It doesn't matter if you have already decided to purchase pet health insurance or if you're still considering it. Comparing different plans is essential to make an informed decision. Beyond the monthly premium, consider the types of veterinary care and medications covered, deductibles, annual caps on medical expenses, and available discounts.
A Comparison of Five Pet Wellbeing Protection Plans
This article provides a detailed comparison of five popular pet health insurance plans: Pets Best Pet Insurance, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), ShelterCare Pet Insurance, PetsHealth Insurance, and PetCare Insurance. It covers key aspects such as monthly costs, coverage details, deductibles, annual and lifetime caps, and available discounts to help pet owners make informed decisions.
1. Pets Best Pet Insurance
- Monthly Cost: Approximately $32.00 ($384.00 annually)
- Coverage: Includes pet sterilization with an additional wellness plan. Covers cancer treatments but not pre-existing conditions.
- Deductible: $75.00
- Annual Cap: Lifetime limit of $99,750 per pet
- Discounts: Multi-pet discounts available
2. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI)
- Monthly Cost: Approximately $20.00
- Coverage: Offers a $14,000 annual cap. Plans include pet sterilization and cancer coverage but exclude pre-existing conditions.
- Deductible: $50.00 (covers 90% of costs after deductible)
- Annual Cap: $14,000
- Discounts: No multi-pet discounts
3. ShelterCare Pet Insurance
- Monthly Cost: Approximately $29.95
- Coverage: No deductible, cancer treatments covered. Does not cover pet sterilization or pre-existing conditions.
- Deductible: None
- Annual Cap: No benefit cap
- Discounts: Multi-pet plans, medical services, and microchip discounts available
4. PetsHealth Insurance
- Monthly Cost: Approximately $37.17
- Coverage: Covers 80% of vet charges after a $100.00 deductible. Covers pre-existing conditions after 90 days. Cancer coverage on a case-by-case basis.
- Deductible: $100.00
- Annual Cap: $13,000 per year
- Discounts: Multi-pet discounts available
5. PetCare Insurance
- Monthly Cost: Approximately $29.95
- Coverage: Includes a $50 deductible. Covers cancer treatments but excludes pre-existing conditions and pet sterilization.
- Deductible: $50.00
- Annual Cap: Not specified
- Discounts: Multi-pet plans and medical services discounts available
Key Considerations
Deductibles:
- Vary significantly between plans. ShelterCare has no deductible, while PetsHealth has a $100 deductible.
Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions:
- Most plans do not cover pre-existing conditions except PetsHealth after 90 days.
Cancer Treatment:
- Most plans include cancer treatment, but specifics vary.
Sterilization:
- Not all plans cover pet sterilization.
Annual and Lifetime Caps:
- Annual caps range from $13,000 to $14,000. Pets Best has a lifetime cap of $99,750.
Conclusion
When choosing a pet health insurance plan, it's crucial to consider the specifics of each plan beyond the monthly premium. Assess the coverage details, deductibles, caps, and available discounts to find the plan that best suits your pet's needs. Always read the fine print before committing to an insurance plan.
All five companies have websites where you can get up-to-date information and quotes.
