Overall Rating: 4.2 / 5
Pets Best (owned by Synchrony Financial) is a strong mid-market option known for its wellness add-ons, particularly the EssentialWellness plan that explicitly covers spay/neuter — something most competitors don't offer in a clearly defined benefit. It has a competitive accident-and-illness plan starting at $24/month for dogs, a 5% military/first responder/healthcare worker discount, and one of the cleaner claims experiences via direct deposit reimbursement.
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage breadth | 4/5 | Covers hereditary, cancer, dental illness; no exam fees in base |
| Price / value | 4/5 | Competitive A+I pricing; best wellness add-on value |
| Plan flexibility | 4/5 | Accident-only, A+I, multiple deductible options |
| Claims experience | 4/5 | 3–5 business days average; 24/7 vet chat available |
| Wellness add-ons | 5/5 | Best explicit spay/neuter coverage in the market |
Best for: New pet owners needing spay/neuter coverage, military/first responder/healthcare households, owners wanting accident-only coverage at the lowest price, those wanting a solid wellness add-on.
Not ideal for: Owners wanting unlimited annual benefit (Pets Best max is $100,000 — capped); those wanting the cheapest A+I premium (Lemonade and Spot are cheaper at identical settings).
Pets Best Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Starting Price (Dog) | Starting Price (Cat) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident-Only (BestBenefit) | ~$15/mo | ~$9/mo | Injuries only; no illnesses |
| Accident and Illness (BestBenefit) | ~$24/mo | ~$15/mo | Full A+I coverage |
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual deductible | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 | Widest deductible range available |
| Reimbursement rate | 70%, 80%, 90% | — |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $50,000, Unlimited | Technically unlimited available |
| Waiting period (accident) | 3 days | — |
| Waiting period (illness) | 14 days | — |
| Waiting period (orthopedic) | 14 days | No extended ortho waiting period |
EssentialWellness: Best Spay/Neuter Coverage
| Add-On | Monthly Cost | Annual Benefit | Key Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| EssentialWellness | $16/mo | $305/yr | Spay/neuter ($150), annual exam ($50), core vaccines ($40), flea/tick/HW prevention ($40), HW test ($25) |
| BestWellness | $26/mo | $535/yr | Everything in Essential + spay/neuter ($175), dental cleaning ($100), non-core vaccine ($35), urinalysis ($30) |
The EssentialWellness spay/neuter benefit ($150) covers cat spay/neuter costs completely and partially covers dog procedures ($150–$600). No other major provider states the spay/neuter benefit as explicitly.
What Pets Best Covers
- Accidents and injuries from day 4
- Illnesses from day 15
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Cancer — surgery, chemo, radiation, diagnostics
- Dental illness — fractures, stomatitis, periodontal extraction
- Chronic conditions — diabetes, CKD, epilepsy, allergies
- Prescription medications for covered conditions
- Diagnostic imaging, specialist referrals, hospitalization
Pets Best Discounts
- Military / first responder / healthcare worker: ~5%
- Annual payment: ~5%
- No multi-pet discount (notable gap vs. ASPCA, Spot, Pumpkin)
Progressive Pet Insurance = Pets Best
Progressive pet insurance is underwritten and serviced by Pets Best. When you get a pet insurance quote through Progressive.com, you are receiving a Pets Best policy. The coverage terms, waiting periods, and claims process are identical. Some Progressive policyholders may receive a small loyalty discount for bundling, but the underlying product is Pets Best.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best explicit spay/neuter coverage ($150 benefit) | No multi-pet discount |
| Military/first responder/healthcare discount | No exam fee coverage in base plan |
| Accident-only plan from $9/mo (cats) / $15/mo (dogs) | Not the cheapest A+I option at equivalent settings |
| No extended orthopedic waiting period (14 days) | No direct vet payment option |
| 24/7 vet chat helpline included | BestWellness ($26/mo) pricey vs. Embrace's more flexible pool |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pets Best insurance good?
Yes — Pets Best is a solid mid-market option with competitive pricing and the best wellness add-on for spay/neuter coverage. Its military/first responder discount and 14-day orthopedic waiting period are genuine advantages. The lack of a multi-pet discount is the most notable gap for multi-pet households, where ASPCA or Spot would offer better total cost.
How much does Pets Best pet insurance cost?
Pets Best accident-only starts at $9/month (cats) and $15/month (dogs). Accident and illness starts at $15/month (cats) and $24/month (dogs) with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, and $5,000 annual limit. This is competitive with Figo and ASPCA; slightly more expensive than Spot and Lemonade at identical settings.
What is Pets Best waiting period?
3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness and orthopedic conditions. No extended orthopedic waiting period. Hip dysplasia, IVDD, and CCL tears are covered after 14 days.
Does Pets Best cover pre-existing conditions?
No — pre-existing conditions are excluded. Pets Best applies a 12-month lookback period for curable pre-existing conditions: if your pet had a curable condition that has been symptom-free for 12 months before your policy starts, it may be covered after enrollment.