There are many types of pet insurance programs. The least expensive plans cover accident only, those in the middle price range cover accident and illness (including diagnostic testing, various treatments, and prescription medications), and pricier plans cover extras such as preventative and general wellness care, treatment of chronic or hereditary conditions, and advertising and rewards for missing pets. Insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions, and each company has specific exclusions (see insurance company websites for details).
The following summaries provide a comparison of American pet insurers. Monthly premiums, deductibles, and copay (the percentage paid by the client) vary based on the following factors:
- Type of plan
- Species
- Breed
- Age
- Location
- Customer preference (with customizable plans)
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance – HealthyPawsPetInsurance.com
This newcomer on the pet insurance scene is garnering rave reviews, praised for everything from caring customer service to prompt, reliable payment of claims. At the time of this writing, Healthy Paws is the top-ranked company on PetInsuranceReview.com.
- Average customer rating: 9.8 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $13-$90, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $50-$500
- Copay: 10%-30%
- Maximum payout: No limit
- Maximum enrollment age: 13 years
Petplan USA – GoPetPlan.com
Petplan is among the top-ranked insurance providers on the Pet Insurance Review website. Reviews indicate that most pet owners have found the company to be responsive and that it usually pays relatively fast with little hassle.
- Average customer rating: 9.3 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: approximately $5-$64
- Deductible: $50-$200 per incident
- Copay: 0%-20% (30% for visits to specialists)
- Maximum payout: $8,000-$20,000 annual
- Maximum enrollment age: No upper limit
Embrace – EmbracePetInsurance.com
Embrace has been praised by many reviewers for good customer service and transparency. Embrace donates $2 to a pet-related charity for every policy sold.
- Average customer rating: 9.2 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: $22 on average for cats; $27 for dogs ($30 for puppies); higher with wellness services (toal range of approximately $9-$80, depending on plan)
- Deductible: $100-$1,000
- Copay: 10%-35%
- Maximum payout: Up to $50,000 lifetime, up to $15,000 annual
- Maximum enrollment age: Cats 10 years (8 for purebreds); dogs 8 years (6 for purebreds)
PurinaCare – PurinaCare.com
Another highly rated pet insurance provider, PurinaCare was praised by the majority of reviewers for quick processing, responsive customer service, and willingness to ensure older pets.
- Average customer rating: 8.5 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $11-$83, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $100-$1,000
- Copay: 20%-$40
- Maximum payout: Up to $20,000 annual, depending on the plan
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
Trupanion – TrupanionPetInsurance.com
Trupanion has also been noted for good customer service and speed of claims processing, and unlike most providers, the company doesn't increase premiums as pets age.
- Average customer rating: 8.5 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $11-$70
- Deductible: $0-$1,000
- Copay: 10%
- Maximum payout: $20,000 lifetime-unlimited, depending on region
- Maximum enrollment age: 13 years
Pets Best – PetsBest.com
Most reviewers have rated Pets Best highly for courteous service and prompt payment of claims, and many cited it as a great provider for older pets (there are no age restrictions). However, a few reviewers have complained about rejected claims.
- Average customer rating: 8.3 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $4-$80, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $100-500 per incident
- Copay: 20%
- Maximum payout: $2,500-$14,000 per incident; $42,000-$100,000 lifetime
- Maximum age of enrollment: Unlimited
PetFirst Healthcare – PetFirstHealthCare.com
Most reviewers have had positive things to say about PetFirst, particularly the pleasant customer service and swift payment, though a few have complained about some aspects of coverage, such as lack of continuous coverage for chronic conditions with some plans. Many clients appreciate the fact that PetFirst is willing to insure older pets.
- Average customer rating: 8 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $24-$115
- Deductible: $50-$100 per incident
- Copay: 10% for pets under 10 years; 20% for seniors
- Maximum payout: $2,000-$15,000 annual/$1,500-$3,500 per incident for pets under 10 years ($2,000 for senior pets)
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
ASPCA/Hartville/Petshealth – ASPCAPetInsurance.com
Many reviewers have praised the company’s user-friendly claims process and said that they had no problems in getting their claims paid, but some have charged that the company avoids paying certain claims by labeling new conditions as preexisting.
- Average customer rating: 7.8 out of 10 (reviews over the past year give the company 8.2 out of 10, suggesting improvement)
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $12-$90
- Deductible: $100
- Copay: 20%
- Maximum payout: $8,000-$13,000 annual/$1,500-$5,000 per incident
- Maximum enrollment age: Cats 14 years, dogs 12 years
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) – PetInsurance.com
VPI, the largest and oldest U.S. pet insurer, covers birds and exotic pets as well as cats and dogs. Consumer response to this insurance company has been mixed, with just over half noting very positive experiences and a significant minority complaining of poor service and rejected claims.
- Average customer rating: 7.4 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $10-$61, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $100-$1,000
- Copay: None
- Maximum payout: $7,000-$14,000 annual
- Maximum enrollment age: 9 years
Pet Partners (AKC Pet HealthCare Plan) – AKCPetHealthCare.com
Although a number of reviewers are happy with this company, many have complaints, ranging from rejected claims to exclusions to high prices.
- Average customer rating: 5.5 out of 10 (over the past year, the average has been 7, suggesting improvement)
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $13-$72, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $125 (annual for some plans, per incident for others)
- Copay: 10%-20%
- Maximum payout: $1,500 to $5,000 per incident, $11,000-$13,000 annual
- Maximum enrollment age: 8 years
Pethealth Inc./24PetWatch – PetCareInsurance.com/24PetWatch.com
Pethealth insurance is available under several brands, including QuickCare, PetCare, UnionPlus, ShelterCare, CherryBlue, Union Plus Pet Insurance, EVE, Petpoint, and 24PetWatch. Many reviewers have complained about long wait times, rejected claims, and poor customer service, although some rate the company 9 or 10 out of 10. Pethealth is willing to insure older pets, and does not increase premiums as pets age.
- Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $9-$80, depending on plan
- Deductible: $100
- Copay: 10%-30%
- Maximum payout: Up to $60,000 lifetime for illnesses in cats, up to $72,000 for dogs; unlimited lifetime for accidents; $2,500-$5,000 per incident; $2,500-$5,000 per body system for cats, $3,000-$6,000 per body system for dogs
- Maximum enrollment age: Cats 10 years, dogs 8 years (6 for select breeds); no upper limit on senior plans or accident-only
*This list was last updated December 13, 2011. Premiums, copays, maximums, and average customer ratings may have changed slightly since the last update.
For more information about affordable pet health care, see Free and Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinics.
References:
- Insurance company websites
- PetinsuranceReview.com
- PetInsuranceReviews.org
- Pet Insurance University - a Vet’s Guide to Pet Insurance (detailed reviews by a veterinarian)
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
Comments