Review: The Best Pet Insurance Plans and What They Cover

As pet owners, we cherish our furry friends like family. With that love comes the responsibility of ensuring they are healthy and protected. Veterinary care can be costly, especially if your pet faces an unexpected illness or injury. Pet insurance is a valuable way to manage those costs while giving your pet access to the best care. However, selecting the right plan can be overwhelming due to the variety of policies available. This article will review some of the best pet insurance plans, highlight what they cover, and provide tips on how to choose the right one for your pet.

Why Get Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance helps offset the cost of medical care for your pet, covering a range of services from routine checkups to emergency surgeries. Having pet insurance can save you from unexpected high expenses and ensure your pet receives timely care. Coverage can vary greatly between policies, so understanding what’s included is crucial for making an informed decision.

Types of Pet Insurance Coverage

Before diving into specific plans, it’s essential to understand the types of coverage that most insurance companies offer:

1. Accident-Only Coverage: This type of plan covers injuries and emergencies resulting from accidents. Examples include broken bones, poison ingestion, or other sudden traumas. It’s generally cheaper than other plans but doesn’t cover illness-related treatments.

1. Accident and Illness Coverage: This is the most popular type of pet insurance and covers both accidents and illnesses. It includes coverage for things like infections, cancer, hereditary conditions, and accidents.

2. Wellness or Preventive Care Coverage: Some plans offer wellness add-ons to cover routine checkups, vaccinations, flea treatments, and other preventive care measures. These plans can either be purchased as standalone policies or added to an accident and illness plan.

Best Pet Insurance Plans: A Comprehensive Review

Here’s a look at some of the best pet insurance plans available, along with what they cover:

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1. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Overview: Healthy Paws consistently ranks as one of the top pet insurance providers. Their policies focus primarily on accident and illness coverage, with an emphasis on simple, straightforward plans.

What It Covers:

• Accidents and Illnesses: Healthy Paws covers a wide range of accidents and illnesses, including hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, and hip dysplasia (with no maximum limits on payouts).

• Chronic Conditions: Long-term treatments for chronic illnesses such as arthritis and diabetes are also covered.

• Diagnostic Testing, Hospitalization, and Surgery: This includes X-rays, blood tests, surgeries, and hospital stays.

• Alternative Therapies: Healthy Paws covers alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care if they’re prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Pros:

• No caps on claims (lifetime, annual, or per-incident)

• Fast claims processing through a mobile app

• Excellent customer service

Cons:

• No coverage for wellness or preventive care

• Does not cover vet exam fees

Best For: Pet owners looking for comprehensive accident and illness coverage without limits on claims.

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2. Embrace Pet Insurance

Overview: Embrace Pet Insurance offers flexible plans that cover accidents, illnesses, and optional wellness care. They provide a variety of reimbursement options and annual limits, making it easy to tailor a plan to your budget.

What It Covers:

• Accidents and Illnesses: Coverage includes hereditary and genetic conditions, as well as breed-specific conditions like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

• Preventive Care: Embrace’s wellness plan, known as the Wellness Rewards program, helps pay for routine care like vaccinations, grooming, and flea medication.

• Dental Illness Coverage: Embrace covers dental illnesses such as periodontal disease and extractions, which many other companies do not.

• Behavioral Therapy: This plan covers treatments for behavioral issues like anxiety or aggression.

Pros:

• Covers dental care, including accidents and illnesses

• Optional wellness add-on for routine care

• Coverage for alternative therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy

Cons:

• Annual limits on claims

• Higher premiums compared to some competitors

Best For: Pet owners who want customizable coverage that includes both accident and illness protection, along with the option for wellness care.

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3. Petplan Pet Insurance (Now Known as Fetch)

Overview: Petplan (now rebranded as Fetch by The Dodo) is known for its comprehensive coverage and high reimbursement rates. This plan includes coverage for both routine and unexpected medical issues, with a focus on ensuring pets receive a high level of care.

What It Covers:

• Accidents and Illnesses: Includes coverage for broken bones, infections, cancer treatments, hereditary and congenital conditions, and more.

• Dental Treatments: Coverage includes accidents and illnesses related to the teeth, as long as the pet has an annual dental checkup.

• Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, aggression, or excessive barking are covered under Petplan’s policies.

• Advertising and Reward Money for Lost Pets: This unique feature helps cover the costs of advertising and reward money if your pet gets lost.

Pros:

• Extensive dental coverage

• Reimbursement options up to 90%

• Includes coverage for some non-medical expenses, like advertising for lost pets

Cons:

• No coverage for routine care or wellness exams

• Higher premiums compared to some competitors

Best For: Pet owners looking for extensive coverage, including dental and behavioral care, as well as non-medical benefits.

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4. Trupanion

Overview: Trupanion is known for offering comprehensive accident and illness coverage with no payout limits. It’s an excellent option for pet owners who want peace of mind knowing they won’t face a cap on claim payments.

What It Covers:

• Accidents and Illnesses: Includes coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions, diagnostic testing, surgeries, medications, and hospital stays.

• Chronic Conditions: Treatments for long-term illnesses like cancer and diabetes are also covered.

• Alternative Therapies: Trupanion offers coverage for alternative treatments like acupuncture and physical therapy, as long as they’re prescribed by a vet.

• Pet Owner Assistance Package: This add-on covers unexpected costs, such as liability coverage for third-party property damage caused by your pet.

Pros:

• No payout limits (annual or lifetime)

• Direct payment to veterinarians, eliminating the need for pet owners to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement

• Covers congenital conditions from birth

Cons:

• No wellness or preventive care coverage

• Only one deductible option, which applies per condition

Best For: Pet owners who want unlimited payouts and prefer not to deal with reimbursement processes.

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5. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Overview: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers a balance of affordability and coverage, with plans designed for both accidents and illnesses. They also offer a preventive care option, making it one of the more flexible choices on the market.

What It Covers:

• Accidents and Illnesses: Includes coverage for accidents, hereditary conditions, chronic conditions, and illnesses.

• Preventive Care: The preventive care add-on covers routine exams, vaccinations, and dental cleanings.

• Alternative Therapies: The plan covers treatments like acupuncture, laser therapy, and rehabilitation.

• Behavioral Issues: ASPCA provides coverage for consultations and treatments related to behavioral problems, such as aggression or compulsive behavior.

Pros:

• Preventive care options available

• Coverage for alternative therapies and behavioral treatments

• 24/7 veterinary support through the ASPCA app

Cons:

• Lower annual limits compared to some other providers

• Slightly slower claim processing times

Best For: Pet owners seeking affordable, flexible plans with wellness coverage options and 24/7 vet support.

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Conclusion

Choosing the best pet insurance plan depends on your pet's specific needs and your budget. Healthy Paws and Trupanion are ideal for those seeking comprehensive accident and illness coverage with no payout limits. Embrace and Petplan (Fetch) offer more flexible coverage options, including wellness care and dental treatment. Finally, ASPCA is great for those looking for a balance between affordability and preventive care options. By carefully considering your pet's health, age, and risk factors, you can find a plan that provides the best protection for your beloved companion.