Is Bivvy Pet Insurance Good? Here's How It Stacks Up

Is Bivvy the best choice for you and your four-legged friend, or should you explore other options for pet insurance? Learn more about the costs, restrictions, reimbursement times, and more so that you can find the right fit for your pet and your budget.

Table of Contents

• About Bivvy Pet Insurance
• An overview of Bivvy Pet Insurance
• What we like about this coverage
• What could be improved
• Is Bivvy Pet Insurance worth it?

About Bivvy Pet Insurance

Bivvy, a Wisconsin-based enterprise, is a relative newcomer to the pet insurance marketplace with a unique approach. The company is committed to eliminating confusing policy enrollment by offering one pet insurance plan with a preset deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual payouts for as little as $10 per month.

Though they are a new pet insurance company, Bivvy's policies are underwritten by CUMIS Insurance Society Inc., an insurance provider with a history of more than 55 years, and a member of a financially strong insurance group that has been around for 80 years.

An overview of Bivvy Pet Insurance

Available plans

Bivvy offers an Accident & Illness plan which covers pets’ illnesses, accidental injuries, chronic conditions, cancer treatments, emergency care, congenital and hereditary conditions, diagnostic treatments, blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays, surgical procedures, hospitalization, orthodontic treatment, and prescription medications.

Bivvy also offers an additional Wellness Care plan that covers preventive and routine services, including vaccinations, wellness examinations, heartworm tests, heartworm, tick, and flea prevention, deworming, urinalysis, FELV screen, and microchipping.

Exclusions

Like all pet insurance providers, Bivvy does not offer pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, as well as cosmetic surgeries, preventative dental care and dental cleanings, spaying and neutering, grooming, boarding, non-emergency ground ambulances, air ambulances, pet food, and cloning.

Pricing

All Bivvy Pet Insurance policies come at a flat, pre-set rate, regardless of the animal’s breed, age, size, or gender.

Bivvy costs $10 to $20 a month for pet health insurance (depending on the state). The deductible amount — or how much you’re required to pay before the company will reimburse you — varies from $50 to $250. After the deductible is met, they will reimburse you 50% of covered veterinary expenses up to $1,000 (or $5,000 depending on the state) that you paid for out-of-pocket,

Bivvy Wellness Care costs an additional $9 per month.

At the time of this publication, Bivvy does not offer any discount on pet insurance rates.

Claims and reimbursement times

Customers can file claims within 90 days of the veterinary service by logging into their online account, or by sending the completed claim form enclosed within the policy documents along with an itemized invoice.

Once the insurer has received the claim, they will generally begin reviewing it within 24 hours. Customers get reimbursed directly for the covered amount minus the copay and deductible. They can submit more than one claim per year as long as they don’t surpass the annual limit of $2,000.

What we like about this coverage

Bivvy’s pet insurance and wellness plans are among the least expensive options on the market. Typically, the cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including the pet’s age, breed, and medical history. That’s not the case with Bivvy — all policies are the same price.

The company charges a flat rate based on location, rather than breed or age. Their rates start at $10 per month, though pets in some states will cost more to insure.

It’s easy to enroll in Bivvy Pet Insurance. This provider does not require a recent veterinary exam before coverage kicks in, and there is no upper age limit for insurance eligibility.

Bivvy covers orthodontic treatment, which can be valuable for older dogs and cats.** There are also no bilateral exclusions** (a condition or disease that affects both sides of the body).

What could be improved

Bivvy is only available in 15 US states. They’re licensed to provide pet insurance in Oregon, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, Indiana, Texas, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, and Minnesota.

Bivvy may increase the price of insurance premiums annually or during the policy term.

The reimbursement rate for Bivvy’s pet insurance plan is capped at 50%, which is significantly lower than most competitors who typically offer between 70% and 90% reimbursement rates.

Additionally, these policies only cover expenses up to $1,000 (or $5,000 depending on where you live). Oftentimes, emergency vet bills can cost several thousand dollars, but with this plan, you could only seek reimbursement for $500 if you were to receive such a vet bill.

Bivvy sets a deductible amount for each state, which is not the case with more flexible competitors who offer multiple options for deductibles regardless of where you live. There is also a range of maximum payout limits per year, per incident, and per lifetime that fluctuates by location.

In most states, the mandatory waiting period to file a claim is 14 days for accidents and 30 days for illnesses, which is longer compared to other providers. For instance, Figo Pet Insurance covers accidents after five days, whereas Embrace provides coverage after only 48 hours. For pets with orthopedic conditions (such as hip dysplasia in dogs), the waiting period is six to 12 months, unless the injury resulted from trauma.

Finally, upon our review of Bivvy Pet Insurance, the company appears to lack a customer service line or live-chat option.

Is Bivvy Pet Insurance worth it?

If you’re wondering whether pet insurance is worth it, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each provider. Bivvy’s flat, transparent rate may appeal to some pet parents, while others may appreciate a greater degree of flexibility and customization. They could offer a solution for senior pet insurance, but the low reimbursement rate may not provide owners with substantial financial support should their pet have an expensive, ongoing condition.

Additionally, some potential customers may not live in a state where Bivvy offers pet insurance. Pawlicy Advisor helps you compare pet insurance companies so you can easily evaluate all your options and quickly determine the best fit for your pet.