Straightforward answers about how PawGuard works, how we make money, and what to expect.
No. PawGuard is an independent pet insurance comparison and referral platform. We help you explore and compare coverage options from multiple carriers — we do not underwrite or sell insurance policies ourselves.
No. There's no obligation to purchase anything. You're free to use the quotes and information we provide however you'd like, including purchasing directly from a carrier or through another channel.
PawGuard may earn a commission from our partner carriers when you purchase a policy through a referral from our platform. This does not change the price you pay — the commission is paid by the carrier, not added to your premium. You can read more on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
We currently support dogs, cats, and exotic pets (birds, reptiles, and small mammals) for pet parents in Texas, Florida, California, New York, Maryland, and Virginia, with more states coming soon.
We take the privacy of your information seriously and only share what's needed to generate quotes with our partner carriers. See our Privacy Policy for details on how your information is collected, used, and protected.
Most pet insurance plans have a waiting period after enrollment before coverage becomes active. Accident coverage often starts within a few days, while illness coverage and certain orthopedic conditions typically have longer waiting periods (often 14 days or more). Exact times vary by carrier and plan, so always check the policy details.
In general, no. Conditions that were diagnosed, treated, or showed symptoms before the policy started (or during a waiting period) are usually excluded. Some carriers may cover certain conditions if they are considered cured for a defined period. Always review the carrier’s definition of a pre-existing condition.
With most pet insurance plans you pay the veterinarian first, then submit a claim to the carrier. After your deductible is met, the plan reimburses you for a percentage of eligible costs (commonly 70–90%), up to any annual limit. Some carriers offer direct payment options with participating clinics.
Most pet insurance plans let you use any licensed veterinarian in the United States, including specialists and emergency clinics. You are not limited to a specific network in the majority of cases. Always confirm this with the specific policy you are considering.
Accident-only plans cover injuries such as broken bones, cuts, or ingestion of foreign objects. Accident + illness plans also cover medical conditions like infections, cancer, diabetes, and many other diseases. Accident + illness is the more comprehensive (and more common) type of coverage most pet owners choose.
Coverage does not usually start the same day you enroll. After you purchase a policy there is typically a waiting period before benefits begin. Accident coverage often activates sooner than illness coverage. Exact start dates are set by the carrier and appear in the policy documents.