ASPCA Pet Insurance Review – Extra Protection for Your Pet
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A pet insurance policy offers financial safeguards for trips to the veterinarian and various medical expenses you may encounter as pet parents. A good pet insurance policy like the one ASPCA provides can offer greater peace of mind for pet owners. This ASPCA Pet Insurance review will cover some key details about policies and how ASPCA compares with its competitors.
In this article
What is ASPCA Pet Insurance?
ASPCA Pet Insurance is a segment of ASPCA’s underlying business. The non-profit organization has been fighting against animal cruelty since 1866 and has offered pet insurance policies since 1997. An ASPCA Pet Insurance plan lets you receive cash back on eligible vet bills and prioritize your pet’s health in case of an emergency.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
How does ASPCA Pet Insurance work?
ASPCA offers pet insurance policies for cats and dogs without any age limit in place. You will have to provide your pet’s name, let ASPCA know whether your pet is a dog or cat, and provide your zip code to get a quote. ASPCA insurance coverage come with 30-day money-back guarantees and let you visit any licensed veterinarian in the United States or Canada. You can also get a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet you insure. The 10% multi-pet discount is a standard feature within the pet insurance industry.
Pet owners can choose from Complete Coverage or Accident-Only Coverage options. Complete Coverage is more expensive but also offers more protections. Accident-Only Coverage is better for people who are on tight budgets. You can add Preventative Care Coverage to your plan. This add-on offers cash back for dental cleanings, neutering, vaccines, annual check-ups, and spaying.
How much does ASPCA Pet Insurance cost?
The monthly premium for an ASPCA Pet Insurance policy depends on the type of pet, breed, gender, annual limit, and other factors. I decided to see what insurance premiums I could get for a 10-year-old female Shih Tzu with the 18098 zip code. These are the results:
You can adjust the annual limit, reimbursement rate, and annual deductible to get a different premium. Both policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, breeding costs, cosmetic procedures, or preventive care. You can add Basic Preventive Care to your policy for $9.95/mo for annual coverage of $250 or pay $24.95/mo for Prime Preventive Care. This plan has annual coverage of $450. You won’t have to pay a deductible or endure a waiting period for these add-ons.
Pet insurance policies are more affordable for cat owners. You’ll save almost 40% on premiums if you own a cat instead of a dog. Here’s what the premiums look like for a 10-year-old female American Shorthair.
The monthly expenses for the Basic Preventive Care and Prime Preventive Care plans are the same for dogs and cats. Unlike most pet insurers, ASPCA has an annual limit that caps out at $10,000. Other insurers offer unlimited coverage for pet owners who want to pay higher premiums.
Dogs and cats have much lower premiums for an Accident-Only plan than for Complete Coverage policies. You can save money with less coverage, but some pet owners may wish they had the extra coverage if an emergency occurs.
ASPCA Pet Insurance features
Accident-Only Coverage
Accident-Only Coverage offers pet owners a more affordable path to receiving insurance. An ASPCA policy covers eligible costs for injuries and emergencies related to accidents. Exam fees, diagnostics, and treatment for accidents are included in the policy.
Complete Coverage
Complete Coverage offers additional protection that extends beyond accidents. Illnesses, hereditary conditions, and behavioral issues are some of the additional events the policy covers.
Preventive Care
ASPCA Pet Insurance policies do not include preventive care. However, you can add Basic Preventive Care or Prime Preventive Care to your policy. These plans offer pet wellness coverage such as dental cleaning, deworming, and heartworm tests. The Prime Plan also covers Bordetella vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention, a health certificate, blood tests, and urinalysis.
Exam fees covered
ASPCA pet health insurance covers exam fees for its policies. Not every insurer takes this step, and it will allow you to keep more money in your pocket.
Reimbursements as high as 90%
A high reimbursement reduces the amount you have to pay out of pocket for your pet’s medical expenses and other costs covered in your policy. ASPCA offers reimbursements as low as 70% and as high as 90%. A higher reimbursement percentage will result in a higher monthly premium.
Annual deductibles as low as $100
ASPCA lets pet owners choose from the deductible options ranging from $100 to $500. A lower deductible means you don’t have to pay as much money upfront before the policy kicks in. However, a low deductible will also result in a higher monthly premium.
Annual limits as high as $10,000
Insurers have annual limits on how much they will cover before you are on your own. You can select a policy with an annual limit ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. A higher annual limit will result in a higher premium.
10% multi-pet discount
ASPCA offers discounts on its pet insurance policies if you have multiple pets insured through them.
Wide range of veterinarian choices
An ASPCA Pet Insurance policy gives you the flexibility to get your expenses covered by any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada.
Related: Lemonade vs Trupanion vs ASPCA
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
Who is ASPCA Pet Insurance best for?
Pet owners looking for financial coverage. An ASPCA Pet Insurance policy can give you extra funds for your pet when you need them the most. You never know when something may happen. An insurance product is something you hope to never use, but it comes in handy if you can file a claim.
Pet owners who can keep up with the premiums. Any insurance policy will lapse the moment you cannot pay the monthly premiums. ASPCA has various options, which makes it easier to end up with a premium that is within your budget.
Pet owners who frequently use a veterinarian’s services. The more often you visit your vet, the more you will save with an ASPCA Pet Insurance Policy. You have the flexibility to work with any vet in North America. If you don’t take your pet to the vet, an insurance policy doesn’t make as much sense but can still be valuable.
Who shouldn’t use ASPCA Pet Insurance?
Pet owners who have tight budgets. Not everyone can keep up with the monthly premiums. You may need those funds to cover other expenses. You can opt for a more affordable policy with less coverage, but it is important to assess your budget before selecting a pet insurance policy.
Pet owners who want unlimited annual coverage. Once ASPCA spends $10,000 to cover your pet’s expenses, you are on your own for the rest of the year. Other insurers offer policies with unlimited coverage, but these plans have higher premiums. You might get unlimited annual coverage if you contact ASPCA about its policies. While I didn’t see any way to get unlimited annual coverage on the quote page, ASPCA mentions on the website that it offers unlimited plans.
Pet owners who do not qualify. ASPCA has a few restrictions put in place for its policies. The company does not insure pets with pre-existing medical conditions. Breeding costs and cosmetic procedures are also not covered. You will need a Preventive Care add-on to receive coverage for preventive care.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reimbursements as high as 90%
- Deductibles as low as $100
- Save money on veterinary bills
- Work with any vet in the U.S. or Canada
- Comprehensive Coverage with the Preventive Care add-on offers most, if not all, of the coverage you need
Cons
- You cannot get a policy with unlimited coverage
- You will need an add-on to get Preventive Care
- No coverage for pets with existing medical conditions
- You still have to make out-of-pocket payments after your deductible
- The premium represents an additional monthly expense
ASPCA Pet Insurance vs. competitors
ASPCA is more well-known as a non-profit that fights against animal cruelty. ASPCA’s insurance segment began in 1997, but there are other pet insurance providers to consider. Here’s how ASPCA compares with the competition.
Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance has a 24/7 Pet Telehealth Helpline and lets policyholders work with veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada. You can get up to 90% cash back on your vet bills. Spot Pet Insurance lets consumers choose accident-only policies or accident & illness coverage. Preventive care can be added to a policy. Spot Pet Insurance does not offer coverage for pets with pre-existing conditions. However, if a condition has been cured for at least 180 days, you can get a policy. You can get a policy with no per-incident caps or lifetime caps.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
A Healthy Paws Pet Insurance policy has maximum payouts and reimbursements that can get as low as 50%. While these reimbursements aren’t the highest, it also means you end up with a lower premium. Just like many insurers, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventive care. However, it also doesn’t cover office visit fees, examination fees, or spaying and neutering procedures.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance links to other pet insurance companies if you are looking for a lower rate. The insurer is upfront if its quote isn’t the best value for your pet. Each Healthy Paws Pet Insurance policy comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance is a new insurer in the industry that has been around since 2015. The company covers tests, medications, essential care, accidents, procedures, and other events. Lemonade Pet Insurance does not cover veterinarian expenses incurred in Canada. Costs from veterinarians in the United States are covered in the policy.
Lemonade uses artificial intelligence on its website to make the insurance process more seamless for consumers. The setup helps the company process claims faster and has shorter waiting periods for its policies.
FAQs
Is pet insurance worth it?
Pet insurance can come in handy when you incur significant expenses for your pet due
to a medical condition or an emergency. The monthly premiums are easier to predict within your budget than an accident that requires immediate attention. Before getting pet insurance, make sure you have enough room in your budget to cover the monthly premiums. You should also consider the opportunity cost of a policy and how you could use those funds instead. A policy is a great resource to have if your pet needs medical attention.
How much coverage should I get for my pet?
The amount of coverage you should get for your pet depends on how much you can
afford. Stretching out of your budget can make it more difficult to pay the premiums and
risk lapsing on the policy. You can adjust your policy annually if you want additional
coverage in the future.
Should I wait until my pet is older to get insurance?
Waiting for your pet to get older will help you save money on the monthly premiums. However, you never know when your pet may get involved in an accident. Waiting before getting a policy is also risky because your pet may develop a medical condition while it’s uninsured. Insurance companies do not work with pets that have pre-existing conditions. Having a pet insurance policy in place protects you from this risk.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
The bottom line
The best pet insurance companies minimizes your financial risk as a pet owner. You can address your pet’s health and needs instead of stressing about how much a procedure will cost. While you will still incur out-of-pocket costs, it’s nice to know that your insurance company will do most of the work after you pay the deductible. A pet insurance policy can offer greater peace of mind. It’s the insurance product you hope never to use for emergencies, but it is a useful resource just in case something happens.
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Writer
Marc Guberti is a business freelance writer who specializes in personal finance, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship. His award-winning book "Content Marketing Secrets" teaches readers how to create, promote and optimize content for growth and revenue. Marc also hosts the "Breakthrough Success Podcast," where listeners learn how to master content marketing and get more clients.
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