Spot Pet Insurance Review: Digging in to the Benefits

When our pets get sick or injured, the last thing we want to do is wonder if we can afford the treatment to make them better. In certain situations, pet insurance can help with that. And statistics show that increasing numbers of pet parents are willing to pay a monthly pet insurance premium to secure that peace of mind.  

According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, by the end of 2020, the total number of pets insured reached 3.1 million. And in the United States alone, the pet insurance sector reported a 27.5 percent year-over-year increase in premium payments, with premiums totaling $1.99 billion in 2020.

Pet insurance companies are plentiful these days, and it can be difficult to determine which one offers the best coverage to fit your needs. To help with your decision, we’re profiling one newer pet insurance company that’s generating a lot of buzz: Spot Pet Insurance. Here’s an overview of Spot’s pet insurance policy offerings, average premium costs (and what drives them), and answers to pet parents’ frequently asked questions, like how do pet insurance claim payments work?

What Is Spot Pet Insurance?

Spot Pet Insurance was launched in 2019 by a group of pet parents whose mission is to make overall pet health and wellbeing a top priority. They pride themselves on excellent customer service, which often includes sending pets get-well cards when they’re feeling under the weather and providing pet parents with access to convenient veterinary telehealth resources. The company offers a wide array of pet insurance plan options that reimburse up to 90 percent of eligible veterinary bills. And, in certain circumstances, some plans include selections that aren’t traditionally covered by pet insurance companies, such as behavioral training, alternative therapies, vitamins, and supplements.

Spot is rated the No. 2 pet insurance company on Consumer Voice, with a 9.9 rating and 1,846 reviews. And over on PetInsurer, the relatively young company scored a 4.0-star rating, launching them to No. 11 on the list.

Spot Pet Insurance Coverage

Spot offers insurance plans for both cats and dogs, and there is a 10 percent pet discount on any additional pet added to a plan. Here’s a little bit of what you can expect from a SPOT pet insurance plan for your canine and feline family members:

Cats

Costs: Plans vary in cost based on factors including annual limits, reimbursement rates, deductibles, age and breed of the cat, and your location. Accident-only coverage starts at a premium of approximately $11/month (rate is based on a 1-year-old, mixed-breed cat with a $5,000 annual limit, 70 percent reimbursement, and $500 deductible). Deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement amounts are adjustable. You can add preventative care coverage options to any plan for an additional fee.

Coverage: Pre-existing conditions are not covered, including for things discovered during the 14-day waiting period. Coverage depends on the plan you pick, but generally includes medically necessary veterinary treatments like MRI and X-rays, prescription medications, surgery and hospitalization, and medical supplies related to:

• Accidents: Includes accidental injuries like bites, broken bones, lodged foreign objects, or toxic ingestion.
• Illness: Includes coverage for exam fees and veterinary visits related to major and minor illnesses including cancer, upper respiratory infections, and worms.
• Chronic issues: Includes coverage for issues like diabetes or cancer that will require ongoing care.
• Hereditary conditions: Things like heart disease and eye disorders may be hereditary in cats. As long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition, you can pay for a plan to cover these issues, as well.
• Alternative Therapies: Includes coverage for a range of additional things (as long as they are needed for a covered condition) like acupuncture, rehabilitative therapy, chiropractic care, and more.
• Behavior Issues: Some plans allow for coverage of common cat behavioral issues like anxiety, fur pulling, aggression, litter box issues, and other problematic behaviors, as long as you see an approved animal behavior professional.

What’s not covered: A full list of what’s not covered can be found here in a sample policy, but generally includes pre-existing conditions and conditions that are discovered during your waiting period, as well as non-FDA-approved treatment or supplements, pet diets, and daycare/boarding.

Dogs

Costs: Plans vary in cost based on factors including annual limits, reimbursement rates, deductibles, age and breed of the dog, and your location. Accident-only coverage starts at a premium of approximately $15/month (rate is based on a 1-year-old, mixed-breed dog with a $5,000 annual limit, 70 percent reimbursement and $500 deductible). Deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement amounts are adjustable. You can add preventative care coverage options to any plan for an additional fee.

Coverage: Pre-existing conditions are not covered, including for things discovered during the 14-day waiting period. Coverage depends on the plan you pick, but generally includes medically necessary veterinary treatments like MRI and X-rays, prescription medications, surgery and hospitalization, and medical supplies related to:

• Accidents: This includes accidental injuries like bites, broken bones, lodged foreign objects, or toxic ingestion.
• Illness: Includes coverage for exam fees and veterinary visits related to major and minor illnesses including cancer, thyroid diseases, digestive problems, UTIs, and more.
• Chronic issues: Includes coverage for issues like diabetes or arthritis that will require ongoing care.
• Hereditary conditions: Things like heart disease and hip dysplasia may be hereditary in dogs. As long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition, you can pay for a plan to cover these issues, as well.
• Alternative Therapies: Includes coverage for a range of additional things (as long as they are needed for a covered condition) like acupuncture, rehabilitative therapy, chiropractic care and more.
• Behavior Issues: Some plans allow for coverage of common dog behavioral issues like anxiety, fur pulling, aggression, destruction of the home, and other problematic behaviors, as long as you see an approved animal behavior professional.

What’s not covered: A full list of what’s not covered can be found here in a sample policy, but generally includes pre-existing conditions and conditions that are discovered during your waiting period, as well as non-FDA-approved treatment or supplements, pet diets, and day care/boarding.

Spot Pet Insurance Costs

Like most pet insurance plans, costs vary based on customizable factors including annual limits, reimbursement rates, and deductibles, as well as things like age and breed of the pet and your location. SPOT insurance policy holders mentioned lower premium costs and budget-friendly insurance options in their reviews. 

Additional preventative pet insurance options (that can be added to your coverage for an additional monthly fee) include:

Gold: $9.95/month

• Total annual benefit: $250 (including $100 for dental cleaning, $50 for wellness exam, $20 for canine DHLPP or feline FVRCP vaccine/titer, $20 for rabies and/or canine Lyme or feline FIP vaccine/titer, $20 fecal test and $20 for canine heartworm or feline FELV test and $20 for deworming)

Platinum: $24.95/month

• Total annual benefit: $450 (including $150 for dental cleaning and spay/neuter, $50 for wellness exam, $25 for flea/heartworm prevention, $25 for canine DHLPP or feline FVRCP vaccine/titer, $25 for rabies and/or canine Lyme or feline FIP vaccine/titer, $25 for canine Bordetella or feline FELV vaccine/titer, $25 fecal test, $25 canine heartworm or feline FELV test, $25 blood test, $25 urinalysis, $25 deworming, $25 health certificate) 

Spot Pet Insurance Claims

Ask for an itemized receipt for any medical issue that occurs with your pet. Claims can then be easily submitted within 270 days from the date of the treatment through the claims section of the online portal. If medical records are needed for reimbursement, Spot will reach out to your veterinarian directly, but it may speed up your claim if you submit them simultaneously.

You’ll receive an email when your claim is received, and you can also check on the status of the claim online at any time.

Spot Pet Insurance: Our Verdict

Although many features of Spot Pet Insurance are similar to what you’ll find with other companies, it also has some stand-out perks. For example:

• We like that certain alternative therapies are covered. 
• There is no age or claim limit (although age does factor into how much you’ll pay for a policy).
• The ability to file a claim online makes it easier than waiting to talk with an actual person.

There are a few drawbacks to consider, as well:

• Like most companies, pre-existing conditions are not covered.
• Age and breed are taken into consideration in terms of policy fees.
• For behavioral issue coverage, you’ll need to see an approved specialist.

Like most things related to your pet’s health, the pet insurance company you choose will be a personal decision. Spot Pet Insurance is a solid option with plenty of advantages, but be sure to do your research on other pet insurance companies’ plans to make sure you’re going with the best coverage to fit your pet’s specific needs.