ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

I decided to use ASPCA pet insurance because I thought I was helping a good cause and that they were more likely to be trustworthy than other pet insurance companies. Sad to say, I was wrong. I feel rather cheated.

After being a policy holder for 1.5 years, I finally submitted my first claim for $315. I had a $100 deductible and so, according to the agreement, they would cover 80% of the remaining amount (i.e. $215). Boy, I was surprised when a few weeks later, a check for $32.59 arrived. Looking over the explanation of benefits, they said that all items listed exceeded the customary fee or reasonable costs for the area and that they would only cover what they thought was reasonable. For example, a thorough fecal test was done and I was billed $62.50 from my vet. ASPCA pet insurance allowed me to claim only $23 for that one item. I actually called 5 different vets within the same zip code and they all ranged within a $10-$15 difference of what I was charged. It almost seems like they are making these numbers up. Upon asking for an explanation on how these numbers were determined, I received none. Basically, if they say so. End of story.

So I hear that pet insurance is great because people who cannot afford to pay for a large pet bill in the future will not have to put their pet down. However, at the rate of reimbursement from ASPCA pet insurance because of their ridiculously low 'reasonable costs', a person would still have to put their pet down anyway. I think you're much better off putting the money into a savings account in case something terrible and expensive happens.

I do NOT recommend ASCPA pet insurance. Just because they have "ASPCA" in their name doesn't mean that they're not out to scam you. It's a shame that the brand "ASPCA" is now tainted in my mind. I used to donate on a monthly basis to them and will never give them a cent again. There are plenty of other organizations with the same/similar cause that I can donate to.