From minor health issues to major accidents, pet ownership can get very expensive. Liberty Mutual offers pet insurance to help offset the cost of care for cats and dogs — especially during unexpected emergencies that you could have never see coming.
No matter how careful or doting pet parents may be, there will always be the risk of illness and injury. Pet insurance offers peace of mind by reimbursing covered vet visit costs paid for out-of-pocket, but with so many options to choose from, how do you decide?
Keep reading to learn more about Liberty Mutual's pet insurance policies, including unique features, waiting times, pricing, discounts, and much more.
Table of Contents:
- Does Liberty Mutual offer pet insurance?
- An overview of Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance
- What we like about this coverage
- What could be improvemed
- Is Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance worth it?
Pro Tip: Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Liberty Mutual is the fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the States, selling homeowners, personal liability, car, and individual life insurance since 1912.
In 2017, the company added pet insurance to its offering, joining other big players in the insurance industry who decided to enter the pet space, such as Progressive, Geico, Nationwide, and Lemonade.
Note that many Liberty Mutual’s pet insurance policies are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company and are affiliated with Hartville Pet Insurance.
Available plans
Liberty Mutual offers three types of insurace coverage for pets: Accident & Illness, Accident-Only, and a, Illness and Wellness Policy.
The Accident coverage is the least expensive. It doesn’t cover illnesses, only accidents including bite wounds, a lodged foreign object, ingestion of toxins, broken bones, cuts, burns, abscesses, anesthesia or euthanasia, accidental injuries, and accidental death.
The Accident and Illness coverage is the most popular and compares to standard pet insurance plans. It covers everything that the Accident policy covers, plus a number of illnesses, ranging from serious ones such as cancer and diabetes to minor ailments like an ear infection or stomach upset. This plan also reimburses congenital and hereditary conditions (that are not pre-existing), alternative therapy (such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy), and behavioral therapy (Including issues like destructive chewing and excessive licking).
Lastly, the Accident, Illness & Wellness plan reimburses everything that the Accident and Illness plan does, plus a list of services that help keep your pet healthy including wellness exams, vaccinations and boosters, flea and tick prevention, prescription food and supplements, spaying/neutering, heartworm testing and medications, intestinal deworming, and routine teeth cleaning.
Exclusions
Like most pet insurance companies, Liberty Mutual doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, the company will cover a pre-existing condition if it has been cured and if your pet is symptom-free and treatment-free for six months.
The rest of the list of exclusions is pretty standard and includes pregnancy/breeding, cosmetic procedures, organ transplants, professional or commercial use, experimental and investigations, unlawful acts.
Pricing
When it comes to pet insurance cost, an average policy costs about $48 per month for a dog and only about $19 per month for a cat.
It should be noted though that just like other pet insurance providers, Liberty Mutual bases its prices on the pet’s age, location, and breed. The exact price will also depend on the options you chose to customize your plan.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance offers you to choose from a $5,000 limit to unlimited, three different deductibles: $100, $250 and $500, as well as three reimbursement amounts: 70%, 80% or 90%.
The prices of the wellness add-ons are competitive: the Basic Wellness plan costs $9.95 a month, whereas the Prime Plan is $24.95 per month.
Discounts
Liberty Mutual offers a group discount of up to 10% for PEF members and retirees and a 5% discount for members of the military. There is also a 5% discount if you insure two pets and 10% for three pets or more.
Claims and reimbursement times
One major downside of Liberty Mutual’s Pet Insurance is the waiting period of 30 days for reimbursement.
Liberty Mutual requires customers to wait 14 days before they can submit a claim, which is a pretty standard waiting period.
Claims can be filled out online through the Hartville Pet Insurance website or printed out and sent via fax or mail. Customers can also file a claim and track the status of their claims through the Claims Center on Liberty Mutual’s website.
What we like about this coverage
Liberty Mutual offers a wide range of accidents and illnesses, including alternative and behavioral therapy. Customers can customize their plan to best fit their pet and budget, and stackable discounts can save them up to 20%.
The company has only 14 days waiting period for hip dysplasia, which is much shorter compared to other insurers who require you to wait for six months.
Each coverage option allows pet owners to use the services of any veterinarian in the US, including emergency clinics.
Liberty Mutual has a 30-day money-back guarantee and no cancellation due to age.
Customer support agents can be reached through email or phone, and they’re available six days of the week, except on Sundays.
What could be improved
One major drawback for Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance is the 30-day waiting period for reimbursements.
Is Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance worth it?
Liberty Mutual Pet insurance is supported by one of the most established insurance companies in the US, and it is an excellent choice for those looking for stability and quality. It is also an affordable option for owners who are working on a tighter budget.
If you want the most comprehensive coverage, the Complete Coverage policy is the best option; however, this policy is also the most expensive.
If you are not sure that Liberty Mutual is the best choice for you, consider our other Pet Insurance Reviews or use Pawlicy’s comparison charts for a side-by-side look at coverage provided by top insurance companies and to get a personalized version based on your unique pet.
