Does Pet Insurance Cover Parvo? Does It Cost More? Facts & FAQ

Parvovirus is one of every dog parent’s worst fears, and it appears to be on the rise. According to BluePearl pet hospital, there was a 70% increase in positive parvovirus cases and hospitalizations in 2020.¹ As a result, more and more dog parents are checking their pet insurance policies to find out if parvo is covered—which it is in many cases—while prospective dog parents are factoring in whether it will be covered.

Though most pet insurance companies do cover parvovirus, there are, in some cases, caveats and exceptions that you need to be aware of. In this post, we’ll share all you need to know about parvo coverage.

What Is Parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus—sometimes abbreviated to CPV—is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted by contact with infected dogs or contact with infected dog feces or objects like food bowls. Humans can also pass parvovirus onto dogs if they’ve been in contact with an infected dog and then pet a non-infected dog.

It attacks the gastrointestinal tract and causes symptoms like diarrhea with blood, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and fever. Though parvovirus cannot be cured, it can be treated, and, as with any time your dog is sick, their chances of pulling through are better the earlier you seek treatment.

Sadly, puppies are less likely to survive parvovirus because their systems aren’t strong enough to recover from the disease. This is why it’s so important to get your puppy or dog vaccinated against parvovirus. Puppies typically get their first parvo shots at around 6 weeks of age.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Parvo?

In most cases, pet insurance accident and illness plans cover parvovirus, and parvo coverage does not cost extra. Embrace and Figo are two well-known pet insurance companies that cover the disease. However, there are some instances in which pet insurance companies will not cover parvovirus.

Reasons a company may not cover parvo is if the dog was not previously vaccinated against it, or if the dog falls ill with parvo during the waiting period. It’s pretty common to have to go through a waiting period before your full coverage starts, so there’s no guarantee your dog will be covered if they catch parvo during this time. Again, this depends on the company’s policy.

In addition, most pet insurance companies either don’t cover pre-existing conditions or have limits on the types of pre-existing conditions they’re willing to cover, which is why it’s highly recommended to get your puppy or dog signed up with a pet insurance provider as early as possible.

Though most pet standard pet insurance plans cover parvovirus, it’s not something to be taken for granted. We advise going through your provider’s policy with a fine-toothed comb and speaking to a company advisor to know exactly what is and isn’t covered, and under what circumstances.

To have the best chance of having your claims reimbursed, it is preferable to choose a plan from some of the top-rated pet insurance companies on the market. These are just a few of them:

Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies

Does Pet Insurance Cover Parvo Vaccines?

Routine vaccinations are not usually covered by standard pet insurance plans, as getting these shots is viewed as a pet owner’s basic responsibility and a cost that should be accounted for when you get a dog.

However, some pet insurance companies do offer wellness or preventative care plans as an add-on service or a standalone service. With Wellness plans, you can get reimbursed for things like routine vet visits, microchipping, spaying and neutering, and, of course, vaccinations.

Conclusion

To recap, parvo is usually covered by standard pet insurance plans but not in every case, for example, if a dog hasn’t been vaccinated against the virus. As with everything when it comes to pet insurance, we strongly recommend checking companies’ policies to make sure parvo is covered.

You may also want to consider subscribing to a wellness or preventative care plan to get reimbursed for your dog’s vaccinations and routine care.

See Also:

• Parvo in Dogs: Signs, Treatment, & Care (Vet Answer)
• When Should I Get Pet Insurance? Recommendations & Facts

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