Pet Insurance Alternatives To Consider For Your Dog – CanineJournal.com
Are you looking to save money on your pet’s health care expenses? There are alternatives to pet insurance for you to consider. Some companies offer coverage for routine care, discounts on in-network vets, emergency funds, and more.
In some cases, you may even be able to use one of these alternatives in conjunction with a traditional pet health insurance policy. Find out what each of these plans has to offer and if one of them could benefit you.
Oops, Were You Seeking Pet Health Insurance?
The companies reviewed on this page are NOT insurance providers. So, if you are looking for more comprehensive health protection, we recommend you check out our pet insurance reviews. Our experts have analyzed over a dozen pet insurance companies to help you find the best for your needs and discover the companies that deliver the best products on the market today.
Best Pet Insurance Alternative: Eusoh Review
Eusoh is a pet insurance alternative that reimburses your pet’s eligible illness, injury, and wellness expenses. How does it work? Eusoh uses a community-based health sharing plan to reimburse you for your pet’s medical care expenses. Pet parents join groups and directly fund each other’s vet expenses.
The monthly payment can fluctuate, but typically only by a few dollars. The reason it fluctuates is because unused contributions roll over, decreasing the next month’s payment. And for months that experience an increase in expenses, the following month’s payment may increase.
You still get to choose your vet, so after your pet’s appointment, you pay for the services, submit the invoice and proof of payment to Eusoh via your smartphone, and wait for reimbursement. Eusoh is NOT pet insurance, but it is the closest alternative in this article.
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Eusoh’s monthly fee consists of two parts.
- Eusoh membership fee: $17/month
- Care contribution: $0-$48/month
- This amount fluctuates each month
- Averages $24/month for dogs
- Averages $12/month for cats
- View all options
At the time of writing, the maximum monthly payment for the Eusoh membership and care contribution combined was $65 per month. Billing occurs on the 28th of each month.
Eusoh also charges a one-time, refundable deposit to set up your account. At the time of writing, this fee was $48.
Your Eusoh membership has the following coverage:
- 80% reimbursement
- $8,500 annual limit
- $250 annual out of pocket
- No premium
Learn about reimbursement, annual limits, premiums, and other pet insurance costs to know what they are and how they compare to Eusoh.
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Best Emergency Fund: Pawp Review
Pawp offers a $3,000 emergency fund to help cover unexpected, emergency vet bills. How does it work? Pawp charges $19 per month, no matter the breed, age, medical history, etc. Unlike pet insurance, there’s no copay or deductible. In the event of an emergency*, Pawp may reimburse up to $3,000 per year, but it can only be used once per year. So, if your pet experiences multiple emergencies in a year, you can only use your Pawp emergency fund once for a maximum claim of $3,000.
How do you obtain access to your Pawp emergency fund? If something has happened to your pet, you place a video call to a Pawp veterinarian to discuss necessary care. The vet will confirm whether or not your pet’s emergency qualifies for access to your fund.
Next, you can take your pet to any vet within four hours, admit them for care, and obtain treatment. Once you receive your final invoice, have someone at your vet’s office call Pawp’s hotline to review the charges. Pawp will then provide payment for any eligible items, up to $3,000 total.
Examples of emergencies that are eligible for coverage include toxic ingestions, choking and difficulty breathing, severe blockages, severe internal and external injuries, and more. Pawp doesn’t cover scheduled surgeries, regular checkups and wellness visits, vaccinations and routine procedures, pregnancy and pregnancy-related issues, and more.
*An emergency is defined as your pet requiring vet care immediately. Accidents or illnesses that lead to a vet recommendation for the pet to be seen in the near future but not immediately are not covered. Only true emergencies requiring urgent medical attention are eligible for the emergency fund.
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Best Discount Plan: Pet Assure Review
Pet Assure can save you 25% on vet bills. How does it work?
- You can purchase a Pet Assure plan directly using this link (or check with your employer in case they offer it as a benefit).
- Enroll in a Pet Assure plan and find an in-network vet.
- Show your ID card to the in-network vet at the time of service and receive a 25% discount on most in-house medical services, including dental cleaning, spay and neuter procedures, diabetes management, cancer care, allergy treatments, parasite screenings, tumor removal, wellness visits, and more.
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| Single Cat | Single Dog | Family | Unlimited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type Of Pet | Cat, Rodent, Reptile Or Other Small Animal |
Dog, Horse Or Other Large Animal |
2-4 Pets Of Any Size | Every Pet In Your Household |
| Price Per Month | $8.45 | $10.15 | $14.40 | $18.65 |
| Price Per Year | $67.15 | $84.15 | $126.65 | $169.15 |
Examples of savings on common vet procedures:
| Vet Service | Average Cost* | Your Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Wellness Exam | $45 | Save $11.50 |
| Vaccinations | $118 | Save $29.50 |
| Fecal Exam | $57 | Save $14.25 |
| In-House Lab Work | $96 | Save $24.00 |
| Dental Cleaning & X-Rays | $475 | Save $118.75 |
| Emergency Sick Exam | $90 | Save $22.50 |
| X-Rays | $120 | Save $30.00 |
| Cruciate Ligament Repair | $825 | Save $206.25 |
| Tumor Removal | $525 | Save $131.25 |
*Based on actual vet bills of Pet Assure members
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Best Wellness Coverage: Banfield Review
Banfield is a wellness membership plan. How does it work? You pay a monthly fee, and in return, the company covers many of your pet’s preventative care needs.
To take advantage of the plan, you must visit a Banfield Pet Hospital, primarily found at one of 1,000 PetSmart stores. The plans offer annual preventative care coverage for your dog or cat, including two wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, and more.
If you’re interested in wellness coverage for your pet, many traditional pet insurance providers offer wellness coverage as an add-on or stand-alone product. Be sure to compare Banfield against other wellness coverage plans to make sure you buy the best plan for you and your pet’s needs.
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Pricing for Banfield’s Wellness Plans varies based on your pet’s breed, age, residence location, and several other factors. It offers different plans for each type of pet: dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens, which we highlight below. We’ve also included quotes we ran in December 2020.
Black Labrador Retriever
The following quotes are for a 1-year old spayed female with a birthdate of 01/01/2020 in the Iowa zip code 50125.
- Active Care: $31.95/month
- Active Care Plus: $42.95/month
- Special Care: $53.95/month
Mixed Breed Cat
The following quotes are for a 1-year old spayed female with a birthdate of 01/01/2020 in the Iowa zip code 50125.
- Active Care: $25.95/month
- Active Care Plus: $37.95/month
- Special Care: $45.95/month
Optional add-ons include parasite control, spay/neuter, additional dental, chronic care, and a Wisdom Panel DNA test.
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Should I Get Pet Insurance Instead?
Are you unsure about going with one of these pet insurance alternatives, emergency funds, discount plans, or wellness programs? Consider all of the available options to manage the financial risk of pet ownership when by also learning more about pet insurance. By having more information, you can determine the best tool to help assist you when pet emergencies strike and financial burdens weigh you down.
Which type of financial assistance sounds the best for your needs?
