Comparison Table:
| Feature | PetFirst | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Plans offered | Accident-only, accident and illness | Accident-only, accident and illness |
| Deductible options | $250, $500, $1,000, $2,000 | $100, $250, $500, $1,000 |
| Reimbursement rates | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Wellness plans | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing conditions | May not cover pre-existing conditions | Covers some pre-existing conditions after a waiting period |
| Waiting periods | 14 days for accidents, 21 days for illnesses | 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses |
| Customer service | Good reputation | Not as good of a reputation |
| Average premium | Higher than Pets Best | Lower than PetFirst |
Out of the many offered pet insurance providers out there, the Pets Best and PetFirst pet insurance plans are currently trending in the pet health insurance market, and for a good reason.
Both insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage policies and pricing pet insurance plans that fit your pet’s needs and wallet. Plus, they are a familiar topic on popular forums which earns them good publicity.
To learn more about the two providers, here is a breakdown of both PetFirst and Pets Best and their respective pet plans. From claims and deductibles to services, extra services, and exclusions – we cover it all.
PetFirst Coverage Options
PetFirst pet health insurance covers several of the basic necessities a pet requires. It also boasts a list of comprehensive policies that you can tailor to your preferences.
PetFirst insurance policies include as follows:
- Accidents – PetFirst covers any accident your pet may experience. On top of accidents, it also covers IV, med supplies, MRI Scans, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, urine works, exam fees, hospitalization, and surgery, depending on the accident.
- Undiagnosed Illnesses – fevers, flues, coughing, nausea, diarrhea.
- Hereditary & Congenital conditions – elbow and hip dysplasia, diabetes, upper respiratory infections, thyroid disease, heart disease, nervous system issues, cataracts, and liver disease.
- Cancer – Chemotherapy, blood work, scans.
- Chronic conditions – Scans, blood & lab work, surgery, hospitalization, med prescription for any ongoing chronic disease.
- Alternative Therapies – Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Hydrotherapy, and Chiropractic therapy.
- Pet Dental – Applicable only on certain occasions, like accidents
- Rehab & Physical Therapy – Therapeutic exercises and other healing modalities to help pets heal from various illnesses, emotional or physical trauma, or surgery.
- Med prescriptions – Applicable only when prescribed by a vet
- Exam fees – PetFirst covers all fees for a covered occurrence
- LASER Therapy – Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that employs light to accelerate cell regeneration and blood circulation. It can treat both acute and chronic injuries, as well as sprains and strains, arthritis, edema, and muscular-skeletal disorders. It also aids in the regeneration of nerve tissue following surgery.
Pets Best Coverage Details
In essence, with Pets Best pet insurance you have several levels of coverage to make use of. In budget terms, each coverage doesn’t include a fixed price. All Pets Best pricing plans are customizable and can be amended based on the pet’s breed, age, and state of residence. As for what they cover, read on below:
- Accidents – fractures, predator bites, indigestion, or any other accident your pet can fall victim to.
- Undiagnosed Illnesses – the flu, fevers, nausea, diarrhea, coughing, etc.
- Cancer Treatments – MRIs, surgery, medication, chemotherapy, blood tests.
- Hereditary & Congenital Conditions – Any illness or disease inherited will be covered and not considered pre-existing.
- Emergency Care, Hospitalization & Surgeries – In case of an urgent surgery like removing a swallowed object, Pets Best offers full coverage including pre-anesthetic.
- Meds Prescription – Only when prescribed by a licensed vet
- Ongoing & Chronic Conditions – In case you renew the policy and your pet is still sick, Pets Best doesn’t regard the illness as pre-existing. Also, any chronic conditions like kidney disease, asthma, liver issues, and the like are fully covered.
- Older Pets – Age has nothing on Pets Best, since their plans apply to younger as well as older pets, something other providers don’t offer.
- Behavioral Conditions – Pets Best covers any consultations with licensed vets alongside the needed med prescriptions.
- Prosthetic Devices & Wheelchairs – In case of accident or illness, Pets Best covers the needed prosthetics or wheelchairs to be used during the treatment
- Euthanasia – Only for humane reasons
- Coverage while Traveling – In case of an accident or illness, your pet will be treated and covered by Pets Best anywhere in Canada, Puerto Rico, or the USA.
Apart from being able to customize your plan to your preference, Pets Best offers 3 tier plans to help first-time pet parents and novice pet insurance users. Therefore, you have the:
- Essential Plan: Accidents, diseases, cancer, inherited problems, emergency treatment, surgeries, and med prescriptions are all covered under this plan. There is no yearly coverage limit but test expenses, rehabilitation care, and alternative therapies are not covered in this plan.
- Plus Plan: This plan includes everything in the Essential Plan as well as accident and illness exam expenses. Although rehabilitation, acupuncture, and chiropractic therapy are not covered in this plan, pet owners still have uncapped yearly coverage.
- Elite Plan: Considered their premium plan, it basically includes everything in the Plus Plan, plus rehabilitative and alternative treatment. The Elite Plan also provides uncapped annual coverage.
Pet owners can also choose an accident-only coverage, which does not cover basic care or veterinary visits in the event of disease. In addition, Pets Best pet insurance includes a wellness plan as an add-on.
The pet wellness coverage plan includes standard routine care, such as pet vaccines, wellness checkups, heartworm tests, deworming, and microchipping.
Pets Best’s pet insurance policies are dedicated to dogs and cats that are at least seven weeks old. Like with any other pet insurance policy, pet pre-existing conditions are not covered by Pets Best.
Based on this list, you can tailor your coverage options to what fits your budget and your pet’s needs.
Pets Best vs PetFirst Benefit Limits
Pets Best and PetFirst have distinctive benefits that come with or without limits.
In other words, Pets Best comes with annual benefit limits of $5,000 or unlimited annual benefits for those who choose their premium plan. Also, premium users at Pets Best can choose to pay for the plan monthly, annually, or even quarterly. However, the deductibles here are paid annually, not following an incident.
PetFirst’s benefit limits begin with $2,000, jump to $5,000, and culminate at $10,000, annually. Unlike Pets Best’s unlimited benefits on the premium plan, PetFirst caps its annual benefit limits at $10,000.
Pets Best vs PetFirst Reimbursement
The reimbursement percentage is one of the most important adjustments to pay attention to when choosing a suitable pet insurance plan. Apart from being the determinant of the amount of money the insurance funds you, it’s also a crucial factor affecting the policy price.
For example, getting full coverage might not always be a good idea since it essentially means you will have to pay more without even needing all services included. Therefore, PetsBest begins the reimbursement range at 70%, offers a middle ground of 80%, and tops the offer with 90%.
In contrast, PetFirst is much more scalable than Pets Best with reimbursement options. With this pet insurance company, you can choose either 65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% reimbursement. The full coverage of the bills comes as a huge plus compared to other providers who steer clear of this option.
The good thing about these adjustments is that you can set the reimbursement even at 70%, and still create a profitable plan. After all, there is no use in obtaining a full-coverage plan if your pet is still a baby. Age and breed are crucial factors when determining your deductible as well.
Pricing PetFirst vs Pets Best
Both PetFirst and Pets Best Pet Insurance companies cover only cats and dogs, as well as puppies and kittens since there aren’t any age limits in both companies.
However, the pricing plan isn’t fixed as every pet varies in terms of age, breed, and location.
For that reason, PetFirst and Pets Best’s pricing system is specific to your budget and pet needs and is based on the aforementioned factors.
If you’re interested to learn the insurance price for your pet, you’ll have to detail your pet’s information and see the monthly or yearly cost.
But, the insurance policy for an average dog is $35 to $58 while for a mature cat it can vary from $22 to $46. As for the Accidents Only plan, Pets Best puts $9 and $6.
PetFirst’s pricing system varies from $25 minimally, to $115 maximum.
Pets best vs PetFirst Enrollment and Waiting Periods
Up to now, both Pets Best and PetFirst Pet Insurance policies appeared similar, but the waiting period point is where they differ the most.
Namely, Pets Best has a 3-day waiting period for pet accidents, and a 14 day waiting period for pet illnesses. In case your pet has ligament conditions, you might be on the waiting list for up to 6 months.
PetFirst, on the other hand, has a 0-day waiting period for accidents which is much more reassuring in case of an emergency. However, in case of an illness, the pet insurance waiting period is the same as Pets Best – 14 days. But, for cruciate ligament conditions, the waiting period extends to a year.
While some pet insurance companies oblige you to enroll your pet at a particular age, PetFirst doesn’t impose any age restrictions. You can enroll your pet anytime you want, regardless of its age, but note that any pre-existing conditions won’t be covered.
For the enrollment process, both Pet Health insurance policies have different but simple enrollment processes. PetFirst and Pets Best are flexible as you’re not required to get any vet exams, but the difference is that Pets Best offers several discounts you can make use of.
Pets best vs PetFirst Claims
The claim filing details are another aspect that varies with both Pets Best and PetFirst pet insurance policies.
PetFirst will have your claim processed 10 to 14 days after you file it. On average, PetFirst processes claims in 12 days, with 60 days being their longest recorded claim process. Also, you can ask for reimbursement for the covered services within 90 days since the registered accident or illness.
As for Pets Best, the claim filing process is way faster than PetFirst. Pets Best offers super-fast claim reimbursement – a 5-day waiting period, alongside the option to use Vet Direct Pay, and their 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Which One is Better? Pets Best or PetFirst
The answer to this question lies in your and your pet’s needs. As you can notice, both Pets Best and PetFirst cover the same liabilities. Still, PetFirst introduces a nuance with its Laser Therapy option, which can come in handy in case of a pet emergency.
In terms of their pricing plans, unlike many pet insurance policies that come with fixed pricing, both Pets Best and PetFirst insurance cost differently depending on the pet’s breed, age, and location.
The last piece of the puzzle to help you make a more informed decision in choosing a pet insurance plan has to do with the rating of both companies. According to Canine Journal, Pets Best has earned a 9/10 score, whereas it also has a BBB rating is A+ and a 4.5 score from Trust Pilot.
PetFirst, on the other hand, is currently the hottest topic across popular forums. Many pet parents are interested in getting a policy at this provider because of their hospitality, reputability, and tailored offering. If you are up for a more expansive pet insurance plan, PetFirst will be your ideal option. Yet, if your pet requires more basic treatments and vet checkups, Pets Best offers equally comprehensive yet affordable plans to choose from.
If you are still on the fence, you can check some other articles where we have compared PetFirst with some other brands like ASPCA, DODO and Emrace. It might give you more clarity.
