My Honest Experience With Pets Best Pet Insurance
I don't often write negative reviews, and this one is especially difficult because for many years I truly believed I had found one of the best pet insurance companies available.
When I first researched pet insurance, I spent countless hours comparing companies. I wasn't just looking for the lowest monthly premium. I wanted a company with good coverage, fair reimbursement, and--most importantly--one that wouldn't dramatically increase rates simply because my dogs grew older. After all that research, I chose Pets Best.
For many years, I was incredibly grateful that I did.
They helped cover veterinary care for both of my beloved long-haired Dachshunds. Most importantly, when my youngest girl was suddenly diagnosed with IVDD, the medical bills exceeded $15,000. I honestly don't know what I would have done without insurance. Pets Best helped pay for surgeries, medications, follow-up care, and even helped cover the cost of her wheelchair. Their claims were generally processed within about a month, and for years their customer service was kind and helpful.
For all of that, I remain sincerely thankful.
Unfortunately, over the last three years, everything changed.
When Ella turned eight, her premium increased by roughly 25%. The following year it increased again, so I began making sacrifices just to keep coverage. I raised my deductible from $250 to $500 in an effort to make the policy affordable.
This year, I opened my renewal notice and was stunned.
Her premium has now doubled, bringing the annual cost to more than $4,000 per year.
When I called to ask about lowering the premium by increasing my deductible to $1,000, I discovered something even more troubling. I was told that if I ever wanted to lower that deductible again in the future, it would essentially be treated as starting over with a brand-new policy. That means anything considered pre-existing or chronic could be excluded from coverage--even though Pets Best has insured my dogs continuously since they were puppies.
That was heartbreaking to hear.
I know Pets Best was originally founded by a veterinarian, and I truly believe it began with a genuine desire to help animals and the people who love them. But somewhere along the way, something seems to have changed.
The greatest tragedy is that premiums are increasing the most at exactly the stage of life when our pets are most likely to need medical care. Many families simply cannot absorb increases of this magnitude. No one should have to decide whether they can afford health insurance for themselves or keep insurance for the companion who has been part of their family for years.
That isn't a choice anyone should have to make.
I haven't yet decided whether I can afford to renew this year, and I honestly don't know what next year's premium might be if I do. That uncertainty is incredibly discouraging after years of loyalty.
So, if you're considering pet insurance, my advice is simple:
Read every detail of the policy. Ask how premiums have historically increased with age. Ask what happens if you need to adjust your deductible. Don't just compare today's monthly payment--try to understand what your costs may look like when your pet is eight, ten, or twelve years old.
Pets Best was there for me when I desperately needed them, and I will always be grateful for that. But I'm equally saddened that the cost of staying insured has become so overwhelming that long-time customers may be priced out just when their pets need coverage the most.
I truly hope that one day there will be a pet insurance company whose long-term pricing reflects the same compassion it advertises--one that genuinely puts both animals and the families who love them first. read more