If you’re a pet parent, you know how much your furry friend means to you. You want to give them the best care possible, and protect them from any harm. But what if something unexpected happens, and your pet needs medical attention? Vet bills can be expensive, and you may not have enough savings to cover them. That’s where pet insurance comes in handy.
Pet insurance is a type of insurance that covers some or all of the costs of veterinary care for your pet, in case of accidents or illnesses. It can help you save money, reduce stress, and provide peace of mind. However, not all pet insurance plans are created equal. There are many factors to consider when choosing a pet insurance provider, such as coverage, cost, customer service, and reputation.
In this blog post, I will review one of the pet insurance companies that I have personally used and liked: Spot. I will share with you the pros and cons of Spot, the plans and coverage options they offer, and my personal experience with them. I will also answer some frequently asked questions about Spot and pet insurance in general. By the end of this post, you will have a better idea of whether Spot is the right choice for you and your pet.
What is Spot?
Spot is a pet insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for cats and dogs of any age and breed. Spot is backed by United States Fire Insurance Company, which has an A rating from A.M. Best, a leading rating agency for the insurance industry. Spot is also endorsed by Cesar Millan, the famous dog trainer and TV personality, who is the company’s strategic partner and chief training officer.
Spot’s mission is to provide pet parents with affordable, flexible, and reliable pet insurance that covers a wide range of potential expenses. Spot also offers optional wellness and preventive care plans that reimburse you for routine expenses such as wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, and more. Spot has a 24/7 pet telehealth line that you can call anytime to get advice from licensed veterinarians. Spot also has a user-friendly website and mobile app that let you manage your policy, submit claims, and access your benefits easily.
What are the pros and cons of Spot?
Like any other pet insurance company, Spot has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of Spot that I have experienced or learned from other customers:
Pros
- Low $100 deductible available. Spot lets you choose your annual deductible, which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. You can choose from $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium, but the less you have to pay when your pet needs care. Spot is one of the few pet insurance companies that offer a $100 deductible option, which can be beneficial for pet parents who want to minimize their upfront costs.
- Multipet discount of 10%. If you have more than one pet, you can save money by insuring them with Spot. Spot offers a 10% discount for each additional pet that you add to your policy. This is a generous offer compared to some other pet insurance companies that only offer a 5% or no discount for multiple pets.
- Optional wellness plan available. Spot gives you the option to add a wellness and preventive care plan to your accident and illness policy, for an extra cost. You can choose from two levels of coverage: Gold or Platinum. The Gold plan reimburses you up to $250 per year for preventive expenses such as wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, fecal tests, heartworm tests, deworming, and more. The Platinum plan reimburses you up to $450 per year for the same expenses, plus additional ones such as blood tests, urinalysis, microchipping, flea and tick prevention, and more. These plans can help you budget for your pet’s regular care and avoid potential health problems in the future.
- Has a 24/7 pet telehealth line. Spot offers a free service called Vet Chat, which allows you to access a network of licensed veterinarians anytime, anywhere. You can chat with a vet via text, phone, or video, and get advice on your pet’s health, behavior, nutrition, and more. You can also get a referral to a local vet clinic or emergency hospital if needed. This service can be very helpful if you have a question or concern about your pet, especially during after-hours or when you’re traveling.
Cons
- The waiting period for accident coverage is 14 days. Spot has a waiting period of 14 days for accident and illness coverage, which means that you cannot file a claim for any condition that occurs within 14 days of enrolling your pet. This is a standard practice for most pet insurance companies, but some of them have shorter waiting periods for accidents, such as 1 or 2 days. If your pet gets injured during the waiting period, you will have to pay for the treatment yourself.
- No unlimited annual coverage option. Spot lets you choose your annual coverage limit, which is the maximum amount that your insurance will pay for your pet’s care in a year. You can choose from $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000. The higher your limit, the higher your premium, but the more protection you have. Spot does not offer an unlimited annual coverage option, which some other pet insurance companies do. This means that if your pet has a very expensive or chronic condition, you may run out of coverage before the year ends, and have to pay the rest of the costs yourself.
How much does Spot cost?
The cost of Spot pet insurance depends on several factors, such as your pet’s age, breed, size, location, and health history. It also depends on the plan and coverage options that you choose, such as the deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual limit, and wellness plan.
To give you an idea of how much Spot costs, I used their online quote tool to get some sample quotes for different scenarios. Here are the results:
- A 1-year-old mixed breed dog in California, with a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement, and $5,000 annual limit, would pay $31.95 per month for accident and illness coverage, and $15.95 per month for the Gold wellness plan, for a total of $47.90 per month.
- A 5-year-old purebred cat in New York, with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and $7,000 annual limit, would pay $25.95 per month for accident and illness coverage, and $19.95 per month for the Platinum wellness plan, for a total of $45.90 per month.
- A 10-year-old mixed breed dog in Texas, with a $1,000 deductible, 70% reimbursement, and $3,000 annual limit, would pay $35.95 per month for accident and illness coverage, and $15.95 per month for the Gold wellness plan, for a total of $51.90 per month.
These are just examples, and your actual quote may vary depending on your specific situation. You can get a personalized quote for your pet on Spot’s website, and adjust the coverage options to fit your budget and needs.
How does Spot work?
Spot works like most other pet insurance companies. Here are the basic steps of how Spot works:
- You enroll your pet online or over the phone, and choose your plan and coverage options. You will need to provide some information about your pet, such as their name, age, breed, gender, and health history. You will also need to provide your contact and payment information. You can start your coverage as soon as the next day, or choose a later date if you prefer.
- You take your pet to any licensed vet in the US or Canada, and pay for the services upfront. You can choose any vet that you trust and like, as Spot does not have any network restrictions or preferred providers.
- You submit your claim online or via the mobile app, and upload a copy of your vet invoice and any relevant medical records. You can also mail or fax your claim if you prefer. You should submit your claim within 270 days of the date of service, or as soon as possible.
- You get reimbursed by Spot, minus your deductible and co-pay. Spot will review your claim and process it within 10 business days, or faster if you have direct deposit. Spot will reimburse you according to the coverage options that you selected, and the actual vet fees that you paid. Spot will also apply any discounts or credits that you may have, such as the multipet discount or the wellness plan benefits.
What are the plans and coverage options that Spot offers?
Spot offers one basic plan for accident and illness coverage, which you can customize according to your preferences and budget. You can choose your deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit from the following options:
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Annual limit: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, or $10,000
The deductible is the amount that you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance starts to pay. The reimbursement is the percentage of the vet bill that your insurance will pay after the deductible. The annual limit is the maximum amount that your insurance will pay in a year.
For example, if you choose a $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement, and $5,000 annual limit, and your pet has a $1,000 vet bill, you will pay $250, and your insurance will pay $600 (80% of $750). If your pet has another $1,000 vet bill in the same year, you will pay $150, and your insurance will pay $680 (80% of $850). If your pet has a third $1,000 vet bill in the same year, you will pay $120, and your insurance will pay $704 (80% of $880). And so on, until you reach your annual limit of $5,000.
You can also add a wellness and preventive care plan to your accident and illness policy, for an extra cost. You can choose from two levels of coverage: Gold or Platinum. The Gold plan reimburses you up to $250 per year for preventive expenses such as wellness exams, dental cleanings, vaccinations, fecal tests, heartworm tests, deworming, and more. The Platinum plan reimburses you up to $450 per year for the same expenses, plus additional ones such as blood tests, urinalysis, microchipping, flea and tick prevention, and more.
Spot’s accident and illness plan covers a wide range of conditions and treatments, such as:
- Accidents and injuries, such as broken bones, cuts, burns, foreign body ingestion, etc.
- Illnesses and diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, allergies, infections, etc.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions, such as hip dysplasia, heart defects, etc.
- Chronic and recurring conditions, such as arthritis, kidney disease, etc.
- Alternative and holistic therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, etc.
- Behavioral issues, such as anxiety, aggression, etc.
- Dental illnesses, such as periodontal disease, tooth extraction, etc.
- Emergency and specialist care, such as surgery, hospitalization, etc.
Spot’s accident and illness plan does not cover the following:
- Pre-existing conditions, which are conditions that your pet had or showed signs of before enrolling or during the waiting period.
- Preventive and routine care, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, etc. (unless you add a wellness plan).
- Cosmetic and elective procedures, such as tail docking, ear cropping, declawing, etc.
- Breeding and pregnancy related expenses, such as spaying, neutering, delivery, etc.
- Experimental or investigational treatments, such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, etc.
You can find more details about Spot’s coverage on their website, or by reading their sample policy. You can also contact their customer service team if you have any questions or concerns.
What is my personal experience with Spot?
I have been using Spot for my 3-year-old Labrador Retriever, Max, for about a year now. I chose Spot because I liked their low deductible option, their multipet discount, and their wellness plan. I also liked that they have Cesar Millan as their partner, as I am a fan of his show and his methods.
So far, I have been very satisfied with Spot’s service and coverage. Max has had a few minor accidents and illnesses, such as a sprained paw, an ear infection, and a stomach upset. Each time, I took him to my regular vet, paid the bill, and submitted the claim online. Spot processed the claim quickly and reimbursed me according to my plan. I also used the wellness plan benefits to cover some of his preventive care expenses, such as his annual exam, his dental cleaning, and his vaccinations. I also used the Vet Chat service once, when Max had a rash on his belly. I was able to chat with a vet who gave me some advice and reassured me that it was nothing serious.
I have not had any issues or complaints with Spot so far. Their customer service team has been friendly and helpful whenever I contacted them. Their website and app are easy to use and navigate. Their policy is clear and transparent, and their coverage is comprehensive and flexible. I feel that Spot is a reliable and trustworthy pet insurance company, and I would recommend them to any pet parent who is looking for a good pet insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Spot and Pet Insurance
Here are some of the common questions that people have about Spot and pet insurance in general, and the answers that I have found or learned from my own experience:
Q: How do I enroll my pet with Spot?
A: You can enroll your pet with Spot online or over the phone. You will need to provide some basic information about your pet, such as their name, age, breed, gender, and health history. You will also need to provide your contact and payment information. You can start your coverage as soon as the next day, or choose a later date if you prefer. You can enroll your pet anytime, as long as they are at least 8 weeks old and under 14 years old.
Q: How do I cancel my policy with Spot?
A: You can cancel your policy with Spot anytime, without any fees or penalties. You just need to contact their customer service team and request a cancellation. You will receive a prorated refund for any unused portion of your premium, minus any claims that you have received.
Q: Does Spot cover pre-existing conditions?
A: No, Spot does not cover pre-existing conditions, which are conditions that your pet had or showed signs of before enrolling or during the waiting period. This is a standard exclusion for most pet insurance companies, as they are not designed to cover existing or known risks. However, Spot may cover some conditions that are considered curable, such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, or respiratory infections, as long as your pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for at least 180 days.
Q: Does Spot cover dental illnesses?
A: Yes, Spot covers dental illnesses, such as periodontal disease, tooth extraction, root canal, etc. However, Spot does not cover dental injuries, such as broken teeth, or dental preventive care, such as teeth cleaning, unless you add a wellness plan. Spot also requires that your pet has a dental exam within the 12 months prior to enrolling, or within the first 30 days of enrolling, and that you follow your vet’s recommendations for dental care.
Q: Does Spot have any breed or age restrictions?
A: No, Spot does not have any breed or age restrictions. Spot covers cats and dogs of any breed and any age, as long as they are at least 8 weeks old and under 14 years old at the time of enrollment. Spot does not discriminate against any breed, and does not charge higher premiums based on breed. Spot also does not increase your premium based on your pet’s age, as long as you maintain continuous coverage.
Conclusion
Spot is a pet insurance company that offers comprehensive and customizable coverage for cats and dogs of any age and breed. Spot has a low deductible option, a multipet discount, an optional wellness plan, and a 24/7 pet telehealth line. Spot is backed by a reputable insurance company, and endorsed by a famous dog trainer. Spot has a user-friendly website and app, and a fast and easy claim process. Spot has a positive reputation and a high customer satisfaction rate.
I have been using Spot for my dog, Max, for a year, and I have been very happy with their service and coverage. Spot has helped me save money, reduce stress, and provide peace of mind. I think Spot is a great choice for any pet parent who is looking for a good pet insurance provider.
I hope this blog post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. If you are interested in enrolling your pet with Spot, you can use this link to get a 10% discount on your first month’s premium. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day. 🐾
