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Does Pet Insurance Cover Training? Does It Cost More?

Oliver Jones

By Oliver Jones

german shepherd training

If you’re a dog owner, you might have heard of pet insurance. While it’s not as popular as health insurance for humans, it’s a way to help you afford emergency veterinary care for your pets, whether they get into an accident, develop an illness, or even start misbehaving. Not all policies will cover training — and none will cover obedience training — but some companies do cover behavioral therapy for health-related issues.

Unlike obedience training, which covers basic commands like “sit” and “stay,” behavioral training focuses on correcting common canine behavior like aggression, barking, or destructive chewing.

Along with healthcare for your pet, the cost of hiring a trainer can quickly add up, and you might wonder whether your pet insurance policy will help offset some of the cost. This guide will tell you more about the type of training that pet insurance can cover.

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What Is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is quickly becoming popular among pet owners as a way to help afford treatment for emergency visits to a veterinarian if your pet gets into an accident or develops an illness. Depending on the company that you choose and its coverage, a pet insurance policy reimburses you for the cost of emergency medical care for your dog.

You won’t get the full amount back, but depending on your reimbursement rate and your deductible, you’ll receive a percentage of the cost that you spent on your pet’s treatment.

woman having pet insurance form
Image by: Rawpixel.com, Shutterstock

Does Pet Insurance Cover Behavioral Training?

Behavioral issues are common among dogs and can be a result of underlying health problems. Typical behavioral issues in dogs include aggression, excessive barking, and destructive chewing or digging.

Some pet insurance providers do cover training for behavioral issues if the behavior is related to a health issue diagnosed by a veterinarian. Not all insurance companies will include coverage for behavioral therapy in the main plan, though. If it’s not covered in the main plan but the company does offer coverage for it, it’ll likely be included in an optional wellness package.

Wellness plans aren’t available from all insurance policies, and they do cost extra for you to benefit from the coverage, which may include preventative care like routine checkups, vaccinations, and spay or neuter surgery, depending on the policy that you choose.

To help you make this choice easier, we selected some of the best pet insurance companies on the market. By comparing their plans against each other, you can pick the perfect option for you:

Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies

Most Affordable
Our rating: 4.3 / 5
Most Customizable
Our rating: 4.5 / 5
Best Deductibles
Our rating: 4.0 / 5

Does Pet Insurance Cover Obedience Training?

All dogs need obedience training, but it isn’t something that pet insurance covers, even if you hire a professional trainer. Obedience training includes basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “leave,” along with tricks, leash training, and socialization.

Since obedience training is part of your responsibility as a dog owner, it isn’t covered by pet insurance. Most of the time, your dog ignoring your commands isn’t related to an underlying health condition; it’s just your wayward pooch finding something more interesting than you.

For training to be covered by pet insurance, your dog’s unwanted behavior needs to be caused by a health issue that’s diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian.

dog obedience school class
Image Credit: SpeedKingz, Shutterstock

Does Pet Insurance Cost More for Behavioral Training?

How much pet insurance costs depends on the policy you sign up for. One company might offer completely different coverage than another, and it’s up to you to find the right option for you and your dog.

Pet insurance providers like Embrace and Spot both offer behavioral training as part of the main plan. Both companies also cover prescription medication at no extra cost for you.

Some insurance companies, like Nationwide, however, only cover behavioral therapy as part of an optional add-on. Add-on packages are offered by many insurance providers to help pet owners afford routine veterinary visits, although it does cost extra on top of what you’re already paying for coverage for accidents and illnesses.

Nationwide’s wellness plan includes behavioral therapy, consultations, and medication for an extra cost on top of your main plan.

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Bottom Line

Pet insurance helps cover the cost of emergency veterinary visits and can also help cover routine checkups if you choose the right plan. Under the right circumstances, training is covered by a few insurance plans, but it relies on a veterinarian prescribing the medication and the needed training to fix the issue.

While general obedience and socialization aren’t covered by pet insurance, behavioral training in regard to medical issues is. Unwanted behavior like aggression, barking, chewing, and inappropriate urination — among other things — can be caused by underlying physical or mental health issues.

Depending on your pet insurance plan, behavioral therapy might be covered in the main plan or require purchasing an add-on wellness package for an extra cost.


Featured Image Credit: Luca Nichetti, Shutterstock

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