Alpha InsureCo pet insurance
Accident and illness cover for dogs and cats, with optional wellness. Dogs from about $19/mo, cats from about $14/mo.
Available inAZFLGAILMANDNJOHORTXWAWY
Example prices
| Golden Retriever, 2, in Boston | $72.80/month ($786.24/year if paid yearly) |
| French Bulldog, 3, in Jersey City | $135.00/month ($1,458.00/year if paid yearly) |
| Medium mixed-breed dog, 2, in Fargo | $36.00/month ($388.80/year if paid yearly) |
| Domestic shorthair cat, 4, in Cheyenne | $21.88/month ($236.30/year if paid yearly) |
| German Shepherd, 4, in Seattle | $83.72/month ($904.18/year if paid yearly) |
| Labrador Retriever, 5, in Houston | $86.02/month ($929.02/year if paid yearly) |
What we'll ask
After your contact details, these are the questions. Only the first few are required; the rest start on our standard options.
| Question | Answers | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Dog, Cat | Required |
| Breed | Free text is matched to our breed list, e.g. 'golden', 'lab mix', 'domestic shorthair'. For a mixed-breed dog, weight helps. | Required |
| Age (years) | Use 0 for pets under one year (at least 8 weeks old). New policies are available up to age 14. | Required |
| Pet's name | Optional | |
| Sex | Male, Female | Optional |
| Spayed or neutered | Small effect: pets that are not spayed or neutered cost about 5% more. | Optional |
| Weight (lb) | Needed for mixed-breed dogs: a mix is rated by size (under 30 lb small, 30-60 medium, 60-90 large, over 90 giant). | Optional |
| Plan | Essential (accident and illness), Essential plus wellness, Early Years (under 3, includes spay/neuter and microchip) | Default: essential |
| Annual deductible | $100, $200, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | Default: 500 |
| Reimbursement | 70%, 80%, 90% | Default: 80 |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, $30,000, Unlimited | Default: 10000 |
| Payment | Monthly, Yearly (10% off) | Default: monthly |
Key terms, including what is not covered
- Waiting periods
- Accidents are covered 2 days after the policy starts and illnesses after 14 days. There is no waiting period for wellness benefits, which start the next day. Anything that shows signs during a waiting period counts as pre-existing.
- Pre-existing conditions
- A pre-existing condition is one that showed signs before cover started or during a waiting period. These are not covered. Curable conditions, such as an ear infection that fully resolves, can become eligible again after 12 months symptom-free. The insurer carries the burden of showing a condition is pre-existing.
- Reimbursement
- Reimbursement is the share of each eligible vet bill paid back after the deductible: 70%, 80% or 90%. For example, on a $1,000 eligible bill after the deductible, 80% reimbursement pays back $800.
- Annual limit
- The annual limit is the most the policy pays in a policy year. Options run from $5,000 to unlimited. It resets at renewal.
- Wellness add-on
- The wellness add-on is a flat monthly amount ($20 for dogs, $15 for cats) that pays toward routine care such as vaccines, an annual check-up, and flea, tick and heartworm prevention. It has no deductible and starts the next day. The Early Years plan, for pets under 3, also includes spay or neuter and microchipping.
- What is not covered
- Not covered: pre-existing conditions; anything during waiting periods; cosmetic or elective procedures (tail docking, ear cropping); breeding, pregnancy and whelping; behavioural training; food and supplements unless prescribed for a covered condition; and costs above your annual limit. Dental illness and injury, hereditary and congenital conditions, exam fees and prescriptions for covered conditions are covered. This is the demo's policy summary; a real policy document would govern.
- Deductible
- The deductible is the amount you pay before the policy starts paying. For pet insurance it is annual: once met in a policy year, it does not apply again until renewal. A higher deductible means a lower monthly price.
- How claims work
- Claims are made online or by phone, in Spanish or English. You upload the vet invoice and most claims are decided within 5 business days; participating vets can be paid directly on 90% plans. (Demo: no real claims are handled.)
- Free look period
- You have 15 days after buying to cancel for a full refund, as long as no claim has been made.
- Service in Spanish
- Quotes, policy documents and claims support are available in Spanish and English, by phone and chat.