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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

I always get an answer to a question that I've asked. They are making policy changes and then pre-exisiting conditions don't really add up. I love Petfirst, I love everything about it. I just I think the hard part is that it's an insurance company. You can only insure so much and I think when you've been with the company for as long as I have and especially with this last pet that I've had, has had some issues.

6 years ago

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Debbie

It doesn't cover nationally. Somebody had called me to change my insurance to give me a better plan and they wanted my credit card and I wouldn't give it to them because they initiated the call. Then I called them back to give my credit card, they said it was denied so I was just very concerned about that and I didn't get the better price so that was an issue.

6 years ago

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Kaye

I would rate it very highly. I got Petfirst because it was recommended by the shelter from which adopted. I doesn't pay for anymore than it does for visits. It doesn't protect for heartworm which my dog had when I dropped it in.

6 years ago

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Joseph

I've had it for so long, there were not a whole lot of choices when I got it. They don't argue with the claims that are submitted unless it is a preexisting condition. They've always answered my questions and they seem very willing to listen to what my concerns are.

6 years ago

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Stacy

The first bulldog I had for almost ten years ago, they were the only insurance company that would insure her with a pre-existing medical condition. They are always friendly when I call and explain things and answer my questions. I like that they include alternative treatments like acupuncture and laser therapy.

6 years ago

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Anonymous

It came with the adoption papers for my dog and I've researched it and it looks like a good company. It's covered most conditions that we've needed to for our dogs. Anytime I've had a problem I've had fairly easy.

6 years ago

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Joel

There doesn't seem to be much flexibility or understanding with the service. I am very unhappy with the increasing premiums that I have to pay each year.

6 years ago

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Alice

The customer service takes care of my problems pretty quickly. They basically pay a good percentage of the doctor bills but not all of it.

6 years ago

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Aloysius

Filing a claim is a very easy process. They don't cover as much as I hoped they would. The payout was fine but it wasn't great.

6 years ago

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Audrey

Customer service always replies back. The cost goes up with the dogs age and I think the amount I am being charged now is a little steep.

6 years ago

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Judy

Every time I call, I get the information that I am looking for. The policy covers everything my dog needs except for a maintenance visit.

6 years ago

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Yumiko

Even though the rates go up, the company is very forthcoming with the information. The claims get handled pretty quickly.

6 years ago

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Melissa

Customer service has always answered my questions promptly. They always seem like they care, and are willing to help out very quickly.

6 years ago

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Gael

Customer service took the time to explain everything to me, and there was never any pressure. Everything is pretty reasonable with PetFirst

6 years ago

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Brinley Knowles Smithfield, UT

My husband and I have a couple dogs and we enrolled them for a plan with Pet First. It was so great working with them because there was no age limit needed for our dogs for them to qualify. They were great to work with and answered all of my questions.

6 years ago

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Luis

The last couple of claims that I sent took a while. The service is reliable, and will always answer any questions.

6 years ago

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Shannon

Every year the price of the service has gone up. Customer service does a good job answering questions.

6 years ago

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Rebecca

Sometimes I have had to call and resolve issues on things which are not reimbursed that I wish they were.

6 years ago

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Julie

Customer service is prompt but sometimes I don't understand why they don't cover certain bills.

6 years ago

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Molly

Customer service is really helpful and easy to contact. The claims offered are pretty fair.

6 years ago

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Valerie

I like the coverage offered and dealing with customer service. The claims are pretty average.

6 years ago

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Jacque

The payouts are a little bit slow, and customer service is a little bit difficult to work with.

6 years ago

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Theresa

There were a couple things that weren't covered when I thought they should have been covered.

6 years ago

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Lisa

Whenever I talk with customer service, I get immediate answers. Customer service is excellent.

6 years ago

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Joni

Customer service is pretty easy to deal with. They are always very helpful and pleasant.

6 years ago

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Kathleen

They always have prompt feedback. I don't like how they didn't cover vaccinations.

6 years ago

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Portia

I haven't had any problems with PetFirst. They take care of your dog, and I am happy with them.

6 years ago

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Anonymous

I appreciate how Petfirst processes their claims very quickly.

6 years ago