Pet insurance frequently asked questions
Coverage
What’s covered with a Rainwalk policy?
Rainwalk policies cover common (or sometimes not-so-common) accidents and illnesses your pet may face throughout their life. This includes cancer, tooth extractions, CCL surgery, and more. We also help cover end-of-life expenses. See a more comprehensive list on our Coverage page.
Do I really need pet insurance?
Probably! Nearly half of pet parents can’t cover a surprise vet bill, and the average emergency vet visit is $800 to $1,500. That’s why pet insurance is valuable. It helps financially protect you from unexpected, pricey vet care for accidents or illnesses and ensures you never have to choose between your budget or your pet’s medical needs.
How much coverage do I need?
The right amount of coverage for you and your pet is personal. We aim to make that decision as easy as possible with customizable policy choices. With Rainwalk pet insurance, you choose the deductible, reimbursement amount and maximum annual benefit that best fits your budget. And regardless of what policy you choose, we prioritize providing generous coverage for accidents and illnesses to all pet parents.
To decide how much coverage you need, we recommend considering what amount of unplanned pet expenses would impact your ability to provide appropriate care for your cat or dog in an emergency. For example, if you don’t have very much cash on hand for an emergency, you may want to choose a lower deductible of $100 to $250. Similarly, many pet parents opt for a 90% reimbursement amount so they only need to cover 10% of a surprise vet bill after the deductible is met.
What isn't covered by my pet insurance?
Preexisting conditions are not covered. Standard Rainwalk policies also don’t cover routine wellness care like annual exams, grooming, or flea and tick medication. We created Rainwalk to bring pet parents real financial relief when you need it most. Pet insurance policies are the most valuable in situations you can’t plan for, like an accident or illness.
While we don’t cover preexisting conditions, every Rainwalk policy has a Curable Conditions Clause. Let’s say your pet was diagnosed with a condition before coverage, completed a treatment plan, and has a clean bill of health from the vet. Once your pet is symptom-free for 180 days, that illness is eligible for reimbursement if it flares up again.
What is an online vet visit, and how is it free?
We want our pet parents to have the best tools to support the ongoing good health and happiness of their pets. Through FirstVet, you have 24/7 access to guidance from licensed vets, and no question is off-limits. You can ask about your pet’s diet, behavioral issues, signs of illness, and more.
For example, you can set up a Healthy Pet Check Up to give yourself peace of mind. Easily schedule an appointment online and chat with a licensed vet from the comfort of your own home – no claims needed!
Can I make changes to my coverage?
Yes! Reach out to the team if you want to make a change, and we’ll help you get the coverage that’s best for you. Our email address is help@rainwalk.io, and you can call or text 844-520-0041.
Is my pet covered for life?
Yes. As long as your policy stays active, your pet is covered. To qualify for a new policy, dogs must be under 8 years old and cats must be under 10 years old.
Are behavioral treatments covered?
Sometimes! Your policy covers behavioral treatments that are part of vet-prescribed care for an approved illness or injury. A licensed vet must perform the treatment or refer your pet to an Applied Animal Behaviorist, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) or Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (Dip ACVB).
Need to know if a specific treatment would be covered? Feel free to reach out!
Are breed-specific, genetic, and congenital conditions covered?
Yes. Illnesses or accidents that your pet may be prone to based on breed or genetics are eligible for reimbursement. View our coverage page for a more expansive list of covered conditions.
Is cancer treatment covered?
Yes. All policies cover cancer-related costs, such as exams, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Is surgery covered?
Surgeries related to a covered accident or illness are always covered. Spay/neuter procedures and cosmetic surgeries are not covered.
Are prescription medications covered?
Yes, prescription medication for accident and illness-related health issues are eligible for reimbursement.
Are vet exam fees covered?
Sometimes! Exam fees are always eligible for reimbursement if the exam results in diagnosis of an accident or illness or is part of ongoing treatment of an eligible condition.
Are routine pet care expenses like vaccinations covered?
Routine care – or preventative care – is not covered. This includes annual exams, grooming, food, toys, and other care or equipment most pets need. We created our policies to bring pet parents real benefits. Policies for routine pet care generally aren’t a good value and only reimburse for a portion of the expense.
Are preexisting conditions covered?
Preexisting conditions are not covered by any pet insurance provider. However, every Rainwalk policy has a Curable Conditions Clause. Let’s say your pet was diagnosed with a condition prior to coverage, completed a treatment plan and has a clean bill of health from the vet. Once your pet is symptom-free for 180 days, that illness is eligible for reimbursement should it flare up again.
If you’re curious about some extra coverage for an additional cost, ask us about policy add-ons.
Does my cat or dog need to be in good health for coverage?
Nope! Your pet does not need to be in good health to get covered by pet insurance.
You will need to provide your pet’s medical records when you file your first claim. Keep in mind preexisting conditions are not covered, unless you provide documentation from a vet stating it has been cured for 180 days. Also, dogs must be under 8 years old and cats must be under 10 years old to qualify for a new policy.
Policy
What is an annual deductible?
Your deductible is the amount you should expect to pay toward accidents and illnesses each year before Rainwalk starts reimbursing you. For example, if your vet bill is $1,000, and your deductible is $500, you are responsible for up to $500. When approved, Rainwalk will apply the appropriate reimbursement to the remaining $500.
What is my reimbursement?
Once you meet the annual deductible, you will be eligible for reimbursement. Depending on your policy, we will pay you back for 70%, 80% or 90% of vet bill costs. For example, once your deductible is met, if you receive a $200 vet bill for an accident or illness and have 90% reimbursement, we’ll pay you back $180.
What counts toward my annual deductible?
Any costs you pay for eligible accidents and illnesses will count toward your deductible.
What is a maximum annual benefit?
The annual benefit limit is the maximum dollar amount that Rainwalk will pay back to you each year. Annual benefit limits range from $5,000 – $20,000.
Is there a lifetime benefit limit?
No. If necessary, Rainwalk will continue to pay out your maximum annual benefit for the lifetime of your pet.
Will Rainwalk drop my pet’s coverage as they age?
Never. Once enrolled, your pet is covered for life as long as you continue paying premiums and the policy remains active.
Is there a waiting period for new pets?
Yes, there is a 14-day waiting period for most policies. Once the waiting period is complete, your policy goes into full effect and will cover accidents and illnesses.
Which veterinarians can I visit?
Any licensed veterinarian of your choice! We want you to take your cat or dog to the vet you trust.
Anticipating travel with your pet? Vet care must take place within the United States and its territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to be eligible for coverage.
Does my vet have to accept Rainwalk pet insurance?
Nope. We reimburse you directly after you pay the vet.
Claims
How do I file a claim?
Submitting claims is hassle-free and smartphone-friendly! Simply snap a picture of your itemized accident or illness-related vet bill(s). Then, upload the photo(s) in the customer portal. Many pet parents receive reimbursement via Venmo or ACH direct deposit in a few days.
You can submit claims up to 270 days after the date of your pet’s care. Here’s a short video on how it works!
Should I file a claim if I haven’t met my deductible?
Yes, you should still submit the vet bill so we can allocate eligible accident and illness expenses toward your deductible.
What documentation do you need?
When you submit a claim for reimbursement, we need your vet bill for the accident- or illness-related treatment. If it’s your first claim, we may also ask for your pet’s previous medical records.
How long does it take for my claim to be processed?
For simple claims, we aim to send a claims decision within 3 business days. Claims with multiple bills and higher costs may take up to 10 business days.
Once we approve a claim for reimbursement, you can expect to get your money back within 7 business days.
How do I get reimbursed?
Rainwalk reimburses pet parents via ACH direct deposit or Venmo. You can enroll for your preferred reimbursement method in the customer portal.
How are vet bill reimbursements calculated?
- Your itemized vet bill and which expenses are from an accident or illness.
- Your deductible and how much of it remains.
- Your reimbursement amount; we pay up to 90% of your bill, depending on which policy you have.
- Your maximum annual limit – though many of our pet parents do not reach it with generous limits up to $20,000.
Will filing a claim increase my premiums?
No, there is never a penalty for using your pet insurance coverage. That’s why we’re here – to provide financial support when you need it most.
