Pets Best consistently earns the lowest sample premiums in national comparisons — but cheap isn’t always simple. This guide covers exactly what you get, what you don’t, how the claims process works in practice, and when Pets Best is the right call versus when a different company would serve you better.
Pets Best was founded in 2005 by Dr. Jack Stephens, a veterinarian credited with launching the first pet insurance company in North America. Two decades later, it holds a consistent position as the lowest-cost full-coverage option in national premium comparisons — including analyses by U.S. News, Forbes, and independent researchers — with sample monthly rates roughly $15–$35 below the national average for dogs. That’s the headline. The full story is more nuanced: Pets Best has strong coverage depth and genuine price advantages, but its customer experience scores land in the middle of the field, its onboarding communication has been criticized, and its 180-day claim filing window is shorter than competitors like Embrace. This guide addresses all of it — so you can decide with full information, not marketing copy.
These are the questions people keep not getting straight answers on. Here they are, answered directly.
-
1
How much does Pets Best insurance actually cost per month? Dogs: as low as $9/month (accident-only) to $47–$90+/month (accident + illness, varies by age, breed, location) · Cats: $6/month accident-only, ~$29/month average for accident + illness · National sample averages place Pets Best $15–$35 below competitors for the same coverage tierThe price gap that Pets Best advertises is real. In U.S. News comparisons across all 51 jurisdictions, Pets Best had the lowest sample premiums for both dogs and cats among the companies evaluated. For a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with a $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and unlimited coverage, you’re looking at roughly $47–$55/month depending on your state. For a 6-year-old dog with the same settings, expect $70–$95. Senior pets cost more everywhere, but Pets Best continues to offer coverage with no upper age limit — which is more than some competitors allow. One fee to know upfront: a $2 processing fee applies if you pay monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually rather than annually. Small, but worth knowing before your first bill arrives.
-
2
What does Pets Best actually cover — and what does it exclude? Covered: accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, MRI and CT scans, X-rays, emergency care, specialists · Not covered: pre-existing conditions, routine wellness (requires add-on), teeth cleanings (requires wellness add-on), breeding/pregnancy, cosmetic procedures, special diets unless vet-prescribed for a covered conditionThe core accident-and-illness policy covers far more than the name suggests. Hereditary and congenital conditions — including hip dysplasia, cherry eye, and heart disease — are included in the Elite and Plus plans, which matters enormously for purebred owners. Cancer treatment is covered. Diagnostic imaging including MRI, CT scans, and X-rays are covered. What Pets Best does not cover is the same territory that no pet insurance covers: anything that existed before your policy’s start date or waiting periods. The other notable gap: exam fees are a separate paid add-on. The cost of the vet visit itself isn’t reimbursable on the base plan — only the treatment that follows. In a year with multiple vet visits, those uncovered exam fees add up to a real out-of-pocket cost that the premium comparison doesn’t reflect.
-
3
How long do I have to wait before coverage kicks in? Accidents: 3 days (among the shortest in the industry) · Illnesses: 14 days · Cruciate ligament conditions: 6 months (standard across the industry) · Wellness add-on: no waiting period at all · These can sometimes be waived with a vet exam within 3 days before or 7 days after your policy startThe 3-day accident waiting period is one of Pets Best’s genuine advantages. Some competitors impose 14-day accident waits, meaning your pet would need to survive an emergency for two weeks before coverage applies. With Pets Best, accident coverage begins in 3 days — and for many policyholders it can be waived entirely with a qualifying vet exam submitted within 30 days of enrollment. The illness waiting period of 14 days is standard across the industry. The 6-month wait for cruciate ligament conditions is also standard — this is the insurance industry’s response to the high frequency of knee injury claims in active dogs. If your dog tears an ACL within 6 months of enrolling, that surgery will not be covered. This is the waiting period that surprises new policyholders most.
-
4
How does Pets Best handle claims? How fast do you get paid back? File through the app, website, or by mail · Direct deposit reimbursement in 2–7 days after processing · Processing takes 10–25 days · Vet Direct Pay option sends money straight to your vet — no out-of-pocket wait · You have 180 days to file (less than some competitors) · Claims ranked 14th out of 18 providers in customer experience evaluationsThe practical experience of filing a Pets Best claim is: you pay your vet, you upload the itemized invoice through the app or website, and you wait roughly two to three weeks for processing before reimbursement arrives in your bank account within a week after that. That total timeline of 3–4 weeks is average for the industry — not exceptional, not poor. The Vet Direct Pay feature is genuinely useful for large unexpected bills: if your vet signs a release form, Pets Best will pay them directly, eliminating the gap where you’re carrying a large charge on your credit card while waiting for reimbursement. On the downside, independent evaluations note that Pets Best’s appeal process — when a claim is denied — often requires multiple rounds of document requests rather than a streamlined review. When disputing a decision, submitting detailed vet notes and any additional documentation from your veterinarian in the first appeal improves outcomes.
-
5
What are the three Pets Best plans and which one should I choose? Essential: most affordable, excludes some hereditary conditions and exam fee coverage · Plus: mid-tier, adds broader illness coverage · Elite: most comprehensive, adds Vet Direct Pay eligibility and broadest coverage scope · For any pet with breed-specific health risks, Elite is worth the premium jumpThe Essential plan earned 4.6 stars in Yahoo Finance’s evaluation and covers the basics well for a healthy mixed-breed pet. The Elite plan earned a perfect 5 stars and is the plan that closes most of the coverage gaps. The meaningful Elite advantages for pet owners who spend money at the vet: Vet Direct Pay (the plan pays your vet directly so you don’t front the bill), broader hereditary condition coverage, and the option to add exam fees and physical therapy. If your dog is a breed associated with orthopedic issues (Labs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, large breeds generally) or cardiac issues (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dobermans, Boxers), the Elite plan’s expanded hereditary coverage is worth the difference. For a generally healthy young mixed-breed cat or dog with no breed-specific red flags, Essential or Plus are perfectly reasonable.
-
6
Does Pets Best cover pre-existing conditions? No — no pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions, and Pets Best is no exception · A condition is considered pre-existing if it showed symptoms before the policy start date or during waiting periods, even without a formal diagnosis · This makes enrolling early — ideally when your pet is young and healthy — the most important financial decision in pet insuranceThe pre-existing condition rule is the place where pet insurance most often disappoints owners who didn’t understand the product before buying it. If your dog was scratching at an ear for weeks before you enrolled, and an ear infection develops a month into your policy, Pets Best — like all pet insurers — will likely deny that claim. The insurer doesn’t need a previous diagnosis to classify something as pre-existing. Symptoms are enough. The practical protection: enroll when your pet is young and has a clean medical record. Every year of premium payments without a major claim is money you’re spending on protection against the catastrophic bills — cancer, ACL surgery, emergency obstruction surgery — that run $4,000–$12,000 and can come completely without warning even in otherwise healthy pets.
-
7
Is Pets Best good for senior pets or older dogs? Yes — no upper age limit for enrollment · Premiums are higher for older pets (can be double or triple the rate for a young pet) · Senior pet coverage is still meaningfully cheaper than competitors’ senior rates in most states · Worth enrolling before age 7 to avoid the largest premium jumpsPets Best imposes no maximum enrollment age, which matters because several competitors stop accepting new enrollees at age 10 or decline to renew policies for senior pets. If your 12-year-old cat has been uninsured and develops a new illness, Pets Best will cover future illnesses that arise after the waiting period — just not what existed before. The premium for a senior dog will be substantially higher than for a young one, and honest budgeting means getting an actual quote at your pet’s current age before making a decision. The general rule: if your older pet is in good health with no recent claims, insurance can still make sense because the risks increase exactly when you need it most. If your senior pet has multiple active chronic conditions, the premium may not pencil out against what would actually be covered.
-
8
What discounts does Pets Best offer, and how do you actually get them? Multi-pet discount: 5% off for each additional pet enrolled · Farmers Insurance customers: 5% off · Progressive customers: 5% off · CareCredit cardholders: 5% off · Employer/group member discount: 5% off first term · Military discount: available · Most discounts cannot be combined — ask before assumingThe most broadly accessible discount is the multi-pet 5% reduction — available to any household with more than one pet enrolled. For households with two dogs, that’s 5% off both policies, which adds up to real savings over a year. The Farmers Insurance and Progressive discounts apply automatically if you’re already a customer; just confirm eligibility when getting your quote. What the discount section won’t tell you: most of these discounts are unavailable in Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Tennessee — so if you’re in one of those states, the advertised discount may not apply to you. Confirm your state’s eligibility at the time of enrollment.
All accident-and-illness plans are customizable: choose your deductible ($50–$1,000), reimbursement rate (70%, 80%, or 90%), and annual limit ($5,000, $10,000, or unlimited). Prices below reflect commonly reported ranges — get a personalized quote at petsbest.com for your pet’s exact cost.
Covers emergencies only. No illness, no hereditary conditions. Best for young healthy pets or pets with chronic conditions already excluded from illness plans.
Good baseline coverage. Some hereditary conditions excluded. Exam fees not included. Best for healthy mixed-breed pets on a tighter budget.
Adds broader illness coverage vs Essential. Good middle-ground for most mixed and purebred pets without high-risk hereditary concerns.
Highest-rated plan. Includes hereditary/congenital conditions, Vet Direct Pay eligibility, and ability to add exam fees and physical therapy. Best for purebreds and active dogs.
- Accidents: broken bones, cuts, bite wounds, foreign object ingestion, snake bites, toxin exposure, car accidents
- Illnesses: infections, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory disease, digestive issues, urinary problems, allergies
- Hereditary and congenital conditions (Elite and Plus): hip dysplasia, cherry eye, heart disease, epilepsy, luxating patella
- Diagnostic imaging: MRI, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds
- Specialist and emergency hospital visits — no network restrictions, use any licensed vet in the U.S.
- Prescription medications when treating a covered condition
- Dental illness for pets under 3 years old with a qualifying recent dental cleaning
- 24/7 pet helpline access included with every plan
- Physical therapy for post-surgical recovery (Elite plan with add-on)
- Pre-existing conditions — anything showing symptoms before the policy start date or waiting periods
- Routine wellness care (vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, annual exams) — requires separate wellness add-on
- Teeth cleanings — add-on only; dental illness coverage requires a prior qualifying cleaning on record
- Exam fees — not reimbursed on any base plan; must add the exam fee rider separately
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping, and nursing
- Grooming, cosmetic procedures, ear cropping, tail docking
- Special diets, supplements, or vitamins unless directly prescribed for a covered illness
- Behavioral therapy and training (some competitors cover this; Pets Best does not on base plans)
- Claims filed more than 180 days after the date of service — this window is shorter than some competitors
No single company wins in every category. Here’s an honest comparison so you can identify where Pets Best leads and where another provider might serve your specific situation better.
| Factor | Pets Best | Embrace | Trupanion | Healthy Paws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (avg dog) | ~$47–$55 ✓ Lowest | ~$60–$75 | ~$75–$95 | ~$55–$70 |
| Accident Wait Period | 3 days ✓ | 0–2 days | 5 days | 15 days |
| Illness Wait Period | 14 days | 14 days | 30 days | 15 days |
| Claim Filing Window | 180 days | Full policy + 60 days ✓ | 180 days | 270 days |
| Vet Direct Pay | ✓ Elite plan | No | ✓ At partner vets | No |
| Unlimited Annual Limit | ✓ Available | ✓ Available | ✓ Standard | ✓ Standard |
| Exam Fee Coverage | Add-on only | ✓ Included | Add-on | Not covered |
| Senior Pet Enrollment | ✓ No age limit | ✓ No age limit | ✓ No age limit | May decline older |
| Multi-Pet Discount | ✓ 5% per pet | ✓ Available | No | ✓ Available |
Choose Pets Best if: lowest monthly premium is your top priority, you want Vet Direct Pay to avoid fronting emergency bills, or you need coverage for a senior pet that other insurers won’t touch. Consider Embrace if: you want the longest claim filing window and exam fees included in the base plan. Consider Trupanion if: you want Vet Direct Pay at partner clinics with no reimbursement paperwork at all, and you’re comfortable with a higher monthly premium for that convenience.
Pets Best will waive accident and illness waiting periods if your pet receives a wellness exam at a licensed vet within 3 days before or 7 days after your policy’s effective date, and you submit the waiver form within 30 days. This means coverage could begin almost immediately for accidents and illnesses. The exam itself is just a standard wellness visit — bring your pet in, have the vet confirm they’re healthy, and submit the form through your Pets Best customer account. If your vet charges $60 for the visit, you’re trading that cost for weeks of earlier coverage — worth it for most new policyholders.
The base Pets Best plans do not reimburse the cost of the vet visit itself — only the treatment. A routine sick visit plus diagnostics might run $80–$150 just in exam and consultation fees, none of which you recover without the exam fee add-on. If your pet visits the vet for new issues three or more times a year, the add-on cost pays for itself quickly. If your pet rarely gets sick and goes to the vet only for annual wellness (which is covered by a wellness add-on, not the base plan), the exam fee rider may not be worth the extra monthly cost.
Pets Best reimburses by direct deposit in 2–7 days after claim processing, or by paper check which takes substantially longer. Set up your bank account in your customer account before you ever need to file a claim. For large emergency bills especially, having reimbursement arrive in your checking account within a week rather than waiting for a check to clear is a material difference in managing your finances after an unexpected vet expense.
Keep a running log of your pet’s vet visits with dates, what was discussed, and what was treated. Pet insurance claim disputes almost always come down to medical records — specifically, whether a condition shows symptoms before or after your policy start date. If a vet noted that your dog’s knee “seemed stiff” two visits before your policy started, that notation could affect coverage for a future ACL injury. Being aware of what’s in your pet’s chart, and discussing any ambiguous notes with your vet, puts you in a stronger position if a claim is ever questioned.
Pets Best has no network restrictions — use any licensed vet in the U.S. Use these buttons to find emergency animal hospitals, local vets, and other pet care resources near you.
- Step 1: Get your pet’s complete medical records from your current vet before enrolling. Know what’s in the chart — anything already documented could be classified as a pre-existing condition. Understanding your pet’s health history protects you from surprises when you file your first claim.
- Step 2: Get personalized quotes from at least two companies using the exact same settings — same deductible, same reimbursement rate, same annual limit. Premium comparisons in articles use sample data; your pet’s actual quote will differ based on age, breed, and zip code. Do the real math before committing.
- Step 3: Decide whether you need a wellness add-on before enrolling. Wellness plans (which cover routine care like vaccines, annual exams, and dental cleanings) must be added at enrollment or at annual renewal — you cannot add them mid-year after a claim. If your young pet has several wellness appointments coming up, add it upfront.
- Step 4: Book a vet wellness exam within 7 days of your policy start date and submit the waiting period waiver form within 30 days. This is the single most impactful action you can take after enrolling — it can cut your waiting period from 3–14 days to near-zero, giving you coverage from almost day one.
- Step 5: Set a calendar reminder for 170 days after any vet visit for a covered condition — Pets Best’s 180-day claim filing window is firm. Missing it forfeits your reimbursement permanently, regardless of how legitimate the claim was. Most people forget because they’re focused on their pet’s recovery, not the paperwork calendar.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, financial, or legal advice. Pets Best Insurance Services LLC is a licensed insurance agency. Policies are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or Independence American Insurance Company. Coverage terms, pricing, waiting periods, exclusions, and discounts vary by state and are subject to change. Always request a personalized quote and review the sample policy for your state at petsbest.com before purchasing. The PAW Act is proposed federal legislation that has not been signed into law — do not make financial decisions based on its passage. This page has no financial affiliation with Pets Best or any insurance provider mentioned.