The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a great company that does so much good. What many people do not know is that ASPCA also offers pet insurance products (ASPCA Pet Insurance) that you can take advantage of. Before I go into more details about their insurance offerings I would like to say that one of the reasons I would consider this insurance company is simple because of the brand and the cause that this company is fighting for. Cruelty to animals should not exist and therefore I find their cause very noble.
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Now as far as their pet insurance they have created a website especially for this and it can be found at www.aspcapetinsurance.com. The first thing that you will find when you enter their site is that they provide you with two instant options. First option is to get a free pet insurance quote in an easy and quick way. All you’ll have to do is provide them with 4 simple answers.
Well, it is not exactly 4 answers but merely 4 categories of questions that you will need to answer. But they are still provided in a way that is easy to understand.
Pet Insurance Application
If you feel that this is too difficult you still have the option to call their support staff at 1-866-861-9092. They’ll ask you the same questions and fill out an application for you.
When you have more than one pet you need insurance coverage for they give you an additional 10% discount. Many insurance companies will give you discounts if you add more than one pet but that ASPCA Pet Insurance does it as well is still a plus.
The Insurance Coverage Plan for You
Now the second option that you are confronted with on the front page is a guide to find the right insurance coverage plan for you. They offer increasing levels of coverage and the prices will naturally increase as well. By taking this guide you will be able to find out what coverage you can get for the amount that you are willing to spend on your pet insurance. This varies from person to person and some pets are far more expensive to insure than others.
As I said earlier there are many other companies that offer this kind of service and one of the best features that ASPCA has is their main company’s mission to avoid cruelty to animals. An ASPCA Pet Insurance might not be the right solution for you but I think that you should at least give them a few minutes to see what they have to offer.
Update:
When we wrote this brief ASPCA pet insurance review we were not aware of all the time where ASPCA had treated customers poorly. After the overwhelming amount of comments (see below), it seems like there are a lot of people that have been far from satisfied with their service. Many have really great points and cases and we hope that everyone reading this article will spend some time reading trough all the comments. Now we will still say that no matter if you have an ASPCA pet health insurance or any other insurance with other companies there will always be customers that are not satisfied.
Very often the problem has two sides. One is that the company is obviously created as a business and businesses need to make a profit to exist. If they don’t they will have to close down. What this means is that the customer will pay more in fees (on average) than he/she will receive from the company. That part is pure logic.
The other side of the problem is that most people don’t know how to and/or will not spend the time to read through insurance policies. They’ll just sign the agreement and hope that they’ll never have troubles. That isn’t the smart way to do it but it is definitely the most common way. ASPCA pets are insured according to some legal stuff like with any other insurance company. Our best advice is that you should start by reading the agreement before you sign and to highlight anything that you do not understand. Then call the customer service department (and record the conversation) and ask about everything that you do not understand. They will answer your questions for free because you’re a potential customer.
When you search online you will find some ASPCA pet insurance reviews that are biased. This is most likely either because they make money from selling the insurance or because the sites may be owned by the company itself.
But when all this is said we still believe that there are some positive things to say about the company. We are especially positive about the ASPCA pet adoption possibility. We believe that every animal should have the right to a loving and caring owner and a service/solution like this is right up my alley.
If you have positive or negative experiences with ASPCA please write a comment about it below.
I just realized I didn’t let you know the outcome of Praline’s recent surgery and Trupanion! It was fantastic!!! I am paying approximately $38 per month with NO deductible and a reimbursement of 90%. The surgery was $395 and Trupanion paid me $342. This was processed within a few days and I received my check within a week. This was amazing after all of the problems I had with APSCA. I will definitely stick with Trupanion.
The only drawback and that I don’t have wellness care, but that isn’t the purpose of this insurance. In fact, I don’t even have wellness care myself!
All that is said above from ASPCA is well and good, but that is just company talk from ASPCA. I think it’s very cruel to animals to offer and insurance company that keeps animals from getting the care they need. There are so many things that ASPCA did to me when I tried to get reimbursements that were not written in the policy. I support what ASPCA does for animals, but I will NEVER recommend this insurance policy to anyone!
What problems did do have with ASPCA?
I’m sure you’ve read many of the other comments listed in this post. I paid my premiums and read my policy very carefully. I was told that there was not a “set” rate for procedures and that after I paid my deductible, ASPCA would reimburse me 80%. When my cat got sick last year and required two very expensive trips to the vet (over $800), I submitted my claim. It took forever to get a response from them. I called several times and was told they had not received information from my vet. I called my vet and was assured they sent the information every time it was requested. Finally, ASPCA settled and claimed that what I charged was above the “allowable” rates, but no one could give me where those rates came from. I only received about $200 out of the $800. IT appears this insurance company will do anything it can to avoid paying what is promised and it is a shame that ASPCA allows its name to be connected with it.
I switched to Trupanion and have been very satisfied so far!
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.
Dear Yu-Li
They say that you never really know how good your insurance is until you need to use it…a-men. Unfortunately, ASPCA willingly allows this company to use its’ name to sell a product. Guilt by association? No.. just guilty. They know what is happening and sanction it all in the name of profits!!! Any company that will advocate to saving animals on one hand, and misuses their power to injure on the other is deceitful. Sadly, the ASPCA is no more than a shell for profit!!! I will not support them ever. It would help the animals to support other organization which truly care for animal welfare.
haven’t posted a comment in a very long time but just wanted to reassure folks that ASPCA is still up to their old tricks. I JUST received payment for a series of procedures one of my guys (Vizslas) had back in August of 2009. Payment was received in March 2010 only after challenging their original payment, requesting an internal review, then a “formal” review, multiple emails, letters, copies of 2 year worth of Rusti’s medical records, multiple calls to my vets office from the insurance company and a lot of “reminders” from me that they had not yet responded to the appeals. So 7 months of my time and the concerted efforts of my patient vet to get paid for what was rightfully covered in the first place. The tactic is one of stalling until the insured just cries uncle. This company is dispicable. I’ve written many letters to the ASPCA and have had replies from them reassuring me they were reviewing all my complaints and passing all the incidents along to their marketing folks. A lot of good that’s done. In my case I’m kind of trapped in this plan as both my dogs are too old to be insured anywhere else and so it’s a case of anyting is better than nothing. If I had it to do all over again I’d go with another company in a heartbeat. My advice is to just hang in there and fight for everything you can if you’re in the plan. If you can get out, do so, sooner than later.
DO NOT get ASPCA Pet Insurance if you think they will, as stated, reimburse you for spaying or neutering your pet!!!! Under “Covered Expenses” for the plan I opted for, it says “Necessary surgical treatment for an illness or injury including costs to spay or neuter your pet”. The cost was about $400 for the neuter and related treatment. Know how much they reimbursed me? $60!!!! When I called, they said they go by a NATIONAL AVERAGE AND NOT WHAT IT COSTS YOU. Having called multiple vets in my area, no one charged less than what I was charged. So, after the $100 deductable, and THEIR assumption that I could have gotten it for less, we got a LOT LESS than we signed up for. Their rep was not at all surprised when I inquired what I needed to do to cancel them. I had heard that Pets Best was the way to go, and I am so sorry I didn’t listen.
I’m so sorry we have or are going through this miscarriage of justice. I paid about $1,200 for my cats dental work and one cat had acne under his chin. Even though I purchased the highest level, Level 4, they only reimbursed me $260! I protested and filed an appeal and they considered even the pain medication and antibotics and illness. They even told me that the tests prior to and following the surgery was “done on another animal” and not mine.
I quickly cancelled it and hope one day, someone here will commence with a class action suit against this insurance company. I fully supported the ASPCA for all of the work they’ve done, but someone has their hand in the cookie jar and are putting the ASPCA in a bad light for unwanted publicity.
I’m still very angry. I will not recommend this insurance company to anyone.
RUN! RUN! RUN! DON’T TRUST THEM!!!! THEY WILL GIVE YOYU ONE HECK OF A SALES PITCH, THEN SAY THEY CAN’T FIND THE RECORDED CONVERSATION!! DON’T TRUST THEM..NOT WITH YOUR BABY!!!! RUN, DON’T BUY, GO TO ANOTHER COMPANY!! THE OTHER COMPANIES ARE ALL BETTER THAN THIS ONE…PET-SMARTING IS HOW YOUR CHARGE WILL APPEAR…REMINDS ME OF LYING TELEMARKETERS!!!They do not disclose facts for coverage. They chaged my account on the 6th of Februsary but decised to change coverage to 2/15/2010 so that they would not cover. They also denied a claim on 3/18 for the reason of falling within 30 days OF A WAITING PERIOD THAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT WHEN ON THE PHONE BUT SAY IT’S IN FINE PRINT!! and after I pointed out it was longer than 30 days they changed to pre-existing. When I inially called no preesisting issues were discussed. They claim they cover meds but don’t expect the vet bill to write the prescriptions to be covered..even if it is a vet approval/prescibed needed medication. They claim it was preexisting but he didnt pre exist, he was a puppy!! I called 8 times and email 5 times and until I decided to deny charges, I never received a call. How can alleries be a pre-existing issue on a brand new puppy? If they cover Revelution, a prescribed med for fleas, heatworms, etc..than why wouldn’t they cover his 1st visit to the doctors as an annual exam. They say they cover meds, but don’t expect it…,.,$500.00 later and The best plan they offer at almost $80.00 a month and absolutly nothing execpt a little towards the $100.00 deductible was covered. RECORD YOUR CALL!!! GET IT IN WRITING!!!! READ THE FINE PRINT, THEY DON’T COVER ANYTHING. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE DENIAL REASON THEY ACTUALLY SAID “OH IT WAS CODED INCORRECTLY AND CODED IT WITH A CODE THAT I COULD NOT FIGHT!!!! DONT BUY ASPCA INSURANCE, GO WITH ONE OF THE OTHERS, THIS IS THE WORST ON THE MARKET AND THEY TELL YOU THEY PAY WHEN OTHERS DONT!!! IT IS A TRUE RIP OFF!!! RUN NOW!! DON’T LOOSE MONEY FIRST!!! POOR POOR POOR COVERAGE. I HAVE DONATED TO ASPCA FOR YEARS AND THOUGHT IT WAS A REPUTABLE NAME…BUT I WAS WRONG!!! THEY EVEN SAY DEWARMING, EVEN THOUGH ALL PUPPIES MUST HAVE MEDS FOR THIS, WORMS OR NOT, IT IS PRE-EXISTING!!!!
I’m writing a follow-up to my previous posts regarding ASPCA’s pet Insurance.
I’m still a supporter of the ASPCA but I don’t understand how they can allow this company to use their name!
I’ve worked in the Insurance Industry as an agent for many years and then for 15+ years as an investigator and I understand that Insurance companies, like everyone else, are in business to make money. HOWEVER, the way this company handles their renewals and pre-existing conditions is ridiculous. Yes, companies need to avoid paying for pre-existing conditions, since it’s possible that people could sign up when they know they have a sick pet. This I understand. I believe that most insurance companies, except for ASPCA, consider pre-existing to be a condition prior to coverage, not from renewal to renewal.
The first claim I submitted on my dog Abby, who is now deceased, was declined due to pre-existing conditions. I was 100% certain that the condition was NOT pre-existing and I fought it, I won and they reluctantly paid the claims.
Last year, I took my other dog to the vet for back trouble. We hoped to avoid surgery so tried to treat with medication. It seemed to help but a couple of months later, it flared up again and he required back surgery. We are now into the renewal policy by a few weeks and they declined to pay, since it’s pre-existing. I knew they would do that, but didn’t want to put my dog through surgery if we didn’t have to because of his age. Had I gone for the surgery immediately, they would have covered the $4,000 + claim. In my opinion, and I’m not an attorney, if you are covered continuously from policy period to policy period, with NO GAPS in coverage, they should honor claims. What this company is doing is encouraging us to jump into surgeries right away and not consider any other treatment, which would be easier on the pet AND more cost effective.
I would have left this company and gone to VPI, but my dog is too old now. VPI has an age limit for new policies. VPI is a great company and they were always fair with me. I had to cancel my coverage years ago when I moved to Canada for a few years, but I highly recommend them and would avoid ASPCA if at all possible.
Barbara,
Thank you for your comment. It was great hearing from someone in the business. I agree with you with regard to ASPCA Pet Health’s pre-existing condition clause. When I fought my case I had them send me a transcript of my first–signing up–phone conversation. I wasn’t fighting this particular clause and yet was thrown off guard when I listened to the recording. (I had to transcribe it myself, but as an historian it was not difficult.) I shocked to find that I WAS informed of the pre-existing “clause,” but it was done in such a way that I, with the mind-set that “pre-existing” means PRIOR to signing up with their company, interpreted things said to reflect that definition. So I was startled that I, too, had been informed, but did not understand it to mean what THEY had meant. Since my case did not pertain to anything pre-existing, however, I also won my case.
I encourage anyone who has been wronged to fight. This is why I’m for animal rights, and why I had donated to the ASPCA in the past. No longer. I do not understand how you can remain a supporter when you can see what they are doing to loved members of people’s families. This insurance company does not belong to the ASPCA, but they are endorsed by them, and their endorsement has been enough to get many of us to sign-on thinking that if it is endorsed by an organization whose reputation is for the protection of animals…then it MUST be a good insurance company for our precious family members. The ASPCA is not oblivious to what this company has been doing. Members of this website, alone, have brought this up to their president and CEO so often he must have felt harassed by us. We even left messages on his voice mail that directed him here to read these bulletins. This has been going on for over a year and yet…Pet Health Insurance is still endorsed by, and uses the name of, the ASPCA. I think it is about time you switched your support to the Humane Societies. Give to your local one if you’d like. Perhaps they could afford animal behaviorists such as those shown on ASPCA’s many television shows. I know that if local one had been able to afford one, I probably would have been able to adopt this precious shepherd mix I wanted…instead—simply because he had “food issues” (meaning he became angry when someone came near his food dish) he was put down. All I could think of was how I’d feel if I were taken from a comfortable life-style (a divorce, and subsequent move to an apt. that didn’t allow pets put him there) and placed in a prison. Perhaps I’d have food issues, too. If they’d been able to afford a behaviorist …maybe when I called to see whether he had passed the tests I’d not have been crushed to hear they put him down already. I was angry with them…but I understand that if they do not have the funds to work with an animal and keep him around until he has been made ready for adoption, they have few choices. I want them to have more choices. The ASPCA has shown me they do not really care about animals if they can turn their backs on such cruelty from their own endorsed insurance company—just for the monetary kick-back.
You are absolutely right, Barbara. One should not have to jump right into surgery just because they cannot afford to wait while they try less invasive treatments…And this company does indeed encourage just that. Because of this company you have to pay out of pocket to prevent unnecessary cruelty to your pet; I have to pay for my dog’s continuing treatment (the pre-existing thing DOES pertain when one switches companies–ASPCA dropped us, pretty much claiming we cost them too much); many of the others on this website have to deal with paying for chronic conditions no longer covered by ASPCA and now considered pre-existing by any other company as well…and an organization claiming to prevent animal cruelty continues to ENDORSE it?! Nope, I no longer am a supporter.
Hi Victoria,
Would LOVE to chat with you! Thanks for your reply and you’re definitely giving me something to think about. I was lucky to be able to afford to pay for my dog’s surgery, but I hate to think of how many people think they are doing the right thing buying insurance for these type of emergencies and then have the rug pulled out from under them. I may be making some phone calls this week to find out more about ASPCA’s stand on the problems with this insurance…..
A big thank you to everyone who dedicated their time to write about their experiences. We greatly appreciate your input, this will absolutely help us in deciding what company to go with.
Well, I sent a letter to the CEO of the ASPCA in New York last week. I think we should initiate and file a class-action suit against this fraudulent company! I’ve appealed my case in which they denied 99% of my claim because my cats had to have teeth extractions. They even said the medication prescribed to them was for “another animal” and not my cats. What’s this? Perhaps if they were thrust in the news so the public is made aware of their practices, they’ll be shamed in the public eye and we can obtain proper reimbursement.
I shopped and shopped around trying to find a decent pet health insurance plan before I decided to buy Purinacare for my three Chihuahuas (age 8, 2 1/2, and 4mos). Regretfully after submitting a couple minor vet bills to Purinacare, I was discouraged that they don’t cover very much. I even bought the upgraded “preventative care” policies. I read that it covered dental, but – it doesn’t. I got denied on $109.84 for a cleaning that included the removal of one tooth. When I called their customer service, they told me it was denied because the tooth was a “pre-existing condition”. LOL I laughed! You’ve got to be kidding me? Guess the tooth was in existence previous to the vet removing it. I didn’t realize needing a tooth removed was a “condition”. Essentially, after having the policies less than 2 months – I can see that this will result in constant “issues” trying to fight with Purinacare on what they cover and what they won’t. Especially when they can hide behind the “pre-existing condition” denial for about anything they choose not to pay. Honestly – Put the money you are thinking about spending on a policy into a separate savings account at your local bank. That way when you have vet bills, you’ll have some money saved up & set aside for it. Don’t flush your money down the toilet by buying Purinacare. After the $250 deductible and $40 a month – to only get an 80% reimbursement amount for things they don’t decline/deny….. Definitely NOT worth the time, money, & frustrations.
Matt,
Have you looked into VPI? They’ve been around a long time and have a good reputation. I was with them for years until I moved to Canada for awhile. Would have gone back to them, but my dogs are too old. I think they have an age limit of 12. When I first signed up with them in the 90′s, there wasn’t much competition. In the first month or so, of coverage, my dog scratched his eye at the dog park. They were fantastic- no hassles. Paid 80% after deductible and I got the check right away. Highly recommend them.
Matt,
three points: 1)If your insurance company paid 80% of anything it didn’t consider pre-existing prior to signing with them then it did better than ASPCA’s 80% of some fabricated amount they felt your vet SHOULD have charged. 2)YOUR insurance considered things pre-existing when they claimed they existed PRIOR to signing with them–ASPCA considers things pre-existing when they happen the previous policy period (all while covered by them). 3) If you suggest that a person place his/her premium money in a savings account rather than take out pet insurance you had better hope that nothing big happens to their pets the first years, as they wouldn’t have enough saved for much of any kind of surgery.
My dog’s surgeries cost almost $6,000. all the first year with this insurance. It is true that I had to take them to court to get my 80%, as promised, but there is NO way that I’d have had enough saved had I merely put my premiums in the bank–especially not with the interest rates we get these days!
I agree that many of these pet insurance companies are rip-offs, but then so are many car insurance companies. Does it mean we drive around sans car insurance? Nope, we do our homework and find a company that is good. In addition, our pets are not inanimate objects like cars–they are members of our families and so it is essential for us to cover them properly–all of us on this site are responsible pet owners who love and care for our pets or we wouldn’t be complaining about pet insurance companies.
Don’t go without pet insurance–just go without BAD pet insurance.
Just a “heads up.” We have had some complaints on this site over VPI’s idea of “reasonable costs.” Trupanion has had the most good things said about it, but I didn’t know about them last year and signed up with PetPlan USA because i’d heard good things about them on other sites. Now I hesitate to switch to Trupanion since most insurances have 12month exclusions on so many things. I figure I’ll just stay with PetPlan. I’ve not had anything bad to say about them–they may be great–but i’ve not yet had to file a claim and so cannot say either way.
No matter which you choose, you’ll still be better off than with ASPCA!
Matt, you can find some comments about VPI here: http://www.petinsurancepro.com/vpi-pet-insurance/
Matt,
Just don’t waste your money on ASPCA pet insurance. They claim to be handled by the Hartford Group. It is a shame that they are just not upfront with the coverage that they provide. I think this area should be as regulated as standard human health insurance. Just don’t want you to find out the hard way!!!!
After reading all of the horror stories regarding ASPCA pet insurance I was apprehensive about my current claim. My dog ate a blanket (I don’t know why) and, after an extensive 5 day stay at the vet including a 3 hr surgery, I ended up with a $1431 bill. I submitted it to ASPCA 8 days ago. This morning I received an email from them authorizing a refund check of over $1025. Mind you, I did my ground work. First, I sent them the itemized statement from the vet and a copy of the bill. The next day I followed up with a phone call asking if there was any other information they might need. They requested a years medical records from the vet which I then faxed over to them. I made several phone calls to them over the past 8 days inquiring about the status of the bill and was told it was being expedited. The check will be going out today. I felt I needed to ‘put this out there’ because of all the bad press they’ve received on this website. I couldn’t be more pleased with their service and, I’d like to add, their phone reps were fantastic.
Geri,
I’m glad your dog is doing ok now. I don’t mean this to be sarcastic and certainly not to make fun of your dog’s experience, but my first thought was that “here’s one claim that they can’t deny for pre-existing condition”.
So many of us have had such bad experiences with this company, it’s good to hear that you were treated fairly.
I have non-renewed my policy with this company. I have been in contact with ASPCA’s marketing department and they were very receptive and are trying to correct the problems. It’s true that you can’t make everyone happy and there will always be claims that will be legitimately denied, but this company needs a lot of work. I have contacted the Dept of Insurance and will follow-up to see that someone does look into this company’s practices.
Geri, so glad you had a positive experience with ASPCA, but unfortunately, you had to take the initiative to stay in constant contact with them. You shouldn’t have to do that to receive your benefits.
I hope your dog is recuperating well.
Hi Paula,
She’s fine. Not eating any more “foreign objects”…so far. The thing is I didn’t HAVE to stay in constant contact – that is how I deal with things. I owned a business for many years and found that if you stay on top of issues, any issue, the results are usually much better. It works every time. Unless you’re dealing with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Then it doesn’t matter what you do – they will screw it up.
Geri, I actually have more luck with Blue Cross Blue Shield than I did with ASPCA. I truly stayed on top of the situation (for over 6 weeks on a weekly basis). I would call to see what was needed and would contact my vet to send the same information yet again. In the end I only got about $125 out of $600 because of the “phantom” set charges for the area that no one will give you or post. I still say you were one of the very few who was treated right. I wish you the best. I am extremely satisfied with TruPanion, which is who I changed to after my situation last year. I had an email the next day, along with a phone call and I had a check within a week! Received 80% of my charges.
Glad you had a good experience Geri. I, on the otherhand, have a claim with the Better Business Buerau. I have NEVER done anything like that before (and hope to never have to do this again), but what ASPCA Pet Insurance deems “reasonable” costs for any medical procedure such as neutering is SO off the mark, that it is not even worth the monthly charge. As always, buyer beware, and REALLY beware of what this company claims to offer.
For anyone still thinking of using them, make SURE they tell you an acutal dollar figure BEFORE you have any procedure done, because afterwards, they get coy and claim that in your geographic area, the costs should have been unrealistically lower.
Okay, I’m totally dumbfounded by this last post. I don’t know what “pull” YOU had with the ASPC Pet Insurance, and as far a the “bad press” on this website goes, WE WERE CHEATED!
Maybe someone from the organization is reading this website and maybe someone read my letter to the CEO in NY about my being cheated out of my 80% reimbursement, but you are one in a million. How come I called, I sent my documentation in the same week of the surgeries for my cats’ tooth cleaning, extractions, and medication and out of $1,200.00, all I received was $240.00?
Can you answer that since you are such an advocate of them and received “prompt” “expedited” service? Maybe YOU work for them or maybe this is just a junk email to put a spin on the damage this company has caused us.
I don’t believe you received anything to be honest. The company stinks!
Dear Linda,
I assume that you really didn’t mean to call me a liar. The “I don’t believe you received anything to be honest” was a bit harsh, don’t you think? My original bill from the vet was for $1431. Of this, ASPCA paid out $1025. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience. I’ve had VPI for my other pets and, yes, sometimes you don’t get back what you think you should. My dog had three separate procedures – x-rays, endoscopy, and stomach surgery, not to mention antibiotics and IV’s, etc. Each items is a separate issue for insurance purposes. they cover X for surgery, X for x-rays, etc. Maybe this is why they covered so much. I don’t know. I don’t have any “pull” as you call it but I do know that they were helpful and polite. I’m sorry you had such a bad experience.
Geri,
You comment is so bogus!! You have to be an employee!!! This would be the only way in the free world you could even get a claim processed in 8 days. You gave yourself away, since everyone who has dealt with this company knows you are even lucky for them to acknowledge receipt and let you know it is processing even within 14 days. You are really lucky to get an answer within 3-4 weeks. If you call the customer service line today they will advise you that they are working on claims from the 24th of May….Far more than 8 days. (Note: Then it is not even posted on the system until weeks after they handle it.) I hope you enjoy working for such a horrible company!!
Dear Cathy.
Seriously? A company shill? I’m a full time college student and have absolutely nothing to do with the company except to pay my premium on a monthly basis. Your vitriol is misdirected. Ever hear of ‘you catch more flies with honey?” try it, sometime. I posted on this website simply to tell MY experience with the company and so far in the last 48 hrs I’ve been called a liar and a company front. I don’t need this crap. No more comments, please. From now on, I will keep my opinions to myself and I ask that you all do the same.
I cannot believe that they paid anyone in 8 days. They claim they need a minimum of 30 days and those 1st 30 they always tell you it in review. I switched to Pet’s's Best, which I find to be excellent, and claims paid with 10 days to 2 weeks. By the way, if you switch by referral, you can get a discount. ASPCA cares nothing for the pets they insure, only their profits. Eight days?????? Really…….?
Thia was copied and pasted from the ASPCA website. Some people have unrealistic expectations when it comes to insurance. Pet insurance is no different that people insurance. I had a sliver in my thumb. My doctor couldn’t remove it so she sent me to the urgent care. They wouldn’t do it (too deep). They wanted me to see a hand surgeon but I couldn’t afford him and he didn’t take my insurance, I went to my dermatologist. The total bill for this was over a thousand dollars and my insurance covered none of it because they said it was cosmetic not medical. This happens continually and pet insurance is no different.
This was posted on their website last week:
05/26/10 PG $1,431.60 $1,025.89 Complete
Now, please, stop commenting on this. Move on.
I have no idea who Geri is, but I do concur that it took 3 weeks to even get anyone to address my initial claim – and that WAS with following up by phone to see if they needed anything else, as well as using the “honey” approach. Geri – no matter if you are a college student or you are affiliated with ASPCA Pet Insurance – what you say you received is worlds different that what I or anyone here encountered – so it is by far the exception and not the standard operating procedure.
For the record – I wouldn’t have cared if it took 3 months or more to get the money I was due according to their own policy if they really did pay. But, as we all know, the company baits and switches after any procedure is done, leaving its duped customers to resort to reporting them to the BBB, or venting on sites such as this in an effort to prevent the next unassuming victim from falling prey to unscrupulous busines tactics.
IF you already have an ASPCA policy, o if you are thinking of purchasing a policy with them, get them to tell you what they deem “reasonable costs” for your geographic area before you have anything done. Trust me – you will be the next one on this board with a small refund and a huge complaint.
AMEN.
What does a sliver in your finger have to do with pet insurance and when is sliver removal from a finger considered “cosmetic”? I don’t understand the relevance and I especially don’t understand your using that bogus example to justify your taunting your “expedited” claim here. We don’t have any reason to fabricate stories about a company we paid good money to, complied with their requirements, and then get duped just because they could.
And for the record, I don’t know any physician (quack or blind, cripple, or crazy) who would call a splinter in a finger cosmetic.
Geri, perhaps you’ve been watching too many House episodes.
Geri,
I, too, stayed on top of things. I even contacted ASPCA prior to my dog’s surgery to make sure they would cover the procedure my vet recommended…only to find out they wouldn’t cover anything…until I took them to court! In the mean time my dog had to go through an inferior procedure (it was all I could afford)– only to have it fail– and then require the original procedure after all. It took my dog about eight months to get the proper treatment because of this insurance company, and it took me almost a YEAR after my dog’s injury to get paid.
Yes, I , too, called. I appealed. I filed complaints with my state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurances. Finally I sued them…and THEN they paid me what they owed me. Maybe you had a better experience because yours wasn’t as costly? I have no idea why things were different with you, but you, my dear, are the anomaly.
Victoria
p.s. Laura, …as for asking them their definition of “reasonable costs”…I’ll add that they should get something specific from them. I got three different definitions from three different agents and NONE of them gave me anything direct—just a run-around. But when one is just signing on with this company, they lead us to believe that it is based on what the vets in one’s area charges. This is so untrue. They use some sort of benefit’s schedule. My vet charged what the local vet SCHOOL charges and yet ASPCA felt that was $1,000. too much…hmmm…by who’s standards?
Guys, guys, GUYS!
Why are we all ganging up on poor Geri? This is a place for “REVIEWS.” So she had a good one. That’s fair. I’m sure there are a few of them out there.
Now, Geri, I think the reason some of us may be a little peeved was the statement that, because you “did [your] groundwork,” everything went smoothly–implying that perhaps our problems were caused by not following the company’s procedures. So I would just like to clarify for all of us: we realize that insurance companies are in it for profit–ALL insurance companies–and that some claims will always be denied due to exclusions, et al, but the majority of us are here to complain about real issues that seem only to apply to ASPCA Pet Health, and we, too, did our “groundwork.” In fact, several of us did over and ABOVE the necessary groundwork…but to no avail.
I’m glad your experience went well and your dog came through things well, but for your sake I hope your dog doesn’t eat anything else next policy period or it may be deemed “pre-existing.”
Victoria
Thanks, Victoria. I only meant to say that I did have a positive experience, that’s all. If anybody thought that I was implying that I did something better or different than they, I’m sorry for that. That was not my intention. I have 4 dogs, all have insurance. Three were with VPI but I left because of the crappy reimbursements I would get. I have a dog with cancer and I couldn’t switch him to another company because of the pre-existing issue, yet for his claims they cover almost all of the bill. ASPCA only covers one ‘foreign object’ a year so, yes, she’d better not eat anything but if she does it will come out of my own pocket. I get that. I had a puppy that contracted Parvo after being vaccinated fully for it – cost me $4000 and the insurance company covered almost all of it. My dog, Pete, has had countless mast cell tumor surgeries so I have a lot of experience with the good/bad about these policies. I’ve been dealing with pet insurance companies for over 7 years. I only wanted to say something nice about a company that I think did a good job for me – this time. Who’s to say they won’t screw me the next time…BUT all I’ve read on this site is bad things. I know there are other people out there that have had good experiences with these companies or they wouldn’t be in business. I just wanted to show another side. Now, please, everyone, stop bitching at me. It’s getting really old.
… or that they deem “reasonable costs” for the vet is only $1.35 of your $3,500 bill.
Victoria, no need to referee our responses. There is no “poor Geri”. She opened that can of worms with her gloatious (if that’s a word) comments comparing her rate of service to ours and implying we were the negligent ones instead of the ASPCA Pet Insurance Company.
In my neck of the woods, there’s a saying “Don’t start none, won’t be none.”
That said, I still retain my stance on this fraudulent company and hope someday we’ll prevail in our quest for legal redress.
Well… the BBB could not help to resolve my complaint (read: they have encountered a brick wall on AQSPCA Pet Insurance’s end just like I did) and suggests I take legal action. Just what I needed – something more to do to make right the absolute BS I have encountered with this horrid company.
FYI – here is what the BBB has for ASPCA Pet Insurance, aka PETSMARKETING INSURANCE.COM AGENCY INC:
“BBB processed a total of 89 complaint(s) about this business in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 89 complaints closed in the last 36 months, 18 were closed in the last 12 months.”
Only 18 were closed in the last year??? And, closed doesn’t even mean they resolved them – it just means that the people complaining could have just given up.
These complaints concerned:
4 regarding Advertising Issues
8 regarding Billing or Collection Issues
11 regarding Contract Disputes
6 regarding Customer Services Issues
1 regarding Delivery Issues
2 regarding Guarantee Or Warranty Issues
2 regarding Product Issues
7 regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues
8 regarding Selling Practices
40 regarding Service Issues
Hmmm – just to compare, I checked out how many complaints that Pets Best Insurance had filed with the BBB – and it is SHOCKINGLY lower!
“BBB processed a total of 25 complaint(s) about this business in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total 25 complaint(s) closed in the last 36 months, 11 were closed in the last 12 months.”
These complaints concerned:
3 regarding Billing or Collection Issues
3 regarding Contract Disputes
4 regarding Customer Services Issues
2 regarding Guarantee Or Warranty Issues
1 regarding Product Issues
5 regarding Refund Or Exchange Issues
3 regarding Selling Practices
4 regarding Service Issues
Call me crazy, but when you compare the 89 complaints about ASPCA Pet Insurance to only 25 about Pets Best, I think we all are kicking ourselves for ever having given ASPCA Pet Insurance our business and hard earned dollars.
And, did you notice that they had 3 contract disputes as opposed to ASPCA’s 11? UGH!!!!!!!!!! WHY did I not see any of this before I picked them?????
C’mon Linda Love, let’s all be civil here.
Laura, How does one find these BBB stats? The BBB was the one place I had not thought to complain, actually. I went straight to the OCI for my state, but neglected the BBB. Can you do a search on Pet Plan USA for me? That’s the one to which i’ve switched MY dog, but keep worrying that it will be another ASPCA in sheep’s clothing. It’s a bit pricey compared to many others and i was told one’s policy price increases 10% annually due to the aging of one’s pet. So by the time my dog is 10yrs. old, I’ll be paying about $1,000/yr. for her insurance.
Geri, Can you give me more info on VPI? I’ve heard that they give exactly what they say they give in their benefits schedule and no more…but if that’s the case at least one knows in advance where they stand. Were there any “hidden” aspects to them? Their premiums are about a third the cost of Pet Plan’s, but if they’re really a crumby company then i guess it makes more sense to stay with the more expensive one.
Thanks
Victoria
I’m a silent reader of these posts, although I posted a year ago about a claim I was denied by Pets Health. I have had 4 pets insured with this company for over 10 years. Up until a year ago, I never had a problem, and always received close to fair reimbursements. Yes, it was the ‘reasonable’ costs that screwed me in the end. I have seen both sides of this company as of recently. Denied a $5k claim due to the new ‘pre-existing’ line in policy. On another dog, filed a $7k claim, and they reimbursed me almost 60% – I was beyond stunned. Although I’m still getting screwed as I cannot cancel my policies without paying a penalty until the annual renewal month rolls around.
One is up this month and they are delaying an existing claim so I still cannot cancel yet. Crooked, crooked people. But I’m onto them, and call daily to get this resolved.
Overall, I cannot wait to say goodbye to ASPCA. However, occasionally they do follow through. Unfortunately, it’s a full time job to babysit these people and get what you are legally entitled to. So sorry to those who have had such horrible experiences, but let’s not badger those who actually had a positive experience. I’ve been on both sides and still can’t wait to say good-bye.
Wait – Kristen, what penalty is there to leave? Did you pay monthly or for a year up front? I just cancelled, and I hope that they did not charge me a cancellation fee!!!
Victoria – This is what the BBB says about Pet Plan Usa:
Petplan USA aka Fetch, Incorporated
1 International Plaza Suite 140
Philadelphia, PA 19113
Number of complaints processed by the BBB
in the last 36 months: 12
in the last 12 months: 10
Complaints Concerned:
Selling Practices (3 complaints)
Service Issues (3 complaints)
Credit or Billing Disputes (1 complaints)
Delivery Issues (1 complaints)
Contract Disputes (3 complaints)
Guarantee or Warranty Issues (1 complaints)
Looks MUCH beter than ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Hi Victoria,
I’ve had good experiences and bad experiences with VPI. I stick with them because my dog has cancer and that is definitely considered ‘pre-existing.’
I did talk to the ASPCA reps yesterday after I looked at the ‘detailed list’ of what they actually paid. I received 80% of allowed costs BUT my vet charges what they considered reasonable costs, differing by only $5-%10. I had gone to another vet for years and the prices were getting outrageous so I shopped around. I sent some friends to my new vet when their dog tore his ACL. Their original vet wanted to charge $2200, another $1600, my vet did it for $865. Lest you think my vet is some kind of old school, shoddy place, let me say it’s not. It well staffed with three vets (all experienced) and they do a huge business. It sometimes pays to shop around.
As for you, Linda? Do me a favor – find something more constructive to do besides bitching at me. I’m sorry you had issues but, frankly, grown the hell up.
And I’m done with this nonsense. I thought this was a “forum” for the exchange of ideas and experiences. I was wrong.
Geri
Ok – enough drama! Geri – thanks and good luck to you. If you continue to discuss how you are being attacked, you are only perpetuating the issue. And as for everyone else – Geri is not the reason we are here. If she legitimately had a positive experience, great – but it is the exception and not the apparent rule, so let’s move on!
If anyone has anything CONSTRUCTIVE to say or advice to give in dealing with ASPCA Pet Insurance, please – let us hear from you. I just want to share ideas, and find a course of action for dealing with this bad situation, and to prevent anyone else from falling prey to ASPCA Pet Insurance’s poor and unscrupulous business practices.
Geri, I did not cuss at you, so if there’s growing up to do, you should take your own advice. I was upset because you were gloating about your experience and seemed in disbelief that we were so negative towards the ASPCA Pet Insurance Company, even though there are numerous posts on this site, evidencing our frustration with this company, instead of you stating that your experience was “different” you said you said you felt you needed to “put that out there” because of all of all of the bad press on this site. Geri, in all honesty, did you really think we were making off of this up? I’m not the only one who had a bad experience with them. My hard earned money I paid for the Level 4 for two cats went ignored.
As far any drama is concerned, I’m not here for drama and Laura, don’t appreciate your yelling.
As for continuation of Geri’s experience with the company, it’s a closed matter as far as I’m concerned, but I offer no apology for my opinion.
Okay, now, Linda, I’m with Laura here. This has to stop and I don’t appreciate your trying to get in the last word. I know that I am not here to listen to someone complaining about someone else on this site. We are here to review ASPCA Pet Health. I highly doubt that Geri’s one comment will cause anyone to choose ASPCA. If anything, Linda, it may give this place more credibility since it shows we are allowing unbiased reviews here.
If there isn’t a stop to this very adolescent bickering I’ll have to remove myself from this site and I’d rather not have to do that.
Please, let’s just let this drop. From what I’m seeing Geri is legit and has every right to post her review here, and let’s hope that they don’t let her down in the future…or perhaps we can convince her that she’d be better off switching to a better insurance company while she’s ahead and before there are pre-existing conditions with her other dogs. This is the point of our being here—to keep others from having to face what we’re facing because of this company… and not to have these petty arguments amongst ourselves. We have to keep our eye on the prize.
Victoria
I have been a policy holder for about 5 years. My dog had never had any problems, and the insurance company reimbursed for my yearly visit stuff. Before her last visit, she turned 7, and the vet suggested a senior check up which included a few tests like a blood test. She also has a history of being extremely sensitive to vaccines (vomiting and diarrhea for 2 weeks afterward) so I got titers done instead to show she didn’t even need the vaccs. Her eye was bright red, and the vet did a test on it and prescribed eye drops. I also got heartworm prevention, as I always do. My bill ended up being $442 (I just about fell over, her bill has never been more than about $80) and said “luckily I have the pet insurance”
Well, a few weeks later I got my reimbursement….for $74. It seemed the only thing they covered was the yearly visit fee (like $40) and the heartworm prevention. I have the top tier insurance and have paid them a LOT of money. I definitely do not recommend ASPCA’s insurance.
Julie, doesn’t that really insults your intelligence? I mean, you pay your premiums, expect the best care to coincide with the level of policy you buy, and then the ASPCA insurance company cheats you out of a proper reimbusement. I hope your dog is better.
I’ve read a lot of people on this site recommend Trupanion. I told my vet not to recommend the ASPCA to anyone. I’m going to look into Trupanion. I just had a $421 vet bill w/o coverage last week, but I need to cover my pets.
One thing I can say and that is I know I won’t see a reimbursement of my last vet bill, but at least no is ripping me off.
Steve,
Odd…your post shows up in my email, but not here.
Well, unfortunately this may post before yours, but to answer your question on small claims court: I live in Wisconsin. It was the circuit court of Rock County, case number 9SC2540. I’m not sure how that will help you, but there it is. I didn’t have a judge, but rather a Court Commissioner (who, by the way, was a real horse’s behind). The guy was very short with me and so I thought there would be no way he’d side with me on this. Whenever I tried explaining the “issue” he would cut me off and so now when I’m looking at the paperwork it is sort of ticking me off, as he had written: “She was forced to hire inferior (cheaper) vet because ins. said no coverage. $3500 limit. She accepted the $3500. She claims bad faith denial.”
I did not go to an “inferior…vet” ever! My vet didn’t do the procedure he had recommended (TPLO), but when ASPCA said they wouldn’t cover ANY procedure, let alone the more expensive TPLO i was forced to have a cheaper PROCEDURE done– by my local vet That procedure didn’t hold so i needed to get the TPLO after all. “Bad faith” is important, though.
But, Steve, this was another major point–I’d already filed a complaint with my state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). They were the ones to get ASPCA to pay on the claim. The problem was that when they finally agreed to pay it was 6 mos. later and I had already had to have SOME surgery for my dog. So when that one didn’t hold and I had to get the $3500. TPLO–and I only had a $3500/incident limit on my policy–i took them to court to get what exceeded that limit. I also ended up getting the full 80% they had told me I’d be getting, which they were denying by their idea of “reasonable costs.”
ASPCA’s pre-existing condition clause HAS to be changed! I’m glad that you’re pursuing this.
Steve, I had to cut this post in half due to its length…and it’s still too long. Do you have a generic email address you’d be willing to post here? If so I could mail you some things. But if not, google something like “_your state’s name_ guide to small claims court.” You should be able to find some info. that will be helpful.
Good luck
Thanks for the info. The case number will help to establish a precedent.
If you have more info to send, please use: email@mediapeopleintl.com and I will receive it. THANK YOU! Steve
Hello again. By any chance, do you have the “Citation” associated with your case? If you do, this will save our lawyers a ton of time in obtaining it. Thanks again, Steve
I purpose a class-action suit against the ASPCA.
Have you started the legal procedures involved? If so, we would like to be included in the class action suit.
I meant the ASPCA Pet Insurance company, that is. Not the ASPCA.
Linda,
You find an atty who will handle the case and I’m sure we’d all join in. Keep in mind, the person who originally files a class action receives the most compensation from it. I actually discussed it with the atty with whom I’d spoken regarding my small claims stuff. She said she didn’t think her firm would approve of her taking it on. I don’t think it was that she didn’t think we’d have chance, though. She mentioned the fact that their office was handling some other class actions that year and she didn’t think they’d have the manpower for it.
So, by all means…go for it. Keep in mind, though, filing a class action costs MUCH more money than small claims.
Perhaps we could have several benefits–in many different states–to obtain the funds to pay for the thing and then we could ALL share, financially, in the win. =)
Maybe THEN ASPCA would withdraw their endorsement, eh?
I’ll start looking for pet activists attorneys. I’ll probably find one who represents the ASPCA/Humaine Society. If anyone finds a “mouthpiece” first, I’m on-board with that, too. I think we need some justice here. My cat has bladder problems and it just cost me over $400 to get him treated. I don’t have anymore insurance coverage because I’m so skeptical where pet insurance companies are concerned. I know, a lot of people here have had good experiences and not every company is out to take advantage of the pet owner. I’ll look into more coverage for my babies soon…and my wallet.