Year Company Started: 2005

Underwriter: Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.petsbest.com

Phone: 1877-738-7237

Jack Stevens DVM, the original founder of Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) founded Pets Best Insurance in 2005. The company is a member of NAPHIA, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Pets Best covers cats and dogs over seven weeks old for illnesses, accidents, injuries, surgeries, prescription medication, hospitalization, and more.

Pets Best does not cover pre-existing conditions, congenital conditions, parasites, preventable diseases (if you failed to get a vaccine), elective procedures (like ear cropping), and dental coverage. However, if you add “BestWellness” to your plan, your pet’s covered for routine visits, annual teeth cleanings, vaccinations, and more.

There are no annual limits or age restrictions, and you can choose any vet, anywhere. Pets Best reimburses you 80 percent after your deductible—there is no benefits schedule.

Once you purchase a Pets Best policy, accident coverage kicks in after 3 days, and medical and wellness coverage after 14 days. You can either email,  mail or fax your claim form and direct deposit reimbursement is available at no extra cost.  Pets Best Insurance will reimburse you within 10 business days.
within 10 business days.

Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 9

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I was prompted to click 2 for the sales department—different from other companies that directed me to customer service. Once I began speaking with Ryan, I could see the clear difference. He did a fantastic job selling me on the company. In fact, Pets Best Insurance is now one of my top choices.

To obtain the quotes, he asked if the pets are spayed and neutered, and if they have any pre-existing conditions. He explained that Pets Best is one of only two pet insurers that reimburse 80% of the actual bill.

They don’t use a benefits schedule or usual and customary fees list. Other companies do this to limit the amount of money you can get for any specific illness or condition. Pets Best Insurance reimburses 80% of the whole bill, after the deductible, no matter what.

The Plans/Quotes

I will get a 7% discount for enrolling multiple pets or choosing to pay annually.

Ryan recommended starting with the Pets Basic Plan, and then upgrading later if I see fit.

All plans cover:

• Accidents, illnesses, and injuries
• MRIs, CAT scans, and X-rays
• Surgeries
• Cancer treatments
• Prescription medications
• After-hours emergency vet visits
• Visits to specialists
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic therapy
• Hospitalization

Pets Basic

$100 per-incident deductible, covers $2,500 per incident, has a $42,500 lifetime limit

For all three pets with a California zip code, would cost $73.42/month

• The 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier: $22.46
• The 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel: $32.51
• The 8-year old female mixed breed cat: $18.45

Pets First

$100 per-incident deductible, covers $7,000 per incident, has a $100,000 lifetime limit

For all three pets with a California zip code, would be $132.98/month

• The 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier: $40.69
• The 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel: $58.88
• The 8-year old female mixed breed cat: $33.41

Pets Premier

$250 per-incident deductible, covers $14,000 per incident, has a $100,000 lifetime limit

For all three pets with a California zip code, would be $173.34/month

• The 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier: $53.35
• The 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel: $77.21
• The 8-year old female mixed breed cat: $42.78

The Details

None of the plans include routine care. You can add the wellness program at any time, and also remove it whenever you’d like. This allows you a certain amount of coverage for specific treatments each year—$50 for annual exams and $100 for teeth cleaning, for example—for a total of $480 in dogs and $545 in cats. The website indicates you can only use half of the wellness benefits in the first six months of the year, and then you can use the rest in the remainder, which I find a tad odd. According to Ryan, it would cost me an additional $22 per month per pet to add wellness care.

None of the plans have an annual limit. Perhaps most importantly, Pets Best offers continuous lifetime coverage. Many insurance companies consider conditions from on policy term pre-existing when the plan renews the next year, which seriously limits your coverage. Some of them allow you to purchase an additional package to address this, increasing your premium cost.

The waiting period is 3 days for accidents and 14 days for full coverage. There are no start-up fees. You can cancel at any time, and you will receive a pro-rated reimbursement for overpayments.

Pets Best Insurance is very similar to Petplan—another popular, well-reviewed pet insurance company. The only difference is that Petplan drops coverage to 70% when you visit a specialist.

Conclusions

Pets Best seems true to its name—one of the best pet insurance companies on the market.

In making my decision, I will consider the following:

Pros:

• No benefits schedule—you get 80% reimbursement, after the deductible, no matter what
• Lifetime continuous coverage
• Multi-pet annual discount
• Flexible, comprehensive plans
• The founder had 25 years industry experience before forming the company
• Pets Best is a member of NAPHIA, North American Pet Health Insurance Association

Cons:

• You can only use half your routine care allowances in the first six months of a year
• Some customer reviews indicate claim processing can be slow

To purchase a Pets Best policy, visit them online or call 1-866-929-3807. Ryan’s extension is 308—and he is well worth speaking to!

Overview

Year Company Started: 2006

Underwriter: RLI Insurance Company and Mt. Hawley Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and RLI Indemnity Company – are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best Company

Website: Embrace Pet Insurance

Phone: 1800-511-9172

Embrace Pet Insurance provides insurance for cats and dogs that are at least 8 weeks old. Although Embrace has only been in business since 2006, they work with an underwriter—Lloyd’s of London—that’s been around for over 300 years. This means the company is well-equipped to pay out claims.

Unlike other pet insurance companies, Embrace offers customizable policies. You don’t need to choose from a list of options; instead, you tailor the policy to fit your needs. Choose an annual maximum of $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 annually; a deductible of $100, $200, $500, or $1,000 annually; and a co-payment other 10%, 20%, or 35%. The most comprehensive coverage would include a high deductible and a high annual maximum. If you can’t afford that, though, you can still get peace of mind with $2,000 in annual coverage and a $100 deductible.

All Embrace policies cover accidents and illness (with certain age restrictions), cancer, hospitalization, surgery, laboratory and diagnostic testing, medication administered by your vet, cancer, and genetic conditions. Since most pet insurers do not cover genetic conditions, this gives Embrace a competitive edge. Prescription drug coverage is optional on all of Embrace’s full coverage plans

Embrace no longer offers dental coverage, but offered as “Dental Rewards”, which is a paid allowance with bonus cash towards dental care.

With an Embrace pet insurance policy, you can see any veterinarian. Just submit a claim after your appointment, and they will reimburse you in accordance with your benefits. If your pet has a microchip ID, if you’re a veterinary worker, or if you have multiple pets, you’re eligible for discounts.

Embrace Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 9

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone.

I called Embrace Pet Insurance and spoke with a customer service representative named Christine about 3 pets:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat

Christine answered my call immediately, and was very helpful in addressing all my questions. She explained I’d get two 5% discounts because my pets were spayed and neutered and I had more than one pet. I told her my pets were not microchipped, which means I didn’t qualify for a third 5% discount.

The Plans/Quotes:

I have four options for both the dogs and the cat:

Budget:

includes accident and illness coverage with a $5,000 annual maximum, a $500 deductible, and 20% co-payments.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $26.83/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $36.51/mo

includes accident and illness coverage with a $2,000 annual maximum, a $300 deductible, and 20% co-payments.

For the cat: $19.58/mo

Everyday:

Includes accident, illness, and Rx drug coverage with a $10,000 annual maximum, a $300 annual deductible, and a 20% co-payment.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $48.60/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $66.14/mo

includes accident, illness, and Rx drug coverage with a $5,000 annual maximum, a $300 deductible, and 20% co-payments.

For the cat: $28.65/mo

Select:

includes accident, illness and Rx Drug Coverage, as well as the wellness rewards program—a $200 allowance (Wellness Rewards Basic) or a $400 allowance (Wellness Rewards Plus) that you can put toward any type of wellness treatment. Note: wellness Rewards is an add-on to your pet insurance to help cover the costs of routine care. It has no waiting periods, deductibles, or co-pays.

The annual maximum is $10,000, the deductible is $300, and the co-payment is 20%.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $63.55/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $81.09/mo

includes accident, illness, Rx Drug Coverage, and wellness rewards with a $5,000 annual maximum, a $200 deductible, and 20% co-payments.

For the cat: $48.27/mo

Design a Custom Policy:

includes accident and illness coverage. You can add prescription and dental rewards and the wellness rewards program if you choose. You can then choose an annual limit from $2,000–$15,000; a deductible of $100, $200, $300, $500, or $1,000; and a co-payment of 10%, 20%, or 35%.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: starts at $8.37 and goes up to $108.09/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: starts at $11.39 and goes up to $147.09/mo

For the cat: starts at $6.75 and goes up to $102.2/mo

Additional Information

If I pay for the plans annually as opposed to monthly, I save an additional 5%. All of the plans allow me to see any veterinarian in the country. Embrace does not cover pre-existing conditions but does cover breed-specific and genetic conditions. Coverage for accidents and illnesses starts 15 days after I purchase the policies. I have 30 days after making the purchase to cancel the plans so long as I don’t make a claim.

Conclusions:

As we came to the end of the call, Christine told me she could help me purchase the plans or I could use the website. She was extremely helpful and friendly.

In making my choice, I will consider the following pros and cons:

Pros:

• You have full control over the annual maximum, deductible, and co-payment if you make a custom policy.
• The maximum is per year, not per incident.
• There are several ways to get discounts.
• All pets get the 5% multi-pet discount, not just additional pets after the one with the highest premium (like other insurance companies).
• They cover genetic and breed-specific conditions.
• Embrace covers chronic conditions, unlike other insurance companies.
• They do not exclude any breed.
• Embrace reimburses a straight percentage of your bill instead of using a benefits schedule.
• Other customer reviews indicate Embrace pays claims quickly.

Cons:

• The rates are higher than competitors’ rates.
• The wellness rewards basic program comes only a $200 annual allowance, which may not be enough to cover office visits, vaccinations, and more. However, the $299 rewards plus program comes with a $400 annual allowance which allow you to spend the money however you prefer within their wellness categories. E.g. You can spend $250 on heartworm, flea, and tick meds.

Year Company Started: 2008

Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company (APIC)

Trupanion is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).

Website: www.trupanionpetinsurance.com

Phone: 1800-569-7913

Founded in British Columbia in 1998 (under the name VetInsurance), Trupanion first started in Canada and have now been issuing policies across the United States since 2008.

If you have a cat or dog between 8 weeks and 14 years of age, Trupanion may be the pet insurance provider for you. This insurer differs from others in a few ways:

• Trupanion pays 90 percent of your cost without caps, even at emergency centers, specialty hospitals and referral clinics. Many pet insurance providers cover only 80 percent. Your rates won’t increase just because you’ve submitted multiple claims—and your coverage won’t decrease either.

• Hereditary and congenital disorders—conditions present at birth—aren’t excluded from coverage. Most pet insurers refuse to cover these, leaving you with large veterinary bills, despite having a pet insurance policy.

• The one drawback to purchasing a Trupanion policy is the lack of routine care coverage. According to the website, “dollar trading for routine veterinary costs would double monthly premiums without adding value. Instead, Trupanion offers an affordable and practical type of pet health insurance that covers major costs you can’t anticipate.”

Your pet’s breed and age at the time of enrollment will determine the premium (premiums do not increase due to pet agings). You can lower your dog or cat’s premium by selecting a per incident deductible that best matches your budget. Premiums may increase periodically to reflect the rising cost of veterinary care.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I spoke with Michelle at Trupanion. Michelle was very friendly. Our call wasn’t long, but it seems there isn’t that much to explain since Trupanion only has one plan.

The Plans/Quotes

You can choose your deductible—anywhere between $0 and $1,000—to fit your premiums within your budget. Each pet gets $20,000 over his lifetime for accidents and illnesses with no limits per year, claim, illness, procedure, or condition. Trupanion reimburses 90% of every approved claim.

Monthly premiums for each pet:

The 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier: $35 with a $500 deductible, $23.69 with a $1,000 deductible

A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel: $44.45 with a $500 deductible, $29.03 with a $1,000 deductible

An 8-year old female mixed breed cat: $31.07 with a $500 deductible, $21.06 with a $1,000 deductible

The Details

Trupanion covers diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications (including hereditary and congenital disorders). Once you submit a claim, you can expect an approval or denial within 7 days—and as soon as 24 hours if it’s a repeat claim. Your rates will never increase due to increased claim activity, and premiums won’t increase due to aging. There is a 5-day waiting period for accidents, and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.

Trupanion will only deny coverage for hereditary and congenital disorders if symptoms were present before you enrolled your pet, or during the waiting period. There is no coverage for routine care. According to the website, “dollar trading for routine veterinary visits would double monthly premiums without adding value.”

Trupanion owns it’s own underwriter, it hasn’t been rated by A.M. Best rated.

You can cancel your policy at any time without any penalty.

Conclusions

Pros:

• The deductibles and premiums are highly flexible, meaning you can fit the plan within your budget.
• There is no benefits schedule.
• Premiums will not increase due to aging.
• You may get coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions if symptoms occurred after your plan took effect.
• Customer reviews indicate excellent customer service.

Cons:

• Routine coverage is not included.
• Cover pets that are not spayed or neutered. However the coverage is limited in that pets who are not spayed or neutered will not be covered for illnesses relating to spay/neuter such as ovarian cancer, mammary cancer, etc.

Year Company Started: 1982

Underwriter: Veterinary Pet Insurance in California and National Casualty Company in all other states.

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: Veterinary Pet Insurance( Rating: A), National Casualty Company (Rating: A+)

Website: www.petinsurance.com

Phone: 1888-899-4874

VPI Pet Insurance, the nation’s oldest and largest pet insurer, covers dogs, cats, and birds. Founded in 1982, Veterinary Pet Insurance covers cats, dogs, birds, and exotic pets. In addition to insurance for accidents, injuries, and illnesses, policy holders can also buy vaccination and routine care coverage (known as CareGuard Routine Care Coverage).

The company offers three plans that reimburses you for accidents, illnesses, and routine preventative care, including X-rays, surgeries, prescriptions, lab fees, hospitalizations, vaccinations, dental care, spaying, and more. You can expect to pay up to $400/year with coverage up to $14,000 annually.

VPI Dog Insurance Plans:

• VPI Major Medical Plan (Comprehensive Coverage)

• VPI Medical Plan (Economical Coverage)

• VPI Injury Plan (Senior Pet Protection)

VPI Cat Insurance Plans:

• VPI Major Medical Plan (Comprehensive Coverage)

• VPI Medical Plan (Economical Coverage)

• VPI Injury Plan (Senior Pet Protection)

• VPI Feline Select Plan (Cat-Only Coverage)

What is covered:

VPI uses a benefits schedule which lists the reimbursement allowances available for each policy’s one-year term. Although VPI’s plans have a lot of fine print, policy holder testimonials indicate VPI has top-notch customer service.

VPI Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

Claudia, a customer service representative from VPI, spoke to me for a half-hour today about the pet insurance they offer. She asked if they were spayed or neutered, and if they had any pre-existing conditions, as this would affect the estimate.

The Plans/Quotes

VPI uses a benefits schedule, meaning each condition or diagnosis has a maximum reimbursement—a cap that you can receive back.

Claudia gave me quotes for one of the least expensive plans, VPI Medical Plan, and the most expensive, VPI Major Medical Plan.

VPI Medical Plan

Covers all medical problems from colds to Cancer as long as it’s not pre-existing, hereditary, or from a birth defect. It offers the same coverage as Superior, except the maximum allowed for each diagnosis is half as much. The maximum annual benefit is $7,000.

Monthly Premiums:

includes accident and illness coverage with a $7,000 annual maximum and a $100 deductible.

• $27.88/month for the 2-year old Yorkshire Terrier
• $35.64/month for the 6-year old Cocker Spaniel
• $32.64/month for the 8-year old cat

VPI Major Medical Plan

Provides the highest reimbursement for eligible expenses, such as accidental injuries, emergencies, and illnesses.  The maximum annual benefit is $14,000.

CareGuard Routine Care Coverage is optional —an additional $22/month for CareGuard Premier and $12/month for CareGuard Core.

Monthly Premiums:

includes accident, illness, and hereditary conditions coverage with a $14,000 annual maximum and  a $100 deductible.

• $36.06/month for the 2-year old Yorkshire Terrier
• $46.28/month for the 6-year old Cocker Spaniel
• $41.94/month for the 8-year old cat

The Details

Claudia told me they’ve been in business for almost 30 years. They’re the only company that will continue to insure pets throughout their lifetime even if they become high-risk. Also, they offer continuous coverage without requiring you to purchase an additional package. Other pet insurance companies consider a condition diagnosed in one year pre-existing when the policy renews—which gives them the right to deny coverage at that point, unless you buy the extra package. VPI doesn’t work that way.

For routine care, you can add CareGuard Core coverage to any package for $12/month. This provides $250 to reduce the costs of routine treatments. If you’d like enhanced routine coverage—including dental cleanings—you should add CareGuard Premiere for $22/month. This package provides $400 annually.

Your policy takes effect for accidents and illnesses 14 days after you enroll. You can expect reimbursement within 30 days of filing a claim, and if you are dissatisfied, you can cancel at any time.

Conclusions

Claudia was very friendly and eager to help. She used examples from her own pets—who have VPI policies—which made me feel comfortable with her knowledge.

That being said, VPI is not on the top of my list. In making my choice, I’ll consider the following pros and cons:

Pros

• VPI is the oldest and largest pet health insurance provider in the US.
• You can visit any licensed veterinarian anywhere.
• There are no lifetime limits.
• The plans are highly flexible, allowing you to add routine care, enhanced routine care, and enhanced Cancer coverage.
• 5% multi-pet discount.

Cons

• Pre-existing conditions, congenital disorders, hereditary disorders, and certain musculoskeletal, urinary tract, ocular, and endocrine disorders are excluded—as well as ACL damage in the 1^st 12 months, collapsed trachea, and histiocytosis. That’s a lot of exclusions!
• VPI’s benefits schedule specifies how much you can receive per incident, limiting your reimbursement.
• Due to all the exclusions and the benefits schedule, it’s hard to know in advance exactly what you can expect to receive in reimbursement.
• The claim process can be somewhat slow.
• The founder, Dr. Jack Stephens, left VPI after a large property insurance company purchased a considerable share. He’s since started a new company—Pets Best Insurance—that I consider to be superior.

Overview

Year Company Started: 2006

Also known as: Hartville and PetsHealth

Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.aspcapetinsurance.com

Phone: 1866-861-9092

ASPCA/ Hartville/ PetsHealth pet Insurance brands are all under one company, Hartville Group, Inc. ASPCA Pet Insurance offers four different plans for cats and dogs. Each plan reimburses you for 80% after a $100 annual deductible. Plans start as low as 25¢ a day for basic accident coverage. You can choose any licensed vet in the US or Canada.

If you have more than one pet on the same plan, you’ll get a 10% discount. Plans exclude coverage for hereditary disorders, preexisting conditions, and inhumane treatments, like dewclaw removal and ear cropping, among others.

ASPCA Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

The pre-recorded message picked up quickly; and Carla took my call immediately once I indicated by pressing 1 that I was a prospective customer. She asked for my name and phone number, in case we got cut off, and also asked if I’d like to receive an email with the quotes after our call. Once I gave Carla my zip code, she told me I have a couple of options for plans; both allow me to see any licensed veterinarian in the US or Canada.

The Plans/Quotes

Level 2

Accident and Illness Coverage, which covers medications, ER visits, office visits, X Rays, diagnostic tests, lab work, hospital stays, and surgery. Coverage offers $1,500 per accident or illness maxing out at $8,000 for the year.

The monthly cost for each pet would be:

Max, the cocker spaniel, $21.01 (most expensive because this breed gets a lot of ear infections)

Jax, the Yorkshire terrier $17.44 (10% multi-pet discount applies)

Fluffy the cat $12.16 (discount also applies)

Level 3

Accident, Illness, and Wellness Coverage, which covers everything included in the Level 2 plan, plus an annual physical exam, distemper combo vaccine, rabies, fecal exam, and heartworm test. Coverage offers $3,500 per accident maxing out at $11,000 for the year.

The monthly cost for each pet would be:

Max, the cocker spaniel, would be $38.58

Jax the Yorkshire terrier, $32.03 (10% multi-pet discount applies)

Fluffy the cat, $24.27 (discount also applies)

The Details

Since the plans renew annually, conditions that occur beyond the first year are considered pre-existing when the plan renews. For example, if Fluffy goes to the ER in the second year and the vet determines she has diabetes, this will become a pre-existing condition on year 3, and at that point will not be covered. If I’d like better protection, I can add a continued care package to any plan $5–9 more monthly.

For Level 2 coverage, I’d receive up to $1000 for each problem maxing out at $2,500 for the pet’s lifetime; and for Level 3 coverage, $1,500 for a problem, maxing out at $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime. I can add this coverage for the dogs up until they are 8 and for the cat until she’s 11.

The yearly deductible is $100 per pet for the entire year. ASPCA will reimburse 80 percent of all allowable costs with a 2–3 week turnaround. If, however, I need the money sooner, I can call and have them rush that within 7–10 business days. I’ll have to pay a one-time annual billing fee of $10.50.

Conclusions

As we came to the end of the call, Carla told me she’d be happy to help me purchase the plans on the phone, or I could go online to complete the transaction. I found her to be clear, helpful, and pleasant. She answered all my questions and offered to assist me moving forward, as well.

In making a choice for a pet insurance provider, I will consider the following pros and cons::

Pros:

• ASPCA Pet Insurance is a solid company backed by an organization founded in 1866.
• At $100, the deductible is fairly low.
• I can visit any vet in the US or Canada.
• There’s a 10% multi-pet discount.
• Money from every plan goes back to the ASPCA.

Cons:

• Without the added coverage, any illness from one year is considered a pre-existing condition when the plan renews annually. This means it isn’t covered unless I purchase extra coverage.
• The extra coverage provides up to $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime—possibly not enough to treat a serious disease, like cancer.
• Many ASPCA policy holders have posted negative reviews online indicating the company often rejects claims.

Overview

Year Company Started: 1955

Website: www.banfield.net

Phone: 1866-277-7387

Banfield Pet Hospital has been around since 1955, so it’s certainly a reputable establishment. However, contrary to popular belief, the hospital does not offer traditional veterinary health insurance. Banfield is a membership plan that offers wellness benefits. Members must go to Banfield pet hospitals, which are located within PetSmart stores throughout the United States.

Banfield offers several “Optimum Wellness Plans” for cats and dogs. Think of them as annual health-maintenance plans that cover the basics and provide additional discounts. You can pay for the year upfront or make monthly payments.

According to the Banfield Pet Insurance website, these plans provide:

• Up to 50 percent savings over standard care with free office visits for life
• Discounts on many veterinary services
• A vaccination of up to $1000
• The freedom to use any of Banfield’s locations in the US and overseas

But be cautious. Once you buy the plan, it’s yours for the year—no cancellations allowed. That means Banfield won’t reimburse you if your pet passes away a month after you bought the plan. If you opted to pay monthly, you’ll still have to finish making payments for the year.

Banfield Healthcare Plans Review

Rating: 7

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone.

I spoke with Ilirio at Banfield Pet Hospital to get quotes for 3 pets:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat

Unlike traditional pet insurance companies, Banfield does not reimburse you for a percentage of treatment after you meet deductibles and copayments. Instead, they offer wellness plans—bundles of pre-paid preventative services— to help eliminate illnesses before they occur. You commit to an annual term with payments broken into 12 installments. Once you purchase a plan, you choose one of 800 national Banfield-affiliated locations to serve as your “home hospital” where your pet will receive all the treatments.

The Plans:

I have several choices for the dogs:

The Adult Pet Health Care Plan

Primary $25.95/month

Basic $31.95/month

Basic Plus $39.95/month

Optimum $49.95/month

The Primary plan is the least comprehensive, whereas the Optimum plan covers almost everything, from vaccinations and exams to dental hospitalizations. The Primary offers 5% off additional services; the Basic, 10%; the Basic Plus, 15%; and the Optimum, 20%.

And for the cat:

The Kitten Health Care Package

Basic $15.95/month

Basic Plus $22.95/month

Includes yearly physical exams, leukemia/feline AIDS test, intestinal parasite fecal exams, dewormings, and more. The Basic plan offers 5% off additional services, whereas the Basic plus offers 10%.

Although I did not get this information on the phone, I learned by visiting the website that Banfield also has a Puppy Care Package for dogs six months old or younger.

The Details:

Since you are purchasing plans that cover the cost of treatments, there are no co-payments or deductibles. The first year, you must pay a one-time fee of $69.95. If you cancel the plan before a year’s up, you must either complete the remaining payments in a lump sum, or reimburse Banfield for the services they covered.

According to Ilario, many customers choose to purchase traditional pet health insurance in addition to their wellness plan. This way they have extra coverage for accidents and illnesses. If you opt not to buy a separate insurance policy, you’ll still receive discounts at Banfield-affiliated hospitals, as indicated above. Also, you get free unlimited office visits for the life of the plan.

Conclusions:

Surprisingly, Ilirio didn’t do a fantastic job selling me on Banfield. In fact, despite his friendly, helpful demeanor, I had to call three times to get all the information I needed. Still, I’ve decided a Banfield Wellness Plan is a smart bet weighing the following pros and cons:

Pros:

• Office visits are free, so you’ll feel comfortable going in for problems even if they appear minor.
• The most important preventative services are included in even the basic plans.
• The annual cost of each wellness plan is far less than the combined services would cost.
• Banfield provides a small discount on services that aren’t covered.

Cons:

• You commit to a year of payments no matter what—even if your dog gets lost or dies.
• The policies automatically renew.
• You may have to deal with longer than usual wait times.

Year Company Started: 1997

Also known as: ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetsHealth

Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.hartvillepetinsurance.com

Phone: 1800-799-5852

Founded in 1997, Hartvile Group is the ASPCA’s strategic partner for pet health insurance. You can choose from four different plans:

• Level 1: Basic accident coverage
• Level 2: Accident and illness coverage, including prescription medications, diagnostic procedures, surgery and more
• Level 3: Accident, illness, and wellness care, which includes spaying and neutering, canine and feline distemper combo vaccinations, and more
• Level 4: Accident, illness, and deluxe wellness care, which offers help paying for lyme and kennel cough vaccines, flea and heartworm medication, annual dental cleanings, and more

Your cost depends on your cat or dog’s age, breed, and geographic location. Your pet will receive coverage for injuries as soon as your plan takes effect; accident coverage begins after 30 days. You must make payments by credit card or arrange automatic check withdrawals. If you pay in full at the beginning of the year, Hartford will waive the $10.50 insurance fee.

Filing a claim is simple. After your veterinarian administers treatment, submit the one-page claim form with all receipts. Hartville will reimburse you for 80 percent of allowable fees after you meet your $100 deductible. If you are dissatisfied with your plan don’t worry—you can cancel at any time.

Hartville Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 6

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone.

I spoke with a customer service representative at Hartville Pet Insurance to get quotes for three pets:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat

The woman, whose name I did not understand, was helpful and kind. She explained all the policies and exclusions clearly so there would be no surprises if I purchased a policy. She asked detailed questions and really listened to my answers instead of regurgitating information from a script.

The Plans/Quotes

I can choose from four levels of coverage for all of the pets. I pay full price for the pet with the highest premium, and then get a 10% discount on the other two (reflected in the rates below). For levels 2–4, I have the option to include continuing care coverage, which ensures coverage for conditions or illnesses that occur in one plan period will roll over into subsequent ones. This costs $5–10 extra, and is not subject to the multi-pet discount. If I don’t add this, and my cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in the second year, it will not be covered in the third year.

Level 1

Basic accident coverage; $100 deductible, $2,500 maximum incident benefit, and $8,000 annual maximum. Multi-pet discount does not apply for level 1.

For the Yorkshre Terrier: $8.99/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $8.99/mo

For the cat: $6.99/mo

Level 2

Accident and illness coverage; $100 deductible, $1,500 maximum incident benefit, and $8,000 annual maximum. Continuing care offers $1,000 incident limit and $2,500 lifetime limit.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $17.19/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $21.01/mo

For the cat: $11.99/mo

Level 3

Accident, illness, and wellness coverage; $100 deductible, $3,500 maximum incident benefit, $11,000 annual maximum. Continuing care offers $1,500 incident limit and $3,500 lifetime limit.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $31.58/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $38.58/mo

For the cat: $23.92/mo

Level 4

Accident, illness, and deluxe wellness package, which covers vaccinations, annual dental cleanings, and flea and heartworm prevention; $100 deductible, $5,000 maximum incident benefit, $13,000 annual maximum. Continuing care offers $2,500 incident limit and $6,000 annual limit.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $56/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $68.44

For the cat: $48.97/mo

Additional Information

Hartville only issues policies on the 1^st and 15^th of the month. Accident and illness coverage begin as soon as the plan is effective. Illness coverage begins 30 days after the effective date. Payment options include monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. If you pay annually, Hartville will void the $10.50 issuance fee. Your dog must be at least 8 weeks old and under 12 years old to qualify; a surcharge applies when he hits 9 years and then again at 12. Your cat must be at least 8 weeks old and under 14 years old to qualify; a surcharge applies at age 11 and 13.

Conclusions

In making my choice, I will consider the following pros and cons:

Pros

• Hartville is affiliated with the ASPCA, a trusted animal welfare organization that’s been around since 1866.
• The multi-pet discount is 10%—not  5% like other pet insurance companies offer.
• You can see any licensed vet in the US and Canada.
• You can easily track your claim’s status online using the free Member Center.
• You can cancel your plan at any time.

Cons

• If you don’t add continuing care coverage, an accident or illness that occurs in one plan period will be considered pre-existing the following year and, therefore, not covered.
• Not all breeds qualify for all coverage—for example, Chinese Shar-Peis only qualify for level 1.
• You’ll be charged a surcharge as your pet ages.
• There’s no guaranteed turn-around time for claims; it depends on how many claims they’re working on in a given period.
• You can’t change your level of coverage mid-plan—only when it renews.
• Other customer reviews indicate Hartville frequently denies claims.

Considering the exclusions, age-related surcharges, and gaps in coverage for plans that don’t include continuing care, I would opt against choosing Hartville. You get more for around the same amount of money with other companies; and most of them have a far better track record.

Year Company Started: 2008

Underwriter: Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (superior)

Website: www.purinacare.com

Phone: 1877-878-7462

PurinaCare®Pet Health Insurance, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, launched in the spring of 2008. Although the insurance division itself is relatively new, Purina® has been a trusted name in pet-care for the past 85 years.

This pet insurance company offers two simple plans. Both cover treatment for accidents and illnesses, while only one covers preventive care, including vaccinations, annual exams, spaying/neutering, and flea control prescriptions. Both plans allow you to choose from a variety of deductible levels to fit within your monthly budget. PurinaCare® reimburses 80 percent of your eligible expenses, after you meet your annual deductible. Plans have an annual policy limit of $20,000 in coverage but no lifetime limit.

Like all pet insurance companies, PurinaCare® has some exclusions from coverage, including pre-existing conditions, breeding and pregnancy, cosmetic and elective procedures, grooming, and preventable conditions. Parvo, distemper, kennel cough, heartworms—these all qualify as preventable. Unlike other pet insurers, PurinaCare® covers illnesses and injuries caused by hereditary conditions. This is a huge incentive, since many pet insurers refuse claim payment after determining a condition to be hereditary.

As of January 2011, coverage is available in every states and offer three plans.
Accident Only, Accident & Illness, and Accident, Illness, and Preventive Care.

PurinaCare Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

The pre-recorded message gave me the option to get information in English or Spanish. I spoke with Bertha at PurinaCare. Bertha picked up quickly after I indicated I was interested in a new policy. She asked if I had a chance to review the plans online. When I told her I hadn’t, she was very friendly and helpful in explaining all the details.

The Plans/The Quotes

Since I have three pets, I will get a 10% discount on each one of them. If I only had two pets, the discount would be 5%.

Basic: Covers illnesses and accidents, surgeries, hospitalizations, diagnostics, prescription medications and hereditary conditions that aren’t pre-existing.

• For Jax, the Yorkshire Terrier: $37.61/month
• For Max, the Cocker Spaniel: Max $80.47/month
• For Fluffy, the cat: $30.87/month

Preventive care plan: everything above, plus vaccinations up to $150 annually, annual exams, dental cleanings up to $200 annually, spaying and neutering, and a 12-month supply of heartworm and flea control. The website indicates additional preventive care treatments, including $40 for fecal analysis, $75 for annual preventative care blood panel, $50 for microchipping, and varied amounts for spaying and neutering. All preventive care reimbursements apply after you meet the annual deductible.

• For Jax, the Yorkshire Terrier: $57.01/month
• For Max, the Cocker Spaniel: $98.19/month
• For Fluffy the cat: $36.76/month

The Details

The annual policy limit for each pet is $20,000. There is no lifetime limit and no per incident limit. The minimum annual deductible is $250. Although Bertha did not explain this to me on the phone, you can choose a higher deductible and pay less monthly. After you pay that, PurinaCare will reimburse you for 80% of all eligible charges. Once you purchase a policy, there is a 48-hour waiting period for accidents, and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. It takes 7–10 days to receive reimbursement. Pre-existing conditions; fertility, breeding, and pregnancy; preventable conditions; grooming, bathing, and dipping; and cosmetic and elective procedures are excluded, among other things.

The plans renew annually, but you can cancel at any time. Sixty days before the automatic renewal, you’ll receive a reminder in the mail.

Conclusions

After speaking with Bertha and reading other customer reviews online, I’ve decided PurinaCare is one of my top choices for pet health insurance. The pros far outweigh the cons—in fact, I can only find one of the latter.

Pros:

• The Purina brand has an 85-year history.
• PurinaCare Pet Insurance is one of only two companies to receive the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) Seal of Acceptance.
• Illness and injuries caused by hereditary conditions are covered.
• There’s one per-year deductible—and none per incident.
• You can choose your deductible so the premium accommodates your monthly budget.
• The multi-pet discount increases from 5% to 10% if you have three pets.

Cons:

• Preventable conditions are excluded; there could be a lot of gray areas here.

Year Company Started: 1999

Also known under the brand names: PetCare, QuickCare, and ShelterCare.

Underwriter: Praetorian Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.24petwatch.com

Phone: 1866-275-7387

24PetWatch has offered pet insurance since 1999. Also known under the brand names PetCare, QuickCare, and ShelterCare. 24PetWatch is the Canadian insurance arm of Pethealth, Inc. The company offers a variety of affordable plans, from accident-only insurance to comprehensive accident and illness coverage. They also have special policies for pure-bred pets—which often have hereditary defects—and third party damage coverage for apartment-dwelling pets. The first month costs just $1.

24PetWatch Dog Insurance is available to dogs older than 8 weeks of age. Dogs are eligible for enrollment until they are 8 years old, except for certain select breeds, which can only be enrolled up to age 6. In general, 24PetWatch Pet Insurance covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, and prescription medications for accidents and illnesses. For more information about 24PetWatch coverage, please refer to ShelterCare Pet Insurance.

Pros:

• Unlimited lifetime accident coverage.
• Up to $72,000 (dog), $60,000 (cat) lifetime illness coverage.
• Premiums and deductibles DO NOT increase due to pet aging.
• Coverage for hereditary conditions available

Year Company Started: 2004

Underwriter: American Alternative Insurance Corporation and Lloyds of London

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: American Alternative Insurance Corporation (Rating: A+), Lloyds of London (Rating: A)

Website: www.petfirsthealthcare.com

Phone: 1866-937-7387

PetFirst Healthcare covers dogs and cats between eight weeks and 10 years old. As long as you cover your pet before he turns 10, your policy is renewable for life. PetFirst stands apart from other pet insurance companies for a few reasons.

For starters, there are no diagnosis limits. That means you don’t need to worry that you’ll run out of coverage for a specific condition. Secondly, you don’t have to pay a deductible on routine claims. For accidents and illnesses, the deductible is $50.

PetFirst reimburses you 90% up to the per-incident maximum, which depends on which plan you have.

Plans include Basic, Preferred, and Preferred Plus, with annual benefits of $7,500, $12,000, and $15,000 respectively. Each plan covers accidents and illnesses, routine care coverage, boarding kennel fees, and advertising and reward (if you lose your pet—now that’s something unique!) Monthly premiums for cats range between $19.95 and $41.95; for dogs, between $24.95 and $49.95.

If you have multiple pets, opt for the Family Plan. This allows your pets to share accident and illness benefits, while each gets their own routine care benefits. If you have two pets, your premium will range from $41 to $79; for three pets, between $49 and $109.

As with all pet insurance companies, PetFirst excludes certain conditions and procedures. Those include pre-existing conditions, elective procedures (like declawing and tail docking), treatment of parasites, and congenital or hereditary defects, to name a few.

Once you submit your application, there’s a 14-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. You have 90 business days to submit a claim, and can expect payment within 10 business days.

PetFirst Health Care Rerview

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these 3 pet profiles:

1. A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
2. A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
3. An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I spoke with Wanda at PetFirst Health Care. After the pre-recorded message picked up, I waited for about three minutes before Wanda took my call. She told me any pet between 8 weeks and 9 years old is eligible for coverage. Unlike other pet insurance companies, PetFirst charges set fees for family plans (different for two pets or three pets), regardless of their breed, gender, or age.

The Plans

Basic plan: $64/month for all three pets. The annual benefit limit for all of them together is $7,500, and the per incident cap for any one accident or illness is $1,500. PetFirst reimburses 90% after you meet the $50 per accident/illness deductible. Each pet gets $100 annually for routine care, broken down as such:

• $15 for annual exam
• $25 for vaccinations
• $60 for preventative (prescription flea control meds, heartworm meds, heartworm test or microchipping)

Preferred plan: $79/month for all three pets. The shared annual benefit limit is $12,000, and the per incident cap for any one accident or illness is $2,500. PetFirst reimburses 90% after you meet the $50 per accident/illness deductible. Each pet gets $220 annually for routine care, broken down as such:

• $20 for annual exam
• $50 for vaccinations
• $60 for preventative (Rx flea control meds, heartworm meds, heartworm test or microchipping)
• $75 for either spay or neuter, teeth cleaning, behavioral training, or comprehensive health screen
• $15 for fecal test for dogs, leukemia test for cats

Preferred Plus: $109/month for all three pets. The shared annual benefit limit is $15,000, and the per incident cap for any one accident or illness is $3,500. PetFirst reimburses 90% after you meet the $50 per accident/illness deductible. The routine care coverage is the same as the Preferred Plan.

Although Wanda did not explain this, I learned by visiting the website that I can also get accident only coverage for $50.85. This includes $3,000 annually for accident and illness coverage and a $3,000 for incident limit, with 100% reimbursement after you meet the $50 per incident deductible.

PetFirst also has a plan specifically for senior pets that includes $2,000 annually for accident and illness coverage, a $2,000 per incident limit, and $100 routine care limit, with 80% reimbursement after you meet the $100 per incident deductible.

The Details

There is no deductible for routine claims. Accident and routine coverage starts the day after you enroll; illness coverage has a 14-day waiting period. Your monthly payments are automatically debited from your account on the same day every month. The plans do not renew annually. You can cancel at any time by submitting a request in writing.

I learned by visiting the website that you can customize any plan except Accident Only to include additional coverage (not available in Alaska or Massachusetts):

• Breeder’s coverage: add $10 per pet/month
• Hereditary/chronic/congenital, 25%: add $20 per pet/month
• Hereditary/chronic/congenital, 100%: add $50 per pet/month
• Prescription food: add $5 per pet/month

The following (among a few others) is excluded for coverage: pre-existing conditions, elective and cosmetic procedures, breeding and conditions related to breeding (unless specifically added), treatment of external parasites, congenital or hereditary diseases (unless specifically added), and continuous coverage of chronic and long-term conditions that manifest in a previous policy year. This means a condition diagnosed in one year is considered pre-existing when you renew your policy, and will no longer be covered.

Conclusions

Wanda was very helpful and thorough in explaining my options, although she did miss a few details I needed to find on the website.

In making my decision, I’ll consider the following pros and cons:

Pros:

• Premiums are fairly low compared to other companies’.
• You can customize each plan with additional coverage.
• Cost does not increase based on your pet’s age or breed.
• There are no deductibles on routine care.
• Most customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive and indicate PetFirst pays everything they say they will.

Cons:

• Any condition diagnosed in one policy year is considered chronic when you renew, and will no longer be covered.
• It’s helpful that you can add the hereditary/chronic/congenital coverage, but it significantly increases your annual cost (by $300 per pet if you opt for 100%).
• The routine care coverage is not sufficient for some treatments. For example, a teeth cleaning could cost hundreds of dollars, but PetFirst only gives you $75 on the Preferred Plan.
• Customer reviews indicate they take quite a while to pay on claims—up to 4 weeks.

If you’d like to purchase a PetFirst Health Care plan, visit them online or call 1-866-937-7387. Wanda’s extension is 6996.

Year Company Started: 1997

Also known as: ASPCA and Hartville

Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.petshealthplan.com

Phone: 1800-807-6724

PetsHealth/ ASPCA/ Hartville pet Insurance brands are all under one company, Hartville Group, Inc. Petshealth offers four levels of coverage for cats and dogs.

On the low end, Level 1 covers only treatment and medication for accidents—just as the name implies. This plan has a maximum annual benefit of $8,000 with a $2,500 per-incident limit. Coverage for the most comprehensive policy, the Level 4, includes treatment and medication for injury and illness, spaying and neutering, certain vaccinations, annual physical exams, and some chronic and long-term conditions. The maximum annual benefit is $13,000 with a $2,500 per-incident limit.

You can see any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada with a Petshealth plan. After your annual $100 deductible, Petshealth will reimburse you 80%. Once you submit your application, your plan will take effect either on the 1^st or 15^th of the month. Coverage for injuries kicks in right away, whereas illness coverage takes effect after 30 days.

Policy exclusions include pre-existing and recurring illness or injury prior to the effective date, acupuncture, chiropractic or rehabilitative therapies, organ transplants, and elective procedures, among others.

PetsHealth Care Plan Review

Rating: 6

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these 3 pet profiles:

1. A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
2. A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
3. An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I spoke with Michelle at PetsHealth Pet Insurance to get quotes for 3 pets. Since I noticed on the website that PetsHealth is affiliated with the ASPCA, I asked if this insurance was similar to theirs. Michelle informed me the plans are exactly the same. Here, again, is that information:

The Plans/Quotes

Level 2

Accident and Illness Coverage: covers medications, ER visits, office visits, X Rays, diagnostic tests, lab work, hospital stays, and surgery. Coverage offers $1,500 per accident or illness maxing out at $8,000 for the year.

The monthly cost for each pet would be:

• Max, the cocker spaniel, $21.01 (most expensive because this breed gets a lot of ear infections)
• Jax, the Yorkshire terrier $17.44 (10% multi-pet discount applies)
• Fluffy the cat $12.16 (discount also applies)

Level 3

Accident, Illness, and Wellness Coverage: covers everything included in the Level 2 plan, plus an annual physical exam, distemper combo vaccine, rabies, fecal exam, and heartworm test. Coverage offers $3,500 per accident maxing out at $11,000 for the year.

The monthly cost for each pet would be:

• Max, the cocker spaniel, would be $38.58
• Jax the Yorkshire terrier, $32.03 (10% multi-pet discount applies)
• Fluffy the cat, $24.27 (discount also applies)

I can also choose Basic Accident coverage for as low as $.25/day, and Accident, Illness, and Deluxe Wellness care for around $1.79/day.

The Details

Since the plans renew annually, conditions that occur beyond the first year are considered pre-existing when the plan renews. For example, if Fluffy goes to the ER in the second year and the vet determines she has diabetes, this will become a pre-existing condition on year 3, and at that point will not be covered. If I’d like better protection, I can add a continued care package to any plan $5–9 more monthly. For Level 2 coverage, I’d receive up to $1,000 for each problem maxing out at $2,500 for the pet’s lifetime; and for Level 3 coverage, $1,500 for a problem, maxing out at $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime. I can add this coverage for the dogs up until they are 8 and for the cat until she’s 11.

The yearly deductible is $100 per pet for the entire year. PetsHealth will reimburse 80 percent of all allowable costs with a 2–3 week turnaround. I’ll have to pay a one-time annual billing fee of $10.50.

Conclusions

PetsHealth Pet Insurance is exactly the same as the insurance the ASPCA offers. The only difference is that the ASPCA puts a portion of your payments toward the organization, which helps prevent cruelty to animals. For this reason, I can’t think of any reason to choose PetsHealth over ASPCA Pet Insurance.

Pros

• At $100, the deductible is fairly low.
• I can visit any vet in the US or Canada.
• There’s a 10% multi-pet discount.

Cons

• Without the added coverage, any illness from one year is considered a pre-existing condition when the plan renews annually. This means it isn’t covered unless I purchase extra coverage.
• The extra coverage provides up to $3,500 over the pet’s lifetime—possibly not enough to treat a serious disease, like cancer.
• You can get the exact same coverage through the ASPCA, so why go with a partner that offers no additional incentive?

Year Company Started: 2005

Underwriter: AGCS Marine Insurance Company and North American Elite Insurance Company.

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: AGCS Marine Insurance Company (Rating: A+), North American Elite (Rating: A)

Website: www.gopetplan.com

Phone: 1866-467-3875

Based in Philadelphia, Petplan USA is affiliated with Petplan UK – the world’s largest and most trusted pet insurance provider. Over 1 million pet owners have Petplan policies. They provide guaranteed life-time coverage, offer treatment for alternative therapies like acupuncture, and cover hereditary conditions, which most other plans exclude. Additionally, PetPlan does not impose dollar or time limits per condition—meaning your limits are fully reinstated each year, regardless of previous claims. Choose from $50, $100, or $200 deductible (the higher the deductible, the lower your monthly payment).

Petplan Review

Rating: 9

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

After the pre-recorded message picked up, I waited for a pet insurance adviser for six minutes. The recording repeatedly suggested I leave a message instead of waiting. I finally got a representative on the phone, but my call was disconnected. After waiting again for eight minutes, Fabrice took my call. It was well worth the wait.

He informed me that Petplan is the number one rated pet insurance company in the United States, and the world’s largest pet insurance company, covering over a million pets. It got a lot more interesting when he explained why they do not cover routine care: as offered by other pet insurance companies, it’s a scam. Most of them consider the pet’s breed and size and then charge what the average annual veterinary bills cost for the first year of a pet’s life. Since the first year is the most expensive, people generally break even, and possibly come out ahead after meeting the annual deductible on year one. When the policy renews, however, policy holders often pay more in premiums than they’ll use on their pet’s health care. According to Fabrice, you’d be better served to put the money in a savings account—at least then, it will accrue interest.

Although this may have been a well-oiled sales pitch, I must admit I was impressed with his knowledge, as well as the time he took in explaining the industry.

The Plans/Quotes

Fabrice told me you get a 5% discount when you order your policy online and an additional 10% multi-pet discount on each one after the most expensive (reflected in the quotes below). You can choose from three deductible options—$50, $100, or $200—and three levels of reimbursement—80%, 90%, or 100%. I chose a $100 deductible and 90% coverage.

For the 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier:

• Bronze $8,000 annual coverage: $391 annually or $33/month
• Silver $12,000 annual coverage: $438 annually or $37/month
• Gold $20,000 annual coverage: $489 annually or $41/month

For the 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel:

• Bronze $8,000 annual coverage: $824 annually or $69/month
• Silver $12,000 annual coverage: $922 annually or $77/month
• Gold $20,000 annual coverage: $1,029 annually or $86/month

For the 8-year old female mixed breed:

• Bronze $8,000 annual coverage: $276 annually or $27/month
• Silver $12,000 annual coverage: $294 annually or $25/month
• Gold $20,000 annual coverage: $312 annually or $26/month

I asked what the difference would be if I wanted 100% reimbursement just to get an idea. For Fluffy, it brought the rates up about $30 more on every level.

The Details

Fabrice said they are working on their own version of routine care—something more ethical than the current industry standard—that they will roll out in the next few months. All plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions and illnesses for the pet’s entire life. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. The only difference with the plan levels is how much coverage your pet gets annually. There are not caps for injury, illness, or for the plan’s lifetime. With Petplan there are no hidden ceilings, like with other companies. Rates increase based on veterinary inflationary costs, and there are sometimes age adjustments. However, they never go up based solely on claim activity. File as many claims as you need to; you won’t be penalized. You can pay your premiums monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Conclusions

Despite my first impression after the long hold time, I was very satisfied with both the customer service and the information provided. In making my choice, I will consider the following:

Pros

• Petplan has been around for 30 years and is the world’s largest pet insurance provider.
• With three options for deductibles, coverage, and plan level, the policies are highly flexible.
• Hereditary conditions are covered with no dollar or time limits.
• Petplan covers chronic conditions for life as long as you keep renewing the plan with no break in coverage.
• Alternative therapies are covered.
• Insurance underwritten is part of the Allianz insurance group, which is rated by AM Best Financial Strength Rating of “A+”.
• The multi-pet discount is 10%—and you can get that on top of the 5% online discount.
• Cover hip dysplasia at any age of a new enrolled, as long as it’s not pre-existing.
• Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Cons

• Petplan does not currently cover routine care (but that should soon change).
• Other customer reviews indicate specialist care requires a 30% co-pay regardless of how you customize your plan.

Year Company Started: 1996

Website: www.petassure.com

Phone: 1888-789-7387

Pet Assure touts itself the “#1 alternative to pet insurance” and it may be just that. Pet Assure covers all pets, regardless of age, medical condition, or pre-existing condition, without an exclusions, deductibles, or waiting periods. Pet Assure is not insurance, it’s an alternative to insurance, Pet Assure members obtain discounts from a network of thousands of veterinarians and pet suppliers.

Once you buy a policy, the process is simple: just present your Pet Assure card to any participating vet—there are thousands—and you’ll receive 25% off your bill on the spot. There are no claim forms to fill out and no annual usage limits, making it simple to save on office visits, surgeries, elective procedures, hospitalizations, and more. It costs $99 annually or $9.95/month to cover a single dog; and $149 annually or $13.95/month to cover up to four dogs. Cat plans cost $56 annually or $6/month for one.

Pet Assure also provides a lost pet recovery service. When you enroll, your pet will receive an ID tag with a number tied to the company’s database. When someone finds your cat or dog, all they need to do is call the toll-free number, any time day or night, and report the information.

If your pet passes away or you move to an area where there aren’t any participating vets, you can freeze your membership to use at a later time, or transfer it to a friend or family member.

Pet Assure Review

Rating: 7

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

The Details

Leah answered my call quickly, and informed me PetAssure is a discount program—an alternative to pet insurance. With three pets, I would want to purchase the family plan for $149/year or $13.95/month. You can have up to four pets—regardless of age, breed, or pre-existing conditions—on this plan for the same price. There are no exclusions, deductibles, or waiting periods for reimbursements.

As soon as you purchase a policy, you can visit any veterinarian within the network, nationwide, and receive a 25% discount on all services except food and prescribed medications. You never have to fill out a claim form—and even better, there is no annual limit.

Leah asked me for my zip code, and told me there’s a participating veterinarian just six miles from my home. She gave me the option to sign up online or on the phone. If I opted to complete the transaction with her, she’d have given me all the relevant information to start using the plan right away. When you sign up online, it takes a few days to activate your policy.

Conclusions

PetAssure’s program is simple and inclusive, providing a discount on just about every service. There are no hidden exclusions—what you see is what you get! If your pet has pre-existing conditions that traditional pet insurance won’t cover, this is definitely the way to go. If, for example, your dog needed a surgery that cost $2,000, you’d save $400—far exceeding your annual fee.

Pros

• Pays 25 percent of all veterinary services
• No deductible, no limits, no exclusions
• Covers exotic pets
• Costs less than traditional insurance

Cons

• Have to use a participating veterinarian
• Leaves you responsible for most of a large expense

Year Company Started: 1999

Also known under the brand names: PetCare, QuickCare, and 24PetWatch.

Underwriter: Praetorian Insurance Company

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A (excellent)

Website: www.sheltercare.com

Phone: 1-877-707-7297

ShelterCare Pet Insurance, a leading brand of Pethealth, Inc., covers all cats and dogs over 8 weeks old regardless of age or health. Also known under the brand names PetCare, QuickCare, and 24PetWatch. The company offers a variety of affordable plans, from accident-only insurance to comprehensive accident and illness coverage. They also have special policies for pure-bred pets—which often have hereditary defects—and third party damage coverage for apartment-dwelling pets. The first month costs just $1.

Unlimited accident lifetime coverage always begins the next day after your enrollment application is approved. Illness coverage—up to $72,000 lifetime for dogs and $60,000 lifetime for cats—begins after 30 days. As a condition of your policy, you must give your pet all required vaccinations and schedule annual exams.

Unlike other companies, ShelterCare does not increase premiums or deductibles as your pet ages. You can visit any veterinarian in North America and you can change or cancel your policy at any time. The company also offers real-time insurance claim processing with EVE through participating clinics (and reimbursement within 10 days for nonparticipating clinics.) Most pet insurers only offer reimbursement.

Additional benefits include trip cancellation insurance, boarding kennel fees, coverage for prescriptions, and discounts for policy holders with micro-chipped or multiple pets.

Shelter Care Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 4

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I spoke with Shima at Shelter Care Pet Insurance to get quotes for two dogs and a cat. Shima was friendly enough, but the overall experience was less impressive than calls I’ve had with other pet insurance companies. At least twice she recommended I get information on the website instead of speaking with her because that would be easier.

The Plans/Quotes

Shima gave me quotes for two popular plans—Basic and Comprehensive. She told me there are many other plans in between that offer varying levels of coverage.

Basic

Covers 2 illnesses and 7 accidents per year with a $100 deductible and 100% coverage

You get $500 for each illness and $1,000 for each accident per year

$17/month for each pet

Comprehensive

Covers all accidents and illnesses with a $100 deductible per condition and 70% reimbursement

You get $5,000 per illness category, totaling $60,000 over the pet’s lifetime (there are 12 categories) and $5,000 per accident, with no lifetime limit

$56/month for dogs and $40/month for cats

The Details

I reviewed the website to fill in the gaps from my conversation with Shima. That only led to more confusion.

On the site, the different levels of coverage are listed as:

• ShelterCare Intro
• QuickCare
• QuickCare Gold
• QuickCare Complete
• QuickCare Optimum
• QuickCare Senior
• EmergencyCare
• TenantCare

I believe ShelterCare Intro is what Shima referred to as Basic. It provides up to $500 in coverage for any first time illness—meaning you cannot seek treatment for the same illness twice. There’s a list of specific incidents for which you get $1,000, including poison ingestion, burns, and bone fractures. The first month costs $1, and after that the premium increases to $15.13. Pre-existing conditions are not covered. The plan takes effect the day after you purchase it, one minute after midnight.

QuickCare Complete is likely the comprehensive coverage she referred to.

The 12 illness categories include:

• Blood & lymphoid system
• Cardiovascular & respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Ears
• Eyes
• Endocrine system
• Cancer
• Infectious diseases
• Musculoskeletal system
• Nervous system
• Skin
• Urogenital system

This plan includes Wellness Care Coverage, which gives you $150 annually to put toward vaccinations, annual physical exams, spaying/neutering, heartworm testing, heartworm prevention, and teeth cleaning. Accident coverage is available the day after you purchase your policy and illness coverage 14 days later. According to the website, this costs $54.90/month for dogs and $38.45/month for cats.

All plans are month-to-month, so you can cancel at any time.

Conclusions

Pros:

• ShelterCare offers many plans for different budgets.
• You get unlimited lifetime accident coverage.
• Most programs include coverage for hereditary conditions and Cancer.
• Premiums do not increase as your pet ages.

Cons:

• The basic plan is highly limiting, covering only first-time illnesses, and only 2 per year.
• The Comprehensive plan limits you within specific categories. If your dog has a heart problem, it would be advantageous to have the full range of coverage available for heart-related incidents.
• ShelterCare reimburses 70%—whereas other companies reimburse 80% or 90%.
• Money debited from your account may be subject to an international transfer fee because the company is based in Ontario.
• $150 is not a lot for annual wellness coverage
• Customer reviews are overwhelmingly negative.

]]> http://www.bestpetinsurance.com/sheltercare-pet-insurance.html/feed 10 http://www.bestpetinsurance.com/healthy-paws.html http://www.bestpetinsurance.com/healthy-paws.html#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:25:16 +0000 Best Pet Insurance http://www.bestpetinsurance.com/?p=1365

Overview

Year Company Started: 2010

Underwriter: Markel Corporation

AM Best Financial Strength Rating: bbb+ as of 1/21/2011

Website: www.healthypawspetinsurance.com

Phone: 1800-453-4054

The newest addition to the United State’s pet insurance industry is Healthy Paws. This insurer operates in every state and DC. Their insurance offers coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions and covers the cost of treatments up to ninety percent.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance provides lifetime health coverage. From minor accidents that heal quickly to chronic conditions that require treatment well into old age. They offer one plan covering everything that matters including injuries, illnesses, genetic conditions, and emergency care. You pay as little as 10% of your vet bill. The plan can be customized, and there are options for annual deductible and reimbursement levels.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 8

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

I was prompted to click 1 for the sales department. I spoke with Shandy at Healthy Paws. She was very friendly. Even though I’ve mentioned that I’ve just got a quote from their website, she was still very patiently explained the coverage details to me and answer all of my questions promptly.

The Plans/Quotes

Healthy Paws provides one plan that covers all of the essentials like illnesses, injuries, emergency conditions, and emergency care. You do not have to worry about the number of incidents or annual limits. The policy will cover all the unexpected things you may encounter.

Their plan includes accident and illness coverage with a $25,000 lifetime benefits per pet, a $500 deductible, and 10% co-payments.

For the Yorkshire Terrier: $28.16/mo

For the Cocker Spaniel: $39.29/mo

For the cat: $22.67/mo

Your plan includes coverage for:

• Diagnostics (i.e. X-Rays)
• Hospitalization
• Surgeries
• Prescription Medications
• Cancer
• Hereditary Conditions
• Congenital Conditions
• Emergency Care

Plan Details

• Coverage for any Accident or Illness
• No Annual or Per Incident Caps on Claims
• Reimbursement Levels up to 90%
• Hereditary and Congenital Conditions Covered
• Emergency Care Included
• $25,000 in Lifetime Benefits per Dog
• Complete Cancer Coverage
• Premiums increase by 9% each year

Chronic Disease and Continuous Conditions Coverage

The base policy offered by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance covers chronic diseases and continuous conditions. However, it cannot be a pre-existing condition or occur during the stipulated waiting period. Also, the lifetime maximum payout cannot have been met.

Coverage for Hereditary & Congenital Diseases

Healthy Paws covers all treatments, diagnostics, and medications that come with congenital and hereditary conditions. When a congenital or hereditary condition is found prior to the enrollment of a pet, it will be considered pre-existing and will not be covered.

For pets that are enrolled prior to six years of age, hip dysplasia coverage is available, but there is a twelve month waiting period before the coverage goes into effect.

Conclusions

In making a choice for a pet insurance provider, I will consider the following pros and cons:

Pros:

• The underwriter is strong.
• When traveling to Canada or Mexico and traveling out of state, the insurance still provides coverage.
• The lifetime payout maximum is generous.
• The coverage for hip dyplasia, hereditary or congenital disease, cancer, and chronic disease is comprehensive.
• Chronic diseases are covered continually

Cons:

• This company is newer.
• It doesn’t cover exam fees for injuries/accidents or illnesses.
• Only pets enrolled prior to six years old are eligible for hip dysplasia coverage.
• There is only limited coverage for non-routine dental care.