ASPCA | Pet Insurance Review

We purchased a plan with PetsHealth (Hartville group) in 2005. Not very many companies offering pet insurance at the time. We found out that after the first year of coverage, our dog started loosing benefits because the clause in the contract stipulated a waiting period of 180 days from inception. They changed this to 180 days between cycles (annual). Which means any chronic condition will not be covered after 1 year. Our pure breed was diagnosed with a skin disorder and found out that since we treated him in November with an OTC for itching he bacame ineligible for coverage to see a dermatologist and all subsequent treatments because 180 days had not passed. We were also threatened if we cancelled our policy early we would encure penalty fees. We requested a high review of the claims and had to constantly call them for a status update. Once we got ahold of someone willing to tell us what happened they were rude and condascending. Now that we cancelled our policy all of our dogs issues will be considered pre-existing and not covered through another vendor.

I have two cats and originally had them both enrolled with another pet insurance company. I received a brochure about three years ago for ASPCA insurance and when I compared policies, the ASPCA policy provided better coverage for less out of pocket expense and so I decided to switch policies. In November of 2008, my male cat was diagnosed with Diabetes and I had to use the pet insurance for the first time. The customer servive has been excellent and what impressed me most was the ease of the paperwork and the timely reimbursement payments. I would recommend the ASPCA pet healh care provider to anyone with pets.

We have a nine year old Sheltie who is the light of our lives. Right before Christmas, she fell and dislocated her shoulder. She was in a great deal of pain and was acting very strangely. We took her to our vet who did x-rays, blood work, etc. and put her on some meds for the pain. She had a very difficult time and we had to take her 3 or 4 times to the vet. We love her dearly and teased that we would mortgage the house to get her better if we had to. We had over 600 dollars in expenses for her including blood work, meds and x-rays. ASPCA paid 80 percent of everything. What a blessing, especially at Christmas time!!!Beauty is coming along very well now and we are so grateful to ASPCA for the financial help. It would have been very difficult without them. I allready have one friend who has signed up for coverage for her pets.

Recently my cat had eye surgery which cost me close to $1,000. I was appalled to receive a reimbursement check for onlyl $436.00. That means I didn't even get reimbursed half of what I had paid!! Then when I called them up they told me that they determined my reimbursement from the geographical location I live in and the most reasonable veterinary costs. This method does not work if one lives in New York City where everything, especially veterinary care is extremely expensive. Then they lied to me and said they only reimburse up to 80 percent with deductible, but am not guaranteed this percentage of reimbursement. I remember reading on their website that 80 percent of reimbursement is what they give. Furthermore, it took well over 30 days to receive this cheap check. I am in the process of shopping around for a different pet insurance, and so far I will say that Pets Best Insurance customer representatives were the most helpful in comparison to others I had phoned recently. Don't buy ASPCA Pet Insurance. Even though the cost is cheaper than other pet insurance, the reimbursement is the worst!! ASPCA Insurance will only reimburse 40 percent or less of the bill. I would not recommend the ASPCA Pet Insurance.It stinks on ice!

I have had insurance for Yogi since I brought him home in March 2003 and have been satisfied with the customer service and the way claims are handled. I lost a "puppy" a little over a year ago and the rep at Hartville was very sympathetic and genuine in handling his claim. I always suggest anyone with a pet to get insurance...you have it for yourself, why not for your pet? Afterall, they are a key part of the family so they deserve to be protected!!