Toto Pet Health Insurance is a newer brand in the industry. The company offers flexible plans that allow pet parents to select the exact amount of insurance coverage they need — but is Toto the best choice when it comes to protecting your personal finances and your pet's well-being?
Here’s what you need to know about Toto Pet Insurance:
- What’s the word on Toto Pet Insurance?
- Toto Pet Insurance review
- What we like about this coverage
- What could be improved
- Is Toto pet insurance worth it?
What’s The Word On Toto Pet Insurance?
Toto Pet Health Insurance was launched in 2018 as the first "Benefit Corp" in the pet insurance market, pledging to donate one out of every five dollars it earns to pets in need.
The company offers total protection for dogs and cats, including coverage for illnesses, accidents, and preventative care. Plans are customizable with various options for reimbursement rates, deductible amounts, and annual payout limits.
Rated A- on A.M. Best, Independence American Insurance Company is the pet insurance underwriter for all policies sold and administered by Toto. Toto Pet Insurance is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating.
(Image Source: Toto Pet Insurance)
Toto Pet Insurance Review
Available Plans
Toto Pet Insurance offers two base-level pet insurance plans that offer different degrees of coverage: an Accident-Only plan for coverage of accident-related veterinary care, and an Accident & Illness plan (availble to dogs younger than nine at the time of enrollment).
The Accident & Illness (A&I) plan covers the cost of veterinary care for a broader range of dog health issues. Examples of services include:
- Examinations
- Diagnostic testing
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital and hereditary conditions
- Cancer treatments
- Surgeries
- Hospitalization
- Alternative therapies
- Anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Hip dysplasia
- Prescription medications
Unique to this provider, Toto offers Final Respect coverage that reimburses up to $300 for the cost of cremation/burial, autopsy, and urns.
Toto Pet Health Insurance gives you the flexibility to customize the A&I plan by selecting your desired amount of insurance coverage per year (or the maximum payout you can receive claim reimbursement):
- $2,500
- $7,500
- $15,000
In addition, you can select a policy reimbursement rate of 70%, 80%, or 90% of the total veterinary bill up until you reach your annual payout limit. Note that insurance coverage does not kick in until your annual deductible is met, which you can set at $100, $250, or $500.
What’s more, Toto offers two pet wellness plans that you can add to your policy coverage: Basic and Prime. These cover preventative and routine care services such as:
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping costs
- Spaying/neutering (Prime plan only)
- Dental cleaning (Prime plan only)
- Tick/flea prevention
- Heartworm treatment and prevention in dogs and cats
Waiting Periods
Toto Pet Insurance has several waiting periods before the policy coverage goes into effect, depending on the type of veterinary service:
- 2-day waiting period for accidents
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses
- 30-day waiting period for congenital conditions, inherited (hereditary) conditions, behavioral disorders, and alternative therapies
- 180-day waiting period for intervertebral disc disease and cruciate ligament injuries to the knees
These waiting periods are some of the shortest waiting periods in the industry, similar to those offered by AKC Pet Insurance and Embrace. The 180-day waiting period for intervertebral disc disease and CCL injuries is shorter than competitor insurers. (In comparison, Nationwide Pet Insurance has a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligaments or knee injuries.)
Exclusions
Like all other pet insurance companies, Toto doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. The list of exclusions also includes anal gland expression, grooming, breeding, cosmetic or elective procedures, parasite treatments, and experimental treatment.
Claims and Reimbursement Times
Customers can submit their claim electronically, by mobile phone, fax, or mail and receive reimbursement by check or ACH. Claims are processed quickly, usually within three to four days.
Toto offers a 24/7 Customer Portal where you can view your policy, file a claim, and track your claim’s status.
Cost
The cost of pet insurance from Toto will depend on your pet’s age, breed, and geographical area. Generally, the monthly premium for younger, mixed-breed pets will be cheaper than for older purebreds.
Toto pet insurance costs also depend on the policyholder’s choice of the annual benefit limit ($2,500, $7,500, or $15,000), reimbursement rate (70%, 80%, or 90%), and deductible amount ($100, $250, or $500). In most cases, the more coverage per year, more reimbursement per bill, and lower out-of-pocket deductible, the higher the price per policy.
The Wellness Prime plan costs $29 per month and has an annual benefit of $535, whereas the Basic Plan is $17 per month and comes with a total annual benefit of $305.
(Image Source: Toto Pet Insurance)
Discounts
Toto Pet Insurance offers a 5% multi-pet discount. You can get your money back if you are not happy with the coverage within 30 days of buying the policy.
What We Like About This Coverage
Toto offers three straightforward pet insurance plans with three customization options for the reimbursement percentage and deductible for each plan. Pet owners can choose the coverage that is most suitable for their four-legged friend.
The plans are available for all breeds of cats and dogs, and pet owners can visit any licensed vet of their choice in the US, Canada, and other US territories.
When you purchase a policy from Toto, the company will donate to a charity in your name. Policyholders can access the company 24/7 with a click, email, or call.
What Could Be Improved
Unlike other pet insurance providers, Toto Pet Insurance doesn’t allow you to transfer your plan over to someone else if ownership of the pet changes. The company also doesn’t cover bilateral conditions, and there’s no unlimited payout limit option.
Additionally, Toto pet insurance has several age restrictions that impact what type of coverage your pet is eligible for at the time of enrollment. If they are older than nine, they are ineligible for the Accident & Illness plan and can only enroll in Accident-Only coverage.
Coverage for congenital and inherited conditions is not available for pets aged nine and above at enrollment. The Final Respects coverage applies to pets less than five years old on the enrollment date.
Is Toto Pet Health Insurance Worth It?
Toto Pet Insurance could be a great option for pet owners looking for a plan with customizable policy terms and short waiting periods. The company covers specific procedures other providers do not, such as alternative therapies and end-of-life expenses. However, if your pet is older than nine, you might want to consider another company that offers insurance coverage for illnesses.
It’s always wise to compare several different pet insurance providers before signing up for a policy, and our Pet Insurance Advice Blog is the best place to get started. You can also use Pawlicy Advisor to compare quotes from leading pet insurance companies side-by-side to quickly find the best pet insurance plan that meets your specific needs.
