We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more

Banfield Pet Hospital Pet Insurance Review

98 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
Banfield Pet Hospital is a nationwide network of over 900 pet hospitals that offers an Optimum Wellness plan instead of traditional accident and illness pet insurance.

The plan offers in hospital services designed to diagnose, treat and prevent future medical conditions.

These include head to tail exams, nutritional consultations, and dental care.

How is Banfield Pet Hospital rated?

Breakdown

2.5/5
Coverage
2.0/5
Cost
2.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 2.3 / 5 (Average)

Banfield Pet Hospital offers an "Optimum Wellness Plan" which allows unlimited wellness visits to any of the numerous nationwide Banfield facilities.

This is a pro-active approach to identify potential problems in your dog or cat before they start.

This is indeed a great idea, but seeing as no one can predict a serious accident, at least an accident-only plan is warranted.

And since Banfield does not provide this, you'll have to get a separate plan from another carrier.

Banfield Pet Hospital Coverage

Coverage - 2.5 / 5

Banfield Pet Hospital does not offer pet insurance rather an "Optimum Wellness Plan."

This is a preventative program that covers your dog or cat for head-to-tail exams, vaccines, early screening diagnostics, consultations for proper nutrition, and dental care at any of the more than 900 Banfield locations across the US and Puerto Rico.

The wellness coverage is unparalleled protection, and also includes unlimited office visits.

However, it can run around the same price as comprehensive accident and illness policies from pet insurance providers.

Banfield operates 3 levels of wellness coverage.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
In-Network Only
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Dental Illness
  • Breeding

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Prosthetics & Mobility Aids

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 2 / 5

Optimum Wellness Plans will pay 100% of each procedure depending on your coverage level.

For example, vaccinations and comprehensive physicals are covered under all plans, but preventative x-rays and electrocardiograms only under the top plan.
Benefit Limit Types
Annual

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 2 / 5

Similarly there is no reimbursement percentage as this is not pet insurance.

Your Banfield discount membership entitles you to 100% coverage of all the routine and preventative care associated with your plan level.

Deductibles - 3.5 / 5

There are no deductibles associated with care under Banfield's Optimum Wellness Plan, just a membership fee.

All procedures are covered 100% depending on your membership level.

Pricing: How much does Banfield Pet Hospital cost?

Cost - 2 / 5

Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans are, by and large, a little less expensive that fully comprehensive pet insurance plans that do not include wellness.

A Banfield plan may be an ideal addition to an accident only plan from another provider in order to ensure complete coverage.

What's more, it is significantly more convenient than reimbursement-model wellness plans as they will have all your info at the hospital of your choice and there will be no claim process.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$33.95
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$23.95
Rate Details:
Available Discounts: Discounts range from 5% to 20% depending on the plan level selected. Discounts are applied to nearly all non-wellness plan Banfield services and products. Customers can also enjoy a #15 discount on membership fee for multiple pets.

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 2 / 5

Banfield enrolls dogs or cats of any age, and there are no associated waiting periods for care.

The company believes it is important to establish the habit of routine preventative care before the puppy or kitten is 6 months.

You can find the nearest Banfield facility near you on the website, get a plan quote, and enroll from there.
Min Enrollment Age
6 weeks
Accident Waiting Period
0 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
0 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 2 / 5

There is no claims process for Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans.

The hospital system itself has a long history of excellent customer care going back to 1955.

There are numerous locations all staffed by vets trained in the most state of the art veterinary science.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Headquarters Address
18101 SE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA, 98683
Mailing Address
18101 SE 6th Way, Vancouver, WA, 98683
Year Founded
1955

What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
Are you a customer of Banfield Pet Hospital Pet Insurance?
Submit a comment and tell other people about your experience!
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

Customer Comments

Loading Reviews ...
T
TM

4/26/2018
Do not take your pet to Banfield. Please read every website article and review, and you will NOT take your pet to Banfield. My dog almost died due to a toxic dose of anesthesia that he received during a teeth cleaning which was a service on the wellness plan. On top of paying for the wellness plan, I also wound up paying an animal hospital $1,200 because my dog was vomiting, had bloody diarrhea and wound up severely dehydrated. After spending hours on the phone speaking to everybody and anybody to try and get out of my wellness contract, I got screwed. DO NOT be sucked in. If this chain of hospitals was treating humans this way, they would be shut down! It baffles me that with all... Read More
30 People found this helpful.


A
Alexandra

3/17/2018
DO NOT SIGN UP FOR BANFIELD WELLNESS PLAN, IT'S A SCAM AND YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO CANCEL. It's also NOT an pet insurance. It's a SCAM. I took my dog to Banfield to do shots and the vet and staff sold me on their wellness plan with teeth cleaning. DO NOT DO THE SAME MISTAKE. They sell you teeth cleaning but tell you that they will call you during the time your dog is under anesthesia and tell you if there need to be more services. They said that some people end up paying thousands of dollars extra for the "oral surgery" and extractions but they can't tell you upfront when your dog would need. I had a bad feeling about it but didn't listen to my gut and signed up or the plan. I told them... Read More
28 People found this helpful.


S
sundeep a

9/5/2018
Worst customer service. No regards for the law. Committing thievery in broad daylight . I would have given them -5* if possible. I took my pet for service at local Banfield Hospital several times for routine checkups and shots and never was able to speak to the Vet. I thought it was normal. I complained why I don't get to talk to the vet ? so upon request the Vet spoke to me and admitted that they have a problem speaking to the clients because they are so busy. I was assured that they will improve their process. But nothing changed over the next 6 months. The place is like a zoo. you drop off the pet and pick up . The receptionist will give you the papers that the conducted test... Read More
24 People found this helpful.


M
Margery

2/14/2018
I have had a horrible experience with Banfield Pet Hospital and Wellness plan. Short of it is you cannot cancel your plan or they will bill you for many many more months of plan. They send you to collections. They never have the same veterinarian twice. Customer service at the hospital is very poor. Customer service at the corporate level is very robotic and they never address your issues. The worst is they tried to take 3 teeth from my dog (but they were unable to get approval over the phone) The teeth are still there, six months later. Second opinion says there are no teeth to be pulled. They got me for a tooth on my other dog at $100.00. They are only after... Read More
22 People found this helpful.


Shelbey H

8/24/2018
I have been bringing my dog to Banfield since he was a puppy. He is now 4yrs old and was diagnosed with "epilepsy" when he was one years old. They put him on phenobartibal, which controlled the seizures to him having one once a month. The vet said this was normal. Throughout the last few years there was many instances where he would have cluster seziures. We would bring him in they would do a blood test and test his pheno levels and the only thing they would change is the dosage of the pheno. Just about every time he played with other dogs or would play accessively he would have these cluster seizures, we would ask the vet why this would induce them they replied, it could just be the... Read More
21 People found this helpful.


S
Samantha

10/24/2018
I purchased the wellness plan for my dog, she had a growth on her leg and the vet sold me on getting it removed (he did not know what it was) and told me it'd be cheaper if I purchased the wellness plan, and said they would clean her teeth while she was under so I wouldn't have to pay for that twice. The surgery and teeth cleaning did not happen. Every time I tried to take my dog in,they said it would take 2 to 3 weeks before they could see her...so I took her to another place, that could see her that same day. If you don't call to cancel the plan it will automatically renew, and the person I talked to was very very rude. Wellness plan if not worth it!
19 People found this helpful.


J
Jeff B

8/27/2018
The San Antonio vets at Banfield are second rate. I have 2 dogs. Signed up for their wellness plan. $35.95 for each. One of my dogs had a breathing problem and Banfield could not diagnose the problem. Tool her to VCA. They diagnosed the problem in 10 minutes. The wellness plans are a problem. I canceled in late Jan. I am still getting billed. $790.90. They tell me it is for services rendered. Bull Pucky!!! They are not an honest company. Do not take your pets there. They have really bad reviews. Was rushed to sign and I caved. Hope I can help someone not to make the same mistake.
18 People found this helpful.


P
Paula

1/24/2018
I took my chihuahua to Bansfield for almost 4 years. I thought I could trust the vets, WRONG!! One day she was coughing and took her to Bansfield because I had the pet insurance. They ran all kind of test, even a heart scan and they diagnosed her with kennel cough. I asked how could she have this when she has NEVER been in a kennel or around other dogs?? Was told it just happens. Well after paying over $200 for services not covered under the insurance including a heart scan, she wasn't getting any better. I took her to emergency care and they found out she had a heart issue so I got her into a regular vet and she was placed on medication for her heart. Had I not had her checked again,... Read More
15 People found this helpful.


M
Maureen

11/23/2018
Absolutely horrible customer service and do not sign up for the Wellness plan-you pay way more money than needed especially when you have younger pets, as I do. They pressure you into it and I can't wait to be out from under it. My dog is 4 years old and has been on preventative since she was 10 weeks old. I always order my Pet Meds through 1800Petmeds as it is cheaper. Since switching to Banfield, the vets there have approved two 3 month shipments of Heartworm medication and I ordered another 3 month supply this week, 11/20/18 and it was denied saying she needed to come in for another heartworm test, when she just had one in End of May 2018. I had one pill left for her, given to... Read More
12 People found this helpful.


Gaela A

7/31/2018
I can not fault the care and treatment that my now 18 year old cat receives, and that his now deceased litter mates received at my Banfield Hospital. The staff are always warm, welcoming and professional from start to finish. I really like this Plan's preventive approach which fits with my own proactive approach to my own health. I love how perceptively, gently and warmly his regular Veterinarian and the Veterinarian Assistants greet, handle and treat my cat. I value that my input is welcomed and we work together as a team in planning needed care and treatment. My cat is calm and receptive of their handling of him during our visits. His only vocalization is his expression... Read More
8 People found this helpful.



Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
  • Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days