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PetFirst Pet Insurance Review

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PetFirst Healthcare LLC is a pet insurance company that was founded in 2004 and based in Jeffersonville, Indiana. It offers accident and illness coverage for cats and dogs and operates in all 50 states.

The company offers discounts for those with multiple pets, and allows you to choose any vet you like without pre-approval.
 
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How is PetFirst rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
5.0/5
Cost
4.5/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5 (Excellent)

PetFirst offers an enrollment process that is easier than most. They do not require a vet exam, and accident coverage starts in 24 hours.

Additionally, the company has no upper age limit on enrollment, and no waiting periods for a few conditions many other providers outright just don't cover.

PetFirst also has a healthy pet discount for every year you don't make a claim. The upper tier plans, however, are on the pricier side, and the company does not offer unlimited coverage.

PetFirst Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Petfirst offers accident and illness coverage that is pretty much industry standard for the price.

However, what sets them apart is they have no waiting periods for hip dysplasia, patella luxations or orthapedic conditions. The company also offers a wellness plan as an add on.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 4.5 / 5

Petfirst does not restrict you to per incident or per illness limits. However, the company does have annual limits. They let you choose $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000.

While the $5,000 limit plan has a monthly deductible in the average pet insurance range, the two higher limit plans get pricey.

In fact, there are unlimited plans we review that tend to cost less than Petfirst's $20,000 limit plan.
Benefit Limit Types
Annual
Annual Benefit Maximum
$20,000

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Petfirst gives you the option of setting your reimbursement at 70%, 80%, and 90%. This is a consistent feature of the best pet insurance providers.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
70%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 4.6 / 5

Petfirst offers flexible deductibles of $50, $100, $250, and $500. Not many other plans offer the option of such a low deductible.

Choosing it would translate into higher premiums, but it could be a valuable option if it fits your particular situation, i.e. you know you can afford to fit the monthly premium into your budget but are not sure you'd have the extra cash on hand to pay a higher deductible.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$50
Maximum Deductible Offered
$500

Pricing: How much does PetFirst cost?

Cost - 5 / 5

Petfirst's lower annual limit plans offer pretty much average monthly deductibles when compared to similar plans.

However, their higher limit plans are on the pricier side.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$16.95
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$8.95
Rate Details: Annual Limit: $1,000, Per-Incident Deductible: $500, Reimbursement Rate: 70%
Available Discounts: $10 to $20 off for pet parents who purchase their pet health insurance policy online, 5% to 10% corporate employee member discount, 10% animal care employee discount,5% military discount

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 5 / 5

Petfirst has a particularly painless and lenient enrollment process when compared to other companies. Firstly they do not require a vet exam.

Accident coverage begins midnight the day of enrollment and illness 14 days after. There is no fee to cancel.

And lastly, Petfirst is one of only a handful of companies that has no upper age limit. Cats and dogs of any age can be covered for life.
Min Enrollment Age
8 weeks
Illnesses Waiting Period
14 days
Free Look Period
30 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4.5 / 5

Petfirst stands out two ways in the claims department, they offer healthy pet discounts every year you don't make a claim, and they do not increase your premium due to amount of claims made.

The claims procedure is the standard process of paying your vet bill up front, then submitting the claims form with all the relevant invoices and receipts.
Advertised Response Time
14 days
Claim Form
Mail
Email
Fax
Online Portal

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.petfirst.com/
Headquarters Address
1 Quartermaster Ct, Jeffersonville, IN, 47130
Mailing Address
1 Quartermaster Ct, Jeffersonville, IN, 47130
Year Founded
2004
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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ignacio.aspillaga

6/21/2019
This pet insurance company SUCKS. Don't insure your pets with them! I submitted a claim for the first time for my 11 yrs.old JRT and it was denied. Just like that - DEIED- no explanations, no nothing! It was not a pre-exisiting condition. What's the point on having your pets insured if the company denies the claim???? I would have rate them with a ZERO if possible.
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carolk734

5/16/2019
Our Stanley has a partial tear in his left CCL (knee) and needed surgery. Two days before consultation with surgeon, he totally blew out the right knee! Had to have emergency surgery on that one first and still have to have the other done. PetFirst has been great so far in covering the bills.
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Gabriel O

5/2/2019
This company does answer the phone and settle claims quickly, but they are terrible. My dog had a $1000 bill for emergency tooth extraction. Vet suggested that while dog was anesthetized for tooth extraction, they could clean teeth for $175. I said sure. PETFIRST, then used that secondary procedure as grounds to pay only half of all the anesthesia costs associated. My dog is small, I would have gotten a regular cleaning. They're horrible. For example, Pet first should have paid 80% of $825= $ 660, minus our $250 deductable= $410. . How much are they actually paying $230 of a $825. So disappointing.
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carlyn b

4/23/2019
they are the very best..I am very happy with them they are very fair
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Joshua L

4/11/2019
Policy holder since 2016. First claim after meeting deductible. Six year old american bulldog with colitis. They reimbursed everything in the policy that I pay for with no questions asked. PetFirst reimbursed what was in his policy before the 10 business days and without any hiccups or roadblocks. Happy with my service.
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DJ V

3/30/2019
When we called to activate their rep kept insisting that our new cat would not be covered for any of the help that she needed and kept insisting that her position reflected that of all insurers. We did not enroll with PetFirst but chose Nationwide's pet insurance program instead and have been completely satisfied.
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M
mgsnell1989

3/19/2019
I still have to have my Vet fax you the documentation. I wish you were a little more up to date. I would like to use an app to work with you so the Vet does not have to be involved .
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Cindy

3/8/2019
We have three cats and have PetFirst Pet Insurance for all of our guys. PetFirst has been fantastic. They communicate quickly and have paid claims in a timely fashion. Coverage has been great as well. We are very happy with PetFirst and recommend this insurance. If/when faced with health decisions for our boys the last thing we want is to even consider money. PetFirst helps us do this.
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Sharon C

2/5/2019
I’ve used PetFirst insurance since I brought home my Maltese. The Premiums are reasonable and claim submission is easy once you understand the process.
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J
Jennifer k

2/1/2019
Our dog Page has been a part of our family for 8 years and from the moment we rescued her she won our hearts over. Unfortunately she has had quite a few medical needs arise and every time Pet first has been there to support us . If not for Pet First , having two small children and other financial responsibilities I’m not sure what we would have done. They have helped us through Page m’s sensitive paw issues, an ACL knee surgery ... then the other leg required the same surgery a year later, then a stomach perforation from a bone which required emergent surgery and in the same year a broken tibia from an accident . They have that small business family feel and have genuinely helped us... Read More
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Our Partner
  • PetFirst is partnered with the Humane Society
  • Short waiting period before coverage begins
  • Hereditary, congenital & chronic conditions
  • No exam required
  • Coverage for exam fees
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