Are you the proud owner of a cat or dog? If so, you have probably considered getting them pet insurance. Petplan is a pet insurance company that provides comprehensive coverage to kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs. Their coverage is flexible and it covers some services that not all pet insurance companies do. Read on to learn more about Petplan to see whether it is the right choice for you.
 Learn More on Petplan’s secured website |
Average Customer Rating What we like: |
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| Monthly Premium | $18-56 for dogs, $17-37 for cats |
| Deductible | $250-1,000 |
| Coverage | 70 to 90 percent |
| Age Restrictions | Minimum: 6 weeks Maximum: none |
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Visit the Petplan website or get a quote for pet insurance |
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In this article, you will learn about Petplan. We will talk about what it covers, the pros and cons to this particular insurance company, what customers have to say, and more. We want you to feel secure in your choice when it comes to choosing a pet insurance company.
What We Like
Every pet insurance company is different, and it is important to consider the best features (as well as those that aren’t amazing) to decide whether a particular company is the right one for your fur family. One of the best features of Petplan is that it covers some services, such as exam fees, holistic care, and dental care, that not all insurance plans cover. Here are some of the other features that we appreciate about Petplan.
- Flexible coverage. You get to pick which percentage of your vet bills the plan will cover. You can also make some choices about various types of coverage based on your and your pet’s individual needs.
- No upper age limit. Petplan begins coverage for pets age 6 weeks and older, and they do not discriminate against older pets by setting an upper age limit. Whether your pet is 1, 11, or 21 years old, they can be covered.
- Coverage for life. Petplan promises never to drop a pet from its coverage due to old age or poor health. While the premiums may go up over time, they will not cancel the policy.
- Quick reimbursement. Most claims are turned around within 14 days; some are even paid within five days!
- Pre-authorization offered. You do not have to have your pet’s treatment pre-authorized, but if you would like the additional peace of mind that goes along with a pre-authorization, you do have that option.
- Choose your deductible type. Petplan offers both annual and per-condition deductibles. There are pros and cons to both; the good news is that you get to choose which works best for you.
- See any vet you want. You can go to any licensed veterinarian in the USA or Canada for services.
What We Don’t Like
As with all insurance companies (for pets and for humans!), there are some policies that did not make our top-5 list of great features. Here are some of the negatives that you should consider when deciding whether Petplan is right for you:
- Lots of documentation required. In order to have a claim processed, Petplan sometimes requires a lot of veterinary documentation. This can hold up the reimbursement and create extra work on your end or on your veterinarian’s end.
- Potential for limited options. While Petplan does have several options to choose from in terms of deductible and coverage percentage, not all options are available to all pets. You will need to request a quote in order to find out which options are available in your specific circumstances.
- Decreasing options over time. As your pet gets older, the options available will decrease. This means that while you might choose a low deductible and a high level of reimbursement while your pet is young, at some point, you might be offered only a plan that has a higher deductible and a lower level of reimbursement.
Coverage Information
When signing up for pet insurance, it is important to understand ahead of time what is covered and what isn’t to prevent unpleasant surprises later. Since Petplan offers the option for pre-authorization, taking that step when faced with an expensive procedure or treatment can let you know that it will or will not be covered. Here is what you can expect to be covered (and not covered) with your Petplan policy.
What Is Covered
- Illnesses
- Accidents
- Surgeries
- Exam fees
- Periodontal disease
- Homeopathic and alternative therapies
- Diagnostic tests, including imaging
- Hereditary conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medications for illnesses, injuries, or behavioral disorders
- Veterinary specialists
What Isn’t Covered
- Pre-existing conditions
- Routine and wellness care
- Routine testing
- Heartworm and parasite preventative
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- Obedience training
- Boarding (except for when the owner is in the hospital, in which case it can be covered in certain cases)
- Grooming
- Spaying/neutering
- Teeth cleaning
- Cremation
How Much Does Petplan Cost?
There are many variables that go into a price quote for pet insurance with Petplan. These include where you live, what kind of pet you have, the age of your pet, and other factors. Every pet’s quote will be different, but we have requested quotes for two hypothetical pets, a cat and a dog. For both of these, we indicated that the pet was a two-year-old mixed breed.
For our canine quote, the prices ranged from $18 to $56 per month. At the lower end of the scale, the coverage was at 80 percent with a $500 deductible and a $5,000 maximum annual payout. At the higher end, the coverage was at 80 percent with a $250 deductible and no annual maximum.
For our feline quote, the prices for the same coverage as above ranged from $17 to $37.
Note that in both cases, it was possible to further customize the plans. The deductible prices range from $250 to $1,000, and the reimbursement rate ranges from 70 to 90 percent. Not all options might be available for all pets.
Discounts, Coupon Codes, and Promotions
Petplan is pleased to offer discounts to active military personnel, veterans, and registered medical services pets. You should call them at 855-587-2830 to learn about how to claim these discounts.
If you are a member of Groupon, you might be able to get a coupon for Petplan. See your Groupon app for more details or click here.
Customer Reviews
As with all types of services available, there are plenty of customer reviews available for potential customers to look at and consider. We have compiled some positive and negative reviews for you to read and think about as you decide whether Petplan is the right pet insurance plan for you and your household.
Positive Reviews
The positive reviews from happy customers talk about how Petplan was there for them in a time of need and that they provided prompt reimbursement.
I was nearing the end pretty tough overseas work trip when my friend who was dog-sitting my pet Barkley texted me saying he was at the Vet/ER because Barkley broke his leg. I called the vet immediately and was told it was a bad break, definitely required surgery and it had to happen ASAP. I honestly thought he might lose his leg. The doctor was upfront and told me this could cost as much as 6k. When I said I had pet insurance she was relieved for me and Barkley and said she tells everyone it’s a must have for pet owners. She’s right. Barkley is getting the care he needs to recover and Petplan is really coming through. -Nicolas, 3/14/19, Consumer Affairs
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Petplan is a lifesaver! They are a great company to work with and I’m so glad I found them to protect my fur babies. They always respond to inquiries timely and are extremely friendly and helpful. All claims I’ve ever submitted have been reviewed when promised or faster. They’ve always paid what the policy says they will. They don’t try to overreach known conditions to get out of covering other ones. And although when I pay my vet bills the workers always grumble a little when I mention insurance, my vet and hospitals have never expressed any issue working with this company when documentation is needed. It’s very easy to see what will be covered – pick your limit, pick your deductible, pick your co-payment % and done. And their terms and conditions are very easy to read and follow. Anyone considering paying for pet insurance should be getting annual well visits for their pet anyway. -Elaine, 2/16/19, Consumer Affairs
Negative Reviews
The negative reviews, written by unhappy customers, generally focused on what the customers perceived as unfair denials. This is a common complaint about all pet insurance companies.
I have an almost 3 year old mixed breed who needs costly TPLO surgery. Petplan decided because she dug a hole as a pup, hurt her other leg (no confirmed issues, resolved in 2 days, no symptoms since) it is “pre-existing” and denied everything. No issues with the affected leg. Customer service was rude and will not allow an appeal of claims. Go elsewhere for insurance. This company is terrible. -Lisa, 9/19/19, Consumer Affairs
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When my pet got older and starting having health issues, everything was denied due to pre-existing conditions. If your pet gets sick and you have to file a claim this company will go through the records with a fine tooth comb. If he/she has ever had any trace of a symptom of a disease or illness, that has NEVER been diagnosed by any veterinarian, it will be denied due to pre-existing conditions. Decisions are based on symptoms rather than actual diagnosis made by veterinarians. -Brian, 8/23/19, Consumer Affairs
The Final Verdict
All in all, Petplan seems to be a good option for those who need to insure their pets. We like it that you can choose the type of deductible you prefer and that the company covers exam fees and alternative treatments. Some customers do complain that the company has too broad a definition of “pre-existing condition,” however. It is important that you look carefully at what is and is not covered and that you think about any illnesses or injuries that your pet has already had before signing up for any type of pet insurance. We encourage you to get a free quote for Petplan insurance so you can make an informed decision.
