When a dog or a cat is diagnosed with cancer, the first question is medical and the second, almost always, financial. Cancer treatments are among the covers in the Petplan health policy, but it is worth knowing which parts of the process are included, under what annual limit, and in which cases the policy does not respond.
Cancer treatment is on the list of covers
Cancer treatments appear explicitly in the list of what the health policy covers, alongside surgery, hospitalisation and physiotherapy. It is not a cover you have to add separately.
That means the veterinary costs arising from the illness are reimbursed like those of any other covered illness, within the policy conditions and under the same annual limit.
Which parts of the process are included
Diagnosis usually comes first and is covered too: consultations, tests, blood work, radiographs, X-rays, ultrasound and, in general, the diagnostic procedures your vet indicates.
After that come surgery and nursing, hospitalisation and prescribed medicines, as well as those given during the consultation itself. In other words the usual course of the process, not only part of it.
How much is reimbursed and what excess applies
Petplan reimburses 100% of veterinary costs, up to a maximum of 3,100 euros a year. It is the same ceiling that applies to any other illness, and it becomes available again with each policy year.
The co-payment (excess) is 45 euros per illness, not per visit. In a long treatment with repeated check-ups that difference matters: the excess applies once to that illness and is not deducted again at every appointment.
Waiting periods and pre-existing conditions
The waiting period for illness is 30 days from the start of the policy; for accidents it is 15 days. An illness appearing within that initial window is not covered.
Pre-existing conditions, those the animal already had before the policy was taken out, are not covered either, and Petplan is no exception here: no pet insurance in Spain covers them. That is why the moment you take out the policy determines whether it will respond.
If the outcome is not a good one
The policy provides compensation for death by illness: the value of the animal is paid, up to a maximum of 600 euros.
The costs of euthanasia and disposal of the animal remains are also reimbursed, up to a maximum of 200 euros. These amounts do not replace treatment, but they cover part of the final expense.
Frequently asked questions
Are diagnostic tests included?
Yes. Consultations, blood work, radiographs, X-rays, ultrasound and diagnostic procedures all fall within the cover.
Is the excess paid at every visit?
No. The co-payment is 45 euros per illness and not per visit, so a treatment with several check-ups does not multiply it.
Does it cover a cancer detected before taking out the policy?
No. Pre-existing conditions are excluded: no pet insurance in Spain covers what the animal already had before the policy started.
Can I choose the practice?
Yes. With Petplan you choose the vet: there is no approved network of clinics you have to attend.
