Pets Best Pet Insurance Review 2024 (Official)
Why You Can Trust Us
Unlike other platforms, Pawlicy Advisor provides objective, unbiased, data-driven advice. We also offer personalized plan recommendations based on breed-specific attributes and total cost predictions for the lifetime of your pet. See your recommended plan.
Coverage Options
Annual Deductible
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, or $1,000
Reimbursement Rate
70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual Coverage Limit
$2,500, $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited
Pets Best offers significant customization options for its Accident & Illness plans to ensure you can find a great solution that fits your budget. It's one of few providers that offer unlimited payouts for insurance claims — meaning you don't have to worry about affording vet bills after hitting your coverage ceiling — and with deductibles as low as $50, you can count on your policy to start kicking before out-of-pocket costs get too high.
Pros
- Can pay the vet directly (in some states)
- Works at any licensed vet
- Fast, 5-day processing for claims
- 24/7 Pet Helpline
- Does not require vet exams or medical records to enroll
- Won't increase premium after filing a claim
- No maximum age limit
Cons
- Certain breeds are ineligible for coverage
- Reimbursement rates are capped at 90%
- No diminishing or zero-dollar deductibles
- Only pets up to 3 years old are eligible for coverage of periodontal disease (assuming they received a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia within 13 months before the claim)
Pets Best Insurance Services was founded in 2005 by Dr. Jack Stephens, who's known as the "father of the pet insurance industry" for his role in launching the first pet insurance company in North America. Pets Best has earned a reputation for being one of the best pet insurance companies on the market, with policies underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or Independence American Insurance Company.
What's Covered
- Accidental injuries
- Illnesses
- Dental disease
- Cancer treatments
- Breed-specific conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
- Alternative therapies
- Prosthetic devices
- Coverage while traveling
Optional Add-On: Routine Care
What's Not Covered
- Treatment and prevention of parasites
- Bilateral exclusions
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- Alternative or experimental therapies
- Behavioral therapies or obedience training
- Breeding, nursing, or whelping
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Vacation cancelation costs
- Cremation or burial
- Pre-existing conditions
Routine Care Add-On
For an additional monthly fee, coverage for preventive pet care can also be added to your Pets Best pet insurance policy through a supplemental wellness plan within 30 days of enrollment or at the time of annual renewal. This enables policyholders to offset the costs of routine care for a variety of services up to the annual benefit amount within a given policy term.*
Get reimbursed up to the following amounts:
EssentialWellness
Spay/Neuter or Teeth Cleaning - $0
Rabies - $15
Flea/Tick Prevention - $50
Heartworm Prevention - $30
Vaccination/Titer - $30
Wellness Exam - $50
Heartworm test or FELV screen - $25
Blood, fecal, parasite exam - $50
Microchip - $20
Urinalysis or ERD - $15
Deworming - $20
BestWellness
Spay/Neuter - Teeth Cleaning - $150
Rabies - $15
Flea/Tick Prevention - $65
Heartworm Prevention - $30
Vaccination/Titer - $40
Wellness Exam - $50
Heartworm test or FELV screen - $30
Blood, fecal, parasite exam - $70
Microchip - $40
Urinalysis or ERD - $25
Deworming - $20
*Plan price and availability are subject to location depending on where you live. Above is an example of the Pets Best wellness plan available in most states, but these are subject to change.
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: We recommend adding routine care for pets under age two due to the high number of wellness visits at this age. Older pets may not save money with a routine care add-on. Learn more: Are Wellness Plans Worth It ?
Waiting Periods
All pet insurance providers require new policyholders to wait a certain amount of time before their pet's vet bills become eligible for reimbursement. If a medical issue were to develop within that timeframe, not only would you be alone on the vet bills, but oftentimes, the condition would be excluded from insurance coverage for all related claims in the future.
Waiting periods differ between pet insurance underwriters, and they also vary depending on the type of incident your pet experiences. Fortunately, Pets Best waiting periods are some of the shortest you can find, with coverage effective in as little as three days for accidental injuries, which could include broken bones, puncture wounds, foreign object ingestion, toxicosis, and more.
For most states:*
- Accidents: 3 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions: 6 months
- Routine Care: 0 days
*For Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, & Washington
- Accidents: 0 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions: 30 days
- Routine Care: 0 days
*For North Dakota:
- Accidents: 3 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions: 30 days
- Routine Care: 0 days
See how much Pets Best Pet Insurance costs for your pet
How it Works
Pets Best offers flexible dog insurance and cat insurance plans to help cover unexpected veterinary bills. You can get reimbursed between 70 to 90% of treatment costs for things like allergies, ear infections, stomach upset, snake bites, and all the other curveballs pets are known to often encounter. All domesticated dogs and cats in the U.S. (irrespective of breed or age) are eligible for Pets Best unlimited annual plans.
1. Visit any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency hospital you'd like with no network restrictions.
2. Pay for the veterinary services provided during your visit upfront at the time of your appointment.
3. File your Pets Best Pet Insurance claim through their app, email, mail, or fax.
4. Get reimbursed for a percentage of eligible veterinary expenses based on your selected coverage.
LEARN MORE : Pet Insurance & How It Works: A Pet Parent's Guide
How to File a Pets Best Pet Insurance Claim
The fastest way to file a Pets Best insurance claim is through the Customer Account portal online. From there, you can upload digital copies of your necessary documents and submit your form electronically. Here's what you'll need to ensure smooth processing:
- Signed claim form
- Original paid invoices
- Proof of payment (i.e., credit card receipt)
Enroll in direct deposit to receive a payment in as little as two days after Pets Best processes your claim. Otherwise, a check will arrive by mail between five and seven days after your claim is processed.
- Window to file: 180 days
- Average claim Reimbursement: 5 days
- Maximum time for Reimbursement: 30 days
- Reimbursement methods: direct deposit or check
Note: To minimize the risk of delay when filing. Pets Best encourages you to ask a staff member for help with filling out the veterinary note section on the claim form. Here is the specific language used in the Pets Best sample policy regarding claim filing and reimbursement:
You must file a claim and supporting paid invoice(s) within 180 days of the treatment date. For the fastest and easiest claim filing experience, please log into your Customer Account at www.PetsBest.com/customerportal and use the electronic claims upload process to submit your documents.
Alternatively, you can download a personalized claim form from the Customer Account, or you can contact the Customer Care center at 877-738-7237, and Pets Best Insurance Services will mail, email, or fax one to you.
Pets Best Insurance Services may require complete medical history/records associated with your pet to process our claim:
1. At Pets Best Insurance Services' request, you agree to provide all of your Pet's medical history/records.
2. You authorize Pets Best Insurance Services, at the time of enrollment and any time after to contact any and all veterinary clinics or hospitals to obtain all available medical records that exist for your pet.
3. You authorize any and all veterinary clinics or hospitals to release to Pets Best Insurance Services all medical records that exist for your Pet.
Pets Best Cost
The monthly cost of Pets Best Insurance starts at $9/mo for dogs and $6/mo for cats for Accident-Only coverage. However, the cost of your premium will depend on your pet's breed, age, and zip code, as well as the coverage options you select. Getting a custom quote is the only way to get an accurate price estimate.
Lowest Price for dogs:
$9 / mo
Lowest Price for cats:
$6 / mo
Sample Prices
Pets Best cost estimates below are based on a sample policy featuring a $500 deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and unlimited annual coverage quoted for different pets of various ages living in Dallas, Texas.
Breed of Pet | 6 Months Old | 3 Years Old | 10 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
French Bulldog | $130 | $130 | $445 |
Labrador Retriever | $62 | $56 | $268 |
Domestic Shorthair Cat | $32 | $32 | $85 |
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: All pet insurance policies are subject to price increases annually. Pawlicy Advisor crunches the numbers to calculate the lifetime price of a policy, then makes recommendations that will save you money over your pet's lifetime.
Discounts & Ways to Save
- Policyholders can get a 5% discount for enrolling multiple pets
Discount applies to BestBenefit plans. Not available in Alaska and 3% discount in South Carolina
How to Contact Pets Best Customer Service
Get answers to your pet health concerns with unlimited access to Pets Best 24/7 Pet Helpline. Veterinary experts are available day or night via live chat, phone, and email to educate and advise pet parents so they can make confidently informed decisions in the best interest of their four-legged friends. The 24/7 Helpline is valued at $100 per year and comes included as a free benefit with your pet insurance policy after you sign up for a Pets Best plan.
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MT
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM MT
Sunday: Closed
Customer Service: 1‑877‑738-7237
24/7 Pet Helpline: 888-349-2520
Email: vetservices@petsbest.com
Enrollment Requirements
- Minimum age at enrollment: 7 weeks
- Maximum age for full coverage at enrollment: N/A
- Vet exam or medical review: not required at enrollment but may be requested when filing a claim
- Valid United States address: Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you list for your insurance provider. Geographical coverage extends to Canada and regions under U.S. control, such as territories or military installations/bases in foreign countries.
Pets Best Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your policy by notifying Pets Best Insurance Services with a call, online chat, or in writing via mail, fax, or email. Any unearned collected premium will be refunded pro rata.
The number of days after your policy's effective date that a cancellation can be requested varies from by state, so please review your specific policy for additional information. If a cancellation is within your policy's grace period, Pets Best will refund 100% of any premium paid as long as no claims have been paid. This will void the policy from the beginning, and any pending or not yet submitted claims will be denied.
The policy will continue until cancelled and will renew automatically every year as long as premium payments are current. If premiums are unpaid, the company may cancel the policy by sending a notice of cancellation at least 30 days before the effective date of cancellation.
Expert Insights
Is Pets Best Pet Insurance good?
"For pet parents who don't want to worry at the thought of being unable to afford their pet's vet bills, Pets Best may be an excellent choice. There are no lifetime or annual coverage limits, so you can rest easy with peace of mind, knowing your pet will always be able to receive the highest level of care when he or she needs it most. If your pet is genetically prone to a chronic condition, this is a benefit you may want to consider strongly. And with Pets Best, it's never too late to sign up, since full coverage is available for senior pets as well as those who have not been spayed or neutered.
The BestBenefit provides comprehensive Accident & Illness coverage that not only includes genetic and congenital issues, but also things like cancer treatment, prescription medication, and prosthetic devices — which isn't always the case elsewhere. Pets Best also has several more decades of experience compared to some of the newer companies to enter the market, with policies backed by reputable underwriters that yo know you can count on to pay out claims if the going ever got rough.
In our Pets Best review, we were also pleased to find so many happy customers who report being exceptionally pleased with the fast, easy claims process and excellent customer service. Finally, there's an abundance of customization options that allow pet parents to find a plan with fantastic coverage that they know their budget can afford."
They pay claims
They do what an insurance company should do: pay you for submitted claims. I have submitted 3 claims and all 3 have been reimbursed as I expected and fairly quickly. I have called them multiple times to check in items and their customer service staff is friendly and helpful. Very happy with this service and we will be renewing our insurance next year!
I’ve had many pet insurance policies…
I’ve had many pet insurance policies over the years and this is the best one by far. I submitted my claim via the app the same day as my dog received the services and it was taken care of within 2 days. I’ve already recommended Pets Best to my friends and family members with dogs.
Is Pets Best Pet Insurance right for you?
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More From Pawlicy Advisor
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's a Vet’s Perspective
- Learn How To Compare & Find the Right Pet Insurance For Your Furry Family Members
- Have More Than One Pet? Save on Pet Insurance with Multi-Pet Discounts
- When Is Pet Insurance a Great Decision?
- Everything You Need to Know About Filing a Pet Insurance Claim
We are the pet insurance experts. The Pawlicy Advisor team analyzes the top pet insurance companies and the fine print in their policy details to provide you with an objective breakdown of the insurance provider, the plans they offer, and how they compare.
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. When she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor , she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
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