As I normally do I want to give you a review of as many pet insurance company websites as I possibly can and today I go through the Banfield Pet Insurance website with you. If you want to visit their website you can do so by clicking here. Before I get started with the review I would like to state that I have no relationship to Banfield and I am not associated with them in any way.
Banfield Pet Hospital
From their website we can see that they have been in business since 1955 which means that they have more than 50 years of experience in the pet industry and without digging any deeper into what they are all about that should at least give them some credibility as nobody stays in business for more than half a century without having a happy customer base. That is an important observation to make as we sometimes see that new business are creating a great buzz and then they disappear in just a year or two. As we generally expect to have our pet for more than a year or two we’ll like the insurance company to stay around for a long time as well. In addition it is almost certain that the Banfield VET staff is also highly educated people. That is probably also one of the reasons that they call it Banfield THE pet hospital.
Banfield Pet Hospital Locations
On their website you will find a search facility that will help you search for the nearest hospital. When searching you have two options. One is to enter your zip code and the other is to enter your state. Personally I would start with zip code but that is a matter of preference.
Next you must choose what radius the hospitals should be located in. Depending on where you live you might want to increase the radius to see some results.
Finally you have the option of clicking on the small link just beneath the “state dropdown” menu. This will give you a list of all states and when clicking on the individual state you will be presented with all Banfield pet hospitals within that state on a Google map. Clicking on the small red pointers will take you to the address of the Banfield pet clinic. This is actually a pretty nice feature.
Main Page Options
From the entry page we’re able to subscribe to their email newsletter. This isn’t something new but what is lacking is an explanation as to what it is that we’re actually subscribing to. It doesn’t say whether it is about keeping your pet healthy or whether it is about the Banfield Pet Insurance business and how their sales numbers are evolving. That could definitely be improved quite a bit. The second thing that I found a bit odd was that you are asked to enter your company name. Does this mean that the newsletters are meant for corporate people that have their own company or at least work for one? If you had asked me I would have assumed that the newsletters were for pet owners but I must be mistaken.
The Banfield Newsletter
I decided to sign up anyway and within a minute or two I received an email to confirm my request. Now that is the way an email newsletter signup should work but even after receiving the mail and having a look at the confirmation page I still don’t know what it is that I can expect to receive.
But let us go back to the main page again. The page’s right side is divided into two categories. One is the three current news articles and the other is the four major sections of their website.
One thing that I can help to notice is that nowhere on the front page is stated anything about Banfield Pet Insurance or even anything about insurance in general for that matter. But from the main four sections we might be able to locate something about it.
The Four Major Sections
The site is divided into sections called “Your Pet’s Health”, “Locations”, “Careers/Practice Ownership” and “About Us”. From the view of a pet owner the sections about careers and about Banfield seem rather irrelevant. Sure it would be nice to know more about them and if that is what we want we can click the about us link but currently we’re trying to locate something about pet insurance options.
I believe that it would be a fair guess to assume that anything about insurance ought to be found in the section called “Your Pet’s Health” as the “Locations” section will merely be a bunch of addresses and phone numbers. It is relevant information but not what we’re currently looking for. In the end it might come in handy because we might have to call them up if we can’t find the information about their pet insurance.
The Pet Health Section
Entering the section about pet health we don’t seem to find that much. It is another page with a newsletter form and then a few paragraphs claiming Banfield veterinarians to provide exceptional pet care. They write about their “Optimal Wellness Plans”, but still nothing about pet insurance. However we would all agree that being well is the preferred options as to being ill and needing insurance coverage.
From the page we are again provided with three options. We can choose between the “Dog Health”, the “Cat Health” and the “Optimal Wellness Plan”. Neither the dog health section nor the cat health section says anything about Banfield pet insurance. The dog section talks a little about the importance of nutrition, vaccinations, parasite control, spraying and neutering and about having routine checkups.
The cat sections talks about exactly the same things and as a matter of fact the two sections look almost identical in nature.
The Optimal Wellness Plans
Since we have only the optimal wellness plan section left I feel comfortable that we’ll find something in here about pet insurance. However I find to be quickly disappointed. The only thing on the page is information about the importance of keeping your pet healthy and how you can increase your pet’s life with 25% by great preventive care.
Don’t get me wrong here. All of this is VERY important and nobody wants to have anything but a healthy and happy pet but we’re still here to try to find information about insurance and not prevention.
Conclusion: No Banfield Pet Insurance
So here we are after surfing their website we still come up empty handed. We have found pages about pet health and why it is important but even though I have surfed through all the other pages of their site I couldn’t find even one place where the Banfield pet insurance was mentioned.
Therefore I must come to the conclusion that what might be referred to as the “Banfield Pet Insurance” isn’t really an insurance but rather a “Wellness Plan”. Banfield is committed to giving you the best possible tools and options for keeping your pet as healthy as possible and in the case of illness and injury… well, you have to find your insurance coverage elsewhere.
Banfield Pet Hospital Complaints
After originally writing this article and trying to be objective I have found (through the comments below), that there are a lot of people that are unhappy with the way they have been treated by the Banfield staff and the hospitals in general.
If you want honest and real Banfield pet hospital reviews I would like to encourage you to read through the many comments from people that have actually had their pets treated by Banfield.
When reading the comments please keep in mind that people that feel that they have been treated poorly will be more interested in voicing their opinions than people that have experience a fair or extraordinary service and treatment. These people will hardly ever take the time to write a review and therefore you should take each of the comments as individual situations and not as a general fact.
I can only say good things about Banfield. I have 4 kitties and two have been on since kittens. The extensive nature of the testing and care that go into our furry family members exceeds the coverage that some human health plans offer. When my kitten went from “ceiling cat” to “demon spawn” and bit me in the office, they even administered some basic care to me in prep for a doctor’s office visit of my own due to the nature of kitty bites. I don’t blame Banfield for her behavior, but I allow them to sedate that cat for all visits now and there is no additional fee.
I have saved in excess of $10,000.00 in terms of services and discounted medications for issues that have been detected. Well worth the $23 dollars per month to ensure that my 14 year old continues to live happily in her later years and guarantees that the younger ones last at least on long as my elderly kitty does.
I had my two puppies signed up for the Wellness Plan at Banfield. I thought it was an affordable way to get all of their puppy shots. I ended up spending over $4k on two healthy dogs because they lie about what services are necessary for your dog. I waited until our plan was up and then canceled. I sent written notices to both the corporate office and the local hospital, twice and on two different days. I wasn’t taking any chances of it getting renewed. I didn’t have any problems.
The support staff (receptionists) were wonderful but horribly over worked. There would often be one office worker and 10+ people scheduled for appointments.
They do jack up their prices so that they can say you saved money. My print sheet for the girls getting spayed shows that each spay would have cost $2,500. Where in the world does it actually cost $2,500 to get spayed?
Besides the people who have said nice things, all the rest of you are just cheapskates. Banfield does not have insurance! If anyone knows how to read, the paper you sign has all the terms and agreaments. Read before you sign! Why wouldnt you in the first place! WELLNESS PLANS
So unhappy customers are automatically just cheapskates now?
I happily provide all preventative care to my two dogs. I just don’t want to be swindled in the process. We have actual insurance on our dogs for any major illness/injury.
However, vaccines are only $50-70 per year. The Banfield wellness plan was over $200/year per dog and at each visit they were recommending about $300-400 care for my HEALTHY dogs. What really sealed the deal was them insisting that my dog be catheterized for all vaccinations because another dog of her breed had a reaction to ONE vax. My dog had already had that vax without any problems.
The fact that Banfield provides a “Wellness Program” and not “pet insurance” is not the issue. I can’t agree more that preventive medicine is very desirable. But Banfield’s plan does have major limitations, not all of which are clearly apparent in their contracts or fully explained to customers. In fact the manner in which the Wellness Plan is sold to customers creates an expectation that certain treatments are included in the cost of the Wellness Plan. The problem arises from Banfield’s treatment of customers when (and while they are usually are in a hightened emotional state over the illness or injury to a paet), the customer is told that the Wellness Plan doesn’t cover their pets situation and the customer must pay for their pets treatment out of pocket. When the customer realizes the limited benefits the Wellness Plan provides and wants a refund so they can pay for real Pet Health Insurance, Banfield takes a “too bad, no refunds” attitude.
Yes, many people have had good experiences. But clearly, many others have not.
I recently purchased a puppy and enrolled in the wellness plan. The total cost for the wellness plan totals $382.00. Which covers all shots, deworming and spaying. Which is actually worth it. I have two cats i adopted i take them to a vet just for there annual exam but use ARNI foundation for all shots at $8.00 per vaccine. So after calling around and getting prices for all her puppy shots and vacines the wellness plan seemed like a good deal. And friend of mine got a puppy same time as i did it cost her over $300.00 for all her puppy shots which included office visits. not to mention the $200.00 she spent to have a 9 lb female spayed . You cant get low cost spay if you make too much money. Go figure. So i am happy with that so far. i will not be renewing it and will sure i start my cancellation well in advance. As far as Dr’s i dont have a problem but receptionist is another story. Rude and talk to you like your a child!!!! Will not recommend!!
So, you did the puppy wellness plan, and they gave it all the shots and spayed it?? Did they do a good job, are the vets certified?? Did anything go not according to plan?? I just got a puppy and I called my local banfield and the plan is a great savings compared to the local vets, but I just need the plan for the first year while it is getting its shots and spayed done…please let me know.
I bought my pug from the breeder who had been asked from the previous own to sell this pug to a family who would be able to care for him. He was 16 weeks old and had a Banfield wellness program plan. They were told by Banfield that they were obligated to pay the remainder of the year contract or pay in full. They were also told that they could transfer the plan to the new owner since they were obligated to the year’s contract. When I contacted the Banfield in my city (same state as original owners, but different city), I was told that these contacts were non-transferable. So when I asked the corporate representative if this other family was obligated to pay for a year’s contract of services if they had no dog and I was told “no”. It sounds to me that there is some inconsistency here and that perhaps someone missed something at the Banfield orientation. I plan to get insurance as well on my pug, but would like to have the health plan that my dog had to cover the remaining vaccinations and for his upcoming neutering. Anyone know if this is transferable or not? If not, why would they be told that the program was transferable? And why would they be then obligated to stay in a contract when they do not own the dog?
Nikki,
The answer the the question is yes they are still required to finish out the rest of the contract and no its non transferable. I worked at the Corp office on the retention team for some time. Due to the fact that they dont care about pets and they lie and cheat people out of lots of money i left. Do yourself and your new family member a favor and do not take them to Banfield. I took in complaints all day long about how poor of service they received at a Banfield clinic, I myself received 3 free wellness plan but would not take my pet into Banfield in fear he would not be treated properly. If you want my advice take your pet to a local private owned vet they wont leave you broke and your pet uncared for. All the complaints i have read about Banfield thus far are all true. Its not about your pet there its about whats in your wallet and they will say whatever they can to get to pay excessive amounts of money for practicaly nothing. Hope this helps.
Time and again I have been grateful for having pet health insurance. Last year our little moggy damaged the end of her tail and she would rush around the house growling trying to get away from the pain. She had to have the end other tail amputated and also to wear a collar for about a month. There were times when this was very amusing – except for the bill! I am so thankful that I took out a relatively cheap insurance, but it covered everything. Shop around a bit, that’s my advice.
We just moved to miami from another country, and last week my puppy started limping. Rapidly I took him to the animal hospital I saw at the petsmart. first came a “nurse”, who checked the dogs temp and placed a muzzle (What for, I´ll never know) left the room, then the vet came in. checked the dog again, and said ¨we have three possibilities here: either take him home and hope for the best, cage him for two weeks in a cannel, or take some xrays and see where we go from there… we might be looking for a possible malformation typical in this breed” xrays!, I said, not wanting to see my dog loosing a foot over nothing. At this point is safe to says he was BARELY limping, no sign of mayor traumatism. long story short, about $400 later, he is as healthy as they come, the next day he didn´t even remember the limping. scared me to go all the way, and charged me for it! not again, my friends…
Marina: Welcome to America. Please don’t judge America by your experience at Banfield.
I’m sorry to have wasted thousands of dollars while believing Banfield actually cared for pets. In reality Banfield’s only concern is bilking people in the interest of “pets are like family” sack of lies. Banfield
canceled an appt. for shots in May due to lack of staff. During a new appt in June, doctors refused to vaccinate unless I renewed the wellness plan that expires on July 23. Go figure! Banfield now charges for health certificates because according to the doctor, “those dues pay for my credentials that ensure pets are healthy when traveling”. Aren’t pets supposed to be healthy while living in the USA?
I liked Banfield until I lost my job and couldn’t make payments anymore. I called the main customer service and they were nice and said we could downgrade the package and they would cover 3 months for me. They did, and I took my cat to get her vaccines 3 months later and they charged me double, weird but okay whatever, and then a few months later I get a bill from a collections agency for $93.00.
I am so angry right now. I called and they said that I started a new year when I downgraded the package – THANKS FOR TELLING ME AT THE TIME – and he could take $51.00 instead. Are you kidding me??? I’m just so mad. I have been taking her to a NORMAL vet recently, one who I have to pay $42 for the office visit and then whatever other costs but you know what? AFTER 2 YEARS OF TRIPS TO BANFIELD THEY NEVER FIGURED OUT THAT MY CAT HAS ASTHMA! THE ‘EXPENSIVE’ VET FIGURED IT OUT RIGHT AWAY. Banfield just kept telling me to get petroleum-based hairball crap. Nice, let’s mess up her liver.
I will say that if you don’t have a lot of money and acquire a new pet, the Banfield wellness plans can be a great thing. Even though the plans are what, $200-300 a year and definitely cover the cost of vaccines and then some, the great benefit is being able to bring your pet in anytime anything is questionable with your without paying a fee for the office visit.
Whether they’ll actually help your pet is a different story. I’ve visited 2 Banfields with my cat and have seen 4 different DVMs and none of them figured out that the cat has asthma.
I think part of the problem is that Banfield is run in a corporate, by-the-book manner, with god only knows how many bosses above them taking away the veterinarian’s control over how they will practice medicine, far different from an independent veterinary practices. This is just a personal theory and I have no way to back that up.
I found a coupon online on PetSmart’s website for a free checkup and exam at a Banfield Pet Hospital so I thought I’d give them a try with one of my three cats, a less than two year old female who was almost due for her annual exam. My wife made the appointment and while doing so made mention of the coupon we wanted to use to the employee that she spoke with. I arrived for the appointment and showed the coupon to the veterinary assistant before she took down the initial information about my cat. Now I will be honest here as I was with the veterinary assistant; my cat is very docile at home but she is rather psycho with others – hissing, scratching and biting is common. I was assured by the technician that they could handle her without a problem and could even trim her nails, for a fee of course, while she was in for the exam. I agreed to the nail trimming however I was then told there would also be a $16.95 “additional restraint fee” (???). O.K., so I agreed to pay the fee (although it seems a bit ridiculous) as I didn’t really expect to get out the door for free and I really wanted to get her the checkup and the nail trimming. The technician then strongly suggested I do a round of vaccinations that this cat isn’t due for on one until late August, and on the other in September, so I declined. She was a little pushy about it but I politely declined and advised her that I’d want to check with my wife first and would return at another time to do so. The technician then picked up my cat’s carrier and takes her into a back room and as the door closes behind her I realized that this facility treats animals out of sight and away from the owners view. I don’t know why this is as I have made over a dozen and a half trips to different veterinarians with various pets throughout the years and have never once seen this. While waiting for my cat I was feeling a bit pressured with regard to the vaccinations so between that and the mystery treatment scenario I had just about made up my mind that this first visit was also going to be my last. Just a few minutes after she left the technician left the room only to return to suggest the vaccines again saying that they had just started trying to get my cat out of the carrier and that based on her temperament it would be easier on everyone to get them done all at once. I declined, again, only to have the technician leave the room and return to suggest them again. I declined for the last time and then while I sat in the waiting room and they had apparently gotten her out of the carrier, I could hear someone, I assume the veterinarian, struggling with my kitty and sounding very frustrated and impatient. I overheard this person say “this is ridiculous, and he’s not even doing the vaccinations”, and after about a minute of hearing them struggle with my cat this person exclaimed “I’m done”. The technician then returned to the waiting room a few minutes later with my cat to tell me that they weren’t able to do anything, not the examination, not the nail trimming, nothing. I said O.K. and asked what they suggest I do. The technician stated that the veterinarian was writing up an estimate for me to have her come back and be sedated to be examined and to perform the nail trimming. At this point, after they have given up the technician informed me that the coupon I had was not valid as they are not “part of the chain” and that I’d be expected to pay $56.90 for the visit; $39.95 for the exam and $16.95 for the “additional restraint fee.” I told the technician I disagreed and that I’d like to see this mystery veterinarian. As aggravated as I was I kept my cool and heard the veterinarian out on how she proposed to treat my cat should we return. The explanation came down to $425 worth of services which is absolutely ludicrous, even for an aggressive cat such as mine. I knew this was not happening so I asked what the cost for today’s visit was and was told the same amount. I questioned why this was and was told it was because the coupon could not be accepted and that she had already contacted the owner and confirmed this. I stood my ground and just flat out said I was unwilling to pay for a free exam that they didn’t even perform. The veterinarian left the room and came back with a story about how she’d instead charge me just a $19.95 “service charge” for the visit and explain it to the owner later. Let’s just say my best recommendation to anyone reading this who was considering visiting this or any other Banfield Pet Hospital would be to rethink that and steer clear of this place. While my experience may be limited to this location, something tells me based on the sense I got from this place that they are to veterinary care what McDonalds is to gourmet food. Find yourself a good local veterinarian who loves pets and isn’t only concerned with making money.
has anyone ever wonderd what it would be like if you went to your docotors office with a sickness without medical insurance? ? i work at a banfield and i can honestly say that i do care about pets.. went to school..got a license.. and i love my job. i am sorry that not everyone is treated with kindness..but have u ever had a bad day..people coming to your work complaining about their dog but they dont have any money to fix it. having a pet is not a right its a privledge.. if you care about your pet enough to get it treatment you should understand its like having a child. go ask your doctor how much it would be to hospitalize your child for dehydration without insurance and see what they say..are your going to shop around for the cheapest prices then. they are veterinarians..went to school as long as a human doctor..i think they know what they are reccommending.. and if your “ify” about it..get a 2nd opinion! you get what you pay for. sure..go down the the local clinic and pay 200 bucks for a spay and be sure to know your dog will not have an ekg attatchment. pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, fluids,and constant detailed anesthesia monitoring like it should be. banfield takes orders from the avma.. i think they know what they are talking about. the wellness plans are designed to help people afford their pets care..preventative care. many people come in for booster vx and dont pay a thing. if you want insurance..get it on the side. im so sick of people treating us like we are just out for money.. maybe some are but wheere i work the docotr is always giving people breaks (coupons and removal of un neccesary tx)p if they are kind, and really dont have the money. if you cant afford ur pet and the chance that bad things do happen..you should reconsider being a pet owner. sorry for the venting. i like to treat everyone who comes into work as nicely as i can and i do my job.
After reading all of your feedback, we want to extend the opportunity to you, our customers, to share your experiences with us. We strive to provide our clients and their pets with high quality medicine and exceptional client experiences on every visit. We apologize that any of your visits to our hospitals were unsatisfactory. To address your specific concern, and to help us improve our overall service, we would appreciate it if you would call us at 1-877-500-2288 to tell us what happened. Thank you for all of your feedback.
I don’t see why my adult dog needs all these shots they tell me to get. The vet tech couldn’t explain why, she just kept trying to sell the plan. I’m very pissed at this point and will be taking my dog elsewhere, somewhere where they don’t try to sell me a wellness plan and actually take the time to consider my dogs lifestyle and then evaluate with what she really needs.
I have to agree, if you do not have a lot of money, banfield is a good place to go for a healthy dog or cat to get vaccinated,fixed,ect…but god forbid trying to figure out whats going on if your pet is sick. my dog was sick with loose stools,vomitting that had been going on for a month,why so long????lost 3 stool samples, and blood work,that was taken 2 times,on different visits,BECAUSE ALL THE PRIORS were lost repeatedly.finally they treated my dog blindly,with fluids and antibiotics,which worked.only due to me having a fit.we still dont know what she had to this day.And my son was hospitalized also for over a week for same ailments,lost his blood work 3 times and stool cultures 4 times,was discharged after 9 days,no meds,18 pounds lighter,he was 8 then.His doctor treated him after he got out of hospital,blindly treated,something to cover parasites.it worked.my dog has never been the same.my son is fine.health care SUCKS FOR ALL.
My dog has been on a wellness plan for 8 years. Over that time I have taken her to 2 Banfield’s and had nothing but good experiences. Currently I pay $33 a month but that covers 1 teeth cleaning and 2 comprehensive exams per year (including shots).
I have never had problems with the way anyone at Banfield has treated my dog. The people that work there truly love animals as much as I do. I have been changed for extras in the past but never felt that they were being pushed on me. You have to realize that some people have bad days and sometimes that is directed at customers (especially ones that are being difficult) but I have never seen a Banfield employee treat any pets brought in poorly.
I also realize that all Benfield’s may not be as well run as the 2 that I have been to. If that is the case then look for a better vet in your area. Vets are no different than other doctors in that no 1 office is right for everyone.
As for the plan itself, read and understand the contract before you sign.
I would like to submit a complaint regarding how I was treated on 7/22/10 at the facility located in Mishawaka, IN. (Grape Road location).I had to make a very difficult decision regarding my pet. I came in your facility to seek help not to be judged by my decision. Although, my decision did not agree with the doctor’s, she felt that she had to ream me in. I based my decision upon what I could afford. I had to decide upon providing food, shelter and clothing for my child versus the care of my pet. It was a very difficult heartfelt painful decision. I did not need the doctor to tell me about some 16 year old boy that makes payments, so that his dog could continue to live. I had asked about payment options, she stated that they would take a post-dated check. However, when I decided to opt for no care she immediately changed her attitude. I did not come in there to get ridiculed based upon my decision. After I made my decision, the doctor stormed out of the exam room. She then proceeded to give me glaring looks each time she passed by the exam room. I could not believe the lack of professionalism on her part. I could not believe that she would be so opinioned that she could not continue with her work. I am appalled that Banfield would allow such a person to work under their name. However, I would like to state the Vet tech. was extraordinary professional and understanding. She stayed with me throughout the whole ordeal. She apologized over and over for the doctor’s actions. She continued to show empathy towards the decision that I had to make regarding my pet. She did not pass judgment. I am not sure where this complaint is going after this. However, I feel that this need to be reported somewhere.
Shontale,
Thank you very much for your feedback! The best thing to do from here is call our customer advocacy line where we can address your specific situation: 1-877-500-2288. We’re sorry that you had a negative experience at one of our hospitals, and we certainly look forward to your call. We want to improve!
I love animals, and was very attached to my dog Zoey. I was very surprised when Banfield insisted that I continue to make payments on my dog’s insurance plan after his death. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? Yes, you must continue making payments until your policy is expired, and the death of you pet influences nothing. Wow, unbelievable.
I have had banfield for a year and a half and consider them very good. My lola a mixed breed yorkie/maltese is very healthy. All I have to do is call them and bring her in at the drop of a hat or if I feel something is wrong. They are very affordable. The staff is very nice and remember her name even though they see hundreds of dogs. We are very happy with Banfield.
Lynda,
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your Pet. At Banfield we consider your Pet to be a part of our family, too.
Regarding your Optimum Wellness Plan payments, please know that you are only responsible for the veterinary services Zoey received. If services did not exceed the cost of the plan, then you certainly don’t have to pay for what you did not receive. If services were provided, and it is less expensive, then we allow you to stick to the original 12-month financing plan. We structured our plans this way with the hope that it would be convenient for customers. However, there are other cancellation options available. Just call us at 1-866-649-2716 and we’ll help you through them.
To provide clarification, our Wellness Plans are not insurance. Unlike insurance, OWPs are preventative services Pets need throughout the year, packaged at a highly discounted rate. I hope this helps, but if not, please feel free to give us a call and we will be glad to discuss further.