Our Thoughts on Prudent Pet Insurance
Based on our objective rating methodology, Prudent Pet Insurance earned 4.8 out of 5 stars. Prudent Pet earned points in our scoring across the board by providing flexible coverage options and a seamless reimbursement process.
We appreciate Prudent Pet’s variety of plan choices, which include an accident-only option and two tiers of accident and illness plans. Its Essential accident and illness plan provides more standard coverage, but pet parents seeking more comprehensive coverage can step up to the Ultimate plan, which offers unique perks, such as a vacation cancellation benefit.
The company insures pets in all 50 U.S. states. With a reasonable exclusion list and responsive customer service teams, based on our review, Prudent Pet is a top choice.
Pros and Cons
Prudent Pet’s Plans and Pricing
*The above accident-only and accident and illness plans include a $10,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
Our team determined the above policy costs by obtaining quotes for four sample pets in Chicago, Ill., including:
We calculated this average by gathering quotes for ten different sample pet profiles. Sample pet profiles include mixed-breed and purebred dogs and cats, ranging from 3 months old to 8 years old. We collected a total of 997 quotes from Prudent Pet.
You can tweak your premium costs by adjusting your deductible from $100 to $1,000 and your reimbursement rate from 70% to 90%. Pet owners with multiple furry pals are eligible for a 10% multi-pet discount per policy and veterinary professionals and active or former military may receive additional savings.
See how Prudent Pet measures up to other top competitors below:
What Does Prudent Pet Insurance Cover?
Prudent Pet offers several customizable plan options so pet owners can choose coverage that works for their pet’s needs and budget. The accident-only plan offers financial protection against unexpected injuries, and the accident and illness plans offer three coverage tiers.
Base plan pricing does not include exam fees, which helps lower monthly costs. Policyholders can choose to add this coverage for an additional fee with an optional wellness plan. Other exclusions include:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Breeding, pregnancy or whelping costs
- Experimental treatments
- Organ transplants
- Elective or cosmetic procedures
See the Prudent Pet sample plan for a full list of exclusions.
Prudent Pet’s Plan Offerings
Prudent Pet offers several base plan options that vary in coverage and annual limits. Although annual limits are fixed based on your plan choice, each policy offers customizable deductibles and reimbursement rates.
Pet owners can choose from one accident-only plan and two accident and illness plans that differ based on the annual limit. The Essential plan typically offers $10,000 in annual coverage but our team found that some quotes included a lower limit. The Ultimate plan offers unlimited annual coverage with no limit. The accident-only plan includes a $10,000 annual limit. Below is an overview of what each plan covers.
The Ultimate plan also offers unique perks not typically found with other providers, such as vacation cancellation if your pet gets sick, boarding fees if you become hospitalized and a mortality reimbursement. The company caps these non-veterinary benefits at specific dollar amounts each year, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Preventative Care Plans
Prudent Pet policyholders can also add wellness care to their pet’s base plans. This extends coverage to include routine care, such as vaccines and dental cleanings. Covered wellness services are reimbursed according to a set fee schedule but are not subject to deductibles or waiting periods as with traditional coverage. Unused allowances will not roll over to the next year.
The table below outlines what’s included in each Prudent Pet wellness plan option and how much each policy costs per month. Note that although reimbursement amounts and total benefits are the same for dogs and cats, plan costs will vary between species.
Prudent Pet’s Optional Add-On Coverage
Aside from wellness coverage, Prudent Pet’s base plans offer another add-on option to cover veterinary exam fees. We found that exam fee coverage costs about $8 per month for cats and $13 for dogs. Our data is based on quotes for 5-year-old, mixed-breed dogs and cats with the Essential plan, including a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
Customizable Coverage Levels
Each Prudent Pet insurance plan is customizable, allowing pet owners to adjust the deductible and reimbursement rate to meet their current financial needs.
Deductible Options
The deductible is the amount you pay each year toward covered pet care costs before plan reimbursements begin. Prudent Pet offers the following deductible options: $100, $250, $500 or $1,000. The deductible applies once each policy year and may require several claims to meet. Selecting a higher deductible can help lower monthly premiums and vice versa.
Reimbursement Rates
The reimbursement rate is the percentage of covered claims Prudent Pet will reimburse after you meet your deductible. Options include 70%, 80% or 90%, and higher reimbursement rates generally correlate with higher monthly premiums.
Annual Limit Options
An annual limit is the maximum amount a plan will pay during an insurance term. Each Prudent Pet plan has a fixed annual limit, which ranges between $2,500 and unlimited based on the quotes we requested.
Sign-Up, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
Customers can sign up for a Prudent Pet policy by visiting the company’s website and getting a free quote. The quote tool is fast and responsive, and based on our experience, it requires only a few pieces of information to get started. Then, you should advance to the quote results page to choose your base plans and pick your deductible and reimbursement rate. Scrolling down on this page should reveal more information about what each plan covers.
After choosing basic coverage, prospective policyholders are asked if they want to add exam fee coverage or a wellness plan. If you’re unsure what coverage you need for your pet, we suggest calling a customer service agent.
Many customers praised the claims and reimbursement process on Trustpilot, citing quick turnaround times and a well-designed online claims portal. To submit a claim, log into your account on the Prudent Pet website and upload your pet’s paid veterinary bill. The company may request your pet’s medical records when filing your first claim. Unlike many other companies, Prudent Pet doesn’t have a mobile app, but its website is mobile-friendly.
Prudent Pet says on its website that 75% of claims are closed within 24 hours. Payouts may come in the form of paper checks or direct deposits, depending on your preferences and timeframe. A few customers complained of prolonged wait times for reimbursements, but most were happy with the company’s quick turnaround.
Prudent Pet’s Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
What Customers Think About Prudent Pet Insurance
The company has a seemingly good reputation based on our team’s review of platforms including Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. Policyholders repeatedly praised the company’s performance and expressed gratitude for their pets’ coverage.
What Customers Like
- Customer service: Many reviewers mentioned easy-to-reach and helpful customer service agents.
- Fast claims: Most reviewers had claims processed and paid quickly. Reviewers also liked how after filing a claim, Prudent Pet took care of the remaining steps.
- Knowledgeable veterinary professionals: Prudent Pet employs veterinary professionals who understand the industry based on our analysis of customer reviews.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Exam fee coverage: Some reviewers complained about how exam fee coverage was not included in their policies but rather offered as a paid add-on.
- Payment processing fees: A few customers noted that monthly processing fees were not necessary.
- Low reimbursements: Some customers noted lower-than-expected reimbursements after filing their first claims.
We reached out to Prudent Pet for comment on its negative customer reviews but did not receive a response.
