One of Pets Best’s core principles in providing you with great service is to clearly communicate what is or isn’t covered under your policy. Ideally, this communication should happen well before you need to file a claim--we know that that the last thing you need while dealing with your pet’s medical problems is a surprise. To help you make an informed decision, we're detailing our list of what's not covered here.
Pets Best policies cannot cover everything and offer affordable premiums. You’ll notice that we cover some things that other pet insurers do not and we also exclude other things that other pet insurers will cover. Make sure that you take this into consideration as you evaluate your options so you can be sure you’re choosing the plan that provides the best value according to your needs.
The exclusions listed below apply to the Pets Basic, Pets First, and Pets Premier plans for accidents, illnesses and injuries. Some exclusions vary by state. For state-specific details, please download the sample policy plan for your state. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please e-mail Pets Best Customer Service, or phone us at 1-877-738-7237. You can also download and read our entire policy online.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Treatments for all pre-existing condition are not covered expenses. After you enroll your pet for insurance, there is a 3-day waiting period for accident coverage and a 14-day waiting period for illness and wellness coverage. If your pet develops an illness or has an accident or injury before your enrollment date or during the waiting periods, it’s a pre-existing condition whether or not your pet was previously diagnosed or manifested any symptoms.
Sometimes illnesses develop several months before your pet manifests any symptoms. By purchasing insurance for your pets when they are young and healthy will help to ensure that coverage is effective before accidents happen and illnesses develop.
Some conditions—like broken legs—heal and require no further treatment. Those conditions are no longer considered pre-existing once they are cured.
Pets with serious on-going pre-existing conditions (e.g., diabetes, Addison’s disease, Immune Mediated Anemia, and Feline Leukemia) are not eligible for full health coverage, but we can provide accident coverage. If your pet does not qualify for full health coverage please contact one of our pet insurance experts to find out more about our accident plan.
Hereditary Conditions if Pet Enrolled after Second Birthday
Hereditary conditions are passed on to pets genetically from their parents. These conditions may or may not manifest until later in life, if at all. Claims for hereditary conditions are not covered if the pet is enrolled for coverage after its second birthday.
If your pet is enrolled before its second birthday, limited coverage for hereditary conditions is included. Visit our coverage details page to
see the limited coverage reimbursement amount for each plan.
View our list of hereditary conditions that have limited coverage. For more information, please consult your policy form or contact us.
Congenital Conditions
A congenital condition or disorder is present at birth and may be recognized at birth, or years later. Congenital disorders can be a result of genetic abnormalities or other unknown factors. All congenital disorders are excluded from coverage. The most common examples of congenital conditions are patellarluxation, umbilical hernia, entropion, ectropion, elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, malocclusion, mitral valve defects, patent ductus arteriosis, ventricular septal defect and portosystemic shunt.
Cruciate Ligament Injuries During the First 12 Months of Your Policy
Depending on when your policy was purchased, cruciate ligament injuries that occur in the first year of the policy are either excluded or subject to a
limited reimbursement amount. Policies purchased by Illinois residents include a limited reimbursement of $250 for cruciate injuries that occur in the first six months of the policy and full coverage under the specified plan thereafter.
For more information, please consult your policy form or contact us.
Parasites
Parasites are nasty little bugs like fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, ear mites, tapeworms, giardia, or scabies. Parasitic treatments and prevention are excluded from coverage. If you purchase the optional BestWellness plan for routine care, coverage includes limited coverage for the testing and prevention of flea, ticks and heartworm in most states. Review your policy form or contact us to find out if this coverage is available to you.
Ask your veterinarian which parasites you should be protecting against.
Preventable Diseases
Those diseases that could be prevented by vaccines are ineligible for coverage if the pet was not properly vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against that disease.
Elective and Preventative Procedures
Elective procedures such as tail docking, ear crops, nail trims, feline declaws, dewclaw removal, elective gastropexy, and anal gland expression and removal are not covered expenses. If you purchase(d) the optional BestWellness™ plan, a one-time reimbursement of $100 with no deductible is available for spays and neuters.
Vitamins and Supplements
Vitamins and supplements are not covered. A vitamin or supplement is defined as any product that is not on the FDA list of approved veterinary drugs.
Routine Dental Cleaning, Gingivitis and Progressive Periodontal Disease
Routine dental cleanings and treatment of gingivitis and periodontal disease caused by tarter accumulation are not covered expenses. Coverage is included for dental procedures that are required because of a covered accident or injury.
For those interested in coverage for routine dental care, the optional BestWellness™ reimburses $100 each year for teeth cleaning with no deductible.
Pregnancy in Certain Breeds
Expenses related to pregnancies have a limited reimbursement amount, with the exception of a few excluded breeds. Pregnancy-related conditions in the following breeds are not covered:
Dog Breeds: Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, Pug, Dachshund, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Schipperke, Shih-Tzu, Silky Terrier, Tea Cup Poodle, West Highland Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Cat Breeds: Himalayan and Persian.
Additional Excluded Items
- Expenses related to breeding
- Treatment or prevention of obesity
- Food, including prescription diets
- Non-veterinary services, including but not limited to:
- Taxes, waste disposal fees, bathing, grooming and boarding
- Any services not performed by a licensed veterinarian
- Herbal therapies
- Wellness items, except as covered by the BestWellness™ additional coverage
- Transportation and house call fees
Specific Questions?
If you would like more specific information about our coverages, please use our live chat feature, e-mail Pets Best customer service, or phone us at 1-877-738-7237.