A pet wellness plan is designed to help cover the costs of routine preventive care, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). A pet wellness plan may help pay for the following services:

Routine physical exams (such as an annual checkup)
Flea and heartworm prevention
Vaccinations

Some insurers may offer wellness plans that come in tiers with varying coverage levels (and your premium might be higher if you choose more coverage). A higher-tiered wellness plan sometimes provides coverage for dental care or preventive surgeries, such as spaying or neutering.

In addition to pet wellness plans, traditional pet insurance policies also offer other types of coverage. According to the III, these are some other levels of pet health coverage that may be available:

Basic coverage, also referred to as standard pet health insurance, which may help pay for medical care after accidental injuries or illnesses.
Comprehensive coverage, which may help cover costs for vet visits, prescriptions, X-rays and lab fees, in addition to costs related to accidental injuries and illnesses.

Read your pet insurance policy carefully or check with your insurer to understand what's covered by your pet's insurance plan.