24PetWatch is known as a division of PetHealth Inc. It provides pet insurance and companion animal services to customers in countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Coverage consists of accident and illness policies and two levels of optional preventive care. Its policy premiums are much higher than most competitors, though. Additional specialized services like lifetime lost pet recovery are available at an additional cost.
- Owners of dogs and cats
- Pet owners looking for high yearly coverage limits
- Pet owners looking for a plan with multiple levels
- Pet owners with a dog under the age of 10
- Pet owners with a cat under the age of 12
- A lifetime pet protection plan
- Trip cancellation and boarding fees
- Expensive monthly premiums
- Complicated plan structures
- Requires a veterinary exam
- Maximum age limit
24PetWatch Ratings at a Glance
| Minimum Coverage | $500 |
| Maximum Coverage | $20,000 |
| Eligible Ages | Dogs up to 10; Cats up to 12 |
| Eligible Animals | Dogs; cats |
| # of Plan Options | One accident-only plan with five levels |
24PetWatch advertises and offers one Accident-Only plan at five levels that covers accidents and illnesses. The same amount of coverage is available with each plan, and all are separated only by an increasing annual claim limit. In addition, you’ll find wellness add ons available plus other benefits that are not subjected to deductibles and copays. Boarding fees, trip cancellations and lost pet recovery fall under this category. Regarding coverage, helpful extras are not traditionally included under standard pet insurance. The covered medical conditions include accident, illness, hereditary, congenital, cancer, chronic and dental illness.
Other covered medical treatments are diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medications, emergency care, specialty care and behavioral therapy. The company requires that a licensed veterinarian examine all newly enrolled pets within the first 30 days of coverage
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| AM Best Rating | A |
| NAIC Complaint Index | NA |
| Moody’s Rating | NA |
| J.D. Power Rating | NA |
If you compare 24PetWatch to competitors, it rests more on the expensive side. Limits are maxed out at $20,000 per year and set at a costly rate that surpasses that which many other insurance companies charge for unlimited annual benefits.
The wellness plan also comes with an equally high price tag. No matter what, though, it is still worthwhile to cross-check limits for each service included in a plan with your vet’s price lists. This effort is especially useful before purchasing a policy or plan because it is possible that the fees at your local vet clinic will not come close to matching 24PetWatch’s annual wellness spend.
An example would be a sample monthly premium for a one-year-old male Golden Retriever that totals out to about $43.47. On the other hand, for a one-year-old male American Shorthair cat, a sample monthly premium will cost around $26.13.
Low-end premiums start at about $20 per month for cats and $30 for dogs. However, prices also depend on the area in which you reside. You can visit your location online to get the most accurate quote to learn more.
Since prices are on the costly side, 24PetWatch receives a 3 out of 5 stars.
To help with submitting your claims faster, 24PetWatch offers customers a handy online portal. It also offers the option to print a paper claim and email, fax or mail it back to the company. All 24PetWatch claims can be paid by direct deposit or to the treating vet’s office. This method proves to be highly convenient and just as effective if you pay online. Turnaround usually takes about 60 days, which is twice as long as most other plans. 24PetWatch’s rating for application experience is 3 out of 5 stars.
24PetWatch vs. Competitors
A competitor of 24PetWatch is Pet Partners. This competitor demonstrates how insurance premiums can differ across providers for comparable coverages. When quotes are compared for mid-tier plans for, say, a two-year-old dog, 24PetWatch returned a monthly price of $41.79 while Pet Partners came in at a little over half this rate at $23.12. Although 24PetWatch is known for offering a few different types of bonus coverages that include trip cancellation and boarding fees, there isn’t enough difference to justify paying twice the amount in premiums each year.
24PetWatch has received 3.5 out of 5 stars for its comparison to competitors.
Lemonade is currently available in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District Of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin,
Limitations apply. For terms and conditions, visit pumpkin.care. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (NPN#19084749) (“Pumpkin”) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance plans underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy, and is not available in all states.
With 24PetWatch, customers can access pet recovery specialists and other services for their pet’s entire life. This benefit can be achieved for a one-time fee of $94.95. Then customers can rest assured knowing that 24PetWatch will reimburse you up to $500 should your pet need to be boarded with emergency care or if you ever have to cancel a planned trip because of your pet’s poor health conditions.
Even though 24PetWatch doesn’t exclude much from its coverage plans, there are still heavy limits on pet age enrollment. As previously mentioned, any dogs over the age of 10 or cats older than 12 are not permitted to sign up for a policy, this includes even the most basic forms of protection. These ages are much older than most pet parents would choose to purchase insurance anyway. This is controversial because most comparable companies allow signups at any age, so it doesn’t make sense.
24PetWatch has solid coverage options and many other items you won’t find protected under most other carriers’ standard plans. There is plenty of protection for trip cancellations and living expenses. The annual $500 limit without deductible or copay heightens its ability to provide quality service to customers.
Customers need to be wary of the company’s limiting plan structure, though. The lower level and standard priced plans have yearly limits that are too low for the average pet owner. Meanwhile, the high limit and customizable plans are more expensive than some of the same plans from other carriers. Additionally, accidents and illness coverage are marketed under different plan names even though it is all the same policy, just with differing annual limits.
24PetWatch’s overall rating is 3.5 of 5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I compare pet insurance?
A: Comparing pet insurance involves looking at the lowest insurance premium among many carriers. Cost is a significant factor as well as coverage, waiting periods, exclusions and deductibles. Some of the questions you need to ask when comparing pet insurance options are:
- What are the annual or monthly premiums?
- What, if any, discounts are available?
- Are there different plans available? If so, how many?
- What optional add-ons are available?
- Can I visit any vet, or do I have to stay within a network?
- Are wellness visits covered?
- Is there a deductible?
- Are pre-existing conditions covered? If so, what is the waiting period?
These are just a few of the many questions you should be sure to ask ahead of purchasing pet insurance. Do research for the best and most affordable option.
Q: Does pet insurance cover routine vet visits?
A: Yes. However, it depends on the types of coverage and policy you select from the beginning. Routine vet visits for checkups and vaccinations are covered for the most part. This form of protection is commonly referred to as a comprehensive pet insurance policy.