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PetFirst Pet Insurance Review

120 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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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.

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
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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C
Cindy D

4/6/2017
I love this insurance company!!! It has helped me so much to give the care to my dogs that I otherwise could not. They are fair, efficient and most importantly compassionate!!! Thanks to all who work at Pet First!!!
1 People found this helpful.


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Nancy H

4/4/2017
Hi I was disappointed with my last submission because I did not get that much back . . my bad, I forgot about the $50 per incident deductible, my dog had an ear infection and it was only 1 visit so not too much $$, but I was reimbursed for everything beyond that $50. However! My 13 year old cat has been struggling with a nasty UTI - her first ever! - and we have been to the vet (4) times already, with all kinds of testing and medication being done . . . cost a small fortune and I am VERY HAPPY to say that I was reimbursed MOST of it . . . what a relief! I am so happy I have Pet First Pet Insurance. Also their customer service reps are wonderful if you have to call them with any... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


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Nicole

1/25/2017
I was very happy with Petfirst a few years ago with my first dog. They were helpful, paid the claims in a timely manner, and were very helpful. I used them for years. With my current dog I have had their insurance not even a year and they have refused my claims, and because she is about to turn a year older they are raising my monthly even though they have never paid on a claim. When I called up to talk to the representative about this I expressed my displeasure with their service and it seemed like she could care less if they had my business or not. I felt they really are more in it for the money than actually caring about your pet.
1 People found this helpful.


K
k

11/17/2016
Don't waste your money. PetFirst pet insurance will deny every claim.
1 People found this helpful.


Chelsea C

6/10/2016
Our dog ate some Hydroxycut that spilled on the floor. We had no idea how many he ate since the entire bottled spilled. We rushed him to the emergency vet where he had his stomach pumped and had to stay for observation. Thankfully, he was okay - I think mom and dad were more scared than he was. This pet insurance allowed us to not worry about the price of treatment. We got our money back quickly and I'm sure we will be using it again since he has the habit of eating things he shouldn't.
1 People found this helpful.



3/17/2016
I shopped multiple pet insurance providers before purchasing coverage for my dog, Zoey. After comparing quotes, PetFirst offered the most comprehensive coverage for my 8-year dachshund and was more affordable. Some of the other companies wanted to limit her coverage based on her age or charged $10-$15 more each month. PetFirst offered me great comprehensive coverage without a lifetime limit at a price I could afford. I would highly recommend!
1 People found this helpful.


R
Ricky J

12/28/2015
Just didn't want to cover much for my dogs. For the price, just not worth it.
1 People found this helpful.


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Charleen l

8/12/2015
So u c the pix Tis was my Pom cannoli insured by PF tat tey gave no assistance in the over $4k medical bills I appealed all of them all they want money morals cannoli Had to b put to sleep bc of her medical issues unless u give birth to the pet don't even consider them HORRIBLE
1 People found this helpful.


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France E

8/30/2015
I'm a big fan of pet insurance not because I want to use it, I just want that extra peace of mind for my 5 cats. The best thing that I like about pet first insurance ithat vets don't like is that a they have to include the S.O.A.P / treatment that they performed on my cats. I'm a big fan of documentation, and it helps keep vets honest in a highly competitive field. I have found in comparison to ALL of the pet insurance companies that I have interviewed that PetFirst.com is the most straightforward and easy to understand pet insurance company with the most reasonable rates.
1 People found this helpful.


D
DaniS

8/19/2015
I have had Pet First since my Boxer was 4 months. When he turned 5 and his renewal was up I was not going to increase his coverage b/c he was healthy. The agent on the phone recommended that I should b/c of his age/breed etc. I have had 2 other Boxers who died VERY young so I thought about it and it was only $20/more...GOOD THING I did. 1 month later my dog started acting VERY strange....3 months later he collapsed..HE HAS HEART ARRYTHMIAS..6 months later he had a heart attack... He takes 8 different medications A DAY ($500 every 30 days), wears a heart monitor every 4-6 months ($600), blood test every 3 months ($200) not to mention ER visits when he's breathing different...AND he has... Read More
1 People found this helpful.



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