Pets Best Pet Insurance Review

Pets Best pet insurance plans and cost

Published price examples give the rate for one specific sample pet, not a typical price for every household. Published rate examples list $37.68 each month for a dog policy and $23.23 each month for a cat policy.

Both rates average every state plus Washington, D.C. They cover pets that are 1-year-old and 6-year-old and neutered (dogs that are medium mixed-breed, cats that are domestic shorthair). The sample quotes rely on the Essential accident-and-illness plan, which carries a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement rate, plus $10,000 and unlimited limits.

The deductible is the dollar amount of covered vet bills that you pay before your plan starts paying. For cat coverage or Pets Best dog insurance, you can select a deductible from $100 to $1,000.

Your yearly payout cap can be a $5,000 annual limit, or you can buy unlimited coverage. You qualify for a 5% discount when you insure multiple pets on your account.

What Pets Best covers, and what it excludes

An accident-and-illness plan is one option, and you can instead choose accident-only coverage for injuries alone. A routine wellness plan is also available to help pay for preventive vet visits. These items come with standard accident-and-illness policies:

• Exam fees for eligible visits where your pet is sick or injured
• Hereditary conditions include those a pet is born with and those it develops later
• Dental illness and behavioral conditions get limited coverage
• Alternative therapy coverage comes with the optional add-on that appears in the sample policy booklet.

Each plan also lists exclusions for treatment the insurer won't pay for. A pre-existing condition means a health issue that affected your pet before coverage began, and the plan excludes pre-existing conditions. Standard policy rules also list these other exclusions:

• Preventive and routine care are excluded unless you add a wellness plan
• Procedures that are elective or cosmetic
• Training that addresses behavioral conditions
• Alternative treatments, which aren't covered unless you buy the add-on
• Grooming, plus prescription pet foods and supplements
• Conditions tied to breeding or pregnancy

Pets Best age limits and waiting periods

A puppy or kitten can be enrolled once it reaches 7 weeks old. Because there is no upper age limit, senior dogs and cats may sign up no matter how old they are.

Your coverage starts later, not on the day you purchase your policy. Your plan begins paying claims after these periods, based on the waiting period schedule:

• Accidents: 3 days
• Illnesses: 14 days
• Orthopedic conditions: 6 months
• Most states apply a 6-month wait to cruciate ligament conditions.

Illness or injury that appears before those waiting periods finish is treated as a pre-existing condition.

Pets Best reimbursement and claims

You can file claims in the online Customer Account or in the Pets Best mobile app (Android and iOS) when your pet needs care. The published policy materials don't state the processing speed for claims.

Usually, you settle the vet bill at checkout, then wait for reimbursement. Rather than pay the full bill up front, you can have Pets Best pay your vet directly.

New policyholders receive a 30-day refund period after buying a policy. Cancel within that period with no paid claims, and a full refund comes to you.

The people Pets Best suits

Pets Best pet health insurance works for owners of older dogs and cats, since no maximum enrollment age applies. It also suits pet parents who want the vet paid directly, exam fees included, or no yearly cap.

Some pet parents may prefer another insurer if they want preventive care included or a shorter wait for knee problems. You need an extra wellness plan for routine visits, and pre-existing issues stay excluded. Cruciate ligament coverage also carries a long wait in most states.

Common questions

Is Pets Best pet insurance worthwhile?

Does dog coverage or Pets Best cat insurance fit within your budget? It depends on whether you want help with exam fees, hereditary issues, and unexpected emergencies. You can choose from flexible deductibles and direct vet payment, but routine care or alternative therapies cost extra.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by Pets Best pet insurance?

Your policy excludes any chronic or ongoing condition that began before your coverage took effect. Some curable conditions, such as bruises, broken bones, and kennel cough, may be covered once they remain healed or cured. The healed or cured status must last 12 to 18 months.

What's the process for getting a Pets Best pet insurance quote?

You can get a quote on the company website by entering basic details about your dog or cat. From there, you pick an accident-and-illness or accident-only plan, adjust your deductible, reimbursement level, and annual limit, and select any add-ons.