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PetFirst

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7.0

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: November 14th, 2021

The majority of PetFirst reviews (read below) indicate that the company offers an appropriate amount of coverage, friendly and responsive staff members, as well as a quick turnaround time for claims. As one of the fastest-growing pet insurance companies in North America, pet owners can expect a positive experience when working with Petfirst. 

Here's a bit about how the company got started and how they're doing today:

After having to put his dog down, co-founder Brent Hinton, knew he wanted to find a way to help other pet parents make veterinary care decisions without having to worry about all the financial considerations. In 2004, Hinton and Lansdon Robbins, started PetFirst. 

Today PetFirst has some of the shortest wait periods in the industry for accident and illness coverage for cats and dogs. PetFirst strives to provide all its customers with a WOW experience and works hard to provide less hassle and more coverage.

The company aims to help thousands of families with their pets' veterinary care and boasts having some of the best insurance policies on the market.

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The Good

  • Age for Enrollment
  • Plan Options
  • Routine Care Add-On
  • Waiting Periods

Age for Enrollment

Pet owners can enroll their pet for a plan here regardless of the pet's age. As long as the pet is eight weeks or older, any pet qualifies for some coverage with PetFirst.

Plan Options

PetFirst's Insurance offers comprehensive pet insurance plans. Members can customize their deductible and reimbursement rates to best suit their needs. PetFirst's most popular pet insurance options are:

Cost Conscious

  • Annual Benefit : $2,000
  • Deductible: $250
  • Reimbursement: 80%
  • Eligible Ages: All

Recommended

  • Annual Benefit: $5,000
  • Deductible: $250
  • Reimbursement: 80%
  • Eligible Ages: All

Additional Coverage

  • Annual Benefit: $10,000
  • Deductible: $250
  • Reimbursement: 80%
  • Eligible Ages: All

Coverage includes accidents, illnesses (hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions), hospitalizations, surgeries, diagnostic tests, exam fees, x-rays, ultrasounds, medications, holistic care, and alternative therapies as well as emergency care.

After a 12-month waiting period, pets are also covered for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Anterior Cruciate Ligaments, Medical Cruciate, Posterior Cruciate Ligaments, and Cranial Cruciate Ligaments.

Routine Care Add-On

The base plans here don't cover routine care, but there are three options for adding routine care coverage onto a plan. Through these, members can receive up to $125, $250, or $400 for things like vet exams, vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention, and behavioral training.

Waiting Periods

The waiting period for illness coverage here is the same as a lot of other pet insurance companies—14 days. However, the wait for accident coverage is much shorter, being available just one day after enrollment.

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The Bad

  • Annual Deductible Not Available in All States
  • No Mobile App
  • What's Not Covered

Annual Deductible Not Available in All States

PetFirst offers both per-incident and annual deductible plans. However, the annual deductible plan is not offered in every state.

No Mobile App

Unlike some of its competitors, the company hasn't developed a mobile app for members to more easily access their accounts and file claims. Members can most easily do this online on a browser.

What's Not Covered

All pet insurance companies have exclusions to their insurance plans. However, it is important to be aware of these exclusions.

PetFirst does not cover:

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Elective procedures
  • Expression or removal of anal glands or anal sacculitis
  • Breeding or conditions related to breeding
  • Pet food, special diet, vitamins, and mineral supplements
  • Grooming costs and bathing (including medicated baths)
  • Parasite prevention, parasite treatment, and illnesses transmitted by parasites (including fleas and ticks)
  • Orthodontics, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth
  • Behavioral training
  • Illness or injury which arises out of racing, coursing, commercial guarding, or organized fighting of a pet
  • Routine wellness and preventative care
  • Organ transplants
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The Bottom Line

PetFirst strives to provide pet owners with comprehensive pet insurance plans that will work for any pet regardless of breed or age. There are a few minor inconvenient aspects to PetFirst's plans, such as no mobile app, and the annual deductible not being available in every state; but other than that PetFirst makes an excellent choice for pet owners. 

Members can visit any vet, emergency clinic or specialist in the U.S., enroll a pet of any breed or age, find a plan designed to fit their budget and add on a routine or wellness packages. 

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Star Rating

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4.5

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119 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

66%

4 grade

24%

3 grade

7%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

3%

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Debra Covington, GA

Whatever you do... search around for pet insurance before you settle with PetFirst. I have been a customer for over 11 years and over the last 5 years they have increased my monthly premium $25-35. No additional benefits offered. If you want to reduce your premium they will transfer you to a salesperson whom job is to make sure they meet their bottom line so he will offered to increase your deductible to decrease premium. Also, this insurance company offer no REAL incentives. Only incentive offered to me was .. get this... if you DON'T file a claim within a calendar year you get a $25 decrease your deductible. PLEASE do your homework before selecting a insurance company for your baby. I received a call from a Katie (PetFirst) regarding the review I posted on yelp and other sites. The message she left was basically " I read the review you posted so sorry please call me so we can chat. The number she left goes straight to voicemail and that was that. I have not talked with her. The only reason she called was because of the review. Folks post reviews so others will have some insight on what they are buying.

5 years ago

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Reply from PetFirst

Hello, Debra. We are sorry to hear that you're upset with your experience with PetFirst. We understand your frustrations and our team will be reaching out to you today to discuss this with you.

Feb. 4th, 2020

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Michael S Concord, CA

Horrible service. Adopted a dog and we were given Petfirst Insurance to cover any issues within the first 30 days of adopting. Well...our dog had worms in his poo, so we took him to the vet to get him fixed and de-wormed. Filed a claim with Petfirst for the Dr visit and the meds and we were denied. I called to find out why. First I was told bc it was a preventative visit. So I went to the Vet and got the papers showing that it was in fact not preventative but to fix the worm issue. Called back and was denied...for a preexisting condition because I created an account and took him to the vet the same day. That was the whole point of the insurance was to take care of any issue that the adopted dog had. Luckily...they made our decision on who to use long-term for future pet insurance. We took our business elsewhere.

5 years ago

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Allen Inverness, FL

First let me apologize for the length of this post. I want everyone to know what a ripoff this company is through my direct experience with them and I want to make sure I communicate the facts, all the facts, correctly. A couple months ago I adopted a puppy (10 months old) and had him chipped, took out a Home Away plan should he get lost. Somehow, PetFirst Pet Insurance became aware of my adoption and contacted me offering a one month free pet insurance plan for my puppy, naturally hoping I would continue the coverage after a month. I have never paid for pet insurance for our fur babies and thought why not take advantage of at least the free month. After the new puppy was home for just a week and half something happened to her. She was in the fenced in area off my kitchen and I heard this horrible cry/scream from her. I rushed out to her and she was crying with her left front leg lifted. I immediately called my vet to get her in for evaluation. After X-ray, it was determined that somehow she tore a ligament in that shoulder. I’m pleased to say it did heal quickly after following my vet’s plan. I remembered I had this pet insurance policy and at almost $400 for my puppies treatment I was excited that I agreed to this policy and quickly submitted a claim. First, it was a nightmare satisfying what they wanted. I followed the instructions for the claim in the documentation noted for a claim but every time I tried following up on the status they wanted something else not noted in the original requirement. Weeks went by...almost another month, and every time I tried to follow up I was told it will just be a couple more days. Of course the first month free cake and went but I decided not to pay for the policy to continue until I saw how they handled this claim and boy am I glad I didn’t. Yesterday, I received an email that said my claim was denied and I could contact them to learn why. So I did. I wound up with this very arrogant woman on the other end that told me it was denied because the injury was a pre-existing injury? I was “what???!!!”. She told me “my vet stated in the report that I had said my puppy was screaming and crying when I contacted them”. I said of course she was....she tore a ligament!!!! That’s why I took her to the vet and this is what I told the vet. This arrogant woman argued with me for another few minutes until she realized that reasoning made no sense as well and then said “oh, I’m sorry. It wasn’t that reason it was denied it was because it happened two days short of the two week waiting period”!!!!! I told her I have no clue what she was talking about regarding a two week waiting period. I told her I was offered a month’s free plan and no one said anything about a waiting period. I asked her when the policy expired. She gave me the date which was 30 days from when I agreed to it. I then explained to her that this is really not a 30 day (month) if free coverage then, it’s only 15 days!!!! She was completely lost for words, argued a bit more with me and then finally said “It is what it is and the claim is denied”..... Bottom line I have never run into such a scam. Clearly it was denied because they saw I didn’t renew with a paid plan and they did not want to pay for anything on their nickel. This company is nothing but a ripoff. Save your money or make sure you really check out a reputable insurance company before you take out a policy. And certainly cross PetFirst Pet Insurance off your list!!!!

5 years ago

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Gary

They need to train the employees so they don't tell you the wrong things and they don't argue with you.

6 years ago