Does Pet Insurance Cover Euthanasia? What Pet Parents Should Know
Saying goodbye to your sick pet is one of the hardest things a pet parent will ever do. That’s why it’s crucial to be financially prepared.
In This Article:
What Is Euthanasia in Pets? Does Pet Insurance Cover Euthanasia? What Does Pet Insurance Cover for End-of-Life Care? How to Check if Your Policy Covers Euthanasia Other Ways to Cover End-of-Life Expenses for Your Pet
When my first dog, Grendel, was euthanized, our country vet arrived in his white Subaru, and within minutes, had gently administered the shots that sent Grendel over the rainbow bridge. Grendel, a brindle Pitbull-Rottweiler mix, was adopted when I lived in the Caribbean, so I toasted her with a shot of rum and went to bed to cry. Besides grief, I remember feeling relief: that Grendel’s pet insurance policy would make one last payment to cover her end-of-life care.
Euthanasia is the last step in a pet’s care after an illness or injury. It typically follows a vet’s determination that a pet won’t resume their quality of life after an accident, injury, or prolonged illness. Sometimes, the decision to euthanize a pet comes when the outcome of a procedure to save their life is uncertain, and imposing the stress of a difficult surgery would be inhumane.
Most US pet insurance policies cover euthanasia for a diagnosed condition or a traumatic event. My family decided to euthanize Grendel, who was 12 at the time, after our vet explained that the malignant tumor in her mouth could burst and cause her to bleed to death — and surgery would be too complicated because of the tumor’s size and location.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
What is euthanasia in pets?
Amber Batteiger, a veterinary technician and public relations and communications manager at Embrace Pet Insuranceopens in new tab, describes euthanasia as a humane, medically guided way to help a pet pass peacefully when they’re suffering from a condition that can’t be treated or managed. It’s considered the kindest thing to do for a pet who won’t resume their quality of life after an accident or injury.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, vets administer a tranquilizer shot to relax the pet, followed by the euthanasia drug, for a quick and painless death. “It’s a difficult decision, but one made with love and in consultation with a veterinarian to ensure the pet’s comfort and dignity in their final moments,” Batteiger says.
Does pet insurance cover euthanasia?
Not all pet insurance companies cover euthanasia, but most comprehensive accident and illness plans do, especially when recommended by a licensed vet for a covered condition. Embrace, for example, includes euthanasia in its accident and illness policy when it’s medically necessary for a covered condition. “We know how hard this decision can be, and we’re here to support pet parents through one of the most emotional moments they may face,” Batteiger says. Other companies, like Lemonade, offer euthanasia as an add-on.
Common policies on euthanasia coverage
Pet insurance companies recommend that people enroll their pets early in life because reimbursement for care (including euthanasia) related to preexisting conditions isn’t covered. Most companies will only cover euthanasia for a condition that was diagnosed after your policy began. “So if a condition was diagnosed before your policy began, any costs related to euthanasia for that condition likely wouldn’t be eligible,” Batteiger says. Other common policies related to euthanasia include: waiting periods, extent of coverage (euthanasia only or euthanasia, cremation, and burial), end-of-life care deductibles, and caps on reimbursement. Also, pay attention to whether or not a policy varies by location.
Differences among insurance providers
Some companies have triggers for denying euthanasia coverage. These include behavioral reasons, pet parent convenience, or financial hardship (such as euthanizing a pet instead of performing surgery to save their life). Most include the procedure itself in their basic plans and offer additional services such as cremation, burial, urns, mementos, and even tattoos. Some also offer grief counseling as part of their supportive care options.
Pet insurance companies that cover euthanasia
Euthanasia costs range from $40 to $100 at a clinic (where office fees apply) to anywhere between $250 and $900 at home, depending on your pet’s size and how far your vet has to travel. If determining which pet insurance company is right for you includes euthanasia coverage, below is a sample of companies that include euthanasia in their basic policies.
Embrace Pet Insuranceopens in new tab covers euthanasia for a covered condition under its accident and illness policy.
Figoopens in new tab covers veterinarian-recommended euthanasia under its accident and illness plan.
Lemonadeopens in new tab is an a la carte pet insurance company that doesn’t include euthanasia by default in its base plan, but offers an end-of-life add-on that covers euthanasia, cremation, and memorabilia.
ASPCA Pet Health Insuranceopens in new tab offers euthanasia as part of its basic plan, and cremation and burial as part of its end-of-life benefits for more comprehensive plans. Their pet loss support includes a hotline for grieving pet parents, 877-GRIEF-10 (877-474-3310).
ManyPetsopens in new tab includes euthanasia and cremation in its accident and illness plan for covered conditions.
MetLife’s standard pet insurance planopens in new tab covers burial or cremation costs — and sometimes euthanasia — through its optional benefit programs.
Healthy Pawsopens in new tab covers euthanasia, if it’s medically necessary, for a covered condition. But it does not does not cover aftercare expenses like cremation or burial.
Nationwide Pet Insuranceopens in new tab promotes a mortality benefit structured like a life insurance plan that covers euthanasia, cremation, and burial costs, along with the original cost of your pet, up to a combined maximum of $1,000.
What does pet insurance cover for end-of-life care?
Enroll your pet in insurance early in life to avoid policy exclusions and ensure generous end-of-life care that you can afford as your pet ages. This may also mean buying add-on coverage. “End-of-life care is all about making sure your pet is comfortable and supported during their final days,” Batteiger says.
If your pet’s condition is covered, Embrace’s core plan, for instance, will reimburse you for treatments such as pain management and mobility therapies. “While cremation isn’t covered under our core plan, it is included in our optional wellness plan, which acts more like a budgeting tool to help with routine and planned expenses. Planning ahead can be a meaningful way to honor your pet and ensure their final moments are filled with love and dignity,” Batteiger says.
Very few pet insurance companies include burial, cremation, and memorial costs as part of their standard policies. If these services are important to you, consider their cost in helping you choose optional coverage.
Burial costs: The average burial costs for cats and dogs range from $300 to $2,000, depending on the size of the pet, the type of casket, and the location of the plot.
Cremation: Average cremation costs vary widely. Communal cremation costs less ($40 to $200), but as the name suggests, your pet’s remains cannot be returned to you. Some companies hold communal services as part of the cremation cost. By comparison, individual cremation ranges from $100 to $450, depending on the size of your pet.
Memorial items: Memorial items vary widely — from modest plaques, memory boxes, and tree ornaments to engraved headstones, premium customized urns, original artwork, and diamond jewelry. Costs depend on materials and customization and may include shipping. Because so many people consider their pets part of the family, the pet memorialization industry is massive ($2 billion in 2025 alone, according to Precision Business Insights).
How to check if your policy covers euthanasia
Batteiger recommends reviewing your policy documents carefully, especially the sections outlining covered services and exclusions. “Most providers also offer online portals where you can check your coverage details,” she says. “If you’re unsure, reaching out to your insurance company’s customer support team is a great way to get clarity. Your veterinarian may also be able to help determine whether the procedure qualifies under your plan, and assist with any necessary documentation. Since coverage varies between providers, it’s always best to confirm directly with your insurer.”
Other ways to cover end-of-life expenses for your pet
Pet parents have several options for covering end-of-life expenses beyond traditional pet insurance, Batteiger says. Some providers, like Embrace, offer optional wellness plans that act as budgeting tools, which may include cremation or memorial items. Veterinary clinics often provide payment plans or partner with financing services to help spread out costs over time. Low-cost or nonprofit clinics may offer affordable euthanasia and cremation services, especially for families with financial constraints. Additionally, there are charitable organizations that offer financial assistance for veterinary care, including end-of-life support.
Bottom line
For many people, losing a pet can be as hard as losing a human loved one.
Many grieving pet parents find support through memorials and free pet-loss resources from organizations such as The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavementopens in new tab.
Planning ahead eases the inevitable loss. If covering euthanasia (and possibly burial or cremation) is important to you, then you should pick a plan that explicitly includes it (or offers a specific add-on) rather than assume it’s covered, Batteiger says. “The differences in how and when it’s covered can be significant,” she says.
