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Pet Insurance Reviews

Pet Insurance Reviews: What to Know Before You Commit

Not all pet insurance policies are created equal, so choosing the right pet insurance is crucial—not just for peace of mind, but because it can have a significant impact on your pet’s coverage. Each time you switch providers, any health issues your pet develops before starting the new policy are usually excluded. That’s why it’s best to begin coverage early and stick with one provider to minimise exclusions due to pre-existing conditions. So, how can you be sure you’ll want to stay with one provider for the long haul? You can research and compare coverage options so you pick the right policy for your financial and coverage needs (we’ll show you how here), but what happens once you buy the policy and start submitting claims? Should you just pick a provider and hope for the best? Absolutely not! This is where pet insurance reviews come in handy.

Petsy Pet Insurance

Published 20th Aug 2024

Updated 22nd Aug 2024

5 min read

Petsy Pet Insurance

Published 20th Aug 2024

Updated 22nd Aug 2024

5 min read

Pet Insurance Reviews-What to Know Before You Choose

On This Page You Will Find

Key Takeways

  1. Pet insurance reviews provide real-world insights into claims processes, customer service, and overall satisfaction, helping you make an informed decision.
  2. Pay attention to both green and red flags in reviews, such as smooth claims processes, helpful customer service, or repeated complaints and claim denials.
  3. Switching providers can lead to exclusions due to pre-existing conditions, making it crucial to choose the right policy from the start.
  4. Expert reviews add depth to your understanding, offering professional assessments of coverage options, pricing, and policy details.
  5. Petsy is proud of its high ratings on platforms like ProductReview.com.au, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews, reflecting our commitment to customer satisfaction.

To begin, what is a pet insurance review?

In essence, a pet insurance review is a customer’s experience with their insurance provider that is shared online. These reviews offer insights into real experiences, particularly aspects like the claims process, customer service, and overall satisfaction—things you can’t fully judge from the policy details alone.

See full definition here.
Review google Definition

What can pet insurance reviews tell me?

Reviews can be incredibly helpful for understanding key aspects of a pet insurance provider’s service. When it comes to the claims process, you’ll want to know: Was it easy to submit a claim? How long did it take to process? Were there clear explanations provided if a claim was denied? These details are crucial because they directly affect your experience when you need to rely on your insurance the most.

Similarly, customer service is another critical area to consider. Reviews can tell you how responsive and helpful the support team can be. Do they address concerns promptly? Are they knowledgeable about the policy details and able to guide you through tricky situations? Good customer service can make a huge difference, especially during stressful times when your pet’s health is on the line.

Not every review is going to be spot-on—sometimes, claims are denied for legitimate reasons, like pre-existing conditions, but that can lead to unhappy customers. However, if you see the same issues popping up in multiple reviews, it might be a red flag.

Who Can Leave Pet Insurance Reviews?

Customers and the general public can share their experiences on sites like ProductReview.com.au, Trustpilot, or Google Reviews. In addition to customer feedback, financial and pet industry experts also contribute to reviews. Sites like Forbes Advisor offer professional assessments, focusing on coverage options, pricing, and policy details. These expert reviews can be especially helpful when you’re comparing multiple providers and need a deeper understanding of the policies. There is a lot of regulation around online product and service reviews, so that consumers can rely on the reviews they read online from reputable review sites. 

What should I look for in pet insurance reviews?

Here are key green and red flags to look out for. Example reviews below have been taken from Productreview.com.au as of 23 September 2024.

Green Flags

Reviewers who recommend the provider to their family and friends indicate a high level of satisfaction.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about High Recommendations

Long-term Policyholders: Satisfied customers who have stayed with a provider for years can indicate reliability and trustworthiness.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about Long-term Policyholders

Helpful Customer Service: Look for reviews praising knowledgeable and supportive service teams. This is particularly helpful when the unexpected happens and you need questions answered.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about helpful customer service

Happy Switchers: If someone switched providers and loves the new one, that’s a big plus.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about happy switchers

Smooth Claims Process: Quick, hassle-free claims are exactly what you want.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about smooth claims process

Efficient Claims Process: Quick and straightforward claim submission and turnaround are major positives.

Petsy pet insurance review on product review about efficient claim process

Red Flags to look out for in Pet Insurance Reviews

Premium Increases: Bill shock is a real thing and not something you can foresee when you first take out a policy. As your pet ages and veterinary costs rise, it’s normal for insurance premiums to increase over time. Factors like inflation and changes in risk also contribute to these adjustments. When comparing providers, be aware that lower initial premiums are common, but it’s important to understand how premiums might increase over time due to factors like inflation and your pet’s age. Understanding how premiums might change over time will help you make an informed decision and avoid surprises.

Repeated Complaints about Poor Customer Service: We totally get it, no one is perfect! But repeated reviews mentioning poor customer service, or poor communication where customers are left feeling confused is a sign that this could potentially be your experience too.

Claim Denials or Low Payouts: This could mean the provider has restrictive limits like sub-limits on what they cover.

Check Out Our Ratings*:

At Petsy, we’re not claiming to be perfect, but we’re pretty proud of the reviews our policyholders leave us. As you’re shopping around, we definitely recommend checking out reviews of different providers as part of your decision-making process. Seeing what others have to say can help you choose the best coverage for you and your pet. *Ratings as at August 2024

FAQs About Pet Insurance Reviews

The best pet insurance company is one that meets your financial and coverage needs and provides  support to you when you need it. There is no single ‘best’ pet insurance company or provider. You can check out third-party sources like Forbes Advisor, Canstar, and Mozo that offer expert reviews and awards, that you can consider when choosing the best pet insurance company for you and your pet. Customer reviews from platforms like ProductReview.com.au and TrustPilot also give you real insight into how providers handle claims and customer service.

The coverage level of pet insurance that is best for you and your pet, is really dependent on your needs and what fits your budget. Higher coverage comes at a cost of higher premiums. 

Pet insurance is very specific to your pet. So, consider factors like your pet’s age and breed. For example, different breeds have varying risks and predispositions to certain health conditions. Some breeds are more prone to certain illnesses or genetic conditions. For example, larger breeds like Labradors and German Shepherds are more susceptible to joint issues like hip dysplasia, while smaller breeds such as Pugs or Bulldogs can have breathing problems. These breed-specific risks can increase the likelihood of needing costly treatments. Some breeds are more expensive to treat due to the type of care they may require. For instance, surgery for large breeds can be more expensive because they require larger doses of anaesthesia, more medication, and longer recovery times.

Yes, shopping around for pet insurance quotes is definitely worthwhile. Providers offer different coverage levels at various price points, so comparing policies helps you make an informed decision. Most policies have key components like annual limits, benefit percentages, excess, and optional extras. Understanding how these components differ across providers will help you find the best value and coverage for your pet’s needs. Remember, pet insurance policies are not created equal. This helps you identify the best policy that meets your coverage needs and offers the most value. We walk you through how to compare pet insurance policies, "apples with apples".

Pet insurance isn’t a waste of money for most pet owners, especially if you want someone else to help pay for your unexpected vet bills. Vet care can be expensive, and without insurance, you’re responsible for 100% of the costs, 100% of the time. For example, emergency treatments, surgeries, or long-term care for chronic conditions can easily add up. Pet insurance can ease the financial burden, allowing you to focus on your pet’s well-being rather than costs.

If you’re able to cover high vet bills out of your own pocket, you might question its value, and  there are alternatives to pet insurance.  Ultimately, it depends on your financial situation, your pet's health, and your risk tolerance for unexpected medical expenses​.

According to MoneySmart, pet insurance premiums can range from $60 to $120 per month. This means that there is a lot of variation in the market for the levels of coverage that is offered. It’s important to compare pet insurance policies and understand what coverage is included at a certain price point. Please take this range as a rough guide, as factors specific to your dog such as breed, age, sex and your location will affect your premiums. Factors like breed, age, and location affect your premium, so you should focus on what’s specific to your pet, rather than comparing to the industry average. Sometimes, whether you have made a claim or how many claims you made, can affect your premiums (at Petsy, we don’t consider these, when determining your premium).

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Optional Extra Benefits

During the application process You will be provided with the option to include Optional Extra Benefits that cover certain conditions and Treatments which are not otherwise covered under the Policy.

 

The Optional Extra Benefits are:

Alternative Therapies, Behavioural Problems, and Dental Illness.

 

Examples of Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy

Examples of Behavioural Problems: Excessive licking, fur pulling, pacing and destructive

chewing.

Examples of Dental Illnesses: Dental diseases, gingivitis, periodontal disease.