Does dog insurance cover over-the-counter medication?

To give your dog the best health, you're about to or have already purchased pet health insurance. On this occasion, dog owners ask themselves about reimbursement for medications and treatments.

If we compare with health insurance for us humans, we are most of the time only reimbursed for medications prescribed by a prescription from our doctor or any other authorized health professional. Some insurances still cover certain treatments that are usually not reimbursed, particularly alternative medicine.

In reality, exactly the same thing happens with dog insurance. Most of the offers available on the market will reimburse treatments with a prescription and refuse to cover treatments without one. However, some high-end deals allow for partial or total reimbursement of dog medications, even without a prescription.

How do dog insurance reimbursements work?

When you get a dog insurance policy from an insurer, you usually choose a plan from those offered. Depending on the insurance company, you will have to choose between 2 to 6 different plans. But, generally speaking, there are 3 levels of guarantees: essential, medium, and premium.

Depending on the formula chosen, the reimbursement rates will differ, or the range of care covered:

• Your dog can be covered by type of claim in the event of an accident, illness, prevention, or even death.
• Your dog may be covered by the reimbursement level, from 50% to 100% of the care provided.

When your dog is covered only in the event of an accident, for example, only the treatments and medication necessary for his recovery following the event will be covered. The same goes for insurance, which covers him in the event of an accident or illness without any other options.

On the other hand, if your dog benefits from "all-risk" health insurance, it is because you have chosen a very protective formula for him. In this context, most treatments and medications prescribed by your veterinarian can be reimbursed, regardless of the origin of their necessity (accident, illness, prevention).

Reimbursement of prescription dog treatments

From the moment you opt for dog health insurance covering treatments and medications prescribed by a veterinary prescription, you will be eligible for reimbursement within the limits provided for in the contract.

To be compensated, you will need to send your dog insurer a copy of the prescription issued by a veterinarian, as well as a copy of the invoice for the purchase of the care. Be careful on this point; it is recommended to buy treatments and medications from a veterinarian or a physical pharmacy and to avoid purchases on the Internet in this context.

Indeed, not all online sales sites are reliable for treatments intended for our pets. Some sites, often foreign, as well as some marketplaces, offer occasionally dubious references. If the prices are appealing, counterfeit medicines are not uncommon, but unfortunately, they put your dog in danger.

As a result, your insurer may refuse reimbursements for online purchases of canine treatments, even if they accept certain partner sites. So remember to check your contract before clicking on "buy"!

Furthermore, most insurers will limit the guarantees regarding prescription treatments, each having its own policy on this matter:

• Following the consultation, medications were prescribed as part of the continuity of care.
• Treatments listed in the contract, other medications being expressly excluded,
• Medicines are reimbursed at different rates depending on their nature.
• Maximum reimbursement ceiling, often annual, sometimes per consultation, etc.

It is therefore advisable to find out more before incurring any costs, and to check the terms and exclusions of your dog insurance contract.

Reimbursement of non-prescription dog treatments

Let's be clear: getting reimbursements for medications and treatments for dogs without a prescription from your insurance is not an effortless thing. Indeed, the absence of a veterinary prescription will not allow you to buy certain canine medications, which are only available on prescription. In addition, medications that are available without a prescription are rarely reimbursed.

Let us note one exception, however, for antiparasitic treatments, particularly against fleas and ticks, as well as for dewormers. They can be covered as part of the so-called "prevention" insurance package. This package, included or optional in your dog health contract, generally provides for the following costs to be covered:

• Pest prevention and deworming products,
• Food products for therapeutic purposes,
• Dental hygiene care,
• Eye and ear lotions.
• Annual routine consultation,
• Vaccination reminders, etc.

This additional package is subject to an annual ceiling of 50 euros, 100 euros most often, or even more, depending on the contract chosen. Beyond this limit, you will no longer be reimbursed without a prescription, but the package will be renewed the following year.

Look for dog insurance that covers non-prescription treatments.

Whether you opt for a contract with minimum guarantees or for maximum coverage, we recommend that you always prefer dog insurance that offers a prevention package. Indeed, this option is very useful because the annual health visit, vaccine boosters, or antiparasitic treatments are veterinary costs that you will have to bear anyway.

Your dog's health is critical, and even if your companion is in excellent shape, which we sincerely hope for him, it is important to ensure quality veterinary monitoring to prevent the onset of health problems. In this context, the insurer's "prevention kit" is ideal.

Therefore, to find the best contract at the best price, use our online comparison tool. It will allow you to receive several quotes in just a few clicks, with or without coverage of treatments and medications. You will thus be able to make your choice calmly, taking care to study the levels of guarantee and the content of the contract, but also to be aware of its exclusions.