ASPCA Pet Insurance Review: Quick Verdict
ASPCA Pet Insurance, underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (a subsidiary of Crum & Forster), is a solid mid-tier pet insurance option that covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and behavioral therapy. With customizable deductibles ($100–$500), reimbursement rates (70%–90%), and annual limits ($5,000–unlimited), it offers good flexibility for dog and cat owners. The optional preventive care add-on sets it apart from many competitors. However, annual limits on some plans are lower than rivals like Embrace or Spot that offer unlimited options, and premiums can run higher for older pets.
What Is ASPCA Pet Insurance?
ASPCA Pet Insurance is a pet insurance program licensed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Despite the branding, the policies are underwritten and administered by Independence American Insurance Company, part of the Crum & Forster group. The ASPCA nonprofit receives licensing fees but does not directly manage claims or policies.
The program has been available since 2006, making it one of the longer-running pet insurance brands in the U.S. market. It covers dogs and cats nationwide, with plans available in all 50 states. A portion of each policy sold supports ASPCA animal welfare programs.
ASPCA Pet Insurance Plans
ASPCA offers three main coverage options that can be mixed and matched to fit your budget and your pet's needs.
All plans let you visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist in the U.S. There are no network restrictions.
How Much Does ASPCA Pet Insurance Cost?
Premiums vary based on your pet's species, breed, age, and ZIP code, plus the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit you choose. Here are sample monthly quotes for the Complete Coverage℠ plan with an 80% reimbursement rate and $250 annual deductible:
These are approximate ranges based on publicly available quote data. Your actual premium may differ. Adding a Preventive Care package typically adds $10–$25/month depending on the tier selected.
What Does ASPCA Pet Insurance Cover?
The Complete Coverage℠ plan covers a wide range of conditions. Here are commonly asked-about conditions and their coverage status:
ASPCA also covers pet insurance dental coverage for dental illnesses — not just accidents to teeth — which is a meaningful differentiator from many competitors that exclude dental disease entirely.
Pre-Existing Condition Policy
Like virtually all pet insurers, ASPCA does not cover pet insurance and pre-existing conditions. However, ASPCA makes a distinction between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions that is more generous than some competitors.
Curable pre-existing conditions: If your pet had a condition that was fully resolved — symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 consecutive days — ASPCA may cover it again. Examples include ear infections, UTIs, and upper respiratory infections.
Incurable pre-existing conditions: Chronic or permanent conditions diagnosed before enrollment (such as diabetes, heart disease, or orthopedic issues like cruciate ligament tears) are permanently excluded. Knee and ligament conditions are specifically called out and never eligible for the curable exception.
This 180-day curable exception is a notable advantage over insurers that permanently exclude all pre-existing conditions regardless of resolution.
How to File a Claim
ASPCA offers two ways to submit claims, and the process is straightforward:
- Step 1: Visit any licensed veterinarian. Pay the bill upfront as you normally would.
- Step 2: Submit your claim through the ASPCA Pet Insurance mobile app (photo of invoice) or through the online portal at the ASPCA Pet Insurance website.
- Step 3: ASPCA reviews the claim against your policy terms, deductible, and coverage limits.
- Step 4: Reimbursement is issued via direct deposit or check. Most claims are processed within 10–14 business days, though complex claims may take longer.
ASPCA does not offer direct-vet-pay (where the insurer pays the vet directly), which is available from some competitors. You will always need to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
ASPCA Pet Insurance Customer Reviews
Customer sentiment for ASPCA Pet Insurance is mixed, reflecting common patterns in the pet insurance industry:
Common praise: Broad coverage that includes dental disease, behavioral therapy, and alternative treatments. Easy online claims submission. Responsive customer support for policy questions. The ASPCA brand association gives many customers peace of mind.
Common complaints: Claims processing times can vary, with some customers reporting delays on complex claims. Premium increases at renewal — particularly as pets age — are a frequent frustration. Some customers find the reimbursement calculation confusing when the annual deductible, reimbursement rate, and benefit schedule interact.
On Trustpilot, ASPCA Pet Insurance holds a mid-range rating. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) shows a mix of positive outcomes and complaints, mostly related to claims processing speed and coverage disputes — issues common across the pet insurance industry.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Broad coverage includes dental illness, behavioral therapy, and alternative therapies — extras many competitors exclude
- Flexible plan customization with multiple deductible, reimbursement, and limit options
- No extra orthopedic waiting period (unlike some competitors that impose 6–12 month waits)
- Curable pre-existing condition exception after 180 symptom-free days
- Optional preventive care add-on for routine wellness costs
- Use any licensed vet, emergency clinic, or specialist nationwide
Cons:
- Annual coverage limits on some plans are lower than competitors offering unlimited options
- Premiums can be higher than budget accident-only providers, especially for older pets
- No direct-vet-pay option — you must pay upfront and wait for reimbursement
- Mixed customer reviews on claims processing speed for complex cases
- Knee and ligament pre-existing conditions are permanently excluded from the curable exception
How ASPCA Pet Insurance Compares to Competitors
When shopping for pet insurance, it helps to compare ASPCA against other leading providers. Here's how it stacks up against Lemonade pet insurance, Embrace, Spot, and MetLife pet insurance.
ASPCA's strongest competitive advantages are its dental illness coverage, behavioral therapy inclusion, and lack of an orthopedic waiting period. Where it falls short is on maximum annual limits compared to providers like Spot or MetLife that offer truly unlimited coverage, and on claims speed compared to tech-first insurers like Lemonade.
Who ASPCA Pet Insurance Is Best For
ASPCA Pet Insurance is a strong choice for:
- Pet owners who want broad medical coverage. The Complete Coverage℠ plan handles accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, cancer, and more — all in one plan without stacking riders.
- Owners concerned about dental and behavioral issues. ASPCA includes dental illness and behavioral therapy coverage that many competitors exclude or charge extra for.
- People who want flexibility to customize their plan. Multiple deductible, reimbursement, and limit options let you tailor coverage to your budget.
- Owners of breeds prone to orthopedic issues. No extra orthopedic waiting period means coverage kicks in faster for conditions like hip dysplasia or ACL tears (as long as they aren't pre-existing).
You may want to look elsewhere if you need unlimited annual coverage, the lowest possible premium, or direct-vet-pay convenience.
How to Get a Quote and Apply
Getting an ASPCA Pet Insurance quote takes about 2 minutes:
- Enter your pet's species, breed, age, and ZIP code on the ASPCA Pet Insurance website
- Choose between Complete Coverage℠ (accident & illness) or accident-only
- Customize your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit — the quote updates in real time
- Optionally add a Preventive Care package for routine wellness coverage
- Review your quote summary and state-specific sample policy, then enroll online
Coverage begins after the applicable waiting periods (typically 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illness). You can submit claims through the mobile app or online portal immediately after waiting periods end.
Frequently Asked Questions