1
out of 5
POSTED: | BY: Matthew Clark
Get a savings account instead
Summary:
- Continues to increase prices drastically with each renewal (double the price in 2 years, and double what a new policy would cost)
- Starts to deny multiple claims after one expensive claim, makes it impossible to dispute their denial even when it's invalid.
- Does not let you cancel your policy online, auto-renews your policy if you don't cancel it, forces you to call their support line to make changes.
- Ultimately a sunk cost, get a savings account instead and get interest on it instead of burning your money.
Full version:
I hope this information helps someone make an informed decision for their pet and their budget.
When I started using pets best back in 2021 they were great, but in 2022 they upped the price from 90 to 115. That in itself would have been fine, but after one tooth extraction they started denying every claim I sent in for odd reasons. (example below because I hate long winded reviews -- despite writing a very long winded review)
NOW, the policy is up for renewal for 2023 and has jumped up to 168 a month. This is more than double what it was when I started. I understand age-related risks, but the whole point is to get coverage early so that you can have security later in life yes? There's no loyalty to a long-term member or long-term coverage for elderly pets.
Ok so can I cancel this policy easily now that its doubled the original agreement? Of course not! No I have to call their support center-- super sus business practice, by the way!
You know what else is wild? I checked to see what the same exact coverage would be if I had a new account, and I was quoted $99.05/month. Much closer to my original quote, even though my cat is 2 years older than when I started. Do with that what you will.
So far I have spent $1833.47 in monthly premiums. Pets best has reimbursed $1247.56 (meaning from just a cost to cost comparison I've lost -$585.91) and I have paid $1178.05 in charges not covered (or wrongfully denied.)
(BONUS) Example of a wrongful denial:
They claimed my cat getting stressed and not eating after I went out of town (thus needing IV fluids) was a "pre-existing condition" -- She had no pre-existing conditions by their contract's definition when we started, anyways. But that didn't change the result.
Edit: Attempted to use the live chat feature as suggested in pets best's reply. There are "too high of volume of chats" to connect with an agent -- this again, redirects you to calling their support line. (This option doesn't show on certain browsers, if you don't see it try firefox)
And, as they put it, "different underwriters" can cause you to pay double what other members are paying for the same coverage. Again, do with that what you will.
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