Pets Best dog insurance: what it covers
Thinking about Pets Best dog insurance? Here’s what Pets Best’s policy really covers, explained in plain English and taken straight from Pets Best’s own documents. We’ve focused on the parts that decide whether a claim gets paid, such as waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and how much you pay yourself. Nothing here is a recommendation.
Pets Best at a glance
- Deductible you pay first
- Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps
- Share of each vet bill it pays back
- 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90%
- Wait before illness is covered
- 14 days
- Vet exam fees
- Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment
Common questions about Pets Best dog insurance
How long is the Pets Best waiting period?
14 days
Does Pets Best cover pre-existing conditions?
Not covered: anything a vet advised on or treated, or that showed signs, before cover or during a waiting period. The policy describes no way to cover it later.
Does Pets Best cover vet exam fees?
Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment
Does Pets Best cover behavioural training or a behaviourist?
Training and treatment aren't covered; vet consultations and prescription medication are, if you buy the add-on benefits.
Does Pets Best pet insurance cover dental?
Gum disease covered if there were no signs before cover; broken teeth from an accident covered.
Does Pets Best cover cruciate ligament surgery?
6-month waiting period, which a participating vet can reduce or waive by certifying your dog's health first.
How old does my puppy need to be for Pets Best?
7 weeks, with no upper age limit
Does Pets Best offer a multi-pet discount?
5% on Accident and Illness plans when you insure more than one pet, as long as all the policies are with the same underwriter.
Does Pets Best cover cancer treatment?
Covered as an illness. A type of cancer your dog has had before isn't covered again, unless a lab report shows it was fully removed early, with clean margins; then the same type elsewhere may be covered.
Working on reactivity or another behaviour problem? Read how to choose a reactive dog trainer, or find a trainer near you.
How does Pets Best compare with other US insurers?
The same five points for every US insurer we compare, so you can see how Pets Best stacks up. Click any insurer to read its full page.
| Insurer | Deductible you pay first | Share of each bill paid back | Wait before illness is covered | Vet exam fees | Behavioural treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90% | 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing) | Not covered, at any time | Only with the optional Recovery and Complementary Care rider (which also covers rehab, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic) |
| Nationwide | Annual | Percentage of eligible costs on some plans, pre-set benefit allowances on others; the worked example uses 80% | 'Most plans start 1–14 days after your application is approved and payment has been processed' (no split by illness/injury stated) | Not found yet | Modular Plan lists Behavioral coverage among its coverages; it excludes behavioural training not medically necessary for a diagnosed condition, and obedience training |
| Lemonade | Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording) | 70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance | 14 days | Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on | Not found yet |
| Healthy Paws | Annual: applies once per 12-month coverage term | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 15 days | Not covered | Not covered (training, therapy, medication or other behaviour modification) |
| Embrace | Annual, per pet | Reimbursement percentage shown on the Schedule of Insurance | 14 days | Covered only if shown on the Schedule (optional) | Covered: vet diagnosis, tests, medication and training sessions as Behavioral Therapy |
| Pets Best | Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% | 14 days | Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment | Training and treatment not covered, except consultations and prescription medication if the supplemental benefits are bought |
| Pumpkin | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
| Figo | Annual deductible, plus an optional per-incident copay | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Not covered unless the optional Office Visit and Exam Fees cover is bought | Not covered unless the optional Holistic and Alternative & Behavioral Problems cover is bought |
| Spot | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
Everything we checked in Pets Best’s policy
Each point shows where we found it in Pets Best’s own document, so you can check it yourself. Where an insurance term needs explaining, we’ve added a short note.
- Type of policy
- Accident and illness (an accident-only plan is also sold)Where: Cover page
- Deductible you pay firstThe amount you pay towards vet bills before your insurer starts paying.
- Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 stepsWhere: Coverage options 3
- Share of each vet bill it pays backAfter your deductible, the percentage of each vet bill your insurer pays back.
- 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90%Where: Coverage options 2
- Most it will pay out
- $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 or no annual limitWhere: Coverage options 1
- Wait before illness is coveredThe time after you buy a policy before you can claim for an illness.
- 14 daysWhere: Waiting periods a.
- Wait before injuries are covered
- 3 daysWhere: Waiting periods b.
- Wait before knee problems are coveredSome insurers make you wait longer before knee problems, like a torn cruciate ligament, are covered.
- Cruciate ligament events: 6 months (can be reduced or waived if a participating vet certifies the pet's health first)Where: Waiting periods c.; 5.
- Problems on both sides of the body, like both kneesIf your dog has problems on both sides (both knees, both hips), many policies treat them as one condition.
- Not in the documents we read.Where: No bilateral clause found in the sections read
- Cover for pre-existing conditionsAnything your dog had, or showed signs of, before the policy started.
- Not covered: anything a vet advised on or treated, or that showed signs, before the policy or during a waiting periodWhere: What isn't covered 1
- Vet exam fees
- Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolmentWhere: Supplemental benefits 1
- Cover for behavioural treatment
- Training and treatment not covered, except consultations and prescription medication if the supplemental benefits are boughtWhere: Other exclusions d.
- Dental cover
- Periodontal disease covered if there were no signs before cover; tooth fractures from trauma coveredWhere: Understanding dental coverage
- Oldest age your dog can join
- Not in the documents we read.Where: Not stated in the policy
- Youngest age your dog can join
- 7 weeks, with no upper age limitWhere: FAQ page (Pets Best’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Discount for insuring more than one pet
- 5% on Accident and Illness plans when you enrol more than one pet and all policies are with the same underwriterWhere: FAQ page (Pets Best’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Cancer treatment
- Covered as an illness. Not covered: further occurrences of a carcinoma, lymphoma, mast cell tumor, melanoma or sarcoma the pet has had before, unless histopathology shows it was fully removed with clean margins early enough to rule out spread; then the same type in a different place may be coveredWhere: Exclusions, Prior instances of cancer
Source: Accident and Illness Policy Form (sample), IAIC-PB10001-ILL; Texas notice IAIC-NOTICE-TX-2023. Read on 5 October 2026. Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Company. Terms vary by state; these are for Texas. Policies change, so always read the current policy wording before you buy or claim. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.