Compare PurinaCare® Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet

To get the most from these sheets, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.



Company Info
Company Name PurinaCare Insurance Services, Inc.
Also Known As PurinaCare®
Address P.O. Box 599500
San Antonio, Texas 78259-9500
Phone 1-877-8PURINA (878-7462)
Website www.purinacare.com
Plans That Provide Both Accident and Illness Coverage PurinaCare® Plus Preventative Care; PurinaCare® Without Preventative Care
States Covered The following states are NOT covered at this time:
  • Florida
Call PurinaCare® to see if your state has been added.
Underwriter and AM Best Financial Strength Rating All new insurance plans are underwritten by Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A+" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 8/5/10.

For the most recent ratings go to: AM Best and enter the name of the underwriter in the box labeled 'Text'.
Year Company Started 2008

 

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 Pet must be at least 8 weeks of age
Cancellation Policy Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy
Waiting Period 48 hours after the policy effective date for accidents

14 days after the policy effective date for illness

No waiting period for preventive care (Routine/Wellness Care) if you have the PurinaCare® Plus Preventative Care Plan
Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury 14 days 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? Chronic conditions will continue to be covered each year as long as you do not go over your Annual Maximum Payout for that year (See 'Max Payout Annually' section below)
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 PurinaCare® 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 online

(Click on the links at the bottom of that page to view the policies for your state)

 

What's Covered
Species Covered Dogs and Cats
Accident/Injury -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.
Illness -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage [INCLUDED] Behavioral Therapy is covered only if prescribed and administered by a licensed veterinarian in a clinical setting.

Training is not covered, even if prescribed or performed by a licensed veterinarian

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for any additional limitations on Behavioral Therapy Coverage
Alternative Therapy Coverage [INCLUDED] Alternative Therapy is covered only if prescribed and administered by a licensed veterinarian in a clinical setting.

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

According to their sample policy for their newer plans, "Pre-existing Condition means any Condition that prior to Your initial Policy Effective Date or prior to any new Policy Effective Date following a lapse in coverage (i) was present, contracted, or which first became evident for which a Veterinarian may or may not have been consulted or for which treatment or medication was or was not prescribed or (ii) for which a reasonable person would have sought veterinary care."

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for complete description of pre-existing conditions.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage [INCLUDED] Hereditary and congenital conditions are covered as long as your pet is not showing signs and the disease has not been diagnosed or suspected prior to enrollment or during the waiting period.
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions [INCLUDED] Continual coverage for chronic conditions is included with the policy.

Chronic conditions are covered up to the annual maximum payout per policy year. (See 'Max Payout Annually' section below)
Chronic Conditions Policy Chronic conditions are covered up to the annual maximum payout per policy year. (See 'Max Payout Annually' section below)

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

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® 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.

(See 'Chronic Conditions Policy' section above)
Cancer Coverage Limits Cancer conditions are covered as long as you have not gone over your annual maximum annual payout per policy year. (See 'Max Payout Annually' section below)
Hip Dysplasia [INCLUDED] Hip dysplasia is covered as long as your pet is not showing signs and the disease has not been diagnosed or suspected prior to enrollment or during the waiting period.

(See 'Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage' section above).
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED] Prescription drugs are covered. Does not cover prescription diets, holistic medications, herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements or natural remedies even if prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage [NO]
Routine/Wellness Coverage [OPTIONAL] Routine care is covered only if you get the PurinaCare® plus Preventive Care Plan.

Includes:
  • Annual wellness exams
  • Routine vaccinations
  • Flea and heartworm medications
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Microchipping
  • Routine diagnostic tests(Blood Panel, Urinalysis, Heartworm Test, Fecal Test)
  • Routine deworming
  • Routine dental cleaning
Each category has an annual payout limit. Deductible must be met first then they will reimburse eligible expenses based on the plan's copay.

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for complete description of their Wellness Coverage
Vaccinations [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Spay/Neuter [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Dental Care (Routine) [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) [LIMITED COVERAGE] Dental coverage for illness and accidents is included. Removal of baby teeth and orthodontics are not covered.

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Bilateral Conditions Policy If your pet develops a Bilateral Condition before your policy effective date or during the waiting period, it will not be covered and if your pet develops the same condition on the opposite side after the waiting period it will not be covered. For example if a dog has been diagnosed with a cruciate tear in this left knee before the effective date or during the waiting period, a cruciate tear in the right leg will not be covered. Even if it happens after the waiting period.

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® for a list of medical conditions that are considered bilateral and for a complete description of their Bilateral Conditions Policy.
Coverage - Overview
(please read policy for full coverage details)		 Diagnostics and treatments due to illness and accidents

[Included] Hereditary & Congenital Disorders, Alternative Therapy, Continual Chronic Conditions Coverage, Cancer Coverage, Behavioral Therapy, Hip Dysplasia, Prescription Medications, Dental Illness/Accident (limited). (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

[Optional] Routine/Wellness Care and Routine Dental Care - Both come with the PurinaCare® plus Preventive Care Plan (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

**See actual policy or call PurinaCare® 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
  • Pregnancy, Breeding, Fertility
  • Boarding
  • Alternative Care unless prescribed and performed by a Licensed Veterinarian in a Clinical Setting
  • Cosmetic and Elective Procedures including but not limited to: Ear Cropping, Tail Docking, Debarking, Nail trimming, Dewclaw Removal, Declawing of Cats or Dogs, Tattooing, any Cosmetic procedures, Disarming (cutting and capping teeth) Orthodontics or Cosmetic Dentistry.
  • All Pet Foods
...See policy for a complete listing

 

How The Policy Works
Co-pay PurinaCare is in the process of updating their policies.

For states under the old policies the copay is 20%.

For states under the new policies, the copay is 20%, 30%, or 40%.

You will see the policy for your state when viewing the sample policy on PurinaCare's website. (See "Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review?" above.)
Deductible Annual Deductible.

PurinaCare® without Preventive Care - Choose from $100, $250, $500, $1000 deductible per year.

PurinaCare® Plus Preventive Care - Choose from $250, $500, $1000 deductible per year
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Flat
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Annual Deductible
How is Reimbursement Determined Purina Care is in the process of updating their policies.

For states under the old policies: UCR

For states under the new policies: Standard Charges as defined by the fees your veterinarian routinely charges uninsured clients for similar eligible services.

You will see the policy for your state when viewing the sample policy on PurinaCare's website. (See "Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review?" above.)
Max Payout Annually $20,000
Max Lifetime Payout PurinaCare® does not have a maximum lifetime payout
Max Payout per Incident PurinaCare® does not have a maximum payout per incident
Max Payout Based on Body System PurinaCare® 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 $4 - $83 depending on the deductible, type of pet, age of pet, your location, breed, preventive coverage, etc.

 

Additional Info
My Review PurinaCare® Review
What are Customers Saying? PetInsuranceReview.com
Better Business Bureau N/A
American Animal Hospital Association Seal of Acceptance Yes - For the PurinaCare® without Preventive Care Plan
Additional Info  


**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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