Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best pet insurance companies
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers solid coverage, notably for senior pets, several plan options and some of the lowest premiums among the best pet insurance companies we’ve reviewed. In this guide, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will explain why ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is one of our top-rated pet coverage options.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Our Thoughts on ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance scored well in every category we evaluated based on our provider review methodology, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars, and we named it the best option for lifelong protection. ASPCA Health Insurance’s high scores in our pricing category suggest its coverage is adequate despite charging below-average pricing. However, the provider lost points for not offering a website chat feature or a 24/7 customer care line, as well as for having a longer-than-average accident waiting period and a low maximum annual coverage limit.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance provides coverage for senior pets at affordable rates, with no restrictions on senior enrollment or age-related benefit reductions over time. The company also offers affordable premiums for younger pets, including dogs, cats and horses, making it a good choice for pet owners looking for financial protection against unexpected veterinary bills.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states and is backed by several large and highly rated underwriters. Although ASPCA Pet Health Insurance operates as a separate entity from the ASPCA, the connection between the two organizations may offer policyholders peace of mind.
Pros and Cons
Offers two plan options to meet a wider range of coverage and budgetary needs
Covers veterinary exam fees under all plans
Has two wellness care options to expand your pet’s coverage
Low premium costs than some competitors
No upper age limits or other restrictions on senior pets
Tops annual coverage at $10,000 when signing up online, but higher limits may become available by phone
Has a longer accident waiting period than most other providers we’ve reviewed
No option for online chat or 24/7 customer service
How ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Scored in Our Methodology
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance scored 4.6 out of 5 stars based on our provider review methodology.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Flip Card
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Rating
Compare ASPCA Pet Health Insurance to Other Pet Insurance Companies
Here’s how ASPCA Pet Health Insurance compares to other top providers and policies:
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | BBB Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$23 to $46
|
|
14 days
|
A+
|
||
|
$21 to $46
|
|
2 days*
|
B-
|
||
|
$24 to $49
|
|
14 days
|
A+
|
||
|
$29 to $43
|
|
up to 15 days
|
A+
|
||
|
$26 to $47
|
|
2 days
|
A+
|
||
|
$22 to $38
|
|
1 days
|
B
|
| Company | BBB Rating | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | Accident Waiting Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A+
|
$23 to $46
|
|
14 days
|
||
|
B-
|
$21 to $46
|
|
2 days*
|
||
|
A+
|
$24 to $49
|
|
14 days
|
||
|
A+
|
$29 to $43
|
|
up to 15 days
|
||
|
A+
|
$26 to $47
|
|
2 days
|
||
|
B
|
$22 to $38
|
|
1 days
|
How Much Does ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Cost?
Based on our research, the average monthly cost of an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance accident and illness plan is $56 for dogs and $28 for cats. You can also get a 10% discount if you add multiple pets to your policy.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance costs vary by your location, chosen coverage and your pet’s age, breed and species. Similar to other providers, it typically costs more to insure dogs than cats, and purebreds and seniors also usually cost more to insure. Premiums may increase as pets get older, which is also common in other providers.
| Plan Options | Average Monthly Premium | Basic Preventive Care Add-on | Prime Preventive Care Add-on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost* | $42 | $10 | $25 |
| Coverage summary | Covers treatment for pet accidents and illnesses or for accidents-only | Provides reimbursement for a portion of basic wellness care | Provides reimbursement for more wellness care services |
ASPCA Pet Insurance provides comprehensive coverage at an affordable rate. This provider is a solid option for low-cost, high-value pet insurance compared to other reputable companies.
What Does ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Cover?
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers a few plans to meet various pet needs and budgets. The company clearly explains each plan on its website. You can quickly apply for an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan using the provider’s online quote tool, which can help you see in real time how changing plan parameters can adjust your overall cost.
After entering some information about your pet, the tool provides you with choices for plans, customizations and optional wellness care. A bit lower on the page, you can see clear explanations of coverage, exclusions, waiting periods and how pet insurance generally works. On the next page, you can choose monthly or annual payments and add another pet for a discount.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Plans
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers two plan types: the Complete Coverage plan, which includes pet accidents and illnesses, and accident-only coverage. The Complete Coverage plan is suitable for pet owners looking for comprehensive accident and illness coverage for diagnostics and treatments relating to the following:
- Accidental injury
- Acute illness
- Behavior problems
- Chronic disease
- Hereditary conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
The accident-only offering covers accidental injuries and ongoing costs relating to those injuries.
Neither plan covers routine preventive care costs unless you specifically add coverage during enrollment. Policies also exclude costs related to breeding, cosmetic surgeries, herbal medications, maintenance diets, supplements and experimental treatments.
Here is a breakdown of how ASPCA Pet Health Insurance coverage varies by plan. For details on coverage eligibility in specific situations and a complete list of exclusions, refer to a sample policy.
| Condition or Treatment | Accident-Only* | Complete Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced imaging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alternative therapy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Behavior problems | ✓ | |
| Broken bones | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cancer treatments | ✓ | |
| Cruciate ligament tears | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diagnostic tests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hereditary conditions | ✓ | |
| Hip dysplasia | ✓ | |
| Illness | ✓ | |
| Non-elective surgery | ✓ | ✓ |
| Physical exams | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-existing conditions | ||
| Prescription medications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specialist visits | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tooth extractions | ✓ | ✓ |
Preventive Care Plans
You can add a preventive care plan to cover wellness services, such as vaccines, routine dental care and deworming. Like most other providers, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance wellness plans operate on a fee schedule, which means the plan reimburses up to a set amount for each service annually.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has two preventive care plans: Basic and Prime. Based on quotes we obtained, Basic costs an extra $10 per month and Prime adds $25 onto your premium.
| Service | Basic Reimbursement Amount | Prime Reimbursement Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dental cleaning | $100 | $150 |
| Spay or neuter procedure | Not covered | $150 |
| Wellness exam | $50 | $50 |
| Deworming | $20 | $25 |
| DHLPP or FVRCP vaccine | $20 | $25 |
| Rabies, Lyme disease or FIP vaccine | $20 | $25 |
| Heartworm or FIV/FeLV test | $20 | $25 |
| FeLV vaccine | Not covered | $25 |
| Bordetella vaccine | Not covered | $25 |
| Fecal test | $20 | $25 |
| Flea or heartworm prevention | Not covered | $25 |
| Health certificate | Not covered | $25 |
| Blood test | Not covered | $25 |
| Urinalysis | Not covered | $25 |
Customizable Coverage Options
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans allow pet owners to choose from three deductibles, three reimbursement rates and four annual coverage limits. The number of customization options available is average compared to other providers. However, these options are available regardless of your pet’s age, which is not always the case — some competitors limit coverage customization as a pet gets older.
- Deductible options: A deductible is the amount you pay at the beginning of each term before the insurer pays any benefits. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers deductible options of $100, $250, or $500. Choosing the lowest deductible allows you to receive reimbursement faster, but it will also increase your monthly premium.
- Reimbursement rates: A plan’s reimbursement rate is the percentage of a covered bill the insurance company will reimburse after the deductible has been met. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offers options of 70%, 80% or 90% for its reimbursement rates, which is on par with most other providers we’ve reviewed. Lower reimbursement rates can help you save on premiums but reduce the percentage you’re paid for claims, while the highest rate will increase your monthly costs and pay out a larger amount.
- Annual Limit Options: Your pet’s annual limit determines how much the plan will pay in a given term. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance customers can choose a limit of $2,500, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000. Some other providers have significantly higher limits, such as Healthy Paws, which offers an unlimited option. However, lower annual limits can help keep monthly costs low but still help cover your pet’s vet bills.
Sign-up, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
Signing up for an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan takes only a few minutes, based on our experience. The company’s online quote tool is easy to use and clearly explains the available options. Here is a general overview of the steps involved in signing up:
Step 1: Enter your pet’s name, species, breed, age and ZIP code into the quote tool.
Step 2: Choose the complete coverage or accident-only plan.
Step 3: Customize the plan’s deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit.
Step 4: Choose or decline a preventive care plan.
Step 5: Review your pet’s plan, enter payment information and start the waiting period.
If you have questions about the plans or how pet insurance works, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance displays links on the sign-up screen to read more about coverage inclusions and exclusions. You can also read a full sample policy. However, the sample policy may not display state-specific details.
Claims Filing and Payouts
After your pet’s enrollment, you can use ASPCA Pet Health Insurance’s mobile app to manage your account, file claims and see payout statuses. To file a claim, open the app, choose the “submit a claim” option, answer a few questions, snap a photo of your invoice or upload a digital version, and hit “submit.” Alternatively, you can download a claim form and submit it via email, fax or mail with your invoice.
Although claims submission is fast and easy, our analysis of customer reviews on the BBB and Trustpilot revealed that processing times on the company’s end could take up to 30 days or more. To receive reimbursements, you must pay your veterinarian at the time of service, file a claim and wait for processing. Long wait times can create financial strain for pet owners on a tight budget. Additionally, some customers in online reviews mentioned denied claims and longer-than-expected processing that resulted from the company losing documents or requesting duplicates.
That said, many customers praised the reimbursement process, stating they received the expected amount according to their policy. The company will calculate your reimbursement by first excluding non-eligible expenses, subtracting the deductible and then applying the reimbursement rate. You can receive reimbursements via direct deposit or paper check.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions or injuries or illnesses that began before the policy’s start date. Insurers enforce waiting periods to prevent fraudulent claims. Some plans have separate waiting periods for accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions. However, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance imposes a 14-day waiting period for all conditions, including accidents, illnesses, and orthopedic conditions.
While a 14-day waiting period for orthopedic injuries compares favorably to competitors’ six-month waiting periods, 14 days is longer than average for accident coverage, which is around seven days. Lemonade, for example, only has a two-day accident waiting period. Wellness plans do not have waiting periods, so you can use your preventive care benefits right away.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance does not deny or change coverage for pets based on age — a bonus for senior pet owners. However, premiums can still increase each year because insurance is based on probability and risk. The older your pet becomes, the more likely it is to require costly veterinary care, which can result in higher premiums.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Reviews
To get a sense of what customers think of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, we looked at reviews on Trustpilot and compiled a general list of what customers like and dislike about the company.
What Customers Like
- Sign-up process: According to customers, the website sign-up process is simple and fast.
- Cost: Customers said they found policy prices more affordable than competitors offering similar coverage.
- Transparency: Customers noted their appreciation of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance’s straightforward coverage and exclusion lists available during sign-up.
- Time-saving app: Customers like using the company’s mobile app to submit claims, which saves them considerable time.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Claims processing times: Reviewers complained that claims processing can take up to 30 days or more.
- Communication: Many customers feel they did not receive adequate communications or updates regarding their claims.
- Lost documents: Several customers expressed frustration that documents from their veterinarian were never received to support the claims process.
- Denied claims: Some customers were confused about why their claims were denied.
- Customer service: Although customer service representatives were helpful and friendly, customers reported difficulty reaching an agent with long hold times and multiple attempted calls.
When we asked ASPCA Pet Insurance to provide a comment on the negative reviews included in this article, we received the following response:
“Providing high-quality customer service is always our top priority, and we strive to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Anna Clarke, the company’s senior director of brand marketing. “We have increased our claims processing and customer service capacity and improved average claims processing time to three-and-a-half days. We will continue to evolve our offerings and service to best serve our customers and their pets.”
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance vs. Spot Pet Insurance
Spot and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance offer very similar coverage, based on our review. Each provider allows pet owners to choose from accident-only or accident and illness policies with wellness plans available as an add-on.
The providers differ by cost and customizations. Spot tends to cost more but offers more customization options, including an unlimited annual limit. It also offers higher deductible options, which can help customers lower premiums. Industry experience is also a differentiator. Spot launched in 2017, while ASPCA Pet Health Insurance began in 1997 (at times under a different name).
Here’s how ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Spot stack up against one another:
| ASPCA Pet Health Insurance | Spot Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursements | 70%, 80% or 90% | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Deductibles | $100, $250 or $500 | $100 to $1,000 |
| Annual limits | $2,500 to $10,000 | $2,500 to unlimited |
| Average cost for dogs | $56 per month | $73 per month |
| Average cost for cats | $28 per month | $36 per month |
Read our Spot Pet Insurance review to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance lets pet owners choose veterinarians anywhere in the U.S. or Canada and then file for reimbursement after their pet receives care.
You can cancel your ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan at any time. If you cancel within the first 30 days and have not yet filed a claim, you can get a refund for any premiums paid.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers surgeries necessary to treat a covered illness or condition. The company’s standard plan does not cover elective surgeries and those related to pre-existing conditions. Policyholders with the Prime Preventive Care Plan can receive up to $150 in reimbursements for spay and neuter surgeries.
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance will refund any premiums paid if you cancel in the first 30 days of your policy.
Exam fee coverage is included in ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plans. The company only covers wellness exam fees if you add a preventive care plan to your base coverage.
