ASPCA pet insurance rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) pet insurance has very robust coverage but only about average pricing. Its policy includes harder-to-find coverage like behavioral and alternative therapy.

One advantage to ASPCA pet insurance is that certain preexisting conditions can be covered: If the pet's preexisting condition is curable and there has been no treatment or symptoms for 180 days, it can be covered as a new occurrence. (But ligament and knee conditions would still be excluded.)

Learn more: The best pet insurance companies

Pros

• You can pay the vet directly, but your vet will need to submit a claim on your behalf.

• There's a generous 270-day window to submit a claim after the treatment date.

Cons

• Costs are only average.

• A Health Assessment Exam is needed shortly after the initial policy effective date.

• There's a maximum annual coverage of only $10,000.

Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide.

When you’re shopping for pet insurance, these are some of the crucial details to look at.

ASPCA pet insurance basics

• Annual maximum limit choices: $2,500, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000

• Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500

• Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90%

ASPCA waiting periods

• For accident coverage: 14 days

• For illness coverage: 14 days

• Special waiting period: None

ASPCA age restrictions for buying a new policy

• Minimum pet age: 8 weeks

• Maximum pet age: None

ASPCA offers two main options for pet insurance: accident and illness coverage and accident-only coverage. These plans can be coupled with an add-on for preventive care.

ASPCA’s accident and illness policy

ASPCA’s accident and illness policy provides an extensive menu of coverage for treatments and perks for a wide variety of conditions, including:

• Vet exam fee

• Hereditary and congenital conditions

• Diagnostics such as X-rays and ultrasounds

• Cancer

• Dental accidents and illnesses

• Behavioral therapy

• Alternative therapy

• Prescription drugs

• Prescription food

• Euthanasia, cremation, and burial

ASPCA accident-only policy provides a lower-cost option that can be used only for injuries related to accidents. It can pay for vet exam fees, diagnostics, and treatment for problems such as:

• Cuts

• Broken bones

• Bite wounds

• Lodged foreign objects

• Toxic ingestions

• Fractured teeth

ASPCA’s pet wellness plan offers two different levels of coverage for routine services. Basic preventive coverage includes the following:

• Annual checkups or wellness exams

• Vaccines, titer testing, and immunizations

• Dental cleanings

• Deworming and heartworm tests

If you opt to add ASPCA’s Prime preventive coverage, you’ll get coverage for all of the above routine care, plus the following:

• Spay and neutering

• Flea and heartworm prevention

• Blood tests and urinalysis

Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers

Like most pet insurers, ASPCA does not cover preexisting conditions. This means any health conditions or symptoms of an injury or illness that began before your policy start date or during a waiting period wouldn’t be covered.

But note that ASPCA will cover preexisting conditions if your pet has been free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days. (Ligament and knee conditions are still excluded.)

ASPCA does include access to a 24/7 vet telehealth line through its mobile app with services provided by The Vet Connection. Telehealth lines typically provide urgent care support as well as tips and advice for certain types of pet care and conditions.

While ASPCA pet insurance offers broad coverage, there are always policy exclusions. For ASPCA, these include:

• Cosmetic and orthodontic pet dental services

• Costs associated with breeding or pregnancy

• Anal gland expression

• Illness and injuries from intentional acts or neglect

• Procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, or claw removal

• Experimental or investigative medicines or treatments

• Funeral services, urns, caskets, and other funeral items

• Grooming

• Nonmedical supplies such as leashes and bedding

Preventive care services, such as routine exams and vaccinations, are also excluded from coverage unless you choose to add a wellness plan.

Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

It’s possible to increase or decrease your ASPCA pet insurance coverage during the policy term, but requests for coverage changes may be subject to underwriting and an approval process.

Certain changes could be considered a new enrollment, which will reset the clock on waiting periods and what qualifies as preexisting conditions.

The cost of ASPCA pet insurance is about average in our evaluation.

See how ASPCA’s average rates compare to other pet insurers.

Learn more: How insuring a pet may save money in the long run

Yes, ASPCA does have a multi-pet discount. You’ll receive 10% off your premiums for each additional pet you add (discounts can vary by state).

ASPCA pet insurance can pay your vet directly, but the process is a bit tricky. First, you’ll have to ask your veterinarian if they can submit a claim on your behalf. Then, on your claim form, you’ll need to indicate that the ASPCA should pay your vet directly.

Payment comes in the form of a paper check, so be sure your vet understands the process.Note that the ASPCA recommends getting an estimate first to ensure the claim will be eligible for payment.

Learn more: Pet insurance that pays the vet directly: How does it work?

As a pet owner, you’ll be responsible for paying for veterinarian services up front and then submitting a claim for the eligible costs covered by your policy. Claims can be submitted through the Member Center online, via email, fax, mail, or through the ASPCA My Pet Insurance mobile app.

You must include an itemized invoice and your account number. ASPCA also recommends including a copy of your pet’s medical records to expedite the claims process.

ASPCA pet insurance allows a generous window of 270 days from the date of service to submit a claim. In case you get worried about your reimbursement getting sidetracked, the ASPCA Member Center offers the ability to track your claim online.

ASPCA says it will typically resolve claims in 30 days or less from when they are received. You’ll receive reimbursement faster if you select direct deposit, but you can also opt for a paper check to be sent via snail mail.

The ASPCA’s mobile app, My Pet Insurance, receives rather poor reviews from users who complain it suffers from frequent crashes and login problems. It does offer the ability to see benefits, submit claims, and find a vet.

ASPCA pet insurance mobile app ratings

• Apple App Store: 2.2 out of 5 stars

• Google Play Store: 2.8 out of 5 stars

While you might assume ASPCA pet insurance is provided directly by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), it's actually offered through a partnership with PTZ Insurance Agency, an agency originally founded in 1997.

Policies are underwritten by either the Independence American Insurance Co. or the United States Fire Insurance Co.

ASPCA pet health insurance coverage is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. You can make claims for bills from any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. You can use the ASPCA vet finder to locate a clinic near you.

ASPCA pet insurance does not require an exam for enrollment. However, expect that ASPCA will access your pet’s medical records if you submit a claim and might request the names and contact information for any vet who has ever seen or treated your pet.

You can contact ASPCA pet insurance customer service at 1-866-204-6764 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. You can also reach ASPCA pet insurance customer service via email at cservice@aspcapetinsurance.com.

To cancel ASPCA pet insurance, you’ll need to contact them via phone or in writing by email, mail, or fax. Be sure to include the specific date you want your policy to end. ASPCA will refund any premium that you have already paid for any period after your last date of coverage.

Learn more: Is pet insurance worth it? How to decide.

Amy Danise and Tim Manni edited this article.

We researched the coverage details and prices for 15 pet insurance plans. We then weighted categories, and each pet insurer was scored relative to the others to find the best pet insurance companies. Here are the factors we incorporated.

Coverage types: 40% of score. We examined the coverage provided by the base policy without the extra cost of add-ons. This encompassed coverage for alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, dental illness, euthanasia or end-of-life expenses, exotic pets, hereditary and congenital conditions, preexisting conditions, prescription food and supplements, veterinary exam fees, and advertising/reward for lost/stolen pets.

Average cost: 30% of score. We evaluated costs in five states for $5,000 and unlimited coverage for a mixed-breed dog (age 1), a French bulldog (age 5), and a Labrador retriever (age 8).

Unlimited coverage option: 10% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered an unlimited annual limit (or a $100,000 limit), which gives pet owners the most robust financial protection possible in the event of a catastrophic pet medical issue.

Direct payments to the veterinarian: 5% of score. We gave points to pet insurers that state on their websites that they accommodate direct vet payments.

No special waiting periods for special conditions: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers have no waiting periods for special conditions, such as cruciate ligament conditions.

Routine wellness plan: 5% of score. Companies that offer a routine wellness plan in addition to pet insurance received points.

Multi-pet discount: 5% of score. We gave points when pet insurers offered a discount for insuring multiple pets.