Petco Pet Insurance: Is It the Right Choice for Your Pet?
Petco offers pet insurance through a partnership with Nationwide, providing coverage for a variety of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and exotic animals. This review analyzes the company’s offerings, including coverage options, costs, and customer experience to help you determine if Petco pet insurance is a good fit.
NerdWallet’s Verdict
Petco | Nationwide earned a NerdWallet rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Key Features and Considerations
Petco pet insurance policies, underwritten by Nationwide, offer a range of coverage options. Here’s a breakdown:
- Coverage: Offers accident-only plans and plans that cover both accidents and illnesses. Coverage extends to a variety of pets, going beyond just dogs and cats to include birds, reptiles, and other animals. Note that if you’re insuring an exotic animal, you’ll need to get a quote by phone.
- Annual Maximum Coverage: Up to $10,000 for illnesses and $5,000 for accidents. This represents the highest amount the insurer will pay in a year.
- Reimbursement Rates: Reimbursement rates range from 50% to 80%, meaning that after meeting your deductible, the insurer will cover a percentage of your vet bills.
- Deductibles: Available deductibles include $250, $500, and $1,000, determining how much you pay out-of-pocket before reimbursement begins.
- Pros: Does not typically require a vet exam for enrollment, and offers coverage for exotic animals. A 24/7 vet helpline is available to policyholders.
- Cons: No option for unlimited coverage. Older pets may only be eligible for accident coverage, and sample policies are not easily accessible.
About Petco Pet Insurance
Petco pet insurance policies are provided through Nationwide. They offer a range of coverage options including accident, illness, and wellness. Note that Nationwide announced in June 2023 that it will not renew approximately 100,000 policies through mid-2025, citing inflation in veterinary care as a factor.
Petco Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage Details
Petco and Nationwide offer a base level of accident coverage in most states, with the option to add illness and wellness coverage. Certain limitations apply, and older pets (generally age 8 and up for dogs and cats) may only be eligible for accident coverage. It’s essential to get a policy that works for your specific needs and your pet.
Accident Coverage:
Accident-only plans cover injuries resulting from accidents, such as being hit by a car or injury from an animal attack. Covered expenses typically include:
- Medications
- Exams and diagnostic tests
- Surgeries and other procedures
- Medical equipment such as mobility carts and e-collars.
Illness Coverage:
Adding illness coverage to your plan covers a range of medical problems, including:
- Treatment for infections and diseases, including cancer, allergies, and arthritis
- Exams and diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Surgeries
- Medications
The illness plan also offers an additional $5,000 of coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions.
Wellness Coverage:
Offers two tiers of wellness coverage, providing benefits for routine and preventive care, like:
- Annual exams
- Vaccinations
- Heartworm and flea prevention
- Spaying or neutering
- Dental cleaning
What is Not Typically Covered:
Petco plans generally exclude:
- Pre-existing conditions (unless considered cured)
- Conditions related to breeding
- Cosmetic procedures.
Petco Plan Options
- Deductibles: Choose from $250, $500, or $1,000, dependent on your location.
- Reimbursement Amounts: Plans typically reimburse either 50%, 70% or 80% of vet bills after your deductible is satisfied. Note that Nationwide usually subtracts the deductible from the vet bill before applying your reimbursement rate. For example, a $2,000 bill, with a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, would result in a $1,200 payout.
- Coverage Limits: For accident coverage, you may choose a limit of $2,500 or $5,000 in most states. Illness plans typically provide coverage limits of $5,000 or $10,000.
Restrictions and Waiting Periods
- Age Restrictions: A minimum age of 8 weeks may apply. Dogs and cats are typically ineligible to enroll in illness policies after age 8 (but can be eligible for accident-only and wellness plans).
- Waiting Periods: There’s typically a 14-day waiting period for most accident, illness, and wellness claims. Spay/neuter and dental claims may have a 90-day waiting period, while claims related to cruciate ligament injuries could have a 12-month waiting period.
Petco Pet Insurance Sample Rates
Factors like your location, your pet’s age, and the breed can affect your insurance cost. Here are some sample monthly rates:
For younger dogs, sample plans include accident and illness coverage, with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual coverage, and an 80% reimbursement rate. Older dogs were only eligible for accident coverage, with the same deductible, coverage limit, and reimbursement rate. Rates vary with the needs of each dog.
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)
Rates for cats are also available. Cats at age 8 at the time of enrollment were eligible for accident coverage only.
Discounts
Petco and Nationwide offer a 5% multi-pet discount, or a 10% discount if you insure four or more pets. A multi-policy discount may also be available if you have other Nationwide insurance.
State Availability, Digital Experience and Claims
- State Availability: Petco pet insurance through Nationwide is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Digital Experience: You can get a quote and read FAQs through the Petco website, but claims and sample policies are handled through Nationwide’s site. A mobile app is available, mainly for shopping. You manage your policy through the Nationwide website or app.
- Claims: File claims by uploading your veterinary receipt to my.petinsurance.com, or download a claim form and submit it via email, fax or mail.
- Customer Service: Customer service is available via phone at 844-244-3649.
Getting a Quote
You can get a quote through the Petco website, though the process involves several steps, including information about your pet’s species, breed, and age. Pet insurance is also available by phone.
Petco Pet Insurance vs. Competitors
Petco | Nationwide earned a NerdWallet rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and covers a broad range of pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Petco have pet insurance? Yes, Petco offers pet insurance through Nationwide.
- Does Petco insurance cover vaccines? Yes, if you choose wellness coverage.
- Does Petco insurance cover neutering or spaying? Yes, with higher-tier wellness coverage.
