A Vet's Review of Pets Best Pet Insurance

by Frances Wilkerson, DVM

This review discusses coverage and payout structure

To get the most from this review, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.
For a detailed look at Pets Best, see Pets Best's Comparison Sheet.



Overview

Pets Best has offered pet insurance since 2005. This review refers to the following plans: Pets Basic; Pets First; Pets Premier.



Coverage Overview

In general, Pets Best Pet Insurance covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, and prescription medications for accidents/injuries and illnesses as long as the condition is not pre-existing, has not occurred during the waiting period, and you have not reached your maximum payout.

Non-routine dental coverage is limited.



Coverage For Chronic Diseases & Continual Coverage For Chronic Diseases

Pets Best Pet Insurance offers chronic diseases coverage and continual coverage for chronic conditions as part of the base policy, as long as the condition is not pre-existing, has not occurred during the waiting period, and you have not reached your maximum payout per incident/maximum lifetime payout limit.

Pets Best does not, however, provide coverage for congenital conditions and Pets Best has limited hereditary coverage (See Below)....so if your pet develops a chronic genetic condition there is a possibility it will not be covered.



Hereditary & Congenital Coverage

Pets Best has no congenital coverage, has limited hereditary coverage, and limited payout for certain hereditary conditions. Hereditary and congenital coverage is an important piece of coverage that must be part of any pet insurance plan (See: 5 Points of Coverage Your Pet Insurance Plan Must Have).

In addition, payout for hereditary/congenital conditions should not be limited. You should have full access to your lifetime maximum payout as these tend to be some of the most costly medical conditions.


Cancer Coverage

Pets Best Pet Insurance offers cancer coverage but they have limits on hereditary/congenital conditions so it is uncertain whether or not a cancer caused by a genetic/hereditary disorder will be covered.



Coverage For Breed Specific Conditions

Breed specific medical conditions often occur as hereditary/congenital issues. Pets Best Pet Insurance does not cover congenital conditions, limited hereditary coverage, and limited payout for certain hereditary conditions, therefore coverage for breed specific conditions is low.



Maximum Payout Structure

Pets Best Pet Insurance has a per-incident maximum payout structure combined with an maximum lifetime payout structure. While the lifetime maximum is very generous, there is a maximum you will receive per-incident depending on the plan you purchase. Pets Best does offer a plan with a per-incident payout of $14,000 which is a good amount.

Unfortunately, there is a maximum reimbursement you can receive on certain hereditary conditions which is much less.



Summary of Coverage and Payout Structure

Gotchas

  • No congenital coverage
  • Limited hereditary coverage
  • Limited payout for certain hereditary conditions
  • Offers cancer coverage, but the hereditary and congenital limitations make it difficult to know if a cancer caused by a hereditary or genetic disorder will be covered
  • Non-routine dental coverage is limited



Good Points

  • No upper age limit for enrollment
  • Strong underwriter
  • Coverage when travel out of state or to another country
  • Provides continual coverage for chronic diseases



Additional Comments:

  • Make sure you understand what the waiting periods are.
  • Make sure you understand their bilateral conditions policy.
  • Make sure you understand any requirements that you must adhere to to maintain coverage.
  • Make sure you read the terms and conditions to get a thorough understanding of all exclusions.
  • Make you call the company to understand how and when your premium can increase.
  • If you change plan levels, there is a possibility that all medical conditions present under the old plan will be considered pre-existing in the new plan. Make sure you ask the company if this is the case.
  • Pre-existing conditions can be based on symptoms alone, a diagnosis is not needed. For example, if your pet had a cough before you applied for pet insurance and this cough was discussed and written in the pet's medical record, there is the possibility that all future cough conditions, no matter what the cause, would be considered pre-existing - even if there was no treatment given. Make sure you ask the company if this is the case.
  • Pet insurance companies are businesses. The top priority of any business is to make a profit for their stakeholders. Pet insurance companies can and may change your rates and terms to meet that top priority. A change of business ownership or underwriters can also be a catalyst for changes in your rates and terms.

    When you purchase pet insurance make sure you have a realistic understanding of this and how it can affect you.


Additional Reviews:

AKC | ASPCA | Embrace | Healthy Paws | PetFirst | PetPlan | Pets Best | Purina | Trupanion | VPI | 24 Pet Watch


**Disclaimer:This review is meant to supplement not replace your own due diligence. Please read all terms and conditions of the pet insurance plan before you buy.

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