Key Takeaways
- Pets Best policies renew automatically, so no action is needed on your part.
- Your annual deductible resets at the beginning of each new policy term.
- Ongoing eligible conditions remain covered as long as your policy stays active.
- Renewal is a great time to review your coverage options.
- Your premium may change at renewal due to factors like your pet's age, location, and rising veterinary costs in your area.
Every year on the anniversary of your enrollment, your pet insurance policy renews. This is a good opportunity to make sure your coverage still fits your pet's needs and your budget. Whether you're content with your current plan, want to adjust your coverage to fit your budget, or are considering adding routine care coverage for an additional cost, your renewal allows you to review your options.
We keep renewal simple: If you're satisfied with your current coverage, you don't have to do anything. Pets Best policies renew automatically, so your coverage continues without interruption.
How Does My Pet Insurance Policy Renew?
Pets Best policies renew automatically each year. That means you don't need to submit a new application or worry about losing coverage because you forgot to renew.
Automatic renewal helps ensure your pet remains protected without interruption. If you're happy with your current deductible, reimbursement level, and coverage, your policy simply rolls into the next policy term. Maintaining continuous coverage is important because if your policy ends and you enroll again later, conditions your pet experienced before the new policy begins will be considered pre-existing and won't be covered, even if they were covered under your previous policy.
Of course, renewal is also a convenient time to review your policy and decide whether any changes would better fit your pet's needs or your budget.
When Will I Receive My Pet Insurance Renewal Notice?
Depending on your state’s regulations, Pets Best customers will receive a renewal notification from us 30-90 days ahead of your policy renewing. Keep an eye out for this message, because if there are any elements of your policy you’d like to change, this may be the ideal time to do it.
What Happens When My Pet Insurance Renews?
Although your coverage continues seamlessly, a few things happen when your policy enters a new policy year.
Your Annual Deductible Resets
Your deductible resets at the beginning of each new policy term. For example, if your policy has a $250 annual deductible, you'll need to meet that deductible again before eligible claims are reimbursed during the new policy year.
Your Annual Coverage Limit Resets
Along with your deductible, your policy renewal will also reset your annual coverage limit. For instance, if you chose a maximum annual reimbursement of $10,000 and you have used some of it, this will reset back to its full amount for the year ahead.
Eligible Ongoing Conditions Continue to Be Covered
If your pet is receiving treatment for an eligible chronic or ongoing condition, coverage continues after renewal as long as your policy remains active. These conditions won't suddenly become pre-existing simply because your policy renewed.
You Can Review and Update Your Coverage
Renewal is an ideal opportunity to evaluate whether your policy still matches your needs.
For example, you may decide to:
- Add routine care coverage for an additional cost
- Adjust your annual deductible
- Confirm your reimbursement level and annual coverage limit still fit your budget and expectations
Important to note: Routine care coverage can only be added and removed during enrollment, within 30 days of enrolling, or at your annual renewal. However, your deductible can be adjusted at any time.
You Don't Start Over with Waiting Periods
You won't be subject to new waiting periods at your policy renewal. As long as your policy remains active without a lapse, your existing coverage continues.
Should I Add a Wellness Plan When My Pet Insurance Renews?
While pet insurance can help cover unexpected accidents and illnesses, routine veterinary care is equally important for helping your pet stay healthy.
Your annual renewal is a great time to decide whether adding routine care coverage makes sense for your household.
Pets Best offers two wellness options for an additional cost:
EssentialWellness® – Helps reimburse many common preventive care expenses.
BestWellness® – Includes a broader range of routine care benefits, including teeth cleaning benefits.
Routine care coverage can help pay for the cost of services such as:
- Annual wellness exams
- Vaccinations
- Routine bloodwork
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Spay or neuter procedures (where eligible)
- Dental cleanings (BestWellness only)
Preventive care also plays an important role in identifying potential health issues early, when they're often easier and less expensive to treat.
Learn more about the Pets Best Routine Care plans and compare the benefits of EssentialWellness and BestWellness to see whether adding routine care is right for your pet.
Why Did My Pet Insurance Cost Go Up at Renewal?
It's common for pet insurance premiums to change over time. Several factors can influence your premium, including:
- Your pet getting older — especially if they have crossed a milestone age and become a senior dog or cat
- Rising veterinary care costs
- Changes made to your policy
Your insurer’s overall claims trends across insured pets
If your new premium is higher than expected, keep in mind that you have options to lower it, such as increasing your annual deductible, decreasing your reimbursement percentage, or decreasing your annual coverage limit.
Some pet parents may also choose to cancel or switch providers at renewal. Before making that decision, consider how changing insurers could affect coverage, especially if your pet has developed health conditions that may be considered pre-existing under a new policy. Maintaining continuous coverage can help preserve coverage for eligible ongoing conditions.
Making the Most of Your Renewal
For many pet parents, renewal requires no action at all. Your policy renews automatically, allowing your coverage to continue uninterrupted. It's also a good opportunity to review your coverage and decide whether any adjustments would better fit your pet's current needs or your budget.
If you're already a Pets Best customer, log in to your Customer Portal to review your policy details and available options. If you're shopping for pet insurance, get a free quote to explore coverage that helps protect your pet while fitting your budget.
Your Quick Pet Insurance Renewal Checklist
What to Review | Why It Matters |
New premium | Your renewal notification will be sent to you 30-90 days before your current policy ends. Now’s the time to review the premium you’ll be charged when your policy renews. |
Annual deductible | Remember that your deductible resets on your renewal date. This means that if you need to reach a certain amount of veterinary payments before your insurance provider starts reimbursing for eligible vet costs, you should prepare for these costs — they will vary based on your policy. |
Annual payout limit | Check your total annual coverage cap, or the maximum payout you can get from your pet insurance provider over the course of the next year. This will also reset at the start of your new policy term. |
Reimbursement rate | Make sure the percentage of veterinary costs you’ll be paying compared to what your insurance provider will be paying still meets your budget. |
Wellness options | Decide whether adding routine care or a pet wellness plan makes sense for the new year — you can only make this change to your policy within 30 days of renewal. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do waiting periods restart when my policy renews?
No. As long as your policy remains active without a lapse in coverage, your waiting periods do not restart at renewal. Your coverage continues seamlessly into the new policy term.
What will be covered when my pet insurance policy renews?
Eligible ongoing accidents, illnesses, and chronic conditions continue to be covered according to your policy terms, provided your coverage has remained active. Your annual deductible resets for the new policy year, but your coverage continues without interruption.
Will I receive a multi-pet discount if I add another pet at renewal?
If all of your pets are insured under the same underwriter, each pet qualifies for the Pets Best multi-pet discount. Adding another pet at renewal can be a convenient time to ensure all of your pets are covered under the same account and receive the applicable discount.
Can my pet insurance be canceled at renewal due to claims?
No, at Pets Best your dog or cat’s insurance will renew regardless of how many claims you may have submitted or how much reimbursement you’ve received on your vet bills. We also won’t increase your premium based on your personal claims history.