|
A Vet's Review of PetFirst 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 PetFirst, see PetFirst's Comparison Sheet.
PetFirst has offered pet insurance since 2004. This review refers
to the following plans: Pet First Accident and Illness Plan
|
In general, PetFirst 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.
The type and amount of coverage for non-routine dental procedures
is unclear.
|
PetFirst Pet Insurance covers chronic
diseases and provides continual coverage for chronic conditions
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.
|
Hereditary, congenital, breed-specific and genetic conditions, including
hip dysplasia are covered by PetFirst Pet Insurance 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.
|
PetFirst covers cancer conditions 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.
|
PetFirst covers breed specific medical conditions, 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.
|
PetFirst has an annual maximum
payout structure. The highest annual maximum payout will work
for those whose "Worst Case Scenario Costs" are less than $20,000.
(See: Picking the Right
Maximum Payout)
|
Summary of Coverage and Payout Structure
Gotchas
- The extent of non-routine Dental coverage is unclear
Good Points
- Strong underwriter
- Provides comprehensive coverage in the 5 important areas as part of the base plan:
- Chronic disease
- Continual coverage for chronic disease
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Cancer
- Breed specific conditions
Additional Comments Regarding All Pet Insurance Companies:
- Make sure you research what customers are saying about the company.
A company may have the 5 components that should be part of a pet insurance
plan, but the company may not be a hit with customers. Sites to check
include but are not limited to, Yelp.com and PetInsuranceReview.com.
Things to look for include but are not limited to: How fast are payments
paid?, What are customers saying about the pre-existing conditions policy?,
How often are claims denied and for what reason?, What is the customer
service experience like?
- 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 sure you 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.
- For some companies, 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 | Figo | Healthy Paws | PetFirst
| PetPlan | Pets Best
| 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.
**Copyright:
You are more than welcome to link to this website, in fact, it is greatly
appreciated. However, a lot of time, energy and effort went into the production
of this material so please do not copy and paste the contents of this website
into your website or written material.
If you use data from this website as a research point for your own website or
written material, you must cite Pet-Insurance-University.com as the source.
All names, logos and trademarks in this site are the property of their respective owner(s).
|