With pet insurance becoming an increasingly important part of the pet industry, Doggo’s offers an easy, user-friendly insurance platform for pet owners. But is dog insurance worth it? And is this particular provider the best choice for your and your four-legged friend?
Here’s what you need to know about Doggo Pet Insurance:
- What’s the word on Doggo Pet Insurance?
- What we like about this coverage
- What could be improved
- Final verdict: is Doggo Pet Insurance worth it?
What’s the word on Doggo Pet Insurance?
Doggo Pet Insurance was founded in 2018 and has grown into a nationwide digital pet insurance provider, bringing a data-driven and customer-centric approach to help pet owners better protect their cats and dogs. In 2021, Doggo was acquired by Antelope, a private equity firm that invests in business services, software, and consumer services businesses.
Doggo is licensed in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. Products are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company. Plans are produced and marketed by Algo Technologies.
Doggo Pet Insurance review
Available Plans
Doggo Pet Insurance covers a wide variety of dog health issues, such as cancer, chronic conditions, hereditary and congenital conditions, dental disease, behavioral issues, toxic ingestions, broken bones, bite wounds, torn ligaments, cuts, and swallowed objects, just to name a few.
Besides regular treatments, the provider also covers advanced therapies recommended by your veterinarian, including:
- Emergency care
- X-rays, CRT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs
- Diagnostics
- Surgery
- Telemedicine
- Prescription medications
- Supplements
- Prescription food
- Alternative and holistic treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Specialty care
- Microchip implantation
- End-of-life expenses
- Medical supplies (such as casts and bandages)
- Poison control consultation fees
- Stem cell therapy
- Tooth extractions
The provider also has a Preventive Care Add-On that covers routine health costs such as vaccinations, wellness exams, spaying/neutering, and dental cleaning.
Waiting Periods
Doggo has a 14-days pet insurance waiting period for accidents, illnesses, as well as knee and ligament conditions. The waiting period starts on the first effective date of the coverage.
Exclusions
Like all other pet insurers, Doggo won’t cover pre-existing conditions, i.e., ailments that occurred on or before the first effective date of the coverage or during the waiting period. However, if your dog's pre-existing condition is curable and has been free from symptoms and treatment for 180 days, the provider will consider it a new occurrence. This benefit doesn’t apply to knee and ligament conditions.
The insurance company also doesn’t cover the following:
- Aesthetic, cosmetic, orthodontic, or endodontic dental services
- Anal sac expression, treatment, and/or resection when no infection is present
- Boarding
- Training
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping, or nursing
- Cosmetic and elective procedures
- Experimental or investigational treatment or medication
- Funeral services, caskets, urns, memorial items, or burial plots and fees
- Grooming or grooming supplies
- Herbal and herbal-like products, including cannabis (CBD)
- House call fees and travel expenses to and from the veterinarian's premises
- Illness or injury gained through intentional, malicious, or grossly negligent activities
- Non-medical supplies such as leashes, toys, and bedding
- Non-veterinary services such as medical records expenses, administrative fees, and medical waste
- Organ or heart valve transplants
- Veterinary expenses related to organized fighting, coursing, racing, law enforcement, and personal protection
Claims and Reimbursement Times
Policyholders can submit their claims along with an itemized invoice for reimbursement electronically, via email, mail, or fax within 270 days from the date of service. If you choose, your vet can submit a claim on your behalf.
You can track your claim online by signing into the free Doggo Portal. You can also sign up for direct deposit of claim payments in the Member Center.
Cost
The final cost of your premium will depend on several factors, including your pet’s breed, age, and location. Your premium will also vary based on how you set your reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual payout limit. For instance, the Doggo standard plan has an annual deductible of $250, a maximum annual limit of $10,000, and pays 80% of the cost of claims.
You can purchase the add-on for preventive care coverage at $24.95 a month.
What we like about this coverage
What sets Doggo Pet Insurance apart is not just the types of illnesses and accidents they cover but also the number of standard and advanced treatments for them. Pet owners can customize their deductible, reimbursement rate, and maximum annual payout.
The company insures dogs and cats that are at least eight weeks old and has no upper age limits. Customers can use the services of any licensed vet in the USA, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico when traveling with pets.
Doggo plan members also benefit from working with professional dog trainers for no additional cost. They will receive a personalized training plan for a puppy based on their pet’s breed, age, and needs, plus weekly one-on-one virtual lessons to prevent dog training mistakes, as well as 24/7 support from the Doggo team.
What could be improved
The company is not very transparent about the cost of its dog health plans, which might steer potential customers away from their services. The waiting period of 14 days for accidents is longer than other providers. For example, Embrace Pet Insurance has a 48-hour waiting period, and Pets Best has a three-day waiting period. Unlike other pet insurance companies, Doggo doesn’t seem to offer a multi-pet discount.
Is Doggo Pet Insurance Worth It?
Doggo offers comprehensive coverage for dogs and cats, including many veterinary treatments and services not covered by competitors, such as behavioral treatments, alternative treatments, stem cell therapy, etc.
However, the company is not very transparent about the cost of its pet insurance plans and, unlike other dog insurance providers, doesn’t seem to offer any discounts.
If you feel like Doggo Pet Insurance doesn’t satisfy all of your requirements, our pet insurance advice blog can help you find other options. You can also use Pawlicy Advisor to get customized pet health insurance recommendations based on your dog’s needs, budget, and personal preferences.
Get Personalized Pet Insurance Recommendations See If Pet Insurance Is Worth It
