Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance vs Pets Best: Compare Coverage, Price & More

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Last Updated: July 25, 2024 | 4 min read | Leave a Comment

This content was reviewed by our licensed insurance agent, Michelle Schenker.

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Two dogs in the backseat of a car looking out the back with faces on the seat

ASPCA Pet Insurance has a big brand name behind it, but Pets Best is known for its low prices. Does one pet insurance provider offer more thorough coverage than the other? Or maybe one fit your unique set of needs better?

We compare coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, pricing, and customization and explain which company we think is better. However, remember that each pet and budget is different, so we suggest getting quotes from multiple companies to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

ASPCA Pet InsurancePets Best
Policy CoverageExtensiveExtensive
Customer Service & ReputationGoodGood
Claim Processing Average15-30 Days18-30 Days
Average Policy PriceVariableVariable
Plan CustomizationsFewerMany
Overall WinnerBrown checkmark (Yes)
 Get ASPCA QuoteGet Pets Best Quote
Compare QuotesCompare Quotes

Policy Coverage

Policy Coverage Winner

The table below shows what ASPCA Pet Insurance and Pets Best cover.

Note: Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications.

Neither covers pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.

ASPCA Pet InsurancePets Best
Illness Waiting Period*14 Days14 Days
Accident Waiting Period*14 Days3 Days
Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period*14 Days14 Days
CCL Surgery Waiting Period*14 Days6 Months
Behavioral TherapiesBrown checkmark (Yes)Brown checkmark (Yes)
Alternative/Holistic TherapyBrown checkmark (Yes)
Wellness Care For An Extra FeeBrown checkmark (Yes)Brown checkmark (Yes)
Exam FeesBrown checkmark (Yes)Extra Fee
UnderwriterUnited States Fire Insurance CompanyAmerican Pet Insurance Company
Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC) (CA only)
A.M. Best RatingAUnrated
A-

*States are slowly adopting a Model Law for pet insurance. This Model Law attempts to standardize each state’s regulations, which includes a standard for waiting periods that all companies must follow. Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:

  • Accidents – 0 days
  • Illnesses – 14 days
  • Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
  • Routine Care – 0 days

ASPCA Pet Insurance comes out ahead in this category because it offers alternative/holistic therapy coverage and a shorter CCL surgery waiting period. Additionally, its underwriter has an A rating by A.M. Best (a measurement of financial stability) compared to Pets Best who’s primary underwriter is unrated, which may make some uneasy.

However, a 14-day waiting period for accidents with ASPCA Pet Insurance is considered long compared to the competition. So if this is a deal-breaker, then Pets Best may be better suited to you, and it still offers extensive coverage. Plus there are more factors to consider.

Customer Service & Reputation

Customer Service & Reputation Winner

ASPCA Pet Insurance has many complaints from customers regarding low reimbursements, slow claim processing, conditions flagged as pre-existing, and more. This is frustrating for customers because they purchase a policy expecting certain things to be covered and reimbursed but feel disappointed by what they actually get from ASPCA Pet Insurance.

As for Pets Best, its biggest complaint is its long claim processing times at present. Pet parents are impressed with Pets Best’s thorough coverage and lower prices, which is why so many sign-up. However, this results in more filed claims, overloading their system and delaying claim processing. Fortunately, Pets Best is actively hiring and training more people to get back to a more competitive claim’s processing timeline.

Claim Processing

Claim Processing Winner

ASPCA Pet Insurance averages 15-30 days for claim processing, a longer timeline than many competitors. Additionally, it has a program to pay vets directly, but it’s not available at every veterinary office.

Pets Best averages 18-30 days for claim processing, which is longer than others in the industry. However, Pets Best also offers an option to pay vets directly, so you don’t have to wait for reimbursement. This may be a good option if you don’t want to wait for your claim to be processed. But be sure to confirm your vet can work in this manner before you make any assumptions.

Price Of Policy

Price Of Policy Winner

Neither ASPCA Pet Insurance nor Pets Best have enrollment fees, but both have a $2 monthly transaction fee unless you pay the annual premium upfront.

Your premium price quote is based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from each company for your specific pet. You can also visit our pet insurance comparison quotes to see a few sample prices we’ve gathered.

ASPCA almost always came out less expensive than Pets Best in the quotes we’ve run. However, remember that it’s always best to get quotes for your specific dog to compare what pet insurance could cost for you. You can use our pet insurance quote form to get multiple company quotes when you complete this one-quick form.

Coupons

ASPCA Pet Insurance

ASPCA Pet Insurance offers the following discount:

  • 10% off for multiple pets 

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Pets Best

Pets Best offers the following discounts:

  • 5% off for multiple pets
  • 5% off for military members and their families

Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.

Plan Customization

Plan Customization Winner

Finding a company with the coverage you need that fits your budget is crucial. Look below to see what plan options each of these providers offer.

ASPCA Pet InsurancePets Best
Deductible Options$100, $250, $500$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Payout Options$3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000$5,000, Unlimited
Reimbursement Options70%, 80%, 90%70%, 80%, 90%

Both companies offer multiple plan customizations to help you find the best option for your budget. And although ASPCA Pet Insurance provides numerous payout choices, it’s disappointing there’s no unlimited option for customers who prefer no limit to their annual coverage amount. Because of this, Pets Best wins this category.

What’s The Verdict?

Overall Winner

Overall, Pets Best wins our comparison due to its thorough customer service and reputation, low prices, and customization options. However, we always recommend getting multiple quotes from pet insurance providers so it’s good to consider ASPCA Pet Insurance.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, our experts dig even deeper into each company in our individual reviews of ASPCA Pet Insurance and Pets Best. You also might want to consider a few other companies in your analysis before making your final decision.

Our experts have spent thousands of hours researching to bring you our comprehensive and frequently updated pet insurance reviews, including our top picks, along with details on each of the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

Disclaimer: Information regarding insurance company offerings, pricing, availability, and other contract details are subject to change by the insurance company at any time and are not under the control of this website. Information published on this website is intended for reference use only. Please review your policy carefully before signing up for a new insurance contract or any other contract as your unique circumstances will differ from those of others who may be used for example purposes in this article.

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