vaccinations, early screening tests, nutrition consultations and dental care.
Two ways to get it
- Embedded wellness: comprehensive plans that build routine care into the policy.
- Add-ons or riders: optional extras added to an accident and illness plan. Some wellness add-ons are not insurance at all, so read the terms.
What it costs
Plans with embedded wellness averaged $1,414 a year for dogs and $859 for cats in 2025, compared with $836 and $435 for accident and illness plans.
Source: NAPHIA 2026 State of the Industry Report (2025 data).
Is it worth it?
Add up the routine care you already buy each year. If the extra premium costs more than that care, wellness coverage may not save you money, though it can make budgeting easier.
Questions
Is a wellness plan the same as pet insurance?
No. Wellness coverage pays for routine care; pet insurance covers unexpected accidents and illnesses. Some wellness add-ons are not insurance products.