Headquartered in Illinois, Prudent Pet offers helpful pet insurance products that come packaged with 24/7 Live Chat with a licensed veterinarian.
The Prudent Pet team touts that its products are “created for pet parents, by pet parents” - and they donate to the Best Friends Animal Society.
Prudent Pet was founded in 2018. As of January 18th, 2021, Prudent Pet Insurance Agency, LLC is the program administrator authorized to offer and administer pet health insurance policies underwritten by Markel Insurance Company and Markel American Insurance Company. (Policies sold before 01/18/2021 are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company and administered by C&F Insurance Agency, Inc., a Crum & Forster company.)
Key Takeaways
Save 10% for each additional pet you enroll after your most expensive pet.
No max age limit for enrollment.
24/7 live chat with licensed veterinarians.
No claim expiration within policy coverage, and up to 90 days after the end of the policy.
30-day money-back guarantee
Lets you choose your own vet.
Will not raise the price of your policy because you file a claim.
Pet insurance prices for Prudent Pet Insurance vary based on your pet's breed, age, gender, and the zip code you live in. Use Pawlicy Advisor to lock in the best price, and compare Prudent Pet to other leading pet insurance brands for free.
The cost of Prudent Pet policies can be customized by changing the reimbursement rate deductible, and coverage options of the policy you select.
What makes Prudent Pet insurance worth it?
In the United States, a pet receives emergency medical care every 2.5 seconds. Sadly, veterinarian bills can be very expensive. Prudent reimburses up to 90% of the medical cost for vet care. Where many pet insurance companies shy away, Prudent Pet provides insurance plans for senior pets, dogs, and cats of all breeds and pets at risk for hereditary conditions, which might make it worth it for you.
Important Information to Know About Prudent Pet Insurance
What to know before investing in Prudent Pet insurance
5 day waiting period for accident coverage. 14 day waiting period for illness coverage. 6-month waiting period for all knee and ligament issues.
You will be fully reimbursed if you change your mind within 30 days as long as you do not file a claim.
Requires an annual health check, an annual dental exam, and the use of prophylactic medication as prescribed by your veterinarian to protect against illness, including but not limited to lice, parasites, and fleas.
Treatment of your pet arising from a repetitive and specific activity is excluded form coverage if the same or a similar activity has occurred two (2) times within the eighteen (18) month period prior to the initial coverage effective date
The sale of insurance represents a contract between the insurance provider, who carries the risk your pet will need treatment and you, who is responsible for paying insurance premiums. This contract typically carries an expiration date of one year from the effective (start) date unless you choose to renew the policy.
Each insurance provider offers different financing options, including whether you pay your pet insurance premiums on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
Some insurance providers apply a payment transaction fee to your insurance premiums, but this fee can sometimes be waived if you choose the annual payment option.
The age at which your pet is first eligible to be insured.
If the insurance underwriter approves, your pet’s insurance coverage may be transferred when you transfer pet ownership by agreement or law.
Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you list for your insurance provider. It is your responsibility to notify the insurance provider of any change in address.
Geographical regions where incurred expenses will be covered by the insurance provider.
Rather than paying for your pet's treatment up front, you can submit a form to your insurer that approves the vet-recommended treatment and allows the vet to be paid directly by the insurer.
When should you consider insurance for your pet?
The sooner the better, as earlier consideration will also help prevent future exclusions due to pre-existing conditions. In other words, you should consider pet insurance before injuries, diseases, or illnesses arise to ensure that any future veterinary bills will be covered by your chosen plan.
Ideally, you should consider pet insurance within the first six months of adopting your pet - regardless of whether you adopt from a shelter, rescue, or breeder.
Customer Service
If you have questions about a claim or you need help with your existing policy, Prudent Pet’s team of customer care representatives are available to help you. You can write a letter, reach out on social media, email or call.
Hours of availability for the company's sales department.
Email address of the company's sales department.
Phone number of the company's sales department.
Hours of availability for the company's veterinary services department.
Email address of the company's veterinary services department.
Phone number of the company's veterinary services department.
Discount Opportunities
How can you receive a discount on Prudent Pet insurance:
A discount is applied when a policyholder insures two (2) or more pets or companion animals. This discount is applied to each additional pet insured in a plan.
What's Covered
Prudent Pet insurance provides dog insurance and cat health insurance coverage with no lifetime or per-incident limits on accidents, hospitalizations, medications, and much more.
List of treatment and conditions covered by Prudent Pet Insurance plans
Use Any Vet
Covered
Because expenses are reimbursed by the insurance provider after treatment, you can use any vet with these plans.
Illnesses
Illnesses that your pets might encounter
Covered
Cancer
Includes coverage for cancer-related treatments like chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Covered
Breed-Specific Conditions
Covered
Genetic conditions common to specific breeds, often called breed-specific conditions. Examples: elbow and hip dysplasia, diabetes, upper respiratory infections, and thyroid disease.
Covered
Conditions the pet is born with, even if symptoms don’t show for some time. Examples: heart disease, nervous system issues, cataracts, and liver disease.
Covered
Condition that requires ongoing care.
Covered
A disease that affects an animal's hip joint.
Knee Injury
Covered
Accidents
Intravenous (IV) Fluids and Medications
Covered
Medical Supplies (bandages, casts, and splints)
Covered
MRI Scans
Covered
CT Scans
Covered
X-Rays
Covered
Ultrasound
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Urinalysis
Covered
Surgery
Covered
Hospitalization
Covered
Dental
Dental Coverage for Tooth Extractions
Covered
Dental Coverage for Illness-Related Cleaning
Covered
Covered
Coverage for Periodontal Disease
Covered
Coverage for Cysts, Enamel, and Unerupted Teeth.
Covered
Coverage for Deciduous Teeth
Some insurance carriers cover endodontic dental treatments such as dental crowns, root canals, and dental implants.
Alternative Therapies
Covered
The use of therapeutic exercises and other healing modalities to help pets recover from health conditions resulting from illness, trauma, or surgery.
Covered
The insertion of small needles to cause a desired healing effect.
No
Hydrotherapy involves the use of water to aid in the healing and/or conditioning of a patient. Pets either swim in a pool or tank for prescribed periods of time, or walk on an underwater treadmill.
Covered
Chiropractic adjustments include spinal manipulation and/or manual therapy.
Covered
A system of health care that concentrates on care of the whole animal by methods that are specific, gentle, and sympathetic to the body’s needs. Homeopathy is based on the utilization of specially prepared, refined dilutions of natural substances intended to trigger a healing response in a patient.
Covered
Naturopathy is a system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery, and emphasizes the use of natural agents (air, water, and herbs) and physical means (tissue manipulation and electrotherapy).
Behavioral Issues
A systematic approach to changing behavior, including a pet’s reaction to a situation, a person, an object, or an animal.
No
Costs and payments related to obedience or training classes, including puppy classes.
No
Costs and payments related to training for behavioral disorders.
No
Covers legal defense and damages associated with your pet's third-party health liability. This coverage is in excess of other insurance that may cover the same things and would cover costs associated with your dog biting another human.
No
Covers legal defense and damages associated with your pet's third-party property liability. This coverage is in excess of other insurance that may cover the same things and would cover costs associated with your dog biting another dog or causing damage to someone else's furniture, for example.
Prescribed Foods + Medication
Covered
Prescription medications are approved by your vet for the treatment of your pet's ailment.
Covered
Food scientifically formulated to meet the covered condition of your pet. Veterinarians must recommend the food for it to be covered by insurance.
No
Foods prescribed by your veterinarian for general health maintenance or prevention.
Exam Fees
Exam Fees for a Covered Occurrence
No
Poison
Poison Control Consultation Fees
Covered
Supplements For Covered Conditions
Supplements prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian to treat a covered condition.
No
Vet Labor
Costs for the veterinarian's time consulting and overseeing your pet's treatment.
Covered
Other
No
Some insurance carriers may cover emergency transportation or pet ambulance costs under their accident & illness policies
No
Some insurance carriers offer medical waste fee coverages under their accident & illness policies.
Stem Cell Therapy
Covered
Covered
Laser therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses light to stimulate cell regeneration and increase blood circulation. It can treat acute and chronic injuries, sprains and strains, arthritis, swelling, and muscular-skeletal abnormalities. It also helps to regenerate nerve tissue after surgery.
Reimbursements for advertising costs for a lost pet.
Reimbursements for offering a reward for a lost pet.
If your pet requires lifesaving medical treatment, the provider will pay for unrecoverable travel and accommodation expenses while you are on travel or within a week from your travel date.
Covered
Covers the costs of having your pet put to sleep if your veterinarian recommends the procedure.
Covered
The provider will pay for cremation or burial expenses should your pet die from an eligible condition.
Breeding, Pregnancy, Whelping or Nursing
No
Complications from Breeding, Pregnancy, Whelping, or Nursing
Covered
*Veterinarians use Pawlicy Advisor to streamline the pet insurance conversation. There’s simply too many variables for any one person to truly understand what’s covered and what’s cost-effective across the hundreds of policy variations that exist.
What's Not Covered
Prudent Pet doesn’t cover grooming costs, food, parasites (unless there is no wellness medication for the parasite), vaccinations, breeding/pregnancy, non-medical boarding, or elective procedures. Like all pet insurance companies, Prudent Pet does not over any conditions related to a pre-existing condition.
What information do you need to submit your claim?
Complete and send Prudent Pet a claim form describing the illness or injury as soon as practicable but no later than ninety (90) days after the end of the policy period.
Itemized invoice from the incident and proof of payment
SOAP (Veterinary Medical Records) noted from the incident
How long might it take for your claim to be reimbursed?
Prudent Pet aims to get your claim processed within 2-5 days from the date when they receive your claim.
To submit your claim, the following information is needed:
You must, if your pet suffers an illness or injury that may be covered: Visit a veterinary clinic within forty-eight (48) hours after first noticing clinical sign(s) relating to an illness or injury; Complete and send to Prudent Pet a claim form describing the illness or injury as soon as practicable but no later than ninety (90) days after end of the policy period. Provide Prudent Pet with copies of invoices from the treating veterinary facility; Provide Prudent Pet with copies of invoices and proof of payment for prescribed medications; And otherwise cooperate with Prudent Pet in the investigation of any claim which may include providing a complete medical history for your pet. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in a claim not being covered.
You may file for reimbursement from your insurance provider for treatment and covered services that occurred within this number of days.
Insurance providers work hard to process your insurance claims as quickly as possible. The amount of time it takes to process a claim varies by provider.
Typical The longest amount of time it takes the insurance provider to process a claim.
Cancellation Information
If you notify Prudent Pet within the first thirty (30) days from the effective date shown on the policy and this is not a renewal policy, and you have not submitted any claim against this policy, Prudent Pet will refund the entire premium. If you cancel this policy after it has been in effect for thirty (30) days, or if this is a renewal policy, Prudent Pet will return the pro rata premium based upon the date of termination of this policy.
Prudent Pet will automatically renew this policy at expiration, unless you are otherwise notified of nonrenewal. If this policy has been in effect for less than sixty (60) days and the policy is not a renewal, Prudent Pet may cancel the policy for any reason. If this policy has been in effect for sixty (60) days or more, or if this policy is a renewal, Prudent Pet may cancel the policy for nonpayment of premium, your failure to comply with policy terms and conditions, a change in the condition, factor or loss experience material to insurability other than your pet's change in health, or you materially misrepresent or exaggerate relevant information pertaining to this policy or a claim.
Prudent Pet will send written notice to you at least sixty (60) days before an unlikely cancellation for non-renewal.
Pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are not covered by Prudent Pet Insurance. However, they don’t exclude you from being eligible for pet insurance. Pets with pre-existing conditions should still be covered in case other injuries or illnesses arise.
The specific language used to describe what is considered a pre-existing condition is specified per-policy. Below is Prudent Pet Insurance's latest definition of a "pre-existing condition":
A medical condition which first occurred or showed clinical sign(s) before the effective date of this policy or which occurred or showed clinical sign(s) during the policy waiting period. If you cannot provide medical records showing your pet’s annual health exam by a vet occurring within the twelve (12) months prior to the effective date of this policy, the first documented veterinary examination after the effective date of the policy will be used as the basis for determining any pre-existing condition(s).
Compare Prudent Pet Insurance To Other Top Providers
If you'd like to see how Prudent Pet Insurance stacks up against other top providers, we've made it easy. Take a look at the links below:
