Review
Updated
This pet insurer is a good fit for: Pet owners seeking comprehensive, yet flexible policies for dogs and cats
Pet owners seeking comprehensive, yet flexible policies for dogs and catsPrudent
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
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3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Fair = PoorPrudent Pet insurance snapshot
Pricing
Prudent Pet insurance tends to be more expensive than some of its competitors. However, its policies are pretty flexible and there are ways customers can reduce costs, like choosing a higher deductible or a lower reimbursement rate.
Discounts
Those with multiple pets will get a substantial discount on their Prudent Pet insurance. There are also discounts for active duty military members, veterans, and some veterinary workers.
Perks
Prudent Pet offers comprehensive pet insurance policies, all of which include access to a vet chat available 24/7. Its Ultimate plan also includes rare perks, like help paying for advertising and reward money if a pet is lost.
Customer service
Customer reviews for Prudent Pet's insurance have been largely positive thus far. The company is also pretty prompt about responding to customer complaints when they arise.
Full Prudent Pet insurance review
Pros
- Flexible policies
- Comprehensive coverage
- 24/7 vet chat option
Cons
- No option to pay vet directly
- No mobile app
Top perks
Flexible policies
Prudent Pet insurance offers three policy tiers -- Accident-Only, Essential, and Ultimate. Each comes with multiple reimbursement rates and deductible options so pet owners can choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget. There are also a few optional add-ons available to those who want even greater coverage.
Comprehensive coverage
Prudent Pet's Essential and Ultimate plans offer strong coverage for many common dog and cat illnesses and injuries. This includes prescription medications and surgeries. Those who choose the Ultimate coverage option also don't have to worry about an annual cap on coverage. Plus, they get help paying for advertising and reward money if a pet goes missing, covering behavioral disorders, and more.
24/7 vet chat option
All of Prudent Pet's insurance policies include a 24/7 vet chat option available through the owner's online account. This useful feature can help owners get answers they need about their pet's condition even outside of typical business hours.
What could be improved
No option to pay the vet directly
Most pet insurance providers prefer customers to pay the vet directly and then submit their bills for reimbursement. Some will pay the vet directly to save their customers some time, but Prudent Pet isn't one of them. Pet owners will need to keep track of their bills and manually submit claims for each expense.
No mobile app
Prudent Pet doesn't have a mobile app pet owners can use to view the status of existing claims or file new ones. However, it does have a mobile-friendly website.
Pricing
Prudent Pet's pricing is slightly higher than what many other top pet insurance companies charge. But rates vary significantly based on the age and breed of the pet, where the pet lives, and the type of coverage the owner wants. Here's a look at average rates for the Essential plan with an 80% reimbursement rate and a $500 deductible.
| Average cost for dogs | $78.58 per month |
|---|---|
| Average cost for cats | $40.48 per month |
| Deductible levels | $100, $250, $500, and $1,000 |
| Reimbursement rates | 70%, 80%, and 90% |
Data source: Prudent Pet insurance.
Alternatives to consider
When looking for a company that can pay vets directly: Trupanion offers comprehensive pet insurance for dogs and cats and can pay vets directly. It also offers fixed premiums based on a pet's age at sign up. These don't increase with age. But it has a 30-day illness waiting period, which is longer than many of its competitors.
When looking for low pet insurance premiums: Embrace offers some of the lowest pet insurance costs in the industry. It also offers a healthy pet deductible program, which can help owners reduce their out-of-pocket costs if they don't file claims. But all of its plans have annual maximum payouts.
Policy options
Accident Only
Prudent Pet's accident-only coverage is its most affordable plan. This pays for things like bite wounds, broken bones, and hospitalizations. But it offers no coverage for illnesses.
Essential
The Essential plan covers both accidents and illnesses, but it has a $10,000 annual maximum payout. In addition to common physical health issues, Prudent Pet Essential customers can also get some help paying for treatment for behavioral issues. But there is an annual maximum on this coverage.
Ultimate
The Ultimate plan is Prudent Pet's most comprehensive option. It includes all the same coverage options as the Essential plan, but it has no annual maximum payout. It also includes bonus coverage for things like advertising and reward money, vacation cancellation costs if a pet owner must cancel a trip due to a life-threatening pet health issue, and cremation and burial expenses.
Veterinary exam fee coverage add-on
Veterinary exam fees aren't covered under any of Prudent Pet's standard policy options. But interested pet owners can add this coverage for an extra monthly fee. This covers the fees for all exams and consultations the pet needs.
Wellness coverage add-on
The wellness coverage add-on pays for pet vaccines, microchipping, dental cleaning, and certain screening tests. There are three levels -- low, medium, and high -- which vary by cost and coverage level. Pet owners can add any wellness coverage level to any of its standard plan options listed above.
Discounts
Prudent Pet offers a multi-pet discount to owners who insure more than one pet. It also offers discounts to some military members, veterans, and veterinary workers. People interested in these discounts should reach out to Prudent Pet to learn more.
Application process
It's possible to purchase a Prudent Pet insurance policy online in just a few minutes. First, pet owners fill out some basic information about their pet's species, gender, breed, age, and location. Then, they're presented with a quote.
Pet owners can choose the policy they want, their reimbursement rate, and their deductible. They can also add optional protections if they choose. Once they have a policy they're satisfied with, they can purchase it online.
What types of pets are eligible for Prudent Pet insurance?
Prudent Pet insurance covers dogs and cats of all ages and breeds. However, it doesn't offer coverage for exotic pets, like snakes, or farm animals, like horses.
Customer service and ratings
Prudent Pet has garnered a lot of positive feedback from customers. It currently boasts a 4.7 out of 5 rating from Trustpilot, which is higher than many of its competitors. It's also noted for being prompt about responding to customer complaints when they arise.
This pet insurer is a good choice for:
Prudent Pet insurance is a good fit for:
- Dog and cat owners seeking comprehensive coverage for their pets
- Those who want the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 vet access
- Those who want to customize their policies
But those who don't want to file a claim with Prudent Pet for every bill should consider Trupanion. And Embrace might be worth a closer look when lower premium costs are the owner's primary concern.
Our Insurance Expert
Kailey Hagen has been writing about small businesses and finance for almost 10 years, with her work appearing on USA Today, CNN Money, Fox Business, and MSN Money. She specializes in personal and business bank accounts and software for small to medium-size businesses. She lives on what's almost a farm in northern Wisconsin with her husband and three dogs.
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