ASPCA Pet Insurance Review
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more commonly known as the ASPCA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping animals and pets around the world. In the last few years, the ASPCA has joined the ranks of companies offering pet insurance to pet owners in the U.S. with plans available for dogs and cats that qualify for coverage. This ASPCA pet insurance review will cover the options offered by the organization such as, accidents, illness, advanced care needs, and preventative veterinary care.
What is the ASPCA Pet Insurance?
The ASPCA was founded in 1866, but its pet insurance arm began operating in partnership with Hartville in 2006 with the intent of offering comprehensive coverage to pet owners. The company has always been focused on preventative care for animals, and it lives up to this value by offering additional coverage for spaying and neutering dogs and cats. The ASPCA pet insurance policies are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, as well as Crum and Forster Pet Insurance Group.
The Benefits of ASPCA
The ASPCA pet insurance policies provide a wide range of coverage including accidents and emergencies, illnesses, advanced care for hereditary and congenital conditions, and preventative care for yearly essentials.
Through the accident and emergency plan, pet owners are covered for injuries or medical conditions that a dog or cat experiences due to an accident such as broken bones, swallowing a foreign object, exposure to toxic substances, or bite wounds.
With illness coverage, vet expenses are covered up to the policy limits for care involving stomach issues, infections, or cancer. Pets that have advanced care coverage may have vet bills for therapy, behavioral issues, or other conditions associated with hereditary non-accident issues reimbursed by the ASPCA.
Preventative care plans offered by the company help pet owners offset the cost of vaccines, booster shots, dental cleanings, health screenings, and wellness exams. Pet owners also have the option of obtaining a complete coverage plan, which includes all of the separate coverage options for an additional monthly cost.
For most plans offered through ASPCA pet insurance, pet owners may receive reimbursement for up to 90 percent of eligible veterinary costs after the annual deductible is met. Policyholders can choose the deductible that best meets their financial needs, and combine plans to create the level of coverage they want for their pet. ASPCA also makes available a pet care center as a free resource to policyholders which offers information about routine pet care and what constitutes an emergency visit to the vet.
The Costs and Drawbacks
Similar to other pet insurance companies, like USAA and MetLife, the cost of an ASPCA pet insurance policy varies greatly depending on several factors. First, the pet owner can select a deductible of $100, $250, or $500 per year, with the higher deductibles reducing the monthly premium. Also, the level of coverage selected through each of the pet insurance plans offered affects the monthly premium. According to the insurer, pet health insurance plans currently range from $8 to $80 per month based on the choices made by the pet owner.
While the ASPCA gives pet owners the ability to choose how much coverage they want based on their financial means, there are limitations inherent to each level of coverage offered by the insurance company. Payouts may be limited to $2,500, $3,000, $5,000 or $7,000, depending on the plan selected, and 10 percent of the total veterinary bill remains the responsibility of the pet owner.
Additionally, pre-existing conditions are not covered, nor are hereditary and congenital conditions when the advanced care plan is not selected. Pet owners must submit a detailed invoice from the vet of their choice directly to ASPCA which is then reviewed by the company to determine the appropriate level of reimbursement. All new policyholders must wait 30 days after the date of the insurance coverage begins before requesting reimbursement for qualified vet bills. The ASPCA may increase the cost of coverage each policy anniversary based on the submitted claims or medical history of the pet covered.