# Pet insurance in Japan: how plans work and what foreign owners should check

URL: https://japanhow.com/money/insurance/pet-insurance-japan-foreigners/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 29, 2026

## Summary

Japanese pet insurance usually repays a fixed share of vet bills, such as 50% or 70%, up to yearly limits. As of October 2026, Anicom and iPet both publish 50% and 70% plans, Anicom has a 30-day waiting period for illness in the first year, and both sell mainly in Japanese with credit card payment. We found no residence card requirement, and no current verified price tables, so we do not rank insurers. Check enrollment age, pre-existing conditions and whether cashless service works at your vet.

## Key facts

- Typical cover: 50% or 70% of vet bills
- Anicom waiting period: 30 days, illness, first year
- Payment: Credit card online
- Language: Japanese-only sites

Pet insurance in Japan is optional and usually pays **50% or 70%** of covered vet bills, with premiums set by breed and age.

**How most Japanese pet plans pay:** 50% or 70% of covered vet bills (Anicom and iPet official pages, as of October 2026. Limits and premiums differ by plan, breed and age.)

Pet insurance in Japan repays a share of your vet bill, usually **50% or 70%**, up to yearly limits. As of October 2026, the two biggest names we checked, Anicom and iPet, both sell mainly in Japanese and take credit cards online. We found no residence card requirement. We do **not rank insurers** here: we could not verify current price tables, and two insurers are too few for a fair score.

## What do the plans look like?

| | Anicom (どうぶつ健保ふぁみりぃ) | iPet (うちの子) |
|---|---|---|
| Payout share | 70% or 50% | 70%, 50% or 30% |
| Annual limit | Daily caps per treatment type; check the quote for limits | ¥1,224,000 (70%), ¥728,000 (50%), ¥476,000 (30%) |
| Minimum treatment cost | None | None stated for this plan |
| Cashless at vet | Yes, partner hospitals | Yes, designated hospitals (6,294+ as of August 2026) |

iPet also sells a surgery-focused plan, うちの子ライト, with 50% (annual maximum ¥600,000) and 90% (¥1,000,000) options. It has no outpatient cover, ignores treatment costs under ¥30,000 and has no cashless service.

Premiums: iPet shows samples only, such as ¥3,990 a month for a 70% plan for a 12 to 20 kg mixed dog aged 12 years 10 months, and from ¥810 a month (dog) for the 50% surgery-only plan. Both depend on breed and age, and premiums rise as pets age. Anicom's sample table is an image, so we do not quote it. Get a quote for your pet from each insurer.

## What should a foreign owner check?

- **Language.** Anicom's enrollment page and iPet's site are Japanese only. Plan to use a translation tool or a Japanese-speaking friend for the health declaration (告知書).
- **Payment.** Online enrollment with Anicom is by credit card only. Mail enrollment also accepts direct debit (口座振替). iPet asks for credit card details at sign-up. We did not confirm whose name the card must be in.
- **ID.** Neither page states a residence card requirement.
- **Health declaration.** Anicom's online route requires no current illness, no past illness on its designated list and no non-preventive care in the last 3 months. Otherwise you do pre-screening or apply by mail.
- **Start date.** Online cover with Anicom starts about one month after you finish. By mail, documents must arrive by the 25th.
- **Waiting period.** Anicom's 30 days apply to first-year illness. Injuries are covered from the start date.
- **Exclusions.** Anicom does not cover problems that began before the start date, elective neutering or some preventive care. Some conditions can make a policy unavailable.

## Cashless or claim later?

With cashless service (窓口精算) you show the insurance card at a partner vet and pay only your share. Cashless does not work if you forget the card, at non-partner vets, or for a second visit on the same day. Then you pay the full bill and claim through the insurer's My Page, LINE or by mail. Anicom says claims are generally due within 30 days of the visit and paid within about 30 days after documents arrive.

Keep the itemized bill (明細書). It is a vet's receipt that shows the diagnosis and treatment breakdown.

## Related guides

Renting with a pet is a separate issue: see [pets in rental apartments](/housing/renting/pets-apartment-japan/). For other cover, see [life insurance for foreigners](/money/insurance/life-insurance-japan-foreigners/) and [renters' fire insurance](/housing/insurance/renters-fire-insurance-japan/). If you are bringing an animal to Japan, see [bringing a pet to Japan](/life/admin/bring-pet-to-japan/).

**Not a ranking:** Anicom and iPet are examples, not recommendations. Rakuten, SBI and other insurers also sell pet plans, and we did not check them. Confirm limits, premiums and exclusions in the current policy terms before you buy.

## Questions people ask

### How does pet insurance work in Japan?

You pay a monthly premium. When your pet is treated, the insurer repays a set percentage of covered costs, such as 50% or 70%, up to limits. At a partner vet with cashless service (窓口精算) you pay only your share. Elsewhere you pay in full and claim.

### Do foreigners need a residence card to buy pet insurance?

We found no residence card or ID requirement on Anicom's or iPet's enrollment pages. Both are Japanese only and ask for a credit card online. Ask the insurer if you have no Japanese card.

### Is there a waiting period?

Anicom has a 30-day waiting period from the start date for first-year contracts: illness beginning in that period is not covered. iPet's うちの子ライト plan says it has none. We did not confirm iPet's waiting period for its main plan.

### Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Anicom does not cover injuries or illnesses whose cause began before the start date, and certain listed diseases can make a policy unavailable. Declare your pet's history honestly.

### Does pet insurance cover neutering?

Anicom excludes elective spay and neuter surgery. It may cover surgery that treats a condition, judged case by case.

## Sources

- [補償内容 どうぶつ健保ふぁみりぃ](https://www.anicom-sompo.co.jp/products/insurance1/compensation/), Anicom Sompo (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [インターネットから申込む](https://www.anicom-sompo.co.jp/join/), Anicom Sompo (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [保険金のご請求方法（窓口精算・直接請求）](https://www.anicom-sompo.co.jp/customers/payment/), Anicom Sompo (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [iPet Insurance official site](https://www.ipet-ins.com/), iPet Insurance (accessed Oct 29, 2026)