PetSmart Pet Insurance Review 2023. FAQ, Pros and Cons
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In This Review: Our Review | Pricing & Plans | Coverage | FAQ | Conclusion
PetSmart does not have its own insurance plan but instead offers a Wellness Plan. The plan is more akin to a service contract than an insurance policy and does not cover accidents, injuries, or other unanticipated health issues.
It is a membership program in partnership with Banfield Pet Hospitals where members pay a monthly fee and can receive treatment for their pets at Banfield clinics. PetSmart has locations in every state and Canada, and they are likely to be very accessible in large cities and less so in smaller towns.
PetSmart focuses on basic and routine health care services, and they recommend joining early to get the most out of your plan.
We give PetSmart Pet Insurance a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
PetSmart – A Quick Look
- Plans are customizable
- Preventative and proactive care
- 5%-20% discount on Banfield products
- Multi-pet discount
- Affordable
- Simple for first-time pet owners
- Over 900 locations
- Pet care expenses are not reimbursed
- Only cats and dogs are covered
- Does not cover illness or injury
- Only covered at Banfield locations
- Annual contract is required
- Medications not covered
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PetSmart Pet Insurance: How Does It Work?
PetSmart Insurance plans are not actual insurance plans. They work in partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital, which has its own healthcare plans known as Optimal Wellness Plans. To enroll, a one-time sign-up fee is paid, followed by a regular monthly bill.
The Optimal Wellness Plans (OWP) are more of a discount membership program. The monthly fee does not work the same as a premium. Your monthly fee will earn you discounts on services instead of a reimbursement.
Typical Insurance plans are great for unforeseen expenses from illness or injury, while OWPs are better at covering routine visits to the vet.
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PetSmart Insurance Plans
PetSmart insurance provides coverage based on your dog’s age and needs.
Puppy Wellness Plans
Puppy Wellness Plans include Early Care and Early Care Plus. The plans are designed for puppies under the age of six months. Both wellness plans cover all your puppy’s required vaccines, early exams, and deworming.
- Two wellness visits
- Initial vaccinations
- Unlimited visits to a Banfield health clinic office
- 5% discount on other Banfield services and products
- Deworming
- Three fecal exams
- Lyme disease and heartworm tests
- Early detection blood screening
- Two wellness visits
- Initial vaccinations
- Unlimited visits to a Banfield health clinic office
- 10% discount on other Banfield services and products
- Deworming
- Three fecal exams
- Lyme disease and heartworm tests
- Early detection blood screening
- Spay or neutering
You can add a parasite control option to both plans for an additional fee, which is essentially the equivalent of discounts on important flea and tick medications.
The only difference between Early Care and Early Care Plus appears to be that the Plus plan includes a spay or neuter surgery as well as a higher discount on eligible Banfield services and products.
Adult Wellness Plans
These plans are divided into three categories: Active Care, Active Care Plus, and Special Care. The plans are for dogs over 6 months of age.
- Two physical exams
- Yearly vaccinations
- Unlimited office visits
- 10% discount on other Banfield services
- Deworming twice
- Two fecal exams
- Heartworm and Lyme screening
- Blood screening
- Two physical exams
- Yearly vaccinations
- Unlimited office visits
- 15% discount on other Banfield services
- Deworming twice
- Two fecal exams
- Heartworm and Lyme screening
- Blood screening
- Dental cleaning
- Urine testing
- Two physical exams
- Yearly vaccinations
- Unlimited office visits
- 20% discount on other Banfield services
- Deworming twice
- Two fecal exams
- Heartworm and Lyme screening
- Blood screening
- Dental cleaning
- Urine testing
- Twp eye pressure tests
- Two ECGs
- Preventative X-rays
Like puppy plans, adult plans can be customized with parasite control options. You can also add DNA test screenings, spay or neuter surgery for older rescue pups, additional dental cleanings, and chronic care options for special-needs dogs.
What Does PetSmart Insurance Cost?
The costs of PetSmart Insurance Plans will vary depending on a few factors, including your dog’s age, gender, breed, and location. The specific plan you select will, of course, affect the costs.
Banfield will give you a $15 discount on the membership fee (but not the monthly payments) for your second and subsequent pets if you enroll multiple pets.
PetSmart Insurance Convenience
Optimal Wellness Plans have a few useful features. The Banfield app makes it simple to schedule virtual vet visits and connect to Vet Chat. When you use the app, you can speak directly with a veterinarian. You will also have easy access to your pet’s medical records and payment information. Banfield has over 1,000 locations nationwide, and you can use your OWP at any location.
What is Not Covered?
Optimal Wellness Plans do not cover surgeries, emergency visits, advanced care, alternative therapies, medications, accidents, or illnesses.
You can enroll your pets in an Optimal Wellness Plan even if they have pre-existing conditions because they do not cover specialized care.
Because OWPs are not insurance plans, there is no waiting period for reimbursement. As long as you pay your monthly fees, discounts and coverage for services will be automatically applied to your vet bill for each visit.
FAQ
Why do pets need a wellness plan?
Plans include routinely recommended diagnostic tests, vaccines, boosters, and deworming (as well as a spay or neuter with the Early Care Plus plan) to help set up your companion for wellness.
Why do healthy adults need a wellness plan?
Regular testing and examinations can aid in detecting and treating problems before they become more severe and difficult to address. Pet wellness includes safeguarding against parasites, infections, and diseases.
Can I choose any OWP I want?
Because OWPs offer veterinary wellness care, the Banfield veterinarian has the authority to question your pet’s eligibility for any plan and may recommend a different OWP or options based on your pet’s health needs. Kitten and puppy plans can only be confirmed for puppies and kittens under the age of six months.
How do I enroll my pet?
You can begin enrolling online by calling the client helpline or scheduling an appointment at a Banfield clinic in your town. You must confirm your pet’s OWP enrollment at your Banfield location to ensure you are receiving the best treatment for your pet.
What the Users Say
We investigated what other users had to say by reading various reviews.
While most review forums have a variety of bad and good reviews, pet insurance usually gets a bad rap. Many users do not read through the contract thoroughly or don’t fully understand. A forum is a safe place to vent their frustrations, and it’s always important to keep that in mind.
Most positive customer reviews mention that the Optimal Wellness Plans provide excellent preventative care services if your pet is healthy and has no pre-existing conditions.
The complaints we found came from users trying to cancel policies or those who experienced problems regarding payments and accounts. It is unfortunate that although there are many great reviews, most consumer reviews we investigated weren’t entirely positive.
- Hepper acknowledges that it is not licensed as an insurance agent, and therefore will not offer any advice regarding insurance, nor recommend a particular coverage, policy, or insurance company.
Conclusion
Overall, Banfield OWP plans via PetSmart may be less expensive than pet insurance plans and cover a wide range of services that most pets require. They can be an excellent option for healthy young pets with no serious pre-existing conditions because they provide generalized and preventative care. However, OWP plans are not the best option for owners of senior or special-needs dogs.
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