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Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pets Best pet insurance review 2025
Pets Best rating (Elite policy): 5 out of 5 stars Best for: Overall Pets Best topped Yahoo Finance's evaluation of the best pet insurance companies thanks to its unparalleled combination of competitive average costs and extensive coverage. There are three Pets Best policies to choose from, each with slightly different coverage details and costs: Essential, Plus, and Elite. The Elite plan scored five stars in our evaluation, and the Plus (4.7 stars) and Essential (4.6 stars) policies were also top rated. Pros Unlimited annual coverage option available Affordable $50 deductible option Low average cost in our price comparison, especially for the unlimited annual policy Ability to pay a vet directly so you don't have to wait for reimbursement Alternative therapy covered Behavioral therapy medication and consultations covered Reimbursement can be made directly to a CareCredit card Cons No coverage for supplements or prescription food Excludes chronic problems such as hip dysplasia, diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing's Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide. When shopping for pet insurance, look at these basic details: Annual maximum limit choices: $5,000, unlimited Deductible choices: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% For accident coverage: 3 days (in most states) For illness coverage: 14 days (in most states) Special waiting period: 6 months for cruciate ligament issues Minimum pet age: 7 weeks Maximum pet age: None Pets Best policies cover a wide range of problems, from hereditary and congenital conditions to cancer to infections. Here's a closer look at coverage under the Pets Best Elite policy. The policy offers the highest level of coverage among Pets Best's three plans, including: The vet exam fee Hereditary and congenital conditions such as cherry eye and Wobbler syndrome Diagnostics such as X-rays and ultrasounds Dental accidents and illnesses Behavioral therapy consultations and prescription medicines (but not behavioral treatment or training) Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, cold laser therapy, physical therapy, and hydrotherapy. Prescription drugs Euthanasia The accident-only plan covers problems such as broken bones, foreign bodies that are swallowed, and injuries from being hit by a vehicle. Pets Best offers two tiers of wellness plans: EssentialWellness and BestWellness. Both cover the same routine care expenses but with different pricing and annual maximums: EssentialWellness: Benefits up to $305/year for $14-$21.75/month BestWellness: Benefits up to $535/year for $26-$32.58/month The EssentialWellness and BestWellness plans will reimburse you up to specified limits for the following: An annual wellness exam Vaccinations Teeth cleaning Spaying and neutering Rabies Flea/tick prevention Heartworm prevention Deworming Titer vaccine test Heartworm test or FELV screen Blood, fecal, parasite exam Urinalysis or ERD Microchipping Pets Best does not cover any preexisting conditions. It defines a preexisting condition as: 'Any condition for which a veterinarian provided medical advice, the pet received treatment for, or the pet displayed signs or symptoms consistent with the stated condition prior to the effective date of a pet insurance policy [Policy Effective Date] or during any waiting period.' Yes, if you buy pet insurance from Pets Best you'll have access to its 24/7 pet helpline. This gives you access to veterinary experts with no limits on usage of the helpline. It's ideal for questions about things the pet has eaten, training tips, and other issues. Pets Best policies won't cover expenses such as: Prescriptions not included in Pets Best's formulary Breeding Boarding and transportation, including ambulances Preexisting bilateral conditions, even when they appear on the other side of the body Elective and cosmetic procedures, such as tail docking and declawing Experimental medications and therapies Claims for pets who were found to be healthy and with no clinical symptoms Complications from tests and treatments not covered by the policy Anal gland expression Injuries from intentional acts, such as dog fighting Conditions due to racing, such as sled and track racing Cremation and burial (although euthanasia is covered) Increases: You can increase coverage only at the annual renewal time, such as moving from 70% to 80% coinsurance. However, increasing your annual limit will require canceling the policy and buying a new one. This will reset the waiting periods and the preexisting coverage exclusions. Decreases: You can decrease your Pets Best coverage at any time, such as lowering your annual limit or going from 80% to 70% coinsurance. We found Pets Best's costs to be competitive, especially for its unlimited policy. In our evaluation, Pets Best's policy with $5,000 in annual coverage has costs below the average. For unlimited annual coverage, Pets Best is a bargain considering the coverage included. While Lemonade has a lower average cost for its base plan, many of Lemonade's coverage types require extra costs for add-ons. Yes, Pets Best has a 5% multi-pet discount per pet when you insure more than one cat or dog. Another advantage with Pets Best is the ability to pay a vet directly. To use Vet Direct Pay, you send a signed copy of a veterinarian reimbursement form along with your claim paperwork. Here's what to know about making claims for Pets Best pet insurance: To make a claim: You'll need to submit a completed claim form and copies of all paid invoices. Pets Best may require complete medical records for the pet in order to process the claim. To submit claims quickly: Log in to your customer account online and upload everything electronically. To receive reimbursements faster: Set up a default reimbursement selection in your account. You can get reimbursement directly to a bank account or a CareCredit credit card if you have one. If your claim is denied: You can appeal the decision. You have 180 days from the vet visit to submit a claim to Pets Best. Pets Best says it takes five to seven days if payments are going directly to your bank account and three or five days if you've chosen to get reimbursement to your CareCredit credit card. Paper checks will take longer. A good mobile app is important so that you can check your coverage details and claims status. Pets Best's mobile app is highly rated by users. With its app, you can access your pet's coverage information, submit and view claims, receive reminders for payments, access the 24/7 telehealth line, and more. Take a look at Pets Best mobile app ratings: Apple App store: 4.6 of of 5 stars Google Play store: 4.8 of of 5 stars Pets Best pet insurance is available in all 50 states. You can make claims with Pets Best from any veterinarian in U.S., Canada, and U.S. territory or military installations/bases in foreign countries. There's no pet medical exam requirement for buying a Pets Best policy. You can contact Pets Best either by phone, fax, or mail: Contact Pets Best at 1-877-738-7237 from Monday to Friday (6 a.m to 7 p.m. MT) and Saturday (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT) The fax number is 1-866-777-1434 The mailing address is: Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, 965 Keller Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 Pets Best has a 30-day free look period during which you can cancel a policy for a full refund as long as no claims were paid. This cancellation will void the policy. You can cancel your Pets Best policy at any time by notifying them in writing via mail, fax, or email. Policies canceled in midterm will be refunded on a pro-rata basis. We researched the coverage details and prices for 15 pet insurance plans. We then weighted categories and each pet insurer was scored relative to the others to find the best pet insurance companies. Here are the factors we incorporated. Coverage types: 40% of score. We examined the coverage provided by the base policy, without the extra cost of add-ons. This encompassed coverage for alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, dental illness, euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, exotic pets, hereditary and congenital conditions, preexisting conditions, prescription food and supplements, veterinary exam fees, and advertising/reward for lost/stolen pets. Average cost: 30% of score. We evaluated costs in five states for $5,000 and unlimited coverage for a mixed-breed dog (age 1), a French bulldog (age 5), and a Labrador retriever (age 8). Unlimited coverage option: 10% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered an unlimited annual limit (or a $100,000 limit), which gives pet owners the most robust financial protection possible in the event of a catastrophic pet medical issue. Direct payments to the veterinarian: 5% of score. We gave points to pet insurers that state on their websites that they accommodate direct vet payments. No special waiting periods for special conditions: 5% of score. We have points when pet insurers have no waiting periods for special conditions, such as cruciate ligament conditions. Routine wellness plan: 5% of score. Companies that offer a routine wellness plan in addition to pet insurance received points. Multi-pet discount: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered a discount for insuring multiple pets.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The best pet insurance companies of 2025
Pet insurance can give you peace of mind that an unexpected veterinarian bill won't throw your finances into chaos. By having pet insurance, you can better budget for a pet's healthcare and know you can get medical treatment when needed without worrying about the cost. Let's explore 15 pet insurance plans to find the best pet insurance options for you. Below are the top pet insurers with four stars and above. In this article: Best pet insurance companies Pet insurance rating: The full list Compare pet insurance costs Compare pet insurance coverage choices Compare pet insurance discounts What does pet insurance cover? How to find the best pet insurance Best pet insurance frequently asked questions Methodology Best pet insurance companies Pets Best: 5 stars — best pet insurance overall Pets Best provides the best pet insurance overall in our evaluation, gaining the top rating with its unmatched combination of low average costs and ample coverage. Pets Best has three policies to choose from, with slightly varying costs and coverage: Essential, Plus, and Elite. The Elite plan earned five stars in our analysis, and the Plus and Essential policies were not far behind with ratings of 4.7 and 4.6 stars, respectively. Pets Best pros and cons (Elite policy) Pros Average cost is well below average compared to other pet insurers Unlimited annual coverage option available Low $50 deductible available Can pay the vet directly if the vet signs a Veterinarian Reimbursement Form Includes coverage for alternative therapies Behavioral therapy consultations and medication covered Claim payments can be reimbursed directly to a CareCredit credit card Cons Excludes chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Cushing's, hyperthyroidism, and hip dysplasia Prescription foods and supplements not covered More about Pets Best Pets Best pet insurance basics Annual maximum limit choices: $5,000, unlimited Deductible choices: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500 Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% Multi-pet discount: 5% Pets Best average cost examples (Elite plan) Mixed breed dog (medium-size), age 1: $27.50/month French bulldog, age 5: $105.82/month Labrador retriever, age 8: $119.10/month Costs are for $5,000 in annual coverage, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement. Pets Best waiting periods For accident coverage: Three days (in most states) For illness coverage: 14 days (in most states) Special waiting period: Six months for cruciate ligament issues MetLife pet insurance: 4.6 stars — best for multiple pets MetLife pet insurance scored well in our analysis with its below-average costs and wide range of coverage. MetLife is notable for its unique Family Plan program for those insuring more than one pet. Unlike other pet insurers that require you to buy separate policies for each pet, MetLife lets you insure up to three cats or dogs under one policy. One advantage to this is there's a shared deductible for the policy so you can meet the deductible faster when your pets need vet care. In addition, the annual limit is shared among the pets, so if one pet needs more vet care you can allot more of the coverage to that pet. MetLife's Family Plan also includes a multi-pet discount. MetLife pet insurance also has an unusual policy limit increase benefit: If your policy has at least $5,000 in annual coverage and you have an unused amount of $1,000 or more at the end of the policy term, MetLife will automatically increase the annual limit by $500 at renewal time for no additional cost. MetLife pet insurance pros and cons Pros Slightly below-average cost Wide range of coverage included No special waiting periods for conditions like cruciate ligament issues Covers alternative therapy like chiropractic care, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy as well as holistic care, such as herbal remedies, aromatherapy, and CBD oil, when prescribed Offers exotic pet insurance for pets such as rabbits, ferrets, birds, and reptiles Low $50 deductible available Cons $10,000 maximum annual coverage choice Maximum annual benefit of $2,000 for older pets, which can be less than the annual premium Short window to submit claims: 90 days from treatment date More about MetLife pet insurance MetLife pet insurance basics Annual maximum limit choices: $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 Deductible choices: $50, $100, $250, $500 Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% Multi-pet discount: Varies under MetLife's Family Plan MetLife average cost examples Mixed breed dog (medium-size), age 1: $41.34/month French bulldog, age 5: $89.46/month Labrador retriever, age 8: $112.35/month Costs are for $5,000 in annual coverage, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement. MetLife waiting periods For accident coverage: Coverage begins at midnight ET of the effective day of the policy For illness coverage: 14 days Special waiting period: None Spot: 4.4 stars — best for range of coverage Spot's pet insurance included the widest range of coverage in our evaluation. Some pet insurers require add-ons at extra cost, but Spot gives you ample coverage up front in the base policy. While this results in monthly costs that are higher than average, Spot is worth a look from pet owners who want substantial coverage. Spot pet insurance pros and cons Pros Wide-ranging coverage included Ample choices for annual coverage limits Curable preexisting conditions are covered after 180 days without symptoms or treatment (except ligament and knee conditions) No special waiting periods for specific conditions Covers alternative and behavioral therapies Long window of 270 days to submit claims after treatment date Cons Higher-than-average costs Does not cover smaller costs such as advertising or reward for lost and stolen pets More about Spot pet insurance Spot pet insurance basics Annual maximum limit choices: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, unlimited Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% Multi-pet discount: 10% Spot average cost examples Mixed breed dog (medium-size), age 1: $41.03/month French bulldog, age 5: $104.68/month Labrador retriever, age 8: $131.59/month Costs are for $5,000 in annual coverage, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement. Spot waiting periods For accident coverage: 14 days For illness coverage: 14 days Special waiting period: None Embrace: 4 stars — best for discounts for healthy pets Embrace pet insurance did well in our scoring with its below-average costs and solid coverage. You'll have to buy add-ons if you want coverage for vet exam fees and prescription drugs, but overall, Embrace's policy has extensive coverage. Especially notable is Embrace's Healthy Pet Discount Program. If you have claims that total less than $300 per pet in the previous year, you'll get a 5% discount in the first year and then a 10% discount in the second year for each pet. Embrace pet insurance pros and cons Pros Below-average costs Unlimited annual coverage option available Covers behavioral therapy and alternative therapy, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and therapeutic laser treatments Preexisting conditions can be covered after a year with no symptoms or treatment Cons Coverage for vet exam fees and prescription drugs requires buying add-ons No coverage for prescription food or supplements Six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if the pet gets an orthopedic exam More about Embrace pet insurance Embrace pet insurance basics Annual maximum limit choices: $2,000, $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, unlimited Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90% Multipet discount: 10% Embrace average cost examples Mixed breed dog (medium-size), age 1: $35.24/month French bulldog, age 5: $101.93/month Labrador retriever, age 8: $105/month Costs are for $5,000 in annual coverage, $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement. Embrace waiting periods For accident coverage: Begins at 12:01 a.m. ET the day after you purchase a policy For illness coverage: 14 days Special waiting period: six months for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days with an orthopedic exam Pet insurance rating: The full list Pets Best's three plans are the best pet insurance in our rankings. See our methodology at the bottom of the page for details on how we arrived at our ratings. Compare pet insurance costs Your own pet insurance cost will depend on factors like your location and the pet's breed, size, and age. Average pet insurance costs for a $5,000 annual limit The typical monthly cost of pet insurance with $5,000 in annual coverage is about $87 a month. Average pet insurance costs for unlimited annual coverage The typical monthly cost of pet insurance with unlimited annual coverage is about $132 a month. Factors in pet insurance costs Your own pet insurance cost will depend on the following: Your location The pet's breed and age The coverage options you choose for the annual limit, the deductible, and the reimbursement percentage The coverage the policy provides and add-ons you pick Compare pet insurance coverage choices When you buy a pet insurance policy you'll make choices for coverage levels that will affect your premium. Choosing a lower annual limit, a higher deductible, and/or a lower reimbursement level will reduce your monthly premium. Compare pet insurance discounts One-third (35%) of pet owners have more than one pet, according to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center. If you're buying pet insurance and have more than one dog or cat, snagging a multi-pet discount is a nice perk. Multi-pet insurance discounts are generally 5% or 10% per pet. Here's a look at discounts among the pet insurance companies we evaluated. What does pet insurance cover? The most common type of pet insurance policy covers accidents and illnesses, and many pet insurers also offer optional wellness plans for routine care. Accidents: Physical injury caused by an unexpected event, such as a broken bone or swallowing an object. Illnesses: A sickness, disease, or any other change to the pet's normal health not caused by an accident. Examples include ear infections, skin infections, diabetes, cancer, and digestive issues. Wellness plans: Coverage for routine care costs such as wellness exams, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, dental cleanings, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm tests. Pet insurance coverage highlights Pet insurance companies can vary substantially in what's covered by the base policy, what can be covered by paying for add-ons, and what's excluded. Here's a look at some add-ons and coverage options. Vet exam fee coverage: Not all policies cover the basic fee charged for a vet visit. Behavioral therapy: This can include treatments for behavior that is abnormal or dysfunctional, such as aggression, separation anxiety, and excessive chewing or licking. Alternative therapy: This can include a variety of treatments, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, laser therapy, massage, herbal therapy, and homeopathy. How to find the best pet insurance Decide on a budget Determine how much you want to spend per month on pet insurance. Having a low budget doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to buy a poor-quality policy. For example, Pets Best offers good coverage at very competitive prices. Determine what coverage features are must-haves Coverage features vary substantially among pet insurance companies, so it can help to decide what coverage types are top priority for you and focus on policies with those features. For example, perhaps alternative therapy is important to you, but coverage for end-of-life expenses is not. Look at waiting periods All policies have some type of waiting period for coverage, but some pet insurance companies have shorter wait times than others. Among the pet insurance companies we evaluated, the range of waiting periods for accident coverage is next day to 15 days, and the typical waiting period for illness coverage is 15 days. Look out for special waiting periods for certain conditions, such as cruciate ligament issues. These special waiting periods are often six months, but some insurers have no special waiting periods. Get pet insurance quotes Compare quotes for similar levels of coverage for the annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. Look closely at the policy document When you get a pet insurance quote, you should see a link to policy documents. Make sure to read the policy to confirm what treatments are covered and what's excluded. Best pet insurance FAQs What is the best pet insurance company? Pets Best is the best pet insurance company in our evaluation. It offers a superior mix of coverage and price, making it a great value. Its three policies — Essential, Plus, and Elite — grabbed the top scores in our analysis. What kinds of pets does pet insurance cover? Pet insurance generally covers only dogs and cats. MetLife and Nationwide will cover exotic pets, such as birds, reptiles, and rabbits. What is the best type of pet insurance to get? An accident and illness plan is the best type of pet insurance policy to buy because it covers the broadest range of problems — from broken bones to ear infections to cancer. For additional coverage, many pet insurers sell wellness plans that help pay for routine care such as annual wellness exams and vaccinations. What pet insurance pays the vet directly? Healthy Paws, Pets Best and Trupanion have ways to pay a vet directly. Trupanion offers the easiest way to get direct vet pay because you won't have to do anything. If your vet has Trupanion's software, you don't have to get a special form filled out or make a request in advance. Other pet insurers may agree to pay a vet directly if the bill will be large and you ask in advance. Methodology We researched the coverage details and prices for 15 pet insurance plans. We then weighted categories and each pet insurer was scored relative to the others to find the best pet insurance companies. Here are the factors we incorporated. Coverage types: 40% of score. We examined the coverage provided by the base policy, without the extra cost of add-ons. This encompassed coverage for alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, dental illness, euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, exotic pets, hereditary and congenital conditions, preexisting conditions, prescription food and supplements, veterinary exam fees, and advertising/reward for lost/stolen pets. Average cost: 30% of score. We evaluated costs in five states for $5,000 and unlimited coverage for a mixed-breed dog (age 1), a French bulldog (age 5), and a Labrador retriever (age 8). Unlimited coverage option: 10% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered an unlimited annual limit (or a $100,000 limit), which gives pet owners the most robust financial protection possible in the event of a catastrophic pet medical issue. Direct payments to the veterinarian: 5% of score. We gave points to pet insurers that state on their websites that they accommodate direct vet payments. No special waiting periods for special conditions: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers have no waiting periods for special conditions, such as cruciate ligament conditions. Routine wellness plan: 5% of score. Companies that offer a routine wellness plan in addition to pet insurance received points. Multi-pet discount: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered a discount for insuring multiple pets.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chocolate Labrador Puppy Does Her Best Shark Impression When It's Time for a New Bone
It's hard to resist a puppy's adorable face, but don't be fooled — they're willing to be a little rough around the edges if it means they'll get what they want! And at a young age, they don't quite know their power just yet, but they are more than ready to try wielding it. For the adorable Chocolate Labrador puppy in the TikTok video below, that means pretending she's a baby shark in order to get the important things done... even if, to her, the "important things" are a brand new bone she's ready to get her paws (and her sharp teeth) on. In this video shared by @mollythechocolatelab2021, we meet Molly, who is hiding under a couch as she waits for a new bone — just like a shark waiting to grab their prey. Even though the bone is right there waiting for her to take it, just inches away from her face, Molly waits until the exact right moment. Then, in a blur of motion, she reaches out and grabs her bone before retreating back under the couch to enjoy it in safety. This sweet Chocolate Lab really is too cute, and you really do have to admire her commitment to getting what she wants while still remaining under cover. If she ever gets tired of the shark life, she could make an excellent spy. Molly is most definitely not the first puppy to be described as a shark, and she won't be the last! Puppies have notoriously sharp teeth, and it's not just because they're brand new — there's actually a reason for that! As Pets Best noted in a blog post, puppies, like human babies, are born without teeth... but they start teething a lot faster than babies do! Their baby teeth, also called deciduous teeth, start popping through their gums about two to three weeks after birth, and they have the full set by the time they're ten weeks old, which is impressively fast. But why are they so sharp and pointy? At a young age, puppies don't yet have the jaw strength to chew through food (especially when it comes to meat, which they'd encounter in the wild) so their baby teeth have thinner enamel and longer roots than adult teeth. Those 28 teeth fall out between the ages of four to six months old and are replaced with 42 adult teeth, which are far less shark-like. Molly has the rare combo of sneaky and shark-y, as we can see in the video above. I hope her mom is prepared for that kind of chaotic (but fun) energy! 🐶🐾🐾
