ASPCA Pet Insurance Review

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What we like: Preventive care covered and short waiting periods

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.

ASPCA Pet Insurance is administered by C&F Insurance Agency, Inc., which is based in Akron, Ohio. The company was founded in 1997 making it the second oldest pet insurance provider in the United States. Products are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, which has an A.M. Best Insurance Rating of A (Excellent).​

This ASPCA Pet Insurance Review will cover the options offered through the plan as well as the costs, benefits, and downsides.

What is the ASPCA Pet Insurance?

In 2006, the Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group started a strategic partnership with the ASPCA with the intent of offering comprehensive coverage to pet owners. The ASPCA licenses their name to the company which actually offers the pet insurance.

The company has always been focused on prevetive care for animals, and it lives up to this value by offering additional coverage for spaying and neutering dogs and cats. 

Coverage & Plans

The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program offers plans for accidents and illnesses or accidents only which provide a wide range of coverage including accidents and emergencies, illnesses, and advanced care for hereditary and congenital conditions. Preventive care options for yearly essentials can be added to any plan for an additional cost. With the introduction of the Complete Coverage plan, reimbursements are based on a percentage of the total covered vet bill.

Accident-Only Plan

Through the accident-only 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.

Complete Coverage

With Complete Coverage, vet expenses are covered up to the policy limits for care involving stomach issues, infections, or cancer, and are based on a percentage of the total vet bill. Pets that need advanced care may have vet bills for therapy, behavioral issues, or other conditions associated with hereditary and congenital issues which are reimbursed through the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans.

Preventive Care Plan

Preventive care add-ons come at an additional cost but can help pet owners offset the cost of vaccines, booster shots, dental cleanings, health screenings, and wellness exams. 

Costs of ASPCA Pet Insurance

Reimbursements

For either plan offered through the ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program, pet owners may receive reimbursement for up to 90 percent of eligible veterinary costs after the annual deductible is met, up to the annual limit. Policyholders can choose the annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages that best meets their financial needs to create the level of coverage they want for their pets.

Policy Costs

Similar to other pet insurance companies, like USAA and MetLife, the cost of an ASPCA Pet Health 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.

Second, the ASPCA pet insurance program gives pet owners the ability to choose their annual coverage limit. Annual payouts may be limited to $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or may be unlimited.

Third, the pet owner selects are reimbursement percentage​ of between 70 to 90 percent. This leaves the remaining 10 to 30 percent of the vet bill as the responsibility of the pet owner depending on the co-insurance selected during enrollment.

Finally, plan type, breed, pet age, and the location​ of residence affect policy costs.

Drawbacks

Pre-existing conditions are not covered by ASCPA pet insurance.

Pet owners must submit a detailed invoice from the vet in order to be eligible for reimbursement. The invoice is then reviewed by the company to determine the appropriate level of reimbursement.

All new policyholders must wait 14 days after the effective date of the policy for any illness to be covered. Any illnesses that occur before or during that waiting period will be considered a pre-existing condition and will not be covered.