Most pet insurance does not cover microchipping, but some plans include it as a preventive benefit

Microchipping is usually treated as a one-time preventive procedure, and most standard pet insurance policies exclude preventive care altogether. However, a growing number of insurers now bundle microchipping into their wellness or preventive add-on plans — the kind you pay extra for each month. Whether your policy covers it depends entirely on which insurer you choose and which tier of coverage you buy.

The cost of a microchip itself is small — typically $25 to $60 at a veterinary clinic — so the real question is whether paying extra each month for a wellness plan makes financial sense for you. That calculation changes if your plan also covers vaccines, exams, or dental cleanings.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard pet insurance policies do not cover microchipping; you must pay out of pocket or add a wellness rider to your plan.
  • Wellness add-ons that include microchipping cost roughly $10 to $25 per month and usually cover vaccines, exams, and preventive procedures.
  • Some insurers like Embrace and Fetch cover microchipping under their wellness plans, while others like Nationwide do not offer it at all.
  • A microchip itself costs $25 to $60 at a vet clinic, so a wellness plan only makes sense if you use it for other preventive care too.

How pet insurance divides coverage into accident, illness, and preventive

Pet insurance comes in three layers. The base policy covers accidents (broken bones, poisoning, hit by car) and illnesses (cancer, diabetes, infections). Preventive care — vaccines, exams, teeth cleaning, microchipping — is almost never included in the base policy. Instead, insurers sell it as a separate add-on, sometimes called a wellness rider or preventive plan.

This structure exists because preventive care is predictable and happens regularly, while accidents and illnesses are not. An insurer can calculate the cost of a yearly vaccine clinic and price it into a wellness add-on. They cannot predict whether your dog will eat a sock and need surgery.

Microchipping falls into the preventive category because it is a one-time procedure done at a healthy pet's routine vet visit. It does not treat disease or injury; it identifies your pet if lost. For that reason, most base policies skip it entirely.

Which insurers cover microchipping and what it costs

Embrace and Fetch Pet Insurance both include microchipping in their wellness plans. Embrace's wellness add-on runs about $15 to $20 per month depending on your pet's age and covers vaccines, exams, microchipping, and some dental work. Fetch's wellness plan is similar in price and scope.

Nationwide, one of the largest pet insurers, does not offer microchipping coverage under any plan. Their wellness add-on covers vaccines and exams but explicitly excludes microchipping. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance also excludes it from all tiers.

Smaller or regional insurers vary widely. Before you sign up, search the insurer's policy document for the word "microchip" or call their customer service line and ask directly whether microchipping is covered under their wellness plan. Do not assume it is included just because the plan covers vaccines.

When a wellness plan makes sense for microchipping

A microchip costs $25 to $60 at a vet clinic, so you break even on a $15-per-month wellness plan after four to five months if you use it only for the microchip. But most pets need more than one preventive service per year — annual exams, vaccines, heartworm tests — so the plan usually pays for itself through those visits alone.

The math works best if your pet is young and healthy and you plan to keep the insurance for several years. A wellness plan that costs $180 per year and covers an exam ($100), vaccines ($50), and microchipping ($40) saves you money if you would have paid for those things anyway. If your pet is older or has existing health conditions, the base accident-and-illness policy matters far more than the wellness add-on.

If you decide not to buy a wellness plan, you can still get your pet microchipped at a low-cost clinic for $15 to $25, or ask your vet about their pricing. Many animal shelters and rescue organizations offer microchipping clinics at reduced rates.

What happens if your pet is microchipped before you buy insurance

If your pet is already microchipped, that does not affect your ability to buy pet insurance. The microchip itself is not a pre-existing condition, and insurers do not penalize you for having one. Your base policy will still cover accidents and illnesses the same way.

However, if you buy a wellness plan after your pet is already microchipped, some insurers will not reimburse you for a procedure already done. Wellness plans typically cover services going forward, not retroactively. Check the policy language or ask the insurer before you enroll if you want to confirm this.

Microchipping outside of insurance: cost and where to get it

You do not need insurance to microchip your pet. A standard microchip costs $25 to $60 at a veterinary clinic, and the procedure takes less than a minute — it is a quick injection under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. Your vet will register the chip with a national database so shelters and rescues can contact you if your pet is found.

Low-cost clinics, animal shelters, and rescue organizations often offer microchipping for $15 to $25. Some shelters do it for free or by donation. Call your local shelter or search "microchip clinic near me" to find reduced-price options in your area.

The registration is free and lasts the life of the chip. If you move or change your phone number, you can update the registration online through the database — usually the HomeAgain, AKC Reunite, or 24PetWatch registry, depending on which chip your vet used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get reimbursed for a microchip I already paid for?

Most insurers do not reimburse for preventive procedures done before you enrolled in a wellness plan. If you had your pet microchipped before buying insurance, that cost is yours to keep. However, if you enroll in a wellness plan and then get your pet microchipped, the plan should cover it going forward. Check your policy or call the insurer to confirm.

Does pet insurance cover microchip replacement if it fails?

No. A microchip is a preventive device, not a medical treatment, so neither base policies nor wellness plans cover replacement if the chip stops working. Replacement costs $25 to $60, the same as the original. Microchips rarely fail, but if yours does, you would pay out of pocket to have a new one implanted.

What if my pet is microchipped but the information is not registered?

A microchip without registration is useless. If your pet is found, a shelter can scan the chip and see a number, but without a registered name and phone number in the database, they cannot contact you. If you have an old microchip with outdated information, update the registration online through the chip manufacturer's website or call them directly. Registration is free.

Do I need both a microchip and a collar tag?

Both are useful. A collar tag is the fastest way for someone who finds your pet to contact you — they can read it when ready without a scanner. A microchip is a backup if your pet loses the collar. Together, they give you two ways to be reunited with your pet.