Is Pet Best Insurance Good

It Doesnt Cover Everything

On average, a pet owner with insurance still pays around 20% of their pets medical expenses, according to a report by the New York Times. Routine wellness checkups usually arent covered , so youll still pay for those out of pocket. Certain hereditary/genetic conditions may also not be covered be sure to check each policys specifics carefully.

Pet Insurance Review Can Help You Compare Policies From A Growing Range Of Pet Insurance Providers Across The United States And Canada

Weve compiled the most useful information for each insurer on levels of coverage, reimbursement options, exclusions and deductibles, so you can compare the value of different pet insurance plans and be better informed when it comes to choosing the best pet insurance for you and your pet. You can also read the reviews of thousands of other pet parents for each insurer by clicking their view insurer button below. Click the gold get a quote buttons to get a quote direct from a particular insurer or use our quote form to get quotes from several leading insurers.

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Does Pets Best Cover Exotic Animals

Currently, Pets Best only provides coverage for dogs and cats. It insures puppies and kittens as young as seven weeks old, and there is no cutoff for maximum age coverage, which is quite unusual in the pet insurance industry. If you need coverage for exotic animals , check out our article here for more information. There are a few options out there for you. After all, exotic animals need treatment as well.

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Is Pet Insurance Expensive

As with any insurance, youll want to weigh the cost of the insurance over time against potential payouts. But pet insurance doesnt have to break the bank, like human health insurance does. For example, for a pet insurance plan with a $5,000 maximum yearly payout for a Chihuahua puppy, we saw prices as low as $21 a month from Lemonade and Pets Best.

Note that the pet insurance price you pay when your pet is a puppy or kitten will generally increase each year when you renew the policy.

Average Cost Of Pet Insurance

Over one-third of dog owners havent considered pet insurance because they think it will be too expensive, according to a Forbes Advisor survey. Yet 89% of dog owners estimate that the cost of pet insurance is higher than it actually is. And 76% of dog owners overestimate the cost of pet insurance by at least three times the average price, our survey found.

Heres a look at the actual average cost of pet insurance, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis:

• Pet insurance with $5,000 in annual coverage costs an average of $34 a month for a puppy, $35 a month for a dog and $28 a month for a cat.
• Pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage costs an average of $53 per month for a dog and $39 per month for a cat.

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How To Get Pet Health Insurance

To sign up for pet health insurance, youll need the following information for your pet:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Vets name and contact information

Have your pet seen by a vet if you havent done so within the past year.

Most pet insurance providers have waiting periods, which means you cant get coverage immediately following an accident or illness. So if you think youd be interested in pet insurance, apply now before you end up needing it.

Pets Best Customer Service

Pets Best reviews are not as strong as other pet insurance providers, with most negative reviews alleging improperly denied claims and long wait times for claims reimbursement. However, the company does offer several ways to get in touch.

Pet owners can call the company Monday through Friday from 7 am to 7 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm at 1-877-738-7237.

There is also a live chat option through the companys website, and a message function that sends an e-mail to customer care representatives. Pet owners may also connect with Pets Best on social media or via fax at 1-866-777-1434.

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What Is A Preexisting Condition

A preexisting condition is defined as any diagnosis, treatment, illness or symptoms of a condition listed in your pets medical record before they were insured. For example, if you took your cat to the vet before your insurance policy was active and the vet diagnosed your cat with allergies, your pet insurer would not cover medications or treatments for those allergies.

How Do I Choose The Right Pet Insurance For Me

Choosing the right pet insurance for you depends on your budget and your pet’s health needs. The most affordable plans only cover care for accidents, so most customers choose a comprehensive plan that covers treatment for accidents and illnesses. Pets Best also offers an optional preventative care plan, which can be added to a comprehensive plan. Learn more about shopping for pet insurance .

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Covered My Dogs Expenses

Pets best covered my dogs brain tumor surgery and radiation, over 15k worth of treatment. You do wait a little while, 2-3 weeks, while they process the claim and have to pay up front, but thats expected. Nothing but positive things to say. There are certain things they dont cover and you have to meet your deductible before they begin to cover expenses, but again these are listed in the documents when you sign up. As far as the app goes, using the website is better, but the app is convenient at times. Highly recommend Pets Best based off my experience with the company. Healthcare in general and knowing what is covered and what isnt covered and what documents to submit for claims processing can be frustrating and time consuming, but I dont necessarily believe this is pets best fault. I would advise you keep all your receipts and after visit summaries in digital form and properly store them for easy retrieval.

Coverage Provided For Prosthetic And Wheelchairs

Not all companies will cover prosthetic devices or wheelchairs, but these mobility tools are covered by Pets Best when theyre prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for a qualifying condition, such as an amputation after an accident.

Broad range of deductibles

Pet insurers often have a limited range of deductibles typically, they range between $250 and $1,000. With Pets Best, you have more options. You can choose a deductible as low as $50 or as high as $1,000, so you can select one that gives you the premium and benefits you want.

Coverage available to pets as young as seven weeks with no upper age limit

Pets Best insures pets as young as seven weeks, which is younger than most companies cover. Plus, theres no upper age limit, so you can get coverage for your senior pets.

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Who Is Pets Best Insurance

Pets Best Story is a bit unique in that it was founded by an actual Veterinarian.

You can say the founder of Pets Best is also the founder of the pet insurance industry in a whole.

Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC was founded by Dr. Jack Stephens and Greg McDonald in Boise, ID in 2005.

However, Dr. Stephens was offering pet insurance as early as 1982. When Dr. Jack created Pets Best, they partnered with a couple of companies to underwrite their policies, and the most noteworthy one is American Pet Insurance Company or APIC.

American Pet Insurance Company has been around since 2000 and has an A Demotech rating.

This is an important factor because when it comes to pet insurance, you need to know that you can rely on an insurance company and that they are financially sound.

I have put their company disclosure in a quote block so that you can better view it.

Pets Best State Availability

The good news is that Pets Best insurance is available for purchase in all 50 states. While the coverage price may fluctuate from state to state, you can rest assured that its pet insurance coverage is available to you whether you live in Maryland, Wyoming, Oregon, or Tennessee.

However, one important thing to keep in mind is that just because insurance is available in all states that doesnt mean the cost is the same. The cost of living varies greatly from state to state, so it only makes sense that veterinarian services and pet supplies will cost more in some states.

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Important Pets Best Considerations For Owners

From unexpected accidents, routine checkups, and preventative care, you can find comprehensive coverage from Pets Best Pet Insurance. However, there are some considerations owners should bear in mind when comparing providers:

• This pet insurance company allows you to select one of two limits for annual reimbursement, but its impossible to predict what could happen within a year.
• Pre-existing conditions and end-of-life care are not covered by any Pets Best insurance plan.
• Customized plans provide budget-friendly flexibility, but they can also become a bit confusing. Be sure to keep track of what is and isn’t covered in your specific policy, or use Pawlicy Advisor for a clear and concise breakdown of the fine details.

How Pet Insurance Costs Are Determined

The type of pet is just one factor in the cost of pet insurance. For example, cats are generally cheaper to insure than dogs, and birds, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles are cheaper to insure than cats.

Here are some common factors that determine pet insurance cost:

• Pets breed. Certain breeds are predisposed to illnesses and hereditary problems, which often means more veterinary visits and higher medical expenses.
• Pets age. Older pets are more expensive to insure than younger pets. We found the best prices were after a pets first birthday until around age six. As the pet gets older, your pet insurance premiums could increase when you renew the policy.
• Pets gender. Insurers have found that male pets usually have a higher number of claims than females, so some use gender in pricing. Female pets cost about 5% less than males for pet insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• Your location. Veterinary costs vary by location, so pet insurance plan costs account for that.
• Annual maximum, deductible and reimbursement level. These are the three main variables that determine your reimbursement level when you have a claim. You will pay more if you select a high annual maximum, low deductible and high reimbursement level. For example, a plan with unlimited annual coverage, a low deductible and a 90% reimbursement level would be most expensive each month because it has the potential to pay out much more.

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Our Review Of Pets Best Pet Insurance

Pets Best insurance performed well in our review on key factors, such as monthly cost, plan options, coverage, deductible choices, company reputation, customer service, and species eligibility, receiving a total score of 96.5 out of 100.

Some highlights include:

• Exceptionally competitive pricing
• Low deductible option of $50
• Great choice for pet parents who want to pay less out of pocket during a claim

With availability in all 50 states, and scoring high in all reviewed areas, the This Old House Reviews team would recommend getting a pet insurance quote from Pets Best.

How Does Pets Best Reimbursement Work

You need to submit a claim to get reimbursed for your out-of-pocket costs. Once your claim is submitted, Pets Best will work on verifying and approving it. Your vet will be contacted and asked to release medical records to ensure the claim you are filing isnt a pre-existing condition. Once the medical records are obtained, the claims team of licensed vets and vet techs will look everything over. Claims that are approved will be distributed to you via the method you have selected, either by direct deposit to your bank or a mailed check.

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Pets Best Vs Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws and Pets Best offers accident and illness coverage that pays for hospitalization, surgeries and prescription medicine. However, Healthy Paws has only one plan available, while Pets Best provides three different tiers so you can choose the coverage you need. For instance, Healthy Paws doesnt cover the vets exam fee, while Pets Best has an option to cover this cost.

Healthy Paws offers more reimbursement options than Pets Best for some pets, while Pets Best has slightly more deductible options. But, overall, Pets Best gives customers more coverage choices than Healthy Paws, which doesnt provide wellness plans or accident-only policies.

Healthy Paws has a 15-day waiting period in most states. It also has a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia if your pet is younger than 6. Pets Best has a waiting period of three days for accidents, 14 days for illness and six months for cruciate ligament issues.

Pets Best may be a better choice if youre looking for more options to save. Healthy Paws doesnt advertise discounts, while Pets Best offers two, a multi-pet discount and a military discount.

Tips For Reducing Your Car Insurance Premiums In Richmond Hill:

• Buy winter tires: Being located right along the Ontario Snowbelt, Richmond Hill actually gets much more snow than Toronto. To counteract the premium increases that may come with this, try purchasing winter tires to obtain a discount on your car insurance rates.
• Enroll in a telematics program: Depending on how much and how well you drive in Richmond Hill, you may be able to reduce your premiums. A telematics program can help you do just that by recording your mileage and your driving habits for your insurance company so you can qualify for discounts. The only caveat is that youll need to demonstrate good driving habits in order to get the discount at renewal.
• Bundle your home and auto insurance together: Lastly, a common way to qualify for car insurance discounts is to bundle your home and auto insurance together. Most insurance companies will reward customers who hold more than one policy with them. To find out if you qualify, ask your broker or agent about this option. You can indicate that youre planning on doing this during the quote application process on LowestRates.ca

Jessica Vomiero

About the Author

Jessica is the former Associate Editor for LowestRates.ca. Before joining the team, Jessica worked as a National Online Journalist with Globalnews.ca and previously spearheaded the launch of the Business Section at one of Canada’s largest technology websites, MobileSyrup.

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Summary Of Moneys Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Even if you have pet insurance, the cost of treatments for dogs and cats that are ill or injured in an accident can be quite expensive. And if your pet needs mobility assistance, you may find that typical pet insurance companies dont cover devices like prosthetics or wheelchairs.

With Pets Best, you can get coverage that includes reimbursement for mobility devices. It has multiple annual maximums, reimbursement levels and deductibles to choose from so you can find a plan that meets your budget. However, you should be aware that Pets Bests can take several weeks to process your claims and issue you a check.

Before enrolling in a policy from Pets Best or any other insurer, carefully read your loan agreement and claims processing information to make sure you pick a plan that meets your pets needs.

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover

Here are some common pet insurance exclusions:

• Experimental treatment. This includes treatments that are considered experimental, investigational and not within the standard of care accepted by the veterinary medical board in your state.
• Food, dietary and nutritional supplements. Your pets dietary expenses are usually not covered by pet insurance, but some plans cover prescription food and supplements.
• Grooming. Services such as baths, dips, nail trims and shampoos are typically not covered by pet insurance.
• Non-veterinary expenses. This includes expenses such as any license or certification, compliance with a government rule or regulation , record access or copying, and waste disposal services.
• Pre-existing conditions. This includes illnesses and injuries that your pet had before your coverage started. Some plans do not permanently exclude pre-existing conditions. For example, ASPCA pet insurance covers curable pre-existing conditions if your pet has not shown signs or symptoms of certain conditions for 180 days. If the condition recurs after 180 days, it is covered like a new problem.

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Types Of Pet Insurance Plans

When youre looking to insure your pet, the first thing to do is take a good look at your finances and how much youre able and willing to spend in case of an emergency. Pet insurance policies vary in their coverage and, of course, premiums. Understanding the various types of policy, and what each offers, is crucial for understanding how to buy pet insurance.

• Accident-only policies An accident-only plan may suit you best if your main concern is your cat or dogs propensity for mishaps . Theyre usually more affordable than plans with more expansive coverage.

• Accident & Illness policies These are the all-inclusive pet insurance plans, covering both accident and illness coverage. They can be expanded to be truly comprehensive by buying wellness coverage, which is usually an add-on rather than an integrated part of the plan.

• Comprehensive policies Some insurers offer comprehensive policies covering everything, from accidents to illnesses to wellness and routine care. For example, they may cover the cost of dental care, chiropractic care, spaying, vaccinations, behavioral therapy, and more. Naturally, these plans have the heftiest price tag but might be worth it to you for the peace of mind they provide.

If you want to evaluate whether an insurer is right for you, its a good idea to download its sample policy, which is usually available on the company website.