Compare PetFirst Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet

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Company Info
Company Name PetFirst
Also Known As  
Address One Quartermaster Court
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone 1-866-937-PETS (7387)
Website www.petfirsthealthcare.com
Plan Name(s) Basic; Preferred; Preferred Plus; Senior*
States Covered All 50 states, including DC
Underwriter and AM Best Financial Strength Rating Insurance underwritten by Munich Re and Lloyds of London.

Munich Re has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A+" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 2/08/10.

Lloyds of London has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 2/08/10.

For the most recent ratings go to: AM Best and enter the name of the underwriter in the box labeled 'Text'.
Year Company Started 2004

 

Policy Basics
Policy Term 12 months
Effective Date The Effective Date will be listed on the Declarations Page of your policy after you apply and are accepted.
Enrollment Age The enrollment age for Basic, Preferred, and Preferred Plus Plans is 8 weeks - 9 years of age.

The enrollment age for the Senior Plan is 10 years of age and older
Cancellation Policy Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy
Waiting Period 14 days after the policy effective date for illness

Routine care and accident coverage begins a midnight following policy activation

6 months after the policy effective date for Intervertebral Disk Disease

12 months after the policy effective date for cruciate injury
Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury 12 months after the policy effective date
Coverage When Travel Out of State or Country? Out of State Coverage - You WILL be covered while traveling to other states with your pet.

Out of Country Coverage - You WILL NOT be covered when traveling to another country with your pet
Can the Price of the Policy Increase as my Pet Ages? Yes, the policy premium can increase as your pet ages.

Contact the company for more information on these increases.
Does Coverage Stop Due to Age? No
What Happens when the Policy Renews? If you do not purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon, chronic conditions will only be covered in the policy year they are diagnosed. They will cover up to 180 days into the next policy year but after the 180 days the condition will no longer be covered for the life of the pet.
Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? No
Choice of Vet? You can choose any licensed veterinarian in the US
Money Back Guarantee? If you change your mind within 14 days they will refund your money in full as long as you have not filed a claim.
Surcharge for Visiting a Specialist or Emergency Clinic? No
Referral needed to Visit a Specialist? No
Pre-certification Required? No
Additional Requirements **See actual policy or call PetFirst for a complete list of the requirements you are expected to adhere to in order to maintain coverage.
Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review? Sample policy available by request

 

What's Covered
Species Covered Dogs and Cats
Accident/Injury -
Baseline Coverage
Covers diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medications.

Coverage of exam fee is not mentioned in sample policy or on website.
Illness -
Baseline Coverage
Covers diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medications.

Coverage of exam fee is not mentioned in sample policy or on website.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage [INCLUDED - with Preferred and Preferred Plus plans under Routine Care]

There is a $75 annual allowance that must be shared with other procedures.

Coverage includes behavioral training not related to a medical condition.

Behavior Therapy must be performed by a licensed behaviorist.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for any additional limitations on Behavioral Therapy Coverage
Alternative Therapy Coverage [INCLUDED] Covers Alternative Therapy including acupuncture and message therapy. Does not cover vitamins and supplements.

Must be performed by a licensed alternative therapist.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for any additional limitations on Alternative Therapy Coverage.
Pre-existing Conditions Policy Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

According a copy of their policy, pre-existing conditions "... shall mean any illness, condition requiring medical treatment, or injury affecting 'your pet' prior to the inception date of this policy."

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for complete description of pre-existing conditions.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage [OPTIONAL] - To get hereditary and congenital coverage you must purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon.

The Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon has two options:
  1. Payment for these conditions up to 25% of the plan's per incident limit.
  2. Payment of these conditions up to 100% of the plan's per incident limit.
Without this addon, hereditary and congenital conditions will not be covered.

Hereditary and congenital conditions are not covered if they are pre-existing or have occurred during the waiting period.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for a list of their Breed-Related Conditions and complete description of their Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Policy.
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions [OPTIONAL] - To get continual Chronic Conditions coverage you must purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon.

The Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon has two options:
  1. Payment for these conditions up to 25% of the plan's per incident limit.
  2. Payment of these conditions up to 100% of the plan's per incident limit.
Without the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon, chronic conditions will only be covered in the policy year they are diagnosed. They will cover up to 180 days into the next policy year but after the 180 days the condition will no longer be covered for the life of the pet.
Chronic Conditions Policy They do not cover chronic conditions that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

Without the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon, chronic conditions will only be covered in the policy year they are diagnosed. They will cover up to 180 days into the next policy year but after the 180 days the condition will no longer be covered for the life of the pet.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for complete description of their Chronic Conditions Policy.
Cancer Coverage [INCLUDED] Cancer conditions are covered if they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period.

If you do not purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon, cancers that are considered hereditary will not be covered.

(See Chronic Conditions Policy above)
Cancer Coverage Limits To get continual cancer coverage you must purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon.

Without this coverage, the cancer will only be covered in the policy year it is diagnosed. They will cover up to 180 days into the next policy year but after the 180 days the condition will no longer be covered for the life of the pet.

They do not cover cancers that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

If you do not purchase the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon, cancers that are considered hereditary will not be covered.

(See 'Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions' and 'Chronic Conditions Policy' sections above)
Hip Dysplasia [OPTIONAL] Hip Dysplasia is covered if you get the Hereditary/Chronic/Congenital addon.

Hip dysplasia is not covered if it is pre-existing and occurred during the waiting period.

(See 'Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage' section above)
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED] Prescription medications are reimbursed according to the medical condition that has been diagnosed.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage [OPTIONAL] PetFirst provide this coverage at an additional cost. This optional addon pays up to $500 annually for the pregnancy related conditions of mastitis, eclampsia, infection and emergency C-sections.

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Routine/Wellness Coverage [INCLUDED] with Basic, Preferred, and Preferred Plus Plans

[OPTIONAL] with Senior Plan

The deductible does not apply to Routine/Wellness plans

Basic Plan Includes:
  • Annual wellness exam - annual allowance $15
  • Routine vaccinations - annual allowance $25
  • Preventative Care - annual allowance $60 (includes prescription flea control, heartworm preventative test and medications and microchip)
Preferred and Preferred Plus Plans Include
  • Annual wellness exam - annual allowance $20
  • Routine vaccinations - annual allowance $50
  • Preventative Care - annual allowance $60 (includes prescription flea control, heartworm preventative test and medications and microchip)
  • Routine maintenance - annual allowance $75 (includes spay/neuter, teeth cleaning, comprehensive health screen such as EKG, urinalysis, blood panel, and behavioral training).
  • Routine screens - annual allowance $15 (includes fecal test and feLV/FIV test)
Senior Plan Includes:
  • Annual wellness exam - annual allowance $15
  • Routine vaccinations - annual allowance $25
  • Preventative Care - annual allowance $60 (includes prescription flea control, heartworm preventative test and medications and microchip)
Vaccinations See Routine/Wellness Coverage
Spay/Neuter See Routine/Wellness Coverage
Dental Care (Routine) Routine cleaning is covered under routine care for Preferred and Preferred Plus plans up to $75 annually.
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) [LIMITED COVERAGE] Dental coverage for illness and accidents is included. Removal of baby teeth, orthodontics, endodontics are not covered

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Bilateral Conditions Policy If the veterinarian was to determine that the conditions were separate and non-related they would cover both as a separate incident.
Coverage - Overview
(please read policy for full coverage details)
Diagnostics and treatments due to illness and accidents

[Included] Alternative Therapy, Behavioral Therapy (included with Preferred and Preferred Plus policies only),Prescription Medications, Dental Illness/Accident, Cancer Coverage, Routine/Wellness Coverage (included with Preferred and Preferred Plus Policies), Partial Routine Coverage (included with Basic Policy) (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

[Optional] Continual Chronic Conditions, Pregnancy, Hereditary & Congenital Conditions, Hip Dysplasia, Partial Routine Coverage (optional with the Senior Plan) (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

**See actual policy or call PetFirst for full list of inclusions, exclusions, limitations and conditions.
What's not Covered - Overview
(partial listing, please read policy for full details)
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Conditions that occur during the waiting period
  • Elective procedures
  • Expression or removal of anal glands or anal sacculitis
  • Orthodontics, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth
...See policy for a complete listing

 

How The Policy Works
Co-pay Preferred Plus, Preferred, and Basic plans - Co-pay 10%

Senior plan - Co-pay 20%
Deductible Preferred Plus, Preferred, and Basic plans - Per incident deductible $50

Senior plan - Per incident deductible $100

Routine/Wellness care has no deductible
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Flat
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Per Incident
How is Reimbursement Determined CUSTOMER REP: If they feel the fees are high compared to what is being charged in your area, they will use UCR. Otherwise reimbursement is based on the actual veterinary bill.

IN POLICY: UCR
Max Payout Annually Preferred Plus Plan annual limit- $15,000

Preferred Plan annual limit - $12,000

Basic Plan annual limit - $7,500

Senior Plan annual limit - $2,000
Max Lifetime Payout PetFirst does not have a maximum lifetime payout
Max Payout per Incident Preferred Plus Plan per incident limit - $3,500

Preferred Plan per incident limit - $2,500

Basic Plan - per incident limit - $1,500

Senior Plan per incident limit - $2,000
Max Payout Based on Body System PetFirst does not have a maximum payout based on body system
Client Reimbursed or Vet Paid Directly You pay the veterinarian and then you are reimbursed after you file the claim.

 

Pricing
Approximate Monthly Costs Approximately $24 - $115 depending on the plan, species, addons, etc

 

Additional Info
My Review PetFirst Review
What are Customers Saying? PetInsuranceReview.com
Better Business Bureau bbb.org
American Animal Hospital Association Seal of Acceptance No
Additional Info  

*The information in the above charts applies to PetFirst's Basic, Preferred, Preferred Plus and Senior pet insurance plans. For information on their Accident, Family and Custom Plans, please contact PetFirst.

**Disclaimer: These charts are created based on my research. While I do my best to stay current, information can change quickly. Also, terms and conditions can vary from state to state. Before buying a pet insurance plan, confirm all information by calling the company or reading the most current policy. We will not be held liable for errors or omissions. If you see something that is incorrect or needs clarifying, please let me know.

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