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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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Anonymous

The customer service people are really friendly, but I'm not happy about the way they pay their claims. I had some issues with regarding to pre-existing conditions that were very frustrating.

6 years ago

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Julie

They are great. Every time I call, they answer all my questions. I wasn't getting as much back as I thought I would on claims. The rates when up quite a bit and I had to cancel one of my policies.

6 years ago

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Roselyn

Their service usually covers most of my claims. I don't particularly like my rate raising every year.

6 years ago

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Anonymous

Sometimes they don't pay very quickly and sometimes I think they don't pay and I don't understand why they don't.

6 years ago

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Sharon

I wish the service covered annual checkups. This is the type of insurance that I could personally afford.

6 years ago

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Kate

Some of the things that customer service says I feel aren't entirely accurate and that they get out of things

6 years ago

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Iiza

It just seems like a hassle to file any claims and get refunds.

6 years ago

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Susan

The coverage is good on surgeries but not as good on smaller injuries.

6 years ago