Every pet owner makes a promise to provide their pets with the best healthcare possible so they can enjoy good health throughout their entire lives. Prudent Pet pledges to help everyone keep that promise.
Prudent Pet is a pet insurance agency that treats all pets as family. That’s why they do their best to make everything possible in order to keep them safe. To accomplish that, they offer top-rated pet insurance options that are flexible and easy to acquire and use.
To make things even better, Prudent Pet strives to be straightforward and transparent so everyone gets familiar with their options from the very beginning. That way, with Prudent Pet’s help, pet parents can make the best decisions to provide the best protection for their pet children while preserving their finances.
It seems like Prudent Pet is very successful in what they claim to achieve. Trustpilot, which ranks them at the number 1 spot of all pet insurance companies in the US, is proof of their success.
In this Prudent Pet pet insurance review, you’ll access an in-depth review of everything that the pet insurance agency offers – pet coverage plans, wellness plans, exclusions, pricing, discounts, customer services, and all the rest. Let’s dig in!
Prudent Pet’s Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The AM Best and the BBB rank Prudent Pet with an excellent grade | The waiting period for cruciate ligaments and knee issues can have their waiting period reduced to 14 days |
| Prudent Pet is the number one pet insurance policy on Trustpilot | $2.00 monthly transaction fee |
| Pet coverage can be used in Canada and Puerto Rico whenever you travel there with your pet | Premium prices for older, purebred pets are expensive |
| Pet wellness care and accident-only coverage is available | No mobile phone app available for Android and iOS |
| 24/7 live vet chat | |
| 10% discount for signing up multiple pets | |
| Not maximum pet age restrictions | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Prudent Pet’s Key Attributes
- Underwriter: Markel American Insurance Company
- AM Best Rating: A
- BBB Rating: A+
- Exam period: Prudent Pet doesn’t require any pet to go through a thorough physical exam before they enroll in one of their pet insurance plans. They will however decide whether the pet has any pre-existing conditions when you submit your first claim. At this time, Prudent Pet will require your pet’s full medical history from you and from the veterinary clinic where the procedure was performed.
- Increase in monthly premium: Prudent Pet will never increase the price of your policy premium based on the number of claims you submit over time. However, they will eventually make increases based on the fluctuations in the costs of veterinary services in the area where you reside. Another factor that goes into your policy premium price increase is your pet’s age. As they grow older, they become more prone to sickness and injuries, so the risks of hefty vet bills grow exponentially. In any case, Prudent Pet will notify you about any changes in your policy or premiums in advance.
- Claim submission time limit: Prudent Pet has, hands-down, one of the longest time limits for filing claims. You can wait until 90 days after the end of your policy period to submit a claim for a veterinary procedure that took place at any time during that policy period.
- Claim processing times: Prudent Pet processes submitted claims within 30 days from the date of filing, however, this time averages on about 10-14 days for most customers. And that’s just for the first claim. After they have your pet’s medical records on file, they’ll probably reimburse you in about 2-3 days.
- Waiting periods: Prudent Pet’s waiting periods fall into the average for pretty much every benefit that is covered by their policies. Accidents have a waiting period of 5 days which is solid compared to most pet insurance companies and illnesses’ waiting period is 14 days which is quite the standard in the industry. Orthopedic conditions such as cruciate ligament injuries, disorders of the knee’s soft tissue, and luxation of the patellas have a waiting period of 6 months (This long waiting period can be waived if you take your pet to the vet for examination in the first 30 days of your Prudent Pet policy and they state that your pet doesn’t have any pre-existing conditions related to these orthopedic instances).
- Accidents – 5 days;
- Illnesses – 14 days;
- Wellness – no waiting period;
- Orthopedic conditions – 6 months.
- Pet insurance coverage with Prudent Pet is valid with any licensed veterinarian, specialty, or emergency clinic anywhere in the United States. Additionally, whenever you travel together with your pet to Canada or Puerto Rico, your Prudent Pet insurance policy will cover the medical expenses that you may have there.
- Bilateral conditions like ligament and knee conditions will be excluded from your Prudent Pet’s insurance coverage if any of those occurred before your policy went into effect or during the waiting period. This means that even if one side of your pet’s body was affected, the other one will be excluded as well.
Prudent Pet’s Insurance Plans
There’s a sizable collection of insurance plans that Prudent Pet offers. When fetching a quote from them, you’ll notice that you can choose from two accident and illness plans – Essential and Ultimate, and one accident-only plan – Accident Only.
All three insurance plans are top-level pet coverage solutions that cover everything from diagnostics and treatment for accidents and injuries to complex procedures for cancer, chronic conditions, and more.
All three plans share the same options for annual deductible and reimbursement rates. The only thing where the Accident Only and the Essential plans differ from the Ultimate plan is the annual benefit options which are the only options that you can’t choose from but are always fixed. The following are all of the options you can choose from and adjust the price of your policy premium:
- Accident Only and Essential plans:
- Annual benefit amounts: $10,000;
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, $500, and $1,000;
- Reimbursement percentages: 70%, 80%, and 90%.
- Ultimate plan:
- Annual benefit amounts: Unlimited;
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, $500, and $1,000;
- Reimbursement percentages: 70%, 80%, and 90%.
Every cat and dog can sign up for any of the above-mentioned plans, no matter how old they are. However, puppies and kittens need to be at least 6 weeks old in order to become eligible for entry.
The waiting periods across all of these plans are also the same. Accidents have a waiting period of only 5 days, illnesses become eligible for coverage after 14 days from enrollment, and orthopedic conditions have a waiting period of 6 months which can be waived if you get an orthopedic medical report from your vet within the first 30 days from enrollment.
Prudent Pet’s pet coverage is valid all across the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico. There is no network of veterinarians, so you can use it with any licensed vet, specialty, or emergency clinic.
To get your money back for the vet pills that you paid for, you can submit a claim to Prudent Pet and receive a reimbursement from them via direct deposit or check that will arrive in your mail.
What’s Covered With a Prudent Pet Policy
Below we’ll review everything that’s covered by each of Prudent Pet’s three pet coverage plans. The following is everything that’s reimbursable with your pet insurance policy:
Accident Only Plan
The Accident Only plan is suitable for covering all of the unexpected accidents and injuries that may threaten your pet’s health and life.
- Accidents – bite wounds, broken bones, injuries to teeth and mouth, poisoning including consultation fees for poison control, swallowed foreign bodies, car accidents, lacerations, cuts, burns, and much more;
- Medical supplies – bandages, casts, band-aids, splints, and much more;
- Tooth extractions;
- IV – Intravenous medications and fluids;
- Diagnostics and laboratory exams including MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, blood panel, ultrasound, and more;
- Prescription medications that are approved by the FDA and prescribed by a veterinarian. Medication designed for preventative care and general maintenance aren’t covered;
- Alternative therapies that are recommended by a veterinarian such as acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, stem cell therapy, laser therapy, and more;
- Surgery and hospitalization – specialized and rehabilitative care.
Essential Plan
The Essential plan provides coverage for both unexpected accidents and illnesses that are unplanned for and not pre-existing. The entire coverage that comes on the Accident Only plan is included in the Essential plan as it envelops the “accidents” part of the policy. The following are all the covered instances for illnesses and other disorders:
- Illnesses – digestive issues, diarrhea, vomiting, eye and ear conditions, skin issues, urinary tract infections, heartworm, tick-borne diseases, intestinal parasites, and much more;
- Chronic conditions – arthritis, asthma, allergies, epilepsy, and more;
- Hereditary conditions – birth defects (congenital) and abnormalities, glaucoma, wobbler syndrome, hip and elbow dysplasia, IVDD, luxating patella, and much more;
- Cancer and foreign growths treatment – chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
- Behavioral disorders – aggression, depression, separation anxiety, destructive chewing, phobias, excessive licking, fur pulling, tail chasing, and more. The Essential plan provides $250 annually for treating behavioral issues by a veterinarian;
Ultimate Plan
The Ultimate plan is another accident and illness coverage plan that is simply an upgrade of the Essential plan. It comes with unlimited annual benefits and includes reimbursement for premium instances that we’ll mention below. Note that everything from the Accident Only and the Essential plan is covered by the Ultimate plan as well.
- Behavioral disorders – all of the conditions that we’ve mentioned above in the Essential plan but with an annual coverage of up to $1,000;
- Advertising and reward – in the case your pet strays or is stolen, Prudent Pet will cover the expenses for advertising services and the reward in case your pet is found with up to $500 annually (not subject to copay and deductible);
- Loss of pet due to stray or theft – Prudent Pet will pay with the price of your pet (up to $500) if they stray or are stolen and not found within 30 days. If you happen not to have the receipt for your pet purchase with you, Prudent Pet will reimburse with $150 (not subject to copay and deductible);
- Boarding kennel and cattery fees – in case you need to be hospitalized for more than 96 hours because of a disease, sickness, or bodily injury, Prudent Pet will cover the costs of boarding your cat or dog with a licensed kennel or cattery, up to $500 annually (not subject to copay and deductible);
- Mortality benefit – in case your pet dies or has to be euthanized by a licensed veterinarian due to a covered illness or injury, Prudent Pet will reimburse you for the price you paid to purchase your pet (up to $1,000 or $150 if you cannot provide a receipt for their purchase) or up to $250 if you wish to cremate or bury your pet (not subject to copay and deductible);
- Vacation cancelation – if you happen to be away on vacation or plan to leave in the next 7 days but you need to return or abandon your plan because your pet requires an immediate lifesaving procedure, Prudent Pet will reimburse you for your travel and accommodation costs with up to $1,000 (not subject to copay and deductible).
What’s Excluded From Prudent Pet’s Coverage
There’s an entire list of conditions and various circumstances when your veterinary expenses aren’t covered by Prudent Pet and that’s the case with every insurance company. Pet insurance companies exclude many instances such as pre-existing conditions, war-like events, or natural catastrophes that they can’t afford to reimburse in order to keep the price of your premium at an affordable level.
The following is pretty much everything that doesn’t come included with a Prudent Pet pet insurance policy:
- Pre-existing conditions;
- Grooming, grooming supplies, and bathing;
- Housing (buying or renting cages), boarding with a kennel or cattery, or certified pet sitting services;
- Routine and preventative care including preventive products, correctional devices, and training (an optional add-on is available);
- Bilateral conditions such as luxation of the patellas, cruciate ligament issues, or other knee tissue disorders that are pre-existing;
- Costs relating breeding, pregnancy, nursing, or whelping;
- Experimental treatments;
- Organ transplantation;
- Elective or cosmetic procedures such as tail docking, dewclaw removal, eyelash removal, ear cropping, spaying/neutering, dental cosmetics, anal gland expression, elective gastropexy, and more;
- Injury or illness that is directly caused by your intention or the intention of anyone in your immediate family including persistent neglect;
- Costs for treating injuries or illnesses arising out of commercial activities such as organized fighting, racing, coursing, guarding, law enforcement, or other occupational or business uses;
Prudent Pet’s Wellness Plans
Arming yourself with a pet wellness care policy means that you’ll be easily able to provide the best preventive care possible for your pet in order to prevent illnesses from happening instead of treating them when they happen.
Prudent Pet provides three pet wellness coverage plans – Low, Medium, and High, to help you stay ahead of your pet’s health and needs, either offsetting your routine and preventive care costs in full or partially.
The following chart will help you understand which benefits are covered on each plan and how much you can be reimbursed for each separate benefit:
| Wellness Benefit Schedule | Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness Exam (2 per policy term, max 1/2 per exam) | $30.00($15.00 maximum per exam) | $50.00($25.00 maximum per exam) | $60.00($30.00 maximum per exam) |
| Rabies Vaccine | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| DHLPP Vaccine | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Bordetella or Lyme Disease Vaccine | $0.00 | $0.00 | $35.00 |
| Heartworm Test or FELV Screen | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Fecal Exam | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Wellness Blood Screen | $0.00 | $0.00 | $35.00 |
| Health Certificate | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
| Microchip | $25.00 | $35.00 | $45.00 |
| Deworming | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Dentistry/Cleaning OR Spay/Neuter | $0.00 | $40.00 | $60.00 |
| Maximum Annual Benefit | $210.00 | $315.00 | $460.00 |
All the plans have a fixed monthly price that will be added to your pet insurance policy premium. That being said, the Low wellness coverage package costs $11.95/month, the Medium package is $19.95/month, and the High wellness package is $29.95/month.
Finally, none of these plans have a waiting period or any type of deductible – their coverage starts at the moment of your purchase.
Extra Features
There are a couple of extra features that you can get by obtaining a pet insurance policy from Prudent Pet. One of them is free and the other is a paid add-on.
- Veterinary Exam Fees add-on – Whenever you take your pet for a visit at your veterinarian before they treat it, they will need to have it examined first. These exams that come with diagnosing your pet and consulting you for the best approach to treatment and recovery come at a price. Some pet insurance companies include the costs for veterinary exam fees in their coverage and some don’t. Prudent Pet offers this coverage as an optional rider to your base pet coverage. It has a tailored price, based on your pet’s details and the claim benefit options that you choose.
Note that this coverage is also subject to deductible and copayment. - 24/7 Vet Chat – This feature comes included on all Prudent Pet pet insurance plans at no extra charge. It provides all Prudent Pet policyholders with non-stop access to skilled vets that can advise them on any pet-related question they may have. Consulting with a vet through this feature doesn’t require an appointment to be made and can be done from the comfort of your home in real-time. Pet parents can ask everything from questions about immediate help and emergency advice to tips for improving their pets’ well-being and play or training activities.
Prudent Pet’s Pricing Quotes
We fetched a number of pricing quotes from Prudent Pet in order to understand how the company handles pet insurance pricing and how they compare to other pet insurance companies’ pricing systems.
In short, we realized that Prudent Pet offers some of the most expensive pet coverage out there. You can see this in the tables for dog and cat pricing quotes below this section.
Prudent Pet’s Accident-Only plan is decently priced in comparison to the Accident and Illness plans which are considerably pricier.
However, you can adjust your claim limit options to lower the premium prices. For example, if you choose a high deductible ($1,000) and a low reimbursement option (70%) you’ll get a lower premium price.
Additionally, for each quote, we’ve included the price of the veterinary exam fees add-on. As is the case with the ordinary pet coverage premium prices, this add-on is similarly expensive.
You should also be aware that purebred cats and dogs of older age have considerably more expensive premiums than younger mixed-breed fur babies.
Pricing Quotes for Dogs
| Breed | German Shepherd | French Bulldog | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | Male | Female |
| Age | 2 years 4 months | 4 years 2 months | 6 years 6 months |
| Location | New York | California | Colorado |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Prudent Pet Accident-Only Plan ($10,000 annual benefit) | $36.66/month(+ $7.35/month for veterinary exam fees) | $45.45/month(+ $9.11/month for veterinary exam fees) | $51.77/month(+ $10.38/month for veterinary exam fees) |
| Prudent Pet Essential Plan ($10,000 annual benefit) | $83.31(+ $16.70/month for veterinary exam fees) | $103.30/month(+ $20.71/month for veterinary exam fees) | $117.65/month(+ $23.59/month for veterinary exam fees) |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate Plan (unlimited annual benefit) | $99.27(+ $19.90/month for veterinary exam fees) | $136.62/month(+ $27.39/month for veterinary exam fees) | $155.60/month(+ $31.19/month for veterinary exam fees) |
*quotes obtained in September 2021
Pricing Quotes for Cats
| Breed | Siamese | Persian | Abyssinian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | Male | Female |
| Age | 2 years 5 months | 4 years 1 month | 8 years 2 months |
| Location | New York | Colorado | California |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Prudent Pet Accident-Only Plan ($10,000 annual benefit) | $18.88/month(+ $3.79/month for veterinary exam fees) | $22.98/month(+ $4.61/month for veterinary exam fees) | $23.61/month(+ $4.73/month for veterinary exam fees) |
| Prudent Pet Essential Plan ($10,000 annual benefit) | $42.92/month(+ $8.60/month for veterinary exam fees) | $52.24/month(+ $10.47/month for veterinary exam fees) | $53.66/month(+ $10.76/month for veterinary exam fees) |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate Plan (unlimited annual benefit) | $46.11/month(+ $9.24/month for veterinary 5 exam fees) | $62.29/month(+ $12.49/month for veterinary exam fees) | $63.98/month(+ $12.83/month for veterinary exam fees) |
*quotes obtained in September 2021
Discounts and Savings
To make sure you get all the modern commodities that pet insurance companies offer these days, Prudent Pet designs a few perks that come as a privilege for being one of their loyal customers.
There’s the 30-day money-back guarantee which ensures that you’ll get your money back in full if you decide to cancel your pet insurance policy within the first 30 days of enrolling with Prudent Pet. To be able to do so, you mustn’t have submitted any claims during this period.
Additionally, Prudent Pet offers a 10% discount for every pet owner who signs up more than a single pet with them. The first pet gets the regular price, but each additional pet that you include on your policy will have its premium price reduced by 10%.
How Does Prudent Pet Compare With Its Competitors?
This section is dedicated to comparing Prudent Pet with a few different pet insurance companies so you can see what’s in for you whether you choose Prudent Pet or one of the other competing pet insurers.
The three companies that we’re setting Prudent Pet against are Petco, Hartville, and Pumpkin. You can review all the major details about their pet coverage, claim limits, waiting periods, discounts, and ratings.
If you develop a higher interest in any of those, you can read our thorough reviews included after each comparison chart.
Prudent Pet vs. Petco
Petco is a veteran in the pet supplies and pet care industry. Since they began selling pet insurance, the company grew into a complete solution for pet owners, providing them with an opportunity to take care of all their pet’s needs in one place.
Petco has a unique pet wellness care plan that offers unlimited vet visits and substantial grooming discounts. They also have an option to pay your vet bills directly, so you don’t bother with claim submission and wait for repayment. On the other hand, Petco’s waiting period for accidents (14 days) is a bit long compared to Prudent Pet (5 days).
| Feature | Prudent Pet | Petco |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada |
| Reimbursement | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10%, 20%, or 30% | 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Deductible | $100 – $1,000 | $100 – $5,00 |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 or Unlimited | $5,000 – Unlimited |
| Accident-Only Plan | Available | Available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | Yes | Yes |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 6 months | 14 days |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Optional add-on | Yes |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Included on the Accident-Only plan | Yes |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 6 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 10% on each additional pet |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 30 days (10-16 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | Not available | Available |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A |
| BBB Rating | A+ | B |
*companies compared in September 2021
Read the full Petco Pet Insurance review.
Prudent Pet vs. Hartville
Just like Prudent Pet, Hartville offers an amazing accident-only plan that is both affordable and can be purchased as a standalone option. They also have more claim limit benefits options than Prudent Pet, however, they don’t offer unlimited annual benefits as Prudent Pet does.
Additionally, orthopedic conditions have a much shorter waiting period with Hartville (14 days) than they have with Prudent Pet (6 months). But, Hartville doesn’t provide coverage for cremation and burial expenses, something that’s included on Prudent Pet’s Ultimate coverage plan.
| Feature | Prudent Pet | Hartville |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada |
| Reimbursement | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10%, 20%, or 30% | 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Deductible | $100 – $1,000 | $100 – $500 |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 or Unlimited | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| Accident-Only Plan | Available | Available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | Yes | No |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 6 months | 14 days |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Optional add-on | Yes |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Included on the Accident-Only plan | Yes |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 6 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 10% for each additional pet |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 30 days (14-16 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | Not available | No |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
*companies compared in September 2021
Read the full Hartville Pet Insurance review.
Prudent Pet vs. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one pet insurance solution that’s most similar to Prudent Pet. They are not as flexible as Prudent Pet since they offer fewer claim limit options, but are also more affordable since they include coverage for veterinary exam fees at no extra charge.
Their waiting period for orthopedic conditions is shorter than Prudent Pet’s, however, the waiting period for accidents is longer. Pumpkin also throws in coverage for microchip implementation at no extra charge.
| Feature | Prudent Pet | Pumpkin |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada |
| Reimbursement | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses | 90% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10%, 20%, or 30% | 10% |
| Deductible | $100 – $1,000 | $100 – $500 |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 or Unlimited | $10,000 and $20,000 for dogs$7,000 or $15,000 for cats |
| Accident-Only Plan | Available | Not available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | Yes | No |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 6 months | 14 days |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Optional add-on | Yes |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Included on the Accident-Only plan | Yes |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 6 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 10% for each additional pet |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | Not available | Not available |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A |
| BBB Rating | A+ | Not rated |
*companies compared in September 2021
Read the full Pumpkin Pet Insurance review.
Customer Service
Prudent Pet makes most of the usual communication channels available, so customers and those interested in their product can contact them. However, they lack a live chat feature – an online tool that’s very convenient in getting in touch with a Prudent Pet representative in seconds. They do have an email contact form readily available on their website though.
These are all the ways you can reach Prudent Pet’s representatives through:
- Email: info@prudentpet.com;
- Phone:
Sales & service – 888.820.7739;
Business partnerships – 872.259.1440; - Mail:
2211 Butterfield Rd
Downers Grove, IL 60515;
- Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prudentpet/;
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prudent_pet/;
Twitter: https://twitter.com/prudent_pet;
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGw3S5P4TG3aQ38pSQ1UWuA;
Prudent Pet doesn’t offer a mobile app for Android or iOS so you can manage your pet policy through your phone, but they say they’re working on the solution at the very moment. On the other hand, their website is readily responsive so you can access it through a phone as well.
Customer Reviews
Trustpilot ranks Prudent Pet at number 1 among all of the pet insurance companies they have in their database. Nevertheless, we will include what customers have to say about their experience with the service, both positive and negative.
That way you can get some first-hand testimonies on what it’s like to be a customer and how much they actually help with mitigation of your veterinary bills.
Positive Prudent Pet Pet Insurance Reviews
I have two dogs that mean the world to me and I am so glad I found Prudent Pet! Their customer service representatives are always friendly and helpful and their claims processing is extremely quick. I have always been reimbursed within a few days of submitting my claim. I highly recommend Prudent Pet to anyone looking for great coverage, at a great rate for their dogs and cats!
SMC
I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the woman I spoke with, but she was extremely helpful and I’m glad she reached out because she clarified EVERYTHING I needed to know about my dog’s insurance policy. Before she called me I kind of was just going with the flow and not really knowing how it actually worked. Now that I’ve spoken with the person I spoke with I can honestly say I have 0 questions because they’ve all been answered on a top tier level for me.
Summer Harvey
I had called several pet insurance agencies for information and pricing and waited on hold for at least 5 minutes with each before a message service played. With Prudent Pet, my call was answered by an actual person immediately. This was the first good sign. Monica, the agent assisting me, was fantastic. She was very informative, patient and understanding.
She provided different policy limitations and pricing to find a plan that would best suit our financial and pet wellness needs and did so without any pushiness but with respect and understanding. Monica was genuine and relatable and I’m confident in choosing Prudent Pet, not only for their customer service but for their policy inclusions, ease of access, and transparency.
Melissa S.
The guy I was on the phone with, I believe his name was Peter, was super nice and really great to talk to. Overall it was one of the best business phone calls I’ve made. Normally the people on the other line are pretty dull but Peter was super friendly & really easy to talk to. He helped me out with setting up the right plan and didn’t complain when I couldn’t find my address. Haha yeah it was a great call and I recommend this insurance to any new pet owners because it covers vaccinations and neutering!
Katie Winn
Negative Prudent Pet Pet Insurance Reviews
This was the absolute worst, most obscene quote that I have gotten from an insurance company for my cat. This company must be crazy or just works with the top 1% of our country. I’m not Donald Trump, a little ole blue-collar worker that can in no way whatsoever afford that. It would be cheaper just to pay a visit. Should work on an affordable plan for us poor folk.
Anthony James
I have not signed up for insurance yet. Why not? Because I cannot get through on the phone to them. Sure, they respond to emails very politely and informatively, but what good does that do me if I cannot communicate by phone? I’ve tried for days on end to call. I keep getting a busy signal. So what would happen if I signed up, filed a claim, and had questions? I’m very skeptical about signing up with a company I cannot even get through to by phone. It’s ridiculous.
Judith Elam
A total scam. I paid the premium for two months. My dog had an incident that wasn’t very expensive – about $200. They rejected the claim and said it was a “pre-existing condition.” How can a dog have a pre-existing condition that is a cut that didn’t happen until a month after sign-up? It’s a racket. Put your money into a savings account or just go to a casino and put it all on black. You’ll end up in better shape either way.
Ryan
Very confusing. What’s covered and what’s not?? It seems to be all over the place. Some things are covered under this, some under that. But if you want both you have to buy both and then another if you want visits included. Three policies for one dog? I never did find anything for medicine. No thanks, I’ll keep what I got!! Oh, and claims weren’t even addressed.
C. Denison
Conclusion
It’s time we wrap up with this Prudent Pet pet insurance review. Here, we learned how Prudent Pet successfully tailors comprehensive pet coverage, providing many options to choose from and build your own pet insurance plan. The end result is a policy that’s suitable to your budget and takes care of all the important needs of your pet when healthcare and their wellness is concerned.
Prudent Pet’s Ultimate plan provides the utmost protection when it comes to covering all unexpected accidents and illnesses without annual restrictions. Even extra care benefits are included – coverage for boarding with a kennel or a cattery, advertising and reward reimbursement for a stray or stolen pet, vacation cancelation benefits, and much more.
For a bit more on your premium, you can add coverage for veterinary exam fees and routine and preventative treatments. These options can go a long way in ensuring your pet enjoys a safe and healthy future.
Given all of the above, Prudent Pet’s pricing hits a high mark if we take other pet insurance agencies that are more affordable. However, we think it’s definitely worth it considering how well-regarded Prudent Pet is among their customers.
To learn more on the subject of pet health and pet insurance, you can browse around our extensive selection of reviews and guides on ProtectMyPaws. That way you can figure out why Prudent Pet is indeed worthy of every pet parent’s attention.
Prudent Pet Alternatives
High prices can be a big decisive deal-breaker when choosing a pet insurance provider. That’s why, here, we’ll list some Prudent Pet alternatives that are both affordable and reliable:
Pumpkin is our first alternative to Prudent Pet. We’ve picked them because they offer amazing tech tools that you can use to predict any future health problems that your pet might be prone to acquiring. Their coverage options are affordable for young pets and their services are straightforward, practical, and transparent. The Business Insider and other media outlets have high regard for Pumpkin’s mission and services.
Another amazing alternative to Prudent Pet is 24PetWatch. The pet insurance company doesn’t only provide affordable pet coverage solutions – they are also very skilled and lightning-fast at what they do. Both waiting periods and claim processing times are as short as possible with 24PetWatch, especially when it comes to waiting periods for accidents which are practically non-existent.
Hartville is our last mention for today, but there are definitely many other Prudent Pet alternatives that you can discover on our website. Why Hartville is a choice above them all is because of their low premium prices for pet coverage for puppies and kittens. They don’t have unlimited annual benefit options but include coverage for veterinary exam fees in their base policy at no extra charge. Their policy on reinstating curable conditions after they’ve been cured for at least 6 months is just a cherry on the cake.
F.A.Q.
Why should I consider Prudent Pet to be my choice as a pet insurance coverage solution?
Your fur baby deserves the best options that will maintain the promotion of its healthy lifestyle and habits. While we have no definitive decision on which pet insurer is the best, we would recommend Prudent Pet if the following aspects are your priorities:
- Prudent Pet doesn’t restrict your pet due to their age and they allow all cats and dogs, no matter how old, to enroll on their insurance plans;
- They don’t require a veterinary exam for enrollment;
- Their options for accident-only and pet wellness make policies highly customizable and available to all economic groups;
- Orthopedic conditions including hip dysplasia, knee soft tissue disorders, and other ligament issues can skip the 6-month waiting period if a veterinarian vouches that your pet is free of conditions relates to these instances;
- Prudent Pet has a 30-day money-back guarantee and 10% discount for enrolling more than one pet with them.
Does Prudent Pet provide a mobile app for easier management?
Unfortunately, Prudent Pet lacks a mobile app. While they’re developing their new smart solutions, you can visit their mobile-responsive website, log in to your portal, and access and manage everything from there.
Is there a limit to how many claims I can submit during my policy period?
The answer is no. You can file an unlimited number of claims and Prudent Pet will review and process all of them. After that they’ll let you know if you’re eligible for reimbursement or not.
Will I be able to continue using the service of my old vet when I sign up with Prudent Pet?
Most definitely, Prudent Pet doesn’t have a network of licensed veterinarians, but you’re allowed to visit any veterinarian across the country.
