Pet Assure Review

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Pet Insurance Company Reviews

Pet Assure

• Pricing: Four discount plans ranging from $9.95 to $21.95 per month, with annual billing options available
• 25% discount on all in-house medical services at participating veterinarians
• Covers pre-existing conditions with no exclusions based on age, type of pet, or breed
• Network of over 5,600 participating veterinarians across the United States and Puerto Rico
• No claims process for discount plan - discount applied at checkout
• Secondary wellness plan (Mint Wellness) available with additional benefits
• Covers all types of pets
• No waiting periods for coverage
• Positive customer satisfaction ratings (4-star average on Trustpilot)
• "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau

In business since 1995, Pet Assure markets itself as a "pet insurance alternative". They offer a veterinary discount plan rather than a traditional insurance plan with premiums and deductibles - which may appeal to those disillusioned with conventional insurance companies. Pet Assure's discount plan works with a network of over 5,600 participating veterinarians across the United States and Puerto Rico. All types of pets - whether furry, feathered, or scaled - are eligible. They also offer a secondary wellness plan.

Four discount plans ranging from $9.95 to $21.95 a month

When you visit Pet Assure, click "check my pricing” and enter your email and zip code. For our Illinois zip code, they had four Veterinary Discount plans:

• Single cat: covers 1 cat or small animal
• Single dog: covers 1 dog or large animal
• Family: covers 2-4 animals of any size
• Unlimited: covers every pet in your household

You can choose between monthly or annual billing. Our monthly billing ranged from $9.95 to $21.95, while annual billing ranged from $79 to $199. (For a single dog, it was $11.95 a month.) Opting for annual billing saves you a few dollars per month.

Only 25% off services, but no exclusions

Pet Assure is the only pet healthcare service in our review that covers pre-existing conditions. Their discount plan also covers hereditary conditions, wellness visits, sick visits, dental issues, emergency care, spays and neuters, and much more. It's a relief to click the "What's not covered?” link and see the phrase, "Every in-house medical service is covered, even pre-existing conditions.” They don't have exclusions based on age, type of pet, or breed. So, what's the catch? You'll only get 25% off any of the covered services, where other pet insurance companies offer 70%-100% coverage after you've met your deductible. And if your vet offers any other discounts, they can't be combined with Pet Assure.

May only be available through employee benefits

While we were checking out Pet Assure's other offerings, we noticed something odd: when visiting the link with "/home” as the web address path, we landed on what appeared to be an older version of the website advertising their veterinary discount plan as open to all pet owners. We were able to go through all the steps of selecting a plan and going to checkout. However, visiting Pet Assure's website without "/home” in the web address takes you to a newer version of the webpage that states you can only enroll in the veterinary discount plan through your employer's benefits program. Does that mean that if you bought a plan through the "/home” link, you wouldn't actually be allowed to use it? We're not sure.

Wellness plan available via new webpages

On the older version of Pet Assure's website, all links (such as "About" and "FAQ") direct you to outdated pages. The newer wellness plan, Mint Wellness, which is open to anyone, isn't mentioned there - you'll only find information about it on the updated version of their website (sans "/home”).

Wellness plans include 25% discount plan

Pet Assure offers three wellness plans - and each appears to include the Veterinary Discount Plan after all. Here's what to expect in terms of pricing and coverage:

• Basic ($18/month)
• 1 office/wellness visit per year (up to $100)
• 2 vaccinations per year (up to $100)
• 1 routine blood work test per year (up to $100)
• 1 fecal test/urinalysis per year (up to $50)
• Veterinary Discount Plan
• ThePetTag (a scannable ID tag)
• Essential ($34/month) includes everything in Basic, plus:
• 1 additional vaccination per year (up to $150 total)
• Separate fecal test and urinalysis (up to $50 each)
• $100 per year for grooming
• $100 per year for preventatives
• Premium ($57/month) includes everything in Essential, plus:
• 1 additional office/wellness visit (2 total, up to $200)
• 1 additional vaccination (4 total, up to $200)
• Additional $100 for grooming ($200 total)
• Additional $100 for preventatives ($200 total)
• 1 dental cleaning per year (up to $100)

No claims process, no wait for reimbursement on discount plan

Pet Assure's discount program is one of the only pet healthcare options in our review that doesn't require you to submit a claim for its primary service. Why? Because it's taken care of at checkout at the vet. Just show a participating veterinarian your Pet Assure ID card, and a discount will be automatically applied to your bill. However, if you're using the Mint Wellness plan coverage for something like a vaccine, you will need to submit a claim. Processing and reimbursement takes 5 days.

Customers are happy

Pet Assure has a "great” 4-star average rating on Trustpilot, but fewer than 100 reviews, and none more recent than 2 years old at the time of this evaluation. However, people are "very, very happy with Pet Assure,” to quote one longtime customer. Customer service agents are helpful and kind, and getting the promised 25% discount is as simple as advertised. The company also holds an "A+” from the Better Business Bureau.

Recommended for pets with pre-existing conditions

Although Pet Assure could benefit from streamlining their advertising about their offerings (is the discount plan available a-la-carte, or do you have to purchase the Wellness Plan?), we find few other faults with this alternative to traditional pet insurance. No claims, no waiting periods, and no exclusions make for a pretty good deal for the price. If you have an older pet with pre-existing conditions, Pet Assure could be a great way to give your savings account some buffer.