Petplan Dog Insurance Review

Staying safe with your pet isn’t always possible, but you can always be prepared for emergencies. Basic first aid, for example, can help you when you can’t get to a veterinarian right away. And something like pet insurance can help you manage the cost of keeping your pet companion safe.

Shopping for pet insurance may be tricky at first, but there are some excellent options for you out there. One of them, Petplan, offers insurance plans for cats and dogs at an affordable price. Let’s see if it could be the right choice for you.

Brand Overview

Petplan is the brainchild of a husband and wife team whose cat, Bodie, racked up a $5000 vet bill during their time in school. They struggled to juggle their finances to ensure the cat’s care. After credit cards and some sleepless nights, they decided that there had to be a better way to do this. They hatched the idea to provide pet insurance to handle those emergencies, and Petplan was born.

Petplan began as a small startup, and it now has over 200 employees and operates in both the United States and Canada. It has a pet-friendly workplace and offers employee benefits, as well. It took a while to get started, but they soon took off and are now a thriving company with major underwriters and a comprehensive plan for ensuring your dog or cat in an emergency.

The company is one of the first to offer plans that cover pets for the duration of their lives without exclusions for hereditary conditions or old age. They’re underwritten by XL Specialty insurance in the US and the Canadian branch of XL Specialty for patients in Canada.

They do business as Fetch Insurance and offer comprehensive plans for cats and dogs. They changed leadership earlier this year so that operations may be streamlined. They’ve been in business since the early 2000’s and has provided pet insurance for many people’s pets.

2023 Petplan Pet Insurance Review

Petplan seems to have one sticking point lately with customers, a rise in rates. After the departure of the founders of the company, business operations have altered the original way Petplan was providing insurance coverage. However, it does still seem to be providing average coverage for most claims.

Pros:

• Cheap beginning rates
• Covers holistic care
• Good customer service

Cons:

• A rate increase for older pets
• A rate increase for pets making claims

What do customers like about Petplan?

Customers like that Petplan has good customer service.

“I bought a PetPlan policy for my dog, Tripper. I’ve been quite happy with the service and coverage provided by PetPlan, though I haven’t used any other pet insurance for comparison.” – U/smohyee (Reddit)

“Petplan has taken great care of my dogs. The best customer service. Talked today to Sarah who was compassionate and helpful. Been with Petplan for many years and never have regretted it” Mike Weschler (Pet Insurance Review)

“I just renewed our 3 dogs coverage with the help of Regina B. She was not only friendly and courteous but she also did everything she could to keep our premiums as low as possible. Regina also checked on a claim that I had submitted for one of our dogs knee surgery and expedited so we could receive payment soon. I truly appreciate the kindness and consideration shown to me as a consumer. Thank you Regina!!” – Deby R. (Consumer Advocate)

What do customers dislike about Petplan?

Some customers have noticed changes in rates without notice and that has been frustrating.

“I love PetPlan, but the premium increase is becoming way too costly. I have had two claims and I do understand that premiums rise. I even called to see about increasing my deductibles and co-pays, but the savings were minimal at best.” Denise D. (Consumer Advocate)

“I’ve been GoPetPlan’s customer for 10+ years, but as previous reviewers noted, their coverage has significantly changed for worse in the past couple or so years. My pets just had their annual coverage renewed and for one of them they decided to reduce the benefits, with no explanation why.” – EN (BBB)

How Does Petplan Pet Insurance Work?

Petplan pet insurance offers deals for cats and dogs for those in the United States and Canada. Petplan offers classic insurance coverage for things like emergencies, diagnostic testing, and dental emergencies. Routine care is not covered.

Petplan offers customers some flexibility to manage monthly premiums while still providing coverage that works for everyone. Depending on your dog or cat’s age and pre-existing conditions, you could start your pet insurance with a higher deductible and co-pay so that your monthly premiums remain in your budget.

You can start your quote through the Petplan website or by calling an agent. Your pet will need a physical exam to determine any pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered. You choose your co-pay of 10%, 20%, or 30% after your deductible, and those range from $250 to $1000.

Petplan also offers specific “per condition” deductibles for hereditary conditions and other agreements. You must consider how these will affect your overall premium and out of pocket coverage. Plan yearly payout caps are either $2500 or unlimited, depending on your particular policy.

Pets must be at least six weeks to enroll, and there are currently no upper age limits. Your pet’s advanced age may require a higher deductible or larger co-pay depending on the veterinarian physical exam, but there are no exclusions yet in that area.

Petplan doesn’t offer a wellness rider, so this plan is only for emergency and sick care. If your pet has a lot of preventative care needs, you may need to seek out a pet insurance company with the option for a wellness program of some kind.

The reimbursement plan is simple to use. You choose your veterinarian and make claims for reimbursement. You don’t have to worry if your particular vet works with an insurance plan. Just submit your claim to receive money back for procedures. Go to your account on the website or the mobile app and submit the paperwork.

Once you get your quote, you must submit a veterinarian checkup paperwork that is no older than 60 days. If your pet hasn’t had a recent checkup, you have 30 days from the time of acceptance to make sure that happens. Once your checkup paperwork is submitted, you have a 14 day waiting period for chronic or hereditary conditions and a three day waiting period for emergencies. After your waiting period is up, you are free to use your plan.

Petplan covers a variety of emergencies and things like prescription medications, but there’s no option for preventative care or covering other types of animals besides dogs and cats. Under the original creators, there were no rate increases in response to animal age or reimbursements, but some customers have noticed behaviors that suggest otherwise.

Petplan members that go for an entire year without a claim are also eligible for a bonus back on their monthly premiums. If your pets are healthy overall and are not accident-prone, that can help offset the cost of your premium.

Petplan has employer benefits options. Companies can request options for their employees. Breeders and shelters also have many options to choose from with Petplan. The process is simple to go through, and Petplan does have agents that can walk you through the basics if you need it.

Petplan Pricing Details

Let’s take a look at what it might cost to choose Petplan pet insurance over competitors. Their prices will depend on your area and your pet’s needs, so it’s best to get a quote or talk to an agent for full details on what to expect.

What is the cost of their best plan?

It’s difficult to say what their best plans cost because it will depend a lot on your individual quote. Plans could be over $100 for low deductibles and co-pays with higher payout limits. If you choose the unlimited payout option or if your pet has deductibles for special conditions, those can also add to your monthly premium.

Are there any coupons, deals, or incentives to sign up?

If you purchase your plan online, you’re eligible for a 5% discount on your premium. It’s not clear if Petplan offers multiple pet discounts. There are also incentives for military veterans and other special interest groups to help make the premiums more affordable.

What’s the deductible? Is it annual or per visit?

Deductibles are handled on an annual basis. You have the option of choosing your deductible to cover more or to help bring down the cost of premiums. Deductibles range from $250 to $1000.

Do you have to pay a co-pay, or are claims covered 100%?

Co-pays take effect after the deductible and are 10%, 20%, or 30% based on the terms of your plan. A higher co-pay can help keep premium prices low.

Will the rates go up over time?

Yes. Customers regularly report that Petplan raises rates for customers for a variety of reasons, including aging, making claims, and just being with the plan for longer than a year. It’s difficult to tell how much or what the regulations are for making these rate changes, but customers have also reported that plan changes occurred without notice.

Petplan Coverage Details

Petplan offers simple coverage options for both dogs and cats. It’s only emergency insurance and covers unexpected veterinarian bills through a reimbursement system. You never have to change vets or worry about “out of network” cost. Let’s go over what Petplan might be able to offer you.

Does it cover regular vet office visits and routine checkups or only unexpected emergencies?

Petplan doesn’t offer any wellness plans, only emergency coverage. The plan covers emergencies, sick visits, and diagnostic care.

Does it cover dental and teeth cleaning?

It doesn’t cover any routine visits, but it will cover comprehensive, non-routine care, including periodontal disease and extractions. If your dog has a pre-existing conditions with the teeth, it won’t cover that either.

Does it cover hip dysplasia?

It will cover the cost of hip dysplasia, but the condition must not be a pre-existing condition. Once your pet has received a clean bill of health, developing the condition later on in life comes under the plan’s rider.

Does it cover spaying and neutering?

It doesn’t cover elective and routine procedures as part of the insurance rider. Spaying and neutering fall under these categories. For spay/neuter help, check with your local vet and shelter organizations.

Does it cover pre-existing conditions?

The plans do not cover pre-existing conditions. You must have a veterinarian examine your pet either up to 60 days before the plan or up to 30 days after once you’ve been accepted into the Petplan family. These checkups determine any pre-existing condition exclusions.

Does it cover cancer?

If your pet develops cancer after the plan waiting period and has never been diagnosed with cancer before, the plan will cover treatments. It must be a new condition and is subject to waiting periods.

Does it cover prescription medications?

It does cover prescription medications with some caveats. The medication must not be part of a pre-existing condition. It cannot be a routine medication such as flea and tick medication.

What else does it cover?

Petplan covers most emergency procedures and non-routine vet visit costs.

• Diagnostic treatments
• Vet exam fees (for non-routine procedures)
• Prescription medications
• Surgery and rehabilitiation
• Holistic therapies like chiropractic care and acupuncture (administered by a professional)
• Specialist treatments

What else does it NOT cover?

Here are a few things the Petplan coverage doesn’t reimburse.

• Preventative and routine care
• Pre-existing conditions
• Elected procedures
• Liability

Are there any restrictions on breed-specific conditions or age?

There are no age or breed-specific restrictions, but Petplan may raise your rates as your pet ages. Your pet will never be dropped from coverage for aging, but customers have reported more significant increases as their pets get older.

Is there a waiting period? How soon can I start using the insurance after I sign up?

The plan requires a veterinarian checkup that’s no more than 60 days old, but you have up to 30 days after signing up for your plan to get your vet checkup. Once you submit all that paperwork, you have a 14 day waiting period for any pre-existing, chronic, or hereditary conditions and a three day waiting period for emergencies.

If your dog or cat shows signs of a chronic condition during this waiting period, it’s considered pre-existing and isn’t covered in the plan.

Is it easy to cancel if I change my mind?

Canceling your insurance is simple if you decide to change your mind. They have a 30-day guarantee and will refund the entire premium fee provided you haven’t submitted a claim. If you’ve submitted a claim, you’ll get back only prorated amount minus any applicable fees.

How does Petplan compare to other pet insurance companies?

Petplan doesn’t offer a wellness rider for handling reimbursements for preventative measures. It also can sometimes start off cheaper, but they do practice raising rates as your pets age or if you make multiple claims. Other than that, much of their practices are standard for the pet insurance industry.

Would you recommend this pet insurance company for dogs?

It might be more helpful to have the option of adding a pet wellness rider to help offset the cost of preventative wellness. The company also has many complaints from customers about raising rates once your dog reaches a certain age or if you’ve had several claims during the year.

Because the company has undergone some changes in leadership as well, so you may want to shop around before deciding that Petplan is the right choice. Get Petplan if your dog is young and healthy with no pre-existing conditions. The premiums may go up, but you’ll have time to change to another company if you notice the increase is too much for your budget.

What about coverage for other animals?

Petplan doesn’t offer plans for any other animals than cats and dogs, so it’s best that you shop around if you have another type of animal.

Do they offer coverage for cats?

They do offer coverage for cats in much the same manner as dog insurance. It’s emergency and sick coverage with no wellness rider or any other options for preventative care. It can be tough to decide on insurance for cats, but they are in just as much need of coverage as dogs. Be sure you check on what Petplan and other insurance choices have to offer. 

Do they offer coverage for horses, birds, reptiles, and other exotic animals?

They only offer coverage for dogs and cats. Although there’s always the chance for a change in the future, right now, you’re only covered for those two animals.

Petplan does have some big fans, but they’ve turned a lot of customers off lately with their change in policy and policy premium hikes. They could be a good option for those of you who need basic coverage and have young dogs. Make sure you check on your other options before you decide officially to go with Petplan.