Most Common Pet Insurance Claims

Gastrointestinal issues top the pet insurance claims list for both dogs and cats, according to industry-wide data. From there, dogs trend toward skin and ear conditions while cats trend toward dental, urinary, and kidney issues.

Most Common Claims for Dogs and Cats

Credit: PawPay

The Cost of a Vet Visit

Vet visit costs vary widely depending on the reason for the visit, the diagnosis, and the required treatment. Treating an ear infection generally costs $150 to $300, according to data compiled by realvetcost.com. Skin infections can be as high as $400 on average, and mild GI issues cost around $150 to $250.

Emergency visits can be much more expensive, in part because of the nature of the visit. The same data shows that treatment for ingesting a toxin can be as high as $1,200, an emergency C-section costs up to $4,000, and treatment for getting hit by a car can cost upward of $10,000.

Pet insurance company Healthy Paws reported that its average claim payout in 2025 was $392, up from $364 the previous year.

At the high end, data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, also known as NAPHIA, shows that a 3-year-old Bernese mountain dog in Philadelphia required treatment for a chronic undiagnosed illness that cost $66,600. In Los Angeles, a 4-year-old cat was diagnosed with cancer and tallied a $51,600 claim for treatment.

Like health insurance for humans, pet insurance helps cover medical bills by paying a portion of a vet bill. See what pet insurance costs. Some insurers and third-party services can also pay the vet directly, so you don’t have to cover the full bill upfront.

How to Prepare for a Common Claim

• Know your deductible and reimbursement rate before you need to file, so you’re not surprised by the payout.
• Understand whether your policy uses a per-incident or per-condition deductible, which matters most for recurring issues like allergies or arthritis.
• Keep itemized invoices and submit claims promptly rather than letting them pile up.

FAQ

What’s the single most common pet insurance claim?

GI issues top the list for both dogs and cats industry-wide.

Are the most common claims usually inexpensive?

Most run in the low hundreds to around a thousand dollars, but a chronic or complicated case in the same category can run much higher.

Do dogs and cats file for the same conditions?

There’s overlap in GI issues, ear infections, and anxiety or behavioral conditions. Still, cats trend more toward dental, urinary, and kidney issues, while dogs trend more toward skin and joint conditions.