Petco Pet Insurance Review 2024 (Official)
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Coverage Options
Annual Deductible
$100 - $250 - $500
Reimbursement Rate
50% - 100%
Annual Coverage Limit
Whole pet plan: $5,000 - unlimited
Major Medical Plan: Per-Condintion Basis
Petco offers customers co-branded pet insurance through Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Nationwide has been a staple in the insurance industry for several decades — but does that mean it's the best pet insurance option for your furry friend?
While most Petco Pet Insurance reviews are generally positive, it's important to know that its plans administered by Nationwide are much less flexible than some competitors. Keep reading to determine whether it's the right fit for your needs.
Pros
- Exclusive discounts at Vetco Total Care hospitals
- Covers dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets
- Fast claim processing
- Year-long window to file claims
- Option for unlimited annual payouts
- Ability to expand policy benefits
- Covers diagnostic exam fees
- Provides coverage for the death of a pet
- Wellness plans can be purchased with or without a policy
- Offers Vet Telehealth service
Cons
- Longer waiting period for coverage of orthopedic and bilateral conditions than other competitors
- Policies contain provisions limiting coverage of certain benefits
- Payouts are made based on a pre-set benefit schedule
- Cannot customize deductible, reimbursement rate, or coverage limits
- Petco Wellness Plans are not available in all 50 states
- Illness coverage is unavailable for pets over age 6
Petco was founded in 1965 as a mail-order veterinary supply business called “UPCO.” It is now one of the largest pet retailers in the world and includes more than 100 full-service in-store veterinary hospitals.
The company announced its exclusive partnership with Nationwide Pet Insurance in 2022. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and National Casualty Company across the rest of the country.
What's Covered
- Accidents and illnesses
- Orthopedic conditions
- Cancer treatment
- Alternative therapies
- Diagnostic exam fees
- Tooth extractions (due to accidents)
- Prescription medication, vitamins, supplements, and diets
- Behavioral modification and obedience training
- End-of-life care, euthanasia, cremation or burial cost, and replacement benefit
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Boarding fees due to owner hospitalization
- Curable pre-existing conditions (after 6 months without symptoms)
Optional Add on: Routine Care
What's Not Covered
- Hereditary or congenital issues
- Behavioral modification or obedience training
- Pregnancy-related complications
- Cancelled vacation fee reimbursement
- Pre-existing conditions
Routine Care Add-On
Petco Wellness Plans are also administered by Nationwide. You can purchase one separately or add it to your existing insurance policy for additional coverage on the cost of preventive care, such as:
- Annual physical exams
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Fecal tests
- Heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives
- Deworming
- Health screens
- Spaying and neutering
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 ?
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How it Works
You can use Petco Pet Insurance with any licensed veterinarian in the United States. Like most pet insurance plans, Petco reimburses you for a percentage of eligible expenses on veterinary services rendered for unexpected accidents, injuries, or illnesses (after your deductible has been met).
1. Visit any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency doctor — no referral is needed.
2. Pay for the visit upfront out-of-pocket at the time of your appointment.
3. File a pet insurance claim with Petco through their app, website, email, fax, or standard mail.
4. Get reimbursed for a percentage of eligible veterinary expenses (depending on your plan's coverage).
Petco Pet Insurance Waiting Period
When you sign up for pet insurance through Petco, there is a mandatory waiting period before your coverage becomes effective and you can get reimbursed for claims.
These waiting periods vary by insurance provider and type of service. For plans administered by Nationwide, the time frames are as follows:
- Accidents: 14 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Wellness: 1 day
- Orthopedic Conditions: 365 days
- Cruciate Ligament Injuries: 365 days
Filing a Claim
- Window to File: within 365 days of the date of treatment (Nationwide recommends filing within 90 days)
- Filing Requirements: itemized invoice, details about the visit to the veterinarian, filled out claim form
- Average Claim Reimbursement: most claims are reimbursed within 4 days
- Reimbursement Methods: check or direct deposit
See how much Petco pet insurance costs for your pet
Petco Pet Insurance Cost
Lowest Price for dogs:
$25 / month
Lowest Price for cats:
$25 / month
Sample Prices
The cost of Petco insurance is based on quotes from Nationwide for a sample policy featuring a $500 deductible, an 80% reimbursement rate, and a $5,000 annual coverage limit generated for pets in Dallas, TX.
Breed of Pet | 6 Months Old | 3 Years Old | 10 Years Old (Accident Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
French Bulldog | $75.48 | $81.98 | $133.98 |
Labrador Retriever | $52.16 | $56.56 | $91.77 |
Domestic Shorthair Cat | $20.92 | $20.92 | $28.17 |
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.
Customer Service
Petco Pet Insurance reviews often describe interactions with the Nationwide customer service team.
Policyholders say the company’s representatives are helpful in answering their questions on claims and other topics. They highlight also appreciate their ’ professionalism, knowledge, and kindness during pet health crises.
Other customers say their claims were paid quickly and that their reimbursements were extremely helpful in managing high vet bills. They also appreciate that Nationwide covers exotic pets.
However, some customers say they’ve struggled to resolve claims even after multiple phone calls.
Monday - Friday: 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM PST
Saturday: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM PST
Member Care: 1-800-540-2016
New Enrollments: 1-800-872-7387
Email: Fill out the form on the website
Enrollment Requirements
- Age at enrollment: 6 weeks - 14 years
- Medical Review: Your pet must be examined by a veterinarian in the 12 months prior to the policy's original start date, or within fourteen (14) days of the policy's original start date
- Valid United States address: Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you list for your insurance provider
- First two monthly payments are due at enrollment
How to Cancel Petco Pet Insurance
Here is how Petco Pet Insurance describes its cancelation policy:
You must deliver or mail your policy to us, and tell us that you want to cancel your policy, within 30 days of your policy effective date as shown on your Declarations Page.
If we have not paid any claims nor advised you in writing that a claim will be paid under your policy, your policy will be considered void from the beginning and you and we will be in the same position as if a policy or contract had been not been issued.
In this case, we will refund you all premiums you have paid us under your policy and charge you no additional premium under your policy. We will refund premiums you have paid within 30 days from the date that you notify us of this cancellation.
Expert Insights
Is Petco Pet Insurance good?
Petco Pet Insurance with Nationwide might be a good choice if you already use Petco's in-house veterinary clinics (Vetco Total Care) because you could get exclusive discounts. Nationwide is also the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the United States, so it certainly deserves a look if you’re shopping for pet insurance.
Nationwide Pet Insurance offers a specialized plan for birds and exotic pets, including coverage for guinea pigs, reptiles, amphibians, and turtles. The coverage and cost depend on the specific type of pet and its medical history.
Unlike many other insurers, Nationwide provides comprehensive plans that cover a wide range of needs, including preventative care for fleas and ticks, orthopedic conditions, and even alternative therapies. It also offers assistance with lost pet advertising.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of. For orthopedic and bilateral conditions, there is a significant waiting period before coverage begins, which is longer than some other companies require. Additionally, the availability of wellness plans may vary by state.
Petco Pet Insurance Reviews
3.9
255 Consumer Reviews
Disappointed in Service received
“I have to say I am disappointed in the service I have received this week. The last person I talked to yesterday it seem like I bother her and she was not happy about explaining to me how to submit proof of no other coverage for pet. When I called Monday checking on the claims that showed pending, I feel like I should have been told what was needed. I could have provided that information on Monday instead of yesterday.”
Pieper Vet hospital and particularly…
“Pieper Vet hospital and particularly the Neurologist Dr Hammond saved my little 7 lb dogs life when she couldn’t bear weight one day out of the blue. The bill was a big one. My pets have been with Nationwide for 19 years. They covered 80% of bill which helps. We are thankful for Nationwide and Pieper hospital in Middletown CT.”
Is Petco is 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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