Petco Pet Insurance Review
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If you’re a pet owner, chances are you already know about one of the largest pet retailers in the United States. In 2017, Petco expanded to offer pet insurance, providing competitive coverage with multiple plan customization options.
We spent hours researching the best pet insurance companies nationwide and found Petco to be one of the top providers. We compiled this guide to Petco’s plans, pricing, discounts, waiting periods, and more to help you determine if Petco pet insurance is right for you and your pet.
How Did We Rate Petco Insurance?
We rated Petco pet insurance on key factors such as affordability, coverage, customizations, customer service, and plan options. We scored Petco a 4.3 out of 5 stars, noting its flexible coverage options and customizable policy.
We deducted points for Petco’s lack of a preventive care add-on and limited customer service availability. We also found it to have higher premiums than other providers.
- Monthly cost: Petco’s premiums are slightly higher than those of competitors.
- Plan options: You can choose from multiple deductible and reimbursement options.
- Coverage: The company covers both accidents and illnesses in its standard plan.
- Reputation: Petco hasn’t been in business as long as some competitors, nor is its BBB rating as high.
- Customer service: The provider doesn’t offer a 24/7 helpline, mobile app, or online chat option.
- Eligible species: You can insure both dogs and cats.
How Does Petco Pet Insurance Compare to Other Providers?
Here’s how Petco compares to other top pet insurance providers:
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33.69 | $13.32 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $38.44 | $21.53 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $65.15 | $53.43 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $20.76 | $18.47 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.83 | $24.68 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $28.09 | $14.71 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $49.85 | $26.55 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.79 | $16.36 | VISIT SITE |
*Average monthly premiums are based on sample quotes for a medium-sized, mixed-breed, 4-year-old dog in Savannah, Georgia.
How Much Does Petco Insurance Cost?
Petco costs between $17 and $40 for a 4-year-old cat or dog, depending on the breed. We found Petco’s premiums to be somewhat high compared to the pet insurance quotes we received from other providers. However, Petco offers higher-than-average annual coverage limits, including an unlimited option. Unlimited coverage is ideal for pet owners who feel the cost of their pet’s care may exceed an annual limit. Petco also offers a low $100 annual deductible option, so pet parents can begin receiving reimbursements quickly.
Petco’s policies are highly customizable. You can adjust your monthly cost based on the following policy options:
- Deductible: $100, $250, and $500
- Annual coverage limit: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, and unlimited
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, and 90%
As with any pet insurance provider, factors such as your location and your pet’s age and breed will affect your monthly premium.
Petco Sample Pricing Premiums
We compiled quotes from several cities nationwide to give you an idea of Petco’s pricing. These sample quotes are based on four-year-old dogs and cats of various breeds with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement, and a $10,000 annual limit.
| Animal Breed | 1 Year Old | 4 Years Old | 6 Years Old | 9 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Medium Mixed Dog |
$25.54 |
$28.09 |
$44.93 |
$71.07 |
|
Labrador Retriever |
$37.85 |
$41.64 |
$56.63 |
$105.38 |
|
Poodle |
$29.73 |
$32.69 |
$44.48 |
$82.76 |
|
German Shepherd |
$36.21 |
$39.86 |
$54.21 |
$100.88 |
|
Mixed Cat |
$15.40 |
$14.71 |
$20.80 |
$30.55 |
|
Maine Coon Cat |
$18.16 |
$17.34 |
$24.52 |
$36.02 |
|
Persian Cat |
$18.16 |
$17.34 |
$24.52 |
$36.02 |
|
Abyssinian Cat |
$17.75 |
$16.96 |
$23.99 |
$35.25 |
What Discounts Does Petco Offer?
If you are a member of Petco’s member rewards program, Petco Pals, you will receive a 5% discount on your pet insurance policy. All customers enrolling more than one pet will also receive a 10% policy discount.
Petco offers policyholders a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your coverage, you can call to cancel your policy and get a full refund. Note that this is only applicable if you have yet to file a claim within the 30-day window. Additionally, this guarantee is not available if you live in New York.
What Are Petco Insurance’s Plans and Coverage?
Petco’s coverage is on par with other providers in the industry. For unexpected injuries and illnesses, Petco offers an accident-and-illness plan. Petco offers an accident-only plan if you only want coverage for potential accidents. One feature to note about Petco is that it does not have an upper age limit for providing coverage.
With Petco’s accident-and-illness plan, your furry friend is covered for the following:
- Accidents (such as car accidents, bite wounds, and bone fractures)
- Alternative therapy (such as acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and stem cell therapy)
- Behavior issues (such as aggression, separation anxiety, and marking)
- Illnesses (such as stomach issues, eye infections, and skin issues)
- Cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy and radiation)
- Chronic conditions (such as allergies, seizures, and arthritis)
- Dental illness and injury (such as gingivitis or tooth extraction due to an accident)
- Diagnostic testing (such as X-rays, MRIs, and blood tests)
- End-of-life expenses
- Hereditary and congenital conditions (such as hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, and cataracts)
- Medical supplies and devices (such as casts, splints, and mobility devices)
- Microchip implantation
- Prescription medication, food, and supplements (must be FDA-approved and prescribed by a licensed vet)
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Vet exam fees (visits must be related to a covered illness or injury)
The accident-only policy will cover many of the treatments and procedures listed above, but only as they relate to an unexpected injury, including bite wounds, broken bones, lacerations, torn ligaments, and toxic ingestions. It will not reimburse any vet bills related to an illness.
Both plans uniquely cover microchipping for your cat or dog.
Wellness Care
Separate from its pet insurance policies, Petco offers a wellness plan through its Vital Care program. Vital Care is not considered insurance; you must purchase it separately from pet insurance. It costs $9.99 per month for birds, fish, reptiles, or other small pets and $19.99 per month for dogs and cats. The cost reduces to $7.99 or $17.99 per month with the enrollment of multiple pets.
As a Vital Care member, you’ll receive unlimited routine care exams at participating Petco vet hospitals and discounts on grooming, nutrition, pet food, pet products, and pet services through Rover.com.
Waiting Periods
Petco has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and orthopedic conditions. When compared to other pet insurance providers, 14 days for illnesses is average. For injuries, it is longer than average; for example, Figo’s waiting period for injuries is 24 hours, and Embrace’s is 48 hours. It is, however, short for orthopedic conditions, as some providers have a 6- to 12-month waiting period.
What Does Petco Pet Insurance Not Cover?
All pet insurance providers exclude certain conditions and procedures from their policies, which means they will not be covered. For example, no pet insurance company will cover preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is an injury or illness your pet suffered before the date your coverage began. This includes any incident that occurs during the waiting period.
Note that Petco will cover a preexisting condition if it is curable. If your pet has gone 180 days without symptoms or treatment, Petco will treat the condition as new if it recurs. This does not apply to knee or ligament conditions.
Additional exclusions from Petco’s pet insurance coverage include the following:
- Bilateral conditions
- Boarding fees
- Breeding, pregnancy, or nursing fees
- Cosmetic or elective surgeries
- Dental cleanings and aesthetic, endodontic, or orthodontic dental procedures
- Grooming services
- Training or training devices
Where is Petco Insurance Availabile?
Petco pet insurance is available to pet parents in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. If you choose to travel with your pet, it will be covered when it accompanies you anywhere in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories.
Find the Best Pet Insurance in Your State
How Do Customers View Petco Insurance?
Petco Pet Insurance is relatively new, so it has no online customer reviews. Although it is not reviewed or accredited with the BBB, Petco Animal Supplies Inc. has a B rating. Petco’s insurance underwriter, United States Fire Insurance Company (administered by Crum and Forster Insurance Agency), has an A rating with AM Best for financial stability.
*AM Best and BBB ratings are accurate as of January 2024.
Is Petco Pet Insurance Worth it?
Petco offers comprehensive pet health insurance for accidents and illnesses with flexible coverage options. We appreciated Petco’s willingness to cover any dog or cat without an upper age limit and offer coverage for microchipping, behavioral therapy, and alternative therapy in its standard plan.
If Petco’s higher premiums and missing wellness coverage take it off your list, we recommend looking into cheaper pet insurance options, such as Lemonade, Spot, or Embrace. We recommend retrieving quotes from a few different providers so you can find the best plan for you and your loyal companion.
FAQs About Petco Pet Insurance
How can I reach Petco’s customer service?
You can reach Petco’s pet insurance customer service by phone at 833-898-7387 or email at support.insurance@petco.com between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. PST, any day of the week.
How do I file a claim with Petco?
To file a claim with Petco, policyholders can submit the related documents through the online portal. Reimbursements can be deposited directly into your bank account or mailed as a check. Customers can track the claims process online through their accounts. Claims usually take about 30 days to process.
Does Petco Pet Insurance cover vaccinations?
Unfortunately, Petco does not offer a preventive care package with its insurance policy, so it does not cover vaccinations. If you desire coverage for routine care, including vaccinations, look into Petco’s Vital Care wellness program, which covers all routine vet visits.
Our Rating Methodology
We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
