If you're paying $50–$100+ per month for pet insurance, you might wonder: does it cover grooming or boarding? The short answer is no — standard pet insurance plans do not cover grooming or routine boarding. But there are nuances worth understanding, because some wellness add-on plans do reimburse for certain grooming-related expenses.
What standard pet insurance covers
Most pet insurance policies (Embrace, Nationwide, Trupanion, Lemonade, Healthy Paws, etc.) are designed for unexpected veterinary expenses:
- Accidents — broken bones, swallowed objects, lacerations
- Illnesses — infections, cancer, diabetes, allergies
- Emergency surgery and hospitalization
- Diagnostic tests (X-rays, blood work, MRIs)
- Prescription medications
Why grooming and boarding aren't covered
Insurance companies classify grooming and boarding as routine or elective expenses — not medical necessities. Pet insurance is modeled on human health insurance, which covers illness and injury but not haircuts and hotel stays. Grooming and boarding are predictable, budgetable costs that insurance is not designed to absorb.
The wellness add-on exception
Several insurers offer optional "wellness" or "preventive care" riders that reimburse some routine expenses. These wellness plans sometimes cover:
- Flea and tick prevention
- Annual vaccinations
- Teeth cleaning (veterinary dental, not grooming teeth brushing)
- Deworming and heartworm testing
- Some plans include a small annual allowance for grooming ($50–$150/year)
Plans that may include grooming reimbursement
As of 2026, a few plans offer some grooming coverage under wellness add-ons:
- Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness: includes a small annual grooming allowance
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Preventive Care: some grooming coverage in higher tiers
- Embrace Wellness Rewards: a flexible wellness fund that can be used for grooming
- Note: these wellness riders typically add $10–$30/month to your premium, and the grooming allowance is often modest ($50–$150/year)
Is a wellness add-on worth it for grooming?
Usually not — if your only goal is grooming reimbursement. A wellness rider that costs $20/month ($240/year) but reimburses $100 in grooming is a net loss of $140. The math only works if you're also using the rider for vaccines, dental, and preventive care. For grooming savings specifically, a grooming membership like FurPlan saves far more money than an insurance wellness rider.
When insurance DOES cover grooming-related expenses
Standard pet insurance will cover grooming-related expenses if they're medically necessary:
- A grooming injury requiring vet treatment (e.g., a groomer nicked your dog and it got infected)
- Skin conditions discovered during grooming that require veterinary treatment
- Allergic reactions to grooming products
- Ear infections found during grooming that need medication
Boarding and pet insurance
Standard pet insurance does not cover routine boarding. However, some comprehensive plans include "boarding coverage" that specifically covers boarding fees if YOU (the owner) are hospitalized. This is a niche benefit — it pays for your dog's boarding while you're in the hospital recovering from surgery, for example. It does not cover vacation boarding.
The bottom line
Pet insurance is for unexpected vet bills — and it's excellent for that purpose. But for predictable expenses like grooming and boarding, you're better served by a grooming membership (like FurPlan) and a regular boarding relationship with a trusted facility. Insurance for medical emergencies, memberships for routine care — that's the combination that covers everything without overpaying.
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Or call (850) 257-5776Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance cover grooming?
Standard pet insurance does not cover routine grooming. Some wellness add-on riders include a small annual grooming allowance ($50–$150), but the add-on cost usually exceeds the grooming reimbursement.
Does pet insurance cover boarding?
Not routine vacation boarding. Some plans cover boarding fees if the owner is hospitalized — a niche benefit that applies only when you're medically unable to care for your pet.
Is a pet insurance wellness plan worth it?
Only if you use it for multiple services (vaccines, dental, flea prevention, AND grooming). For grooming savings alone, a grooming membership like FurPlan saves significantly more money.
What if my dog gets injured at the groomer?
Vet treatment for a grooming injury IS covered by standard pet insurance, because it's an unexpected injury. The groomer should also cover the vet costs — ask them directly.