Introduction to Prudent Pet Insurance
Prudent Pet Insurance offers comprehensive and accident-only plans for dogs and cats across all 50 states. Their insurance policies are underwritten by Markel, providing various coverage options to suit different needs and budgets.
Types of Plans and Coverage
Prudent Pet provides several insurance plans, including accident and illness coverage, as well as accident-only plans. Their Essential plan is the most popular, while the Ultimate plan offers the most comprehensive coverage. The coverage includes:
- Accidents: bite wounds, broken bones, and foreign object ingestion
- Illnesses: arthritis, cancer, urinary tract infections, and hereditary conditions
- Hospitalizations: emergency care and surgeries
- Specialist Care: care by veterinarians, internal medicine experts, and oncologists
- Alternative therapies: acupuncture, physical therapy, and stem cell therapy
- Prescription Medication: coverage for prescribed medicine and food for covered conditions
- Diagnostics: bloodwork, MRIs, X-rays, and CAT scans
The Ultimate plan additionally covers advertising and rewards for lost pets, boarding fees, vacation cancellation reimbursement, and mortality benefits.
Add-On Coverage Options
Prudent Pet offers two main add-ons:
- Wellness Coverage: helps pay for preventive care costs including wellness exams, vaccinations, and dental cleanings
- Exam or Consultation Fees: covers veterinary exam fees for accidents and illnesses
Coverage Limitations
Prudent Pet does not cover pre-existing conditions, breeding costs, elective procedures, experimental treatments, grooming, obedience training, or non-veterinary fees. Exam fees and wellness care are only covered if the respective add-ons are purchased.
Coverage Levels and Pricing
Prudent Pet offers various annual limits ($2,500, $10,000, Unlimited), deductible options ($100, $250, $500, $1,000), and reimbursement levels (70%, 80%, 90%). The average monthly cost for the Essential plan is $61 for dogs and $36 for cats, while the Ultimate plan averages $80 for dogs and $43 for cats.
Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Prudent Pet has a 5-day accident waiting period, 14-day illness waiting period, and a 6-month waiting period for knee/ligament issues (waivable with vet exam). There are no age restrictions for insuring dogs or cats.
Customer Experience and Claims
Prudent Pet allows online claims submission through their customer portal. They process 75% of claims within 24 hours, with payments made via check or ACH. Their digital experience is mixed – they lack a mobile app but offer helpful live chat support.
Comparison with Other Providers
Prudent Pet’s Ultimate plan is priced at $80/month for dog insurance and $43/month for cat insurance with unlimited coverage. This is higher than some competitors like Pets Best Elite ($52 for dogs, $24 for cats) but lower than others like Spot ($93 for dogs, $45 for cats).
Conclusion
Prudent Pet Insurance offers flexible coverage options but lacks certain features.
- Pros: Multiple coverage levels and add-ons available, no age restrictions
- Cons: Higher pricing for some plans, no 24/7 vet helpline, mixed digital experience
Potential customers should consider their specific needs and compare Prudent Pet with other providers before making a decision.
