Pet Insurance Information
Courtesy of Scotts Valley Veterinary Clinic.
WHAT IS PET INSURANCE?
Pet insurance helps to cover costs associated with any veterinary care. It is often used to help cover costs due to illness or accidents. Pet insurance can allow you and your veterinarian to make medical decisions for your pet without having cost influence your choices as much. Most insurance policies cover only accidents or illnesses, although some companies offer routine and wellness coverage. The monthly fee (premium) and deductible (amount you owe at each invoice) can vary significantly from company to company and are influenced by factors such as your pet’s age at sign-up, breed, pre-existing conditions, etc. Most companies offer a “Request a Quote” option on their website to give you a more accurate example of your pet’s costs.
HOW PET INSURANCE WORKS
- Pet insurance is a reimbursement program. You pay the veterinary clinic for services, submit a claim to the insurance company, and are reimbursed directly. After your selected deductible, if your insurance covers the issue, they will reimburse you up to a certain percentage of the total. Most companies have a mobile phone app or website to make it as convenient as possible. We accept all pet insurance companies as they all work through a reimbursement system.
- A waiting period often defines when coverage starts after you sign up. These periods may vary depending on the illness or concern. Don’t wait for your pet to be sick to sign up for coverage.
- Pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions (any condition or concern previously diagnosed by a veterinarian). Some conditions and treatments are excluded from coverage (general or based on breed). Please contact the company for a complete list of any exclusions or limits.
- Historically, most plans cover only accidents and illness. Wellness exams, vaccines, preventatives, and dental cleanings are not usually covered. However, more and more companies have started to offer wellness coverage. Most clients are satisfied with a combination of wellness and illness/injury plans.
Below is a list of some of the most common available companies. Please contact the company directly for any costs/coverage questions. This is not an exhaustive list, and information is subject to change.
|
Company |
Phone Number |
Website |
Offer Wellness Coverage? |
|
Nationwide |
(800) 540-2016 |
Yes |
|
|
Trupanion |
(888)733-2685 |
No |
|
|
Healthy Paws |
(855)898-8991 |
No |
|
|
Embrace |
(800)511-9172 |
Yes |
|
|
PetsBest |
(877)738-7237 |
Yes |
|
|
PetPlan |
(866)467-3875 |
No |
|
|
ASPCA |
(866)204-6764 |
Yes |
|
|
Met Life |
(855)270-7387 |
Yes |
|
|
24PetWatch |
(866)375-7387 |
Yes |
|
|
AKC |
(866)725-2747 |
Yes |
|
|
FIGO |
(844)738-3446 |
Yes |
|
|
Lemonade |
(844)733-8666 |
Yes |
Nationwide – (800) 540-2016 | www.petinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
Trupanion – (888) 733-2685 | www.trupanion.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? No
Healthy Paws – (855) 898-8991 | www.healthypawspetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? No
Embrace – (800) 511-9172 | www.embracepetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
PetsBest – (877) 738-7237 | www.petsbest.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
PetPlan – (866) 467-3875 | www.gopetplan.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? No
ASPCA – (866) 204-6764 | www.aspcapetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
Met Life – (855) 270-7387 | www.metlifepetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
24PetWatch – (866) 375-7387 | www.24petwatch.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
AKC – (866) 725-2747 | www.akcpetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
FIGO – (844) 738-3446 | www.figopetinsurance.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes
Lemonade – (844) 733-8666 | www.lemonade.com | Offer Wellness Coverage? Yes