Pets Best Insurance – 2024 Review

As any pet owner knows, you'll always do what’s best for your dog or cat, and this sometimes means taking them in for veterinary care that you can’t afford. Pet insurance is one way to address this issue, but many people don’t fully understand how it works. And, when everyone’s looking for new ways to save money, it can be hard to add yet another monthly expense to your growing list of financial commitments like auto insurance, life insurance, renters insurance, or even paying back personal loans.

Yet, you may be surprised at how much you could actually be saving in the long run by purchasing an insurance policy for your pet. Read more below to learn about Pets Best Insurance to see if its coverage options are right for you.

Pets Best Insurance – Company Overview

Pets Best was started in 2005 in Boise, Idaho, by its founder, veterinarian Dr. Jack Stephens. Dr. Stephens was determined to find a way to end economic euthanasia, which is when owners aren’t able to pay for the costs of treatment and instead have to euthanize their pets. He wanted to provide a solution to help anticipate and meet these pet care expenses.

Pros

• Unlimited lifetime benefits
• No upper age limits
• Exam fees, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and physical rehabilitation included
• Wide range of deductible options

Cons

• Charges a monthly processing fee
• Does not cover prescription food or supplements
• Some pre-existing conditions may make your pet ineligible for coverage

Option to Pay Vet Directly: Yes
App Support: Yes
Accident Waiting Period: 3 Days
Illness Waiting Period: 14 Days
Orthopedic Waiting Period: 6 Months
Vet Helpline Available: Yes
Multi-Pet Discount: Yes
Deductible Type: Annual

Pets Best and its employees have now been going strong for nearly 20 years and are highly involved in their community, supporting the Idaho Humane Society and organizations like Dogs on Deployment and Pet Peace of Mind which provides hospice care for patients and their pets. The company has paid out over $500 million in claims to its policyholders, and all plans are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company.

As one of the best pet insurance companies, competitors of Pets Best include:

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
• Embrace Pet Insurance
• Healthy Paws
• Lemonade Pet Insurance
• ManyPets
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Pet Assure
• Prudent Pet
• Pumpkin Pet Insurance
• Spot
• Trupanion

Why We Like Pets Best Insurance

Having been in the pet insurance business for so long, Pets Best has done a lot to attract customers. It’s one of the few pet insurers to offer an unlimited coverage payout as well as the option to have your vet paid directly by the company instead of waiting for reimbursement. Policyholders also have full access to a 24/7 pet helpline where they can chat with vet experts, and there are no upper age limits on when a dog or cat can be enrolled in coverage.

Pets Best consistently has some of the lowest monthly premiums while also offering tons of options for plan customization including reimbursement rates from 50% to 90%, and deductible options from $50 to $2,000.

Pets Best Insurance – How It Works

Most policies for pet insurance cover only accidents and illnesses for cats and dogs (currently Nationwide Pet Insurance is the only provider that insures exotic animals like birds and reptiles), but many companies like Pets Best will offer supplemental coverage for preventative care and other services.

However, unlike other types of insurance like human health coverage, you will have to pay for the services upfront and only afterward be reimbursed by your pet insurance provider. In this way, it works more like a homeowners insurance policy where you sometimes must pay for the repair yourself and are only later reimbursed according to your policy details.

Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage

There are two basic plan options for cats and dogs from Pets Best: BestBenefit which covers accidents and illnesses, and Accident Only. Both allow you to see any licensed vet in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico.

There is no age limit for enrolling your pet, which is somewhat unique in the business. For instance for instance, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Embrace Pet Insurance both don’t offer cover new pets over the age of 14. However, pets must be at least seven weeks old to start a policy and you’ll never lose coverage or benefits as your pet ages.

Plan Options and Coverage

Accident-Only Coverage

Accident-Only Pet Insurance is a plan offered by Pets Best that helps cover the cost of unexpected injuries your pet might face from accidents. This type of insurance is ideal for pet owners who want to ensure they can afford care for their pet in case of sudden injuries like broken bones, bites from other animals, or if your pet eats something they shouldn't, like chocolate or small toys.

How does Accident-Only Insurance work? When your pet gets hurt because of an accident, this insurance plan helps pay for their treatment. For example, if your dog breaks a leg or your cat gets bitten by a snake, the plan can help cover the costs of vet visits, treatments, and any necessary surgery.

It's important to remember that this insurance does not cover health problems that aren't caused by accidents. If your pet gets sick or needs treatment for a disease, those costs won't be covered by an Accident-Only plan. This plan is specifically for those sudden, unexpected situations that can happen, especially if your pet is adventurous and tends to get into things they shouldn't.

Furthermore, all plans are subject to mandatory waiting periods. For illnesses, the waiting period is 14 days. For injuries, the waiting period is only 3 days (much shorter than providers that typically require 15 days for accidents). Cruciate ligament issues and conditions are subject to a six-month waiting period.

BestBenefit Plan – What’s Covered?

The BestBenefit plan covers the following services:

• Surgeries
• Emergency care
• Hospitalization
• Broken bones
• Poisoning
• Ingesting foreign objects
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Skin and ear infections
• Cruciate ligament injuries (subject to a six-month waiting period)
• Hereditary and congenital conditions (as long as they’re not pre-existing)
• Prescription medications
• Diagnostics like bloodwork, CT scans, x-rays, and MRIs
• Periodontal disease
• Prosthetic devices and wheelchairs
• Euthanasia

What’s Not Covered?

• Pre-existing conditions
• Office visits
• Elective procedures like tail docking, ear cropping, or declawing
• Preventative care
• Testing or treatment of parasites
• Bathing or grooming
• Spaying and neutering
• Experimental therapies or medications
• Injuries due to dog fighting
• Breeding or conditions related to pregnancy
• Anal gland expression
• Cremation or burial

Supplemental Benefits

For services that aren't included under the standard plan, you can choose to add on supplemental benefits that cover the following:

• Office visits and exam fees
• Take-home prescription medication coverage
• Physical therapy (including rehabilitation, acupuncture, and chiropractic care coverage)

Wellness Plans

Pets Best Pet Insurance has two options for those seeking a wellness plan to cover routine and preventative care. On average, you’ll pay an additional $19.08 a month for EssentialWellness coverage with an annual benefit of up to $305, and $28.58 a month for BestWellness with an annual benefit of up to $535.

Wellness Plan Options

These can be added to any existing dog or cat insurance plan; however, this must be included either when you first enroll in your pet insurance plan, within 30 days of starting it, or when your policy comes up for renewal. Unlike accident and illness coverage, there is no waiting period and you can start using these benefits the first day it goes into effect.

Covered services include:

• Spaying and neutering (only with BestWellness)
• Wellness exams
• Teeth cleaning (only with BestWellness)
• Microchipping
• Vaccinations
• Deworming
• Urinalysis
• FELV screenings
• Preventative medications
• Diagnostic panels

Vet Direct Pay

Vet Direct Pay is an option for all policyholders regardless of your plan, but it will require your veterinarian to become authorized. This is a great option for those facing high vet bills who are unable to pay immediately for the services, but it may not be available from all providers. To use Vet Direct Pay, you must fill out a claims form and submit it along with your invoice and a signed veterinarian reimbursement release form. Once your claim is processed, Pets Best Insurance Services will pay the eligible reimbursement amount directly to your provider. Any remaining amount will be your responsibility to pay.

CareCredit

CareCredit is another tool policyholders can use to control the upfront costs of vet care. It’s essentially a credit card that you use specifically for all your pet-related costs including veterinary care, prescriptions, dentistry, funeral or cremation, pet food, and nutrition.

This is a great option for those who may be concerned about how they’ll cover vet bills before being reimbursed by their policy. Plus, if you qualify and sign up for CareCredit, you also get a 5% discount on your policy from Pets Best.

How much does Pets Best Insurance Cost?

The cost to insure your pet depends on the details about your cat or dog, and the coverage options you choose. The age, breed, and gender of your pet will affect pricing as will your choices for deductibles, coinsurance, and payout limits.

Pets Best Monthly Premiums Overview

With the Accident and Illness plan, you’ll choose your annual coverage limit which can be $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited, with your reimbursement level at 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90%, and your deductible from $50 to $2,000 increasing in $50 increments.

Accident-only coverage comes with a standard pricing structure of a $10,000 policy limit, 90% co-insurance (reimbursement rate), and a $250 deductible.

The average cost to insure a three-year-old, mixed breed, medium size dog is $53.30/month, while a three-year-old, domestic shorthair cat is $34.08/month. These quoted plans have a $5,000 annual limit, a $100 deductible, and a 90% reimbursement rate. It’s also worth noting that your premium may increase when you renew your policy. Just as your personal health insurance premium can increase along with your age and medical needs, so can pet health insurance.

BestBenefit plans are also eligible for a 5% discount when insuring multiple pets.

Sample Vet Bills

Here are some examples of how a vet bill gets paid with Pets Best insurance.

How To Get Started

You can easily get a quote for cat or dog insurance by visiting the company’s website and clicking on Get a Quote in the upper right-hand corner. You will be asked to enter your pet’s breed, age, gender, as well as your zip code to get started.

You’ll be asked some questions about pre-existing conditions. From here, you’ll be able to customize your plan based on your needs and your budget. With the online quote tool, you can change your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit to see how it affects your premium.

How To Submit a Claim

Filing a claim is most easily done online either through your mobile device or by logging into your customer account through the company’s website and going to the Claims Center.

Pets Best recommends enlisting the help of a staff member at your vet’s office to complete the diagnosis and veterinarian notes section of the form to ensure all relevant information is complete and to reduce delays.

You can also download a claims form and email your claim request to [email protected], or send your request for reimbursement through the mail to:

Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC
965 Keller Rd.
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Many claims submitted electronically are processed and paid out via direct deposit within two business days, but claim reimbursements by check can take five to seven days. However, in other cases, claims may take longer to process, especially if this is the first claim you’ve submitted and your pet’s medical records have not yet been reviewed. If this is the case, Pets Best will request these records from your vet and review them in conjunction with your claim to ensure there are no pre-existing conditions.

How To Cancel Pets Best Insurance

Any policy can be canceled by contacting the company directly at 877-738-7237, by logging into your customer portal, or by email, phone, or fax. Your policy will be canceled the day the request is received, not the day it was sent. If you are due a refund, it will be prorated and returned to you via the payment method on file. Full reimbursements are available to those who’ve held their policy for less than 30 days and have not filed a claim.

Customer Service Contact Info

Pets Best has a contact page if you need assistance. You can also get help over the phone at 877-738-7237, Monday – Friday (6 am – 7 pm MST) and Saturday (6 am – 2 pm MST), or by chatting online through your customer portal. You can access the 24/7 pet helpline either through the mobile app or by logging into your online account.

Pets Best Mobile App

The Pets Best mobile app can be downloaded for both Apple and Google Play customers. With this highly-rated app, you can access your pet’s policy, submit and check on the status of claims, and connect to the 24/7 helpline.

Is Pets Best Insurance Right for Me?

Pets Best is one of the best pet insurance companies in the business and has been since 2005. Customers give high ratings for the company’s low average premiums and customization options. Pets Best policies are easy to understand and the range of options for deductibles, coinsurance rates, and annual payouts means you’re sure to find a plan that works both for you and your pet.

If you’re a pet parent who knows they’d like some kind of pet insurance coverage but aren't sure what you can afford, or need to keep your monthly expenses under a certain dollar amount, this is likely the best insurance company for you. However, if you know you need comprehensive coverage that includes reimbursement for exam fees, rehabilitative care, and preventative care, you may have better luck looking at another pet insurance provider.