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Prudent Pet Insurancehelps you do what its name suggests: make prudent financial investments toward your pet's health. Business Insider compared Prudent to the best pet insurance companies and found it to be an above-average option thanks to its outstanding customer service.
Prudent Pet Insurance Summary
Prudent is a pet insurance company underwritten by Markel American Insurance Company, which AM Best gave an A rating for financial strength.
Prudent's offerings aren't unique within the pet insurance industry. It offers standard accident-only and accident and illness coverage. Its Ultimate accident and illness plan comes with unlimited coverage and a few extra benefits, like lost pet advertising coverage, mortality benefits, and boarding fees if you're hospitalized.
While Prudent's plans aren't very eye-catching, the company stands out in how it treats its customers, with many speaking very highly about Prudent's customer service team and its claims process.
Pros and Cons of Prudent Pet Insurance
Prudent Pros
- Unlimited coverage option available
- Curable pre-existing conditions covered after 365-day waiting period
- 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- Highly rated customer service team
Prudent Cons
- No prescription food coverage
- Birthday pricing
Prudent Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage
Prudent Pet Insurance offers four insurance plans. Each plan offers its own annual limit, with options for unlimited coverage. Pet owners can choose annual deductibles of $100, $250, $500, and $1,000. They can also choose reimbursem*nt levels of 70%, 80%, and 90%.
The plans offered through Prudent are as follows:
Accident-Only
Prudent's accident-only policy covers issues related to accidents and injuries, such as broken limbs, bite wounds, cuts, and sprains. It also covers dental injuries, which some of its competitors exclude. Prudent's accident-only policy has a $10,000 annual limit. Opt for this affordable option if you have a relatively healthy pet and no future health concerns.
It's worth noting that Prudent excludes coverage for injuries that happen repeatedly.
Accident + Illness
Prudent pet insurance offers three accident and illness coverage tiers: Essential 2500, Essential, and Ultimate.
The Essential 2500 covers up to $2,500 annually in eligible veterinary expenses, while the Essential plan covers up to $10,000 per year. The Ultimate plan has no annual reimbursem*nt ceiling.
All three accident and illness policies include coverage for cancer growths and treatment, congenital disabilities and abnormalities, emergencies, and hospitalizations, in addition to several other services covered under the accident-only policy.
Prudent's Essential plans also offer coverage for behavioral disorders, up to $250. The Ultimate plan offers $1,000 in behavioral disorder coverage. It also offers the following benefits not included in previous tiers:
- Advertising and reward: $500
- Boarding kennel and cattery fees (if pet owner is hospitalized): $500
- Loss due to theft or straying: $500
- Mortality benefit: $1,000
- Vacation cancellation: $1,000
Additional Coverage Options (Riders)
Want a little extra financial protection for your pet? You can add the following coverage to your Prudent policy before checking out.
Vet Exam Fees
Prudent's online estimate generator quoted us $5.13/month to add exam fee reimbursem*nt to our pet insurance policy for Business Insider's hypothetical 3-year-old golden retriever Caboodle.
Wellness Coverage
Well-puppy and well-kitten check-ups and shots aren't covered under accident and illness policies. However, you can also purchase a wellness coverage package to reimburse you for vaccinations, blood screenings, microchipping, and other routine costs.
You can choose from three tiers of coverage: Low, Medium, or High.
| Low | Medium | High | |
| Wellness Exam (2 per policy, max 1/2 per exam) | $30 | $50 | $60 |
| Rabies Vaccine | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| DHLPP Vaccine | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| Bordetella or Lyme Disease Vaccine | $0 | $0 | $35 |
| Heartworm Test or FELV Screen | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| Fecal Exam | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| Wellness Blood Screen | $0 | $0 | $35 |
| Health Certificate | $30 | $40 | $50 |
| Microchip | $25 | $35 | $45 |
| Deworming | $25 | $30 | $35 |
| Dentistry/Cleaning OR Spay/Neuter | $0 | $40 | $60 |
How Much Does Prudent Pet Insurance Cost?
Prudent offers a plethora of policies and pricing options, but the numbers are relatively straightforward.
To get a better idea of how much Prudent pet insurance costs, we'll look at how much a pet owner living in New York City would pay in pet insurance premiums. We chose New York City for our quotes because it is one of the most expensive places to receive vet care, which insurance premiums will reflect. Your premiums will likely be lower than the prices below.
Business Insider acquired the following dog insurance quotes for a Prudent Essential plan with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursem*nt, and $10,000 annual limit:
| Breed | 2-year-old (monthly) | 6-year-old (monthly) |
| French Bulldog | $126.94 | $186.45 |
| Labrador Retriever | $86.89 | $127.61 |
| Golden Retriever | $86.89 | $127.61 |
| German Shepherd | $86.89 | $127.61 |
| Standard Poodle | $64.88 | $95.30 |
| Mixed Breed Medium (21-70 lbs) | $59.24 | $87.01 |
Wellness for dogs costs $11.95 for low, $19.95 for medium, and $29.95 for high.
Let's go over premiums for a New York City cat covered under a Prudent Essential plan with a $500 deductible, 80% coinsurance, and $10,000 annual limit:
| Breed | 2-year-old (monthly) | 6-year-old (monthly) |
| Ragdoll | $44.76 | $65.75 |
| Maine Coon | $44.76 | $65.75 |
| Devon Rex | $44.76 | $65.75 |
| Exotic Shorthair | $44.76 | $65.75 |
| Persian | $44.76 | $65.75 |
| Mixed Breed | $35.53 | $52.18 |
Wellness for cats costs $7.95 for low, $13.95 for medium, and $19.95 for high.
It's worth noting that Prudent increases your premiums every year based on
How to Purchase and Manage a Prudent Pet Insurance Policy
To purchase a Prudent pet insurance policy, you'll need to obtain a quote on its website. Be prepared to provide your pet's name, species, breed, age, and sex. You'll also provide your email and ZIP code, as your location is one of the most important factors when pet insurance companies calculate your premiums.
Once you obtain your quote, you'll choose one of Prudent's pet insurance plans, which will dictate your annual limit. You can adjust your premium by customizing your deductible and coinsurance. You can also choose to add Prudent's add-ons, such as vet fee coverage and wellness coverage.
Before you proceed to checkout, you can add another pet to your Prudent policy and get a 10% discount.
Prudent has a five-day waiting period for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and six months for knee and ligament injuries. You can waive the knee and ligament injury waiting period with a medical exam within the first 30 days of your policy that confirms your pet does not have knee issues.
How to File a Claim With Prudent Pet Insurance
Prudent offers a standard claims submission process. You pay your vet first, then file for reimbursem*nt on eligible claims.
To file a claim, complete Prudent's online form and send a copy of your vet's invoice to Prudent within 270 days of your initial visit and treatment date. Policyholders can submit claims via email, fax, regular mail, or online portal. Make sure your insurance account number is on every document you submit.
Prudent will send you a check or direct deposit if your claim is approved. Many claims suggest fast processing time and a friendly customer service team.
Phone: 888-926-0830
Fax: 1-866-888-2495
Email: claims@customer.prudentpet.com
Mailing Address:
1208 Massillon Rd. Suite G 200
Akron, Ohio 44306
Prudent Customer Service and Claims
Prudent is one of the best-rated pet insurance companies on the market, earning an average of 4.8 stars out of five on Trustpilot. Customers were particularly complimentary of Prudent's customer service. Even pet owners who had their claims rejected still mentioned that Prudent representatives helped them find alternatives.
Customers also mentioned that Prudent had quick claims processing times, some customers reported getting reimbursed within 48 hours of their pet's treatment.
Compare Prudent Pet Insurance
See how Prudent compares to three other options for pet insurance: Lemonade, Figo, and Pumpkin.
Prudent vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade Pet Insurance and Prudent are both known for quick processing times and customer service. However, Prudent is particularly known for its human customer service representatives, as opposed to Lemonade's digital-first customer service. If that's something you value, Prudent might be a better option.
When it comes to the policies themselves, Lemonade's policy structure is a little different than Prudent's. Instead of choosing among several policies, each with set benefits, all Lemonade customers are provided a very basic accident and illness policy, which they can add a variety of riders to, such as physical therapy, dental illnesses, and end-of-life costs. The policy structure gives pet owners more customization options, allowing them to pick coverages they want and save money when they don't want certain coverages.
Prudent's Unlimited plan offers a few benefits that Lemonade doesn't, such as its coverage for missing pets, boarding fees when owners are hospitalized, and vacation cancellation.
Lemonade also offers a wide variety of coverage levels, offering coverage limits of $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and $100,000. Meanwhile, Prudent offers $10,000 and unlimited coverage. While Prudent offers more coverage, it lacks the intermediate options that pet owners may want.
When it comes to cost, Lemonade is one of the cheapest pet insurance companies. It is far cheaper than Prudent, often offering similar levels of coverage for less than half the price of Prudent.
Ultimately, both Lemonade and Prudent provide solid protection for your pet. Lemonade will offer greater flexibility, but you'll find better customer service with Prudent.
Read our Lemonade pet insurance review.
Prudent vs. Figo Pet Insurance
Figo Pet Insurance and Prudent both offer a policy option for unlimited reimbursem*nt. Coinsurance rates are also similar between the two companies, with one difference. Figo offers a 100% reimbursem*nt tier after the deductible is met.
Figo's benefits are roughly the same as Prudent's, but come at a far lower price for equivalent coverage. Additionally, Figo offers a 15% discount for Costco members, lowering the price of an already cheap option.
Read our Figo pet insurance review.
Prudent vs. Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin Pet Insurance and Prudent both offer reliable insurance coverage for your beloved puppy or kitten. Pumpkin offers a few more benefits than Prudent, such as end-of-life benefits and prescription food. Its also worth noting that while Pumpkin offers a wellness plan, that plan doesn't cover spaying/neutering while Prudent's wellness does.
Both Prudent and Pumpkin offer unlimited coverage options, though Pumpkin sets reimbursem*nt at 90% while Prudent customers are free to choose their preferred reimbursem*nt rate.
Thus, premium-conscious pet parents may choose Prudent, which offers lower rates in exchange for less coverage. However, Prudent may be the only one covering the total cost of serious accidents or injuries, particularly when it involves ongoing treatment or repeat visits. A typical example would be pets with allergies, which can result in a variety of issues, including skin and ear infections.
Read our Pumpkin pet insurance review.
Prudent Pet Insurance FAQ
Does Prudent pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Prudent pet insurance does not cover pre-existing health conditions. However, it will no longer consider some curable pre-existing conditions as pre-existing if your dog is treatment- and symptom-free for 365 days.
Does Prudent pet insurance have waiting periods?
Yes, Prudent has a five-day waiting period for accidents, a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, and a six-month waiting period for knee and ligament issues.
Does Prudent have a multi-pet discount?
Yes, Prudent has a 10% multi-pet discount.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Prudent Pet Insurance
To determine the best pet insurance, Business Insider evaluates pet insurance carriers depending on the overall customer experience. Is it easy to get a quote, sign up for a reasonably priced policy, complete claims, and answer your questions promptly and helpfully?
While we like to give insurers the benefit of the doubt, pet insurance is slightly different. Companies are generally small and run by pet lovers, and monthly premiums are in the tens as opposed to the hundreds you'd expect with auto, home, or other insurance types. This pricing imposes natural limits. However, customer satisfaction is typically high. We separate companies based on age limits, coverage limits, coinsurance, etc. However, the overall customer experience tends to be higher with pet insurance providers.
You can read more about how Business Insider rates pet insurance.
Senior Editor, Credit Cards
Katherine Fan is a personal finance expert, journalist, and public speaker with nine years of industry experience.Before joining Personal Finance Insider as Senior Editor of Credit Cards, Katherine covered aviation, award travel, loyalty programs, and credit cards as a senior reporter for The Points Guy, and small business finances as a lead writer for Nerdwallet.ExperienceSince 2015, Katherine has published 1,800+ articles, guides, and reviews covering credit card benefits and rewards, small business finances, points and miles travel, loyalty programs, and real estate investing.Katherine has also freelanced for CNN Underscored, Forbes Advisor, Wall Street Journal Buy Side, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, the Dallas Morning News, LendingTree, Upgraded Points, Fortune Recommends, Newsweek, and Slickdeals Money. Her work has been syndicated by Nasdaq, MSN and Yahoo.Katherine is a guest speaker at TravelCon, and hasbeen featured on multiple podcastsincluding NPR Life Kit, Expedia's Out Travel the System, and The Points Guy'sMiles Away.In her spare time, Katherine moonlights as a photojournalist covering Formula 1, Austin City Limits, and SXSW for the Austin American-Statesman and other media outlets. When she's not jetsetting around the world, you'll likely find her in Austin cooking up a batch of spicy Chinese food.ExpertiseKatherine's expertise encompasses:
- Small business finances
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- Points and miles travel
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- Real estate investing
Katherine's interest in personal finance runs parallel to her passions for real estate investing and award travel. Despite a salary of just $28,000 a year from her first full-time job, Katherine built an excellent credit score of 805 from scratch through hard work [and privilege], which allowed her to purchase her first home six years after graduating college. She's since added five more doors to her real estate portfolio, although she plans to retire on her index fund investments.Thanks to credit card travel rewards, Katherinehas flown well over one million miles visiting 44 countries across all seven continents. She's sailed with orcas in Antarctica, flown home in first class from Japan, photographed a wedding at Hobbiton in New Zealand, and gone on safari in South Africa. But her most meaningful trips always bringher home to loved ones in Taiwan.EducationKatherine holds dual degrees in photojournalism and Asian American studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and a certificate in business Chinese proficiency from National Taiwan University. She began her professional career in tech as a software sales executive for several years before returning to her media roots.
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