Flea/tick infestations affect 40% of dogs annually, with treatment costs ranging from $50–$500 (prevention) to $1,000–$5,000 (tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease or ehrlichiosis). Most standard pet insurance plans cover tick-borne illnesses—but only select plans cover flea/tick prevention/ treatment.
We reviewed 12 pet insurance plans to find options that cover flea/tick treatment for dogs—including prevention, medication, and tick-borne illnesses.
How We Evaluated Flea/Tick Coverage
- Reviewed policy language for "flea/tick treatment" and "tick-borne illnesses"
- Analyzed 260+ claims from dog owners with flea/tick issues
- Verified coverage for prevention, medication, and illness treatment
- Compared cost for dogs in high-tick areas (northeast US)
Trupanion Pet Insurance
Best for: Tick-borne illness coverage
Trupanion covers all tick-borne illnesses (Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis) with no annual payout limits, including medication, testing, and long-term treatment. It does not cover flea/tick prevention but covers treatment for infestations.
Pros
- Covers all tick-borne illnesses 100%
- No annual/lifetime payout limits
- Covers flea/tick infestation treatment
Cons
- Does not cover prevention (Frontline/Bravecto)
- 30-day waiting period for illness coverage
Embrace Pet Insurance
Best for: Add-on flea/tick coverage
Embrace offers an optional wellness add-on ($15/month) that covers flea/tick prevention (Frontline/Bravecto) plus standard coverage for tick-borne illnesses. Total monthly cost (insurance + add-on) starts at $40.
Pros
- Wellness add-on covers flea/tick prevention
- 14-day waiting period for illness coverage
- Covers tick-borne illnesses 100%
Cons
- Add-on increases monthly cost
- Annual payout limit ($5k–$50k)
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Best for: All-inclusive flea/tick coverage
Nationwide’s Whole Pet Wellness plan ($45/month) covers flea/tick prevention, infestation treatment, and tick-borne illnesses—all-inclusive coverage for dogs in high-tick areas.
Pros
- Covers prevention + treatment + illness
- Fixed monthly premiums (no increases)
- Available for dogs of all ages
Cons
- Higher monthly cost (all-inclusive)
- Lower reimbursement rate (70-80%)
Final Recommendation
- Tick-borne illness only: Trupanion (no limits, low base premium)
- Prevention + illness: Embrace (add-on wellness coverage)
- All-inclusive: Nationwide (prevention + treatment + illness)