Does Pet Insurance Cover Microchipping For Your Cat Or Dog?

Microchipping your pet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure it can be safely returned to you if lost or injured. While collars are helpful for quickly identifying found pets, they can easily come off or get snagged on gates and branches. A microchip, on the other hand, provides a permanent internal form of identification that can’t be lost or removed — offering peace of mind during stressful situations.

These benefits usually come with an additional cost. But did you know that some pet insurance policies may cover the cost of microchipping? Knowing the key advantages of microchipping, why it’s necessary for your pet’s safety and how to check if your insurance includes coverage can help you protect your furry friend.

What is pet microchipping?

A pet microchip is a small radio frequency identification data (RFID) device made from an inert, biocompatible material. It is durable, lasts for life and will not lose its ability to be scanned.

Each microchip has a unique identification number that vets or local authorities can read using a handheld scanner. The ID number corresponds to your contact information in a national database. For microchips to work, you must register your pet’s unique code to the associated service.

A veterinarian typically performs the microchipping procedure, using a hypodermic needle to implant the microchip under your pet’s skin. The procedure is quick, safe and relatively painless, like a vaccination injection, and can be performed during a routine visit to the vet. The microchip will typically bond with surrounding tissues within 24 hours.

Is microchipping included in pet insurance coverage?

Microchipping is rarely covered by pet insurance, but it depends on the specific policy and provider. Generally, there are a few ways pet insurance might cover microchipping:

• Comprehensive policies: A few comprehensive pet insurance policies include microchipping in their standard coverage. However, this is less common, and it’s important to carefully review the policy details to see if microchipping is explicitly mentioned.
• Routine wellness plans: With preventive care add-ons or wellness plans, routine procedures like vaccinations, flea and tick prevention and microchipping could be covered. You will need to add a wellness plan to your standard accident and illness policies; they do not come standard.

How much does it cost to microchip your pet?

Microchipping a dog or cat typically costs between $25 and $60. This price generally includes the insertion procedure, the microchip and registration. However, the cost can vary depending on your location, chip type and facility. Low-cost clinics or animal shelters often offer discounted prices.

Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:

• Annual or lifetime fees: Some companies charge a one-time fee that covers the lifetime registration of your pet, while others may require a small yearly fee to maintain the database entry. Check with the microchip provider about any ongoing costs.
• Procedure cost: The actual implantation of the microchip is usually straightforward and quick, often performed during a routine vet visit. The price for this service alone can vary depending on your location and the veterinarian’s fees. Remember that you will also pay for the physical exam if it’s your pet’s first checkup.
• Registration fee: Some microchip providers include the registration costs in the overall fee. In contrast, others may charge an additional fee for this service. Registration is essential as it links the microchip’s unique ID number to your contact information in a database. To save money, you can ask to register the microchip online yourself.

How to save on microchipping your pet

Overall, microchipping is a relatively low-cost, one-time investment that provides lifelong peace of mind.

For a more affordable option, many animal shelters, rescue organizations and even some veterinary clinics offer microchipping at a reduced rate or for free. These discounts often form part of an adoption package or are offered during special events like “microchipping days.” Research “free microchipping [area name]” to find out if any nearby clinic offers reduced or free microchipping.

What is the purpose of microchipping your pet?

Microchipping gives your pet a permanent ID tag. If lost, pets with microchips have a significantly increased chance of reuniting with their owner. Unlike collars or tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip is implanted under the pet’s skin and stays with it for life. A collar ID with your contact number can still be helpful for a quick reunion between an owner and their pet. Some veterinary specialists also recommend that exotic pets weighing over 150 grams be microchipped.

If someone finds a missing pet, they can take it to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter. The staff will use a microchip scanner to see if the pet has an internal ID tag, and the scanner will read the chip’s unique ID number. This number is linked to the owner’s contact information in a national database, allowing the pet to be quickly and easily returned to its home. Pet owners must ensure that their contact information is kept up to date in the database where their pet’s microchip is registered.

Benefits of microchipping

Microchipping your pet offers several significant benefits:

• Increased chances of reunification: If your pet is taken to a shelter or vet clinic, the microchip can be scanned to quickly access your contact information, greatly increasing the chances of being reunited with your pet.
• Permanent identification: Unlike collars and tags, which can fall off or be removed, a microchip provides a permanent, tamper-proof form of identification that stays with your pet for life.
• Proof of ownership: A microchip is a reliable proof of ownership, which can be especially important in theft or disputes over who owns the pet.
• Reduced burden on shelters: Ensuring your pet has a microchip can free up shelter space for pets who need it, reducing overpopulation, the spread of disease and strain on resources.
• Universal ID number: Each microchip contains a unique, universal identification number that scanners at shelters and veterinary clinics worldwide can read.
• Wide acceptance: Microchipping is a widely accepted practice, and most shelters and veterinary clinics are equipped to scan for them.

Is microchipping required by law?

In the United States, the legal requirements for pet microchipping vary by state and locality. While no federal law mandates pet microchipping, some states, cities and counties have enacted their own regulations.

Here are a few key things to know about legal requirements concerning pet microchipping in the U.S.:

• Breed-specific legislation (BSL): In some areas, controversial BSL may mandate microchipping for dogs of certain breeds deemed dangerous or restricted. These laws aim to help track and manage these breeds more effectively.
• Identification for lost pets: Microchipping is not legally required in some regions but is strongly recommended for responsible pet ownership. Many shelters and animal control agencies encourage or even require microchipping before a pet is returned to its owner if found stray.
• Mandatory microchipping for new adoptions: Some states and localities require microchipping for specific types of animals, such as dogs and cats adopted from shelters or rescue organizations. For example, in certain parts of California, all dogs and cats adopted from public animal shelters must be microchipped before being released to their new owners.
• Traveling dogs: All dogs traveling into the U.S. from other countries must be over six months old, vaccinated for rabies and microchipped.

What insurance companies cover microchipping?

Several pet insurance companies offer coverage for microchipping, some as part of their wellness plan.

ASPCA

ASPCA pet health insurance plans cover the cost of microchipping to ensure that lost pets have a better chance of being returned to their families.

Embrace

Embrace pet insurance offers a Wellness Rewards add-on that pet parents can add to their policies. This plan allows you to spend a pre-determined amount on preventive care, including microchipping.

Figo

Figo policyholders can add preventive care coverage to their insurance plan for an additional monthly fee. This wellness plan can help cover expenses for routine care such as microchipping.

Lemonade

Lemonade’s preventive care package for pets younger than two years old covers routine care costs, such as microchipping.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual has an accident, illness and wellness package that includes coverage for microchipping.

Nationwide

Nationwide’s pet wellness plan covers microchipping up to $40 per policy term.

Pets Best

Pets Best’s wellness plans for puppies and kittens help cover the costs of routine care, such as vaccinations and microchipping.

Progressive

The preventive add-on options from Progressive Pet Insurance include coverage for microchipping.

Spot

Spot’s accident-only or accident and illness plans cover the costs of microchipping dogs and cats. However, coverage does not extend to registration or renewal fees.

Next steps

Microchipping is vital to ensuring your dog or cat’s safety if they’re separated from you. The best pet insurance wellness plans cover microchipping. However, if the procedure is excluded from your current coverage, the cost is generally affordable and provides lifelong peace of mind.

As you consider your pet’s care, reviewing your insurance policy and exploring plans that might include this permanent form of identification is essential. If you haven’t microchipped your pet, the next step is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian or take advantage of a local microchipping event. The experience of losing a pet can be traumatic, and having this additional form of identification can offer peace of mind and the possibility of a reunion with your furbaby.

Frequently asked questions

• Does pet insurance require microchipping?
  

  Pet insurance generally does not require microchipping as a condition for coverage. It’s important to check your pet insurance policy’s specific terms and conditions to understand any requirements or recommendations regarding microchipping.

  Even if it’s not required, microchipping is a highly recommended step for safeguarding your pet and making it easier to reunite with them if they get lost.

• At what age should a pet be microchipped?
  

  Pets can be microchipped at almost any age. However, it is typically recommended that they be microchipped when they are young, usually around eight to 12 weeks old. This timing often coincides with the pet’s first visit to the veterinarian for vaccinations or a wellness check.

• How long do microchips last?
  

  Microchips are meant to last the lifetime of your pet. However, sometimes microchips migrate, at which point your vet may recommend implanting a second one.

  Most vets check your furry friend’s microchip at their annual checkups. The vet will ensure that the chip is still in place, the scanner is reading it and your contact details are correct.

• What happens if my contact details change?
  

  If your contact details change after your pet has been microchipped, it’s crucial to update the information in the microchip registration database as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to keep a record of your pet’s microchip number and the registry’s contact information in case you need to update details again.

• Is there a central database that registers all pet microchips?
  

  No, there isn’t a single central database that registers all pet microchips. Multiple independent databases exist, each operated by different microchip manufacturers or registration services.

  Some microchip registries are more widely used and recognized than others. Many are linked to larger networks that shelters and veterinary clinics nationwide can access. Additionally, services like the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool can help search multiple registries at once to identify the database where a particular microchip is registered.