Petco Pet Insurance Review
Petco offers pet insurance policies in partnership with Nationwide. This review provides an in-depth look at the coverage, costs, and overall value of Petco’s pet insurance plans.
Overview
Petco pet insurance, officially known as Petco | Nationwide pet insurance, earned a NerdWallet rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Policies are offered through Nationwide. Coverage is available for dogs, cats, and a variety of other pets, including birds, gerbils, reptiles, hedgehogs, and pigs. However, those insuring an exotic animal will need to obtain a quote by phone.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Typically no vet exam required for enrollment.
- Coverage available for exotic animals.
- 24/7 vet helpline.
Cons:
- No unlimited coverage option.
- Older pets may only be eligible for accident coverage.
- Sample policies are not easily accessible.
Who is Petco Pet Insurance Best For?
Petco pet insurance is a good choice if you’re a Petco customer seeking coverage for your dog, cat, or an exotic pet. It’s worth noting that Nationwide announced in June 2024 that it would not renew approximately 100,000 policies through mid-2025, citing inflation in veterinary care.
Petco Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage
Petco and Nationwide offer different levels of coverage, often with accident and illness plans as a base to which wellness coverage can be added.
Accident Coverage
These plans cover costs if your pet is accidentally injured, such as in a car accident or if attacked by another animal. Accident coverage typically pays for:
- Medications
- Exams and diagnostic tests
- Surgeries and other procedures
- Medical equipment
Illness Coverage
Illness coverage might cover the following:
- Treatment for infections and diseases, including cancer, allergies, and arthritis.
- Exams and diagnostic tests (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs).
- Surgeries
- Medications
The illness plan also includes an additional $5,000 of coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions.
Wellness Coverage
Wellness coverage offers benefits for routine and preventive care, such as:
- Annual exams
- Vaccinations or titers
- Heartworm or feline immunodeficiency virus/feline leukemia virus testing
- Fecal tests
- Deworming
- Microchipping
- Health certificates
- Heartworm or flea prevention
- Spaying or neutering
- Dental cleaning
Note: Coverage options and availability can vary depending on your location.
What’s Not Covered
Petco and Nationwide pet insurance plans generally don’t cover:
- Pre-existing conditions (unless deemed cured by your vet and treatment-free for at least six months).
- Conditions related to breeding.
- Cosmetic procedures.
- Waste disposal.
- Boarding.
- Grooming.
- Cruciate ligament injuries in the first year of the policy.
Petco Plan Options
- Deductibles: Deductibles may be $250, $500, or $1,000 depending on location.
- Reimbursement Amounts: Reimbursement rates are typically 50%, 70%, or 80% after your deductible is met.
- Coverage Limits: Accident coverage limits may be $2,500 or $5,000. Illness plans typically have limits of $5,000 or $10,000, with an additional $5,000 for hereditary issues.
Restrictions and Waiting Periods
- Age Restrictions: A minimum age of 8 weeks usually applies. Dogs and cats over 8 years old may not be eligible for new illness policies, but might qualify for accident-only plans and wellness coverage.
- Waiting Periods: A 14-day waiting period typically applies for accident, illness, and wellness claims. Spay/neuter surgeries and dental cleaning claims typically have a 90-day waiting period, and cruciate ligament-related claims may have a 12-month waiting period.
Petco Pet Insurance Sample Rates
The cost of Petco pet insurance depends on your location, your pet’s age, and breed. The following rates are sample monthly premiums for a selection of dog breeds in Katy, Texas.
Rates for 8-year-old dogs shown for accident-only plans.
- French Bulldog: $107 (age 2), $8 (age 8)
- German Shepherd: $61 (age 2), $8 (age 8)
- Golden Retriever: $62 (age 2), $10 (age 8)
- Labrador Retriever: $63 (age 2), $11 (age 8)
- Medium Mixed-breed Dog: $47 (age 2), $7 (age 8)
- Poodle: $58 (age 2), $8 (age 8)
Sample monthly premiums were also acquired for cats with similar coverage limits:
Rates for 8-year-old cats eligible for accident-only coverage.
Petco Pet Insurance Discounts
Petco and Nationwide provide a 5% multipet discount, or 10% if you insure four or more pets. If you have other Nationwide insurance policies such as auto insurance, you might qualify for a multipolicy discount. Keep in mind that discounts may not always be available depending on your state.
State Availability
Petco pet insurance through Nationwide is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, although availability is subject to change.
Digital Experience
Petco’s website allows you to get a quote and read about their pet insurance plans, but you must go to Nationwide’s site to file claims or read sample policies. Petco offers a mobile app for shopping, but you will need to log in to your Nationwide account on their website or app to manage your policy.
How to File a Claim with Petco
To file a claim, upload a copy of your veterinary receipt to my.petinsurance.com. You may also download a claim form and submit it with your receipt via email, fax, or mail. Reimbursement is typically provided by direct deposit or check after the claim is approved, with many claims processed within five days.
How to Contact Petco Customer Service
Customer service is available by phone at 844-244-3649 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific time on Saturdays. You can also email through the Nationwide website.
Getting a Quote
You can get quotes and purchase policies through the Petco website, but the process involves several steps. To start, you provide your pet’s name, ZIP code, and indicate whether your pet is a dog or cat. If insuring other types of animals, you will need to obtain a quote by phone. If you have a cat, you’ll be asked whether they’ve been diagnosed with feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus. Next, you’ll provide your pet’s breed, gender, and age. You’ll then go through a series of screens that ask for your email address, for how long you’ve owned your pet, and if they’ve had a Nationwide or Veterinary Pet Insurance policy. Finally, you can select your policy limits, deductible, reimbursement levels, and add wellness coverage.
Petco Pet Insurance vs. Competitors
Here’s a comparison of Petco pet insurance with other popular pet insurance providers:
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Petco have pet insurance? Yes, Petco offers pet insurance through Nationwide.
- Does Petco insurance cover vaccines? Yes, Petco insurance covers vaccines if you purchase wellness coverage.
- Does Petco insurance cover neutering or spaying? Yes, Petco insurance covers these procedures if you opt for the higher tier of wellness coverage.
