Glossary

Reimbursement rate

The percentage of a covered vet bill that a pet insurer repays after the deductible, often 70, 80 or 90 percent.

Also called: reimbursement level, coinsurance, reimbursement percentage, co-pay percentage

The reimbursement rate is the share of a covered, eligible vet bill that the insurer pays after the deductible is met. Common choices are 70, 80 and 90 percent, and some policies offer 100 percent. The balance is the owner's share, sometimes called coinsurance.

For example, if a covered bill is 1,000 and the plan has a 100 deductible and an 80 percent rate, the insurer repays 80 percent of the remaining 900, and you pay the rest. A higher rate raises the monthly premium.

The rate applies only to covered items, and plans may also set annual or lifetime limits, so a high rate does not guarantee a large payout. Compare the rate together with the deductible, limits and exclusions when choosing a policy.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Pet insurance A policy that reimburses a share of veterinary bills for covered accidents and illnesses in return for a monthly premium. Deductible The amount you pay toward covered vet bills before pet insurance begins to reimburse you. Waiting period The time after a pet insurance policy starts, often a few days to several months, during which some or all claims are not covered.