Spot Pet Insurance Review 2024: Outstanding Customization Choices for Every Budget

Founded in 2019, Spot is among the major pet insurance providers in the country. Let’s take a look at what the company offers.

TIME’s Take

If you like choices, check out Spot pet insurance. The company offers a variety of coverage packages for accidents and illnesses, multiple preventative care packages, and choices for deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual coverage limit. It all means that you can customize a policy to a very high degree based on your budget and pet’s needs. And despite age limits for opening a policy, once your pet is enrolled, you can continue its insurance for life.

Who is Spot pet insurance for?

Spot pet insurance is for owners of cats and dogs who want coverage for accidents, illnesses, and preventative care. Policies are available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

To qualify, dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old. There’s no age maximum for Spot’s accident-only plan, but its accident-and-illness plan has a maximum age of 10 years for dogs and 12 years for cats. Once a pet is enrolled in a plan, however, it can remain in that plan for the rest of its life.

What Spot pet insurance covers

Spot pet insurance plans provide coverage of veterinary expenses for cats and dogs experiencing common accidents and illnesses. These include the following expenses:

• Veterinary exams.
• Skin, ear and eye infections.
• Hereditary conditions.
• Digestive illnesses.
• Hip dysplasia.
• Cancers and growths.
• Parasite-caused infectious diseases.
• Orthopedic needs.
• Swallowed objects and toxins.
• Diagnostics and treatments.
• Surgery and specialized care.
• Advanced care.
• CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays.
• Surgery and hospitalization.
• IV fluids and medications.
• Medical supplies (bandages, etc.).
• Poison control consultation.
• Prescription medications.
• Tooth extractions.
• Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.

Spot offers a sample policy on its website that outlines coverages, terms and conditions in detail. It’s worth reviewing if you’re considering the company for your pet’s coverage.

Spot’s preventative care option

Spot offers two preventative care package options, labeled “Gold” and “Platinum.” These include reimbursement for routine veterinary services that don’t fall under the company’s coverage for accidents and illnesses.

Reimbursement is based on a set amount. For example, the Gold plan provides $100 per year toward dental cleanings. If your veterinarian charges $125 for this service, you’ll have to cover the $25 difference out of pocket.

Depending on the package you choose, your Spot policy will cover your pet’s annual wellness exam, vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, and dental cleanings. Note that the Platinum plan includes coverage for spay/neuter procedures.

What Spot does not cover

Like most pet insurers, Spot excludes (doesn’t cover) certain expenses. These include the following:

• Conditions that occur within the policy’s 14-day waiting period.
• Day care and boarding.
• Breeding costs.
• Cosmetic procedures.
• Preventative care (unless you purchase optional coverage, as explained above).

Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered. The exception: Any curable illness or injury, other than a ligament injury, that is cured and free of treatment and symptoms for at least 180 days would be eligible for coverage.

Other important policy features

When you purchase a Spot policy, you need to make some decisions related to your coverage amounts.

Annual limit

This is the total amount the policy will pay in a year. Any expenses beyond the limit will not be covered. You can choose limits of $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, and unlimited. The higher your limit, the more your Spot insurance policy does for you, but the more it will cost.

Reimbursement rate

This is the percentage of a given expense that the policy will reimburse. Your Spot choices are 70%, 80%, and 90%. So if you choose a 70% reimbursement and have a $500 veterinary bill, Spot will reimburse you $350. Choosing a higher limit will increase the cost of your policy.

Annual deductible

This works similarly to the deductible on a health insurance policy for humans. It’s a portion of your eligible veterinary expenses that you must cover before your policy kicks in. Spot deductible choices are $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000. Choosing a lower deductible means you pay less out of pocket to your veterinarian, but also means you’ll pay a bit more for the policy.

Spot’s many coverage choices (in addition to those for its optional preventative care packages) give you a lot of ability to customize a policy to your pet’s needs and your budget.

Plans available from Spot

The company offers multiple plans, allowing you to choose the best package of coverage for your pet.

Accident and illness

Covers veterinary diagnostic procedures and treatments for a wide range of accidents and illnesses.

Accident only

Covers diagnostic procedures and treatments related to accidents involving your pet.

Preventative care

As mentioned earlier, Spot offers optional preventative care coverage, which can be added on to either the accident-and-illness or accident-only plan.

Spot additional services

Spot offers additional, value-added services for customers. These include:

• A 24/7 pet helpline, which provides virtual pet care via phone or chat.
• A refer-a-friend program, promising up to $500 worth of annual rewards for referring a friend to Spot.
• A wide selection of “perks,” including discounts on medications, services such as pet-sitting, and products such as food.

Spot restrictions and waiting periods

Spot has a 14-day waiting period. The company will not cover any illness or accident occurring within the first 14 days after a policy’s inception date.

Spot has no breed restrictions. Its upper age restrictions (10 years for dogs, 12 years for cats) apply only to its accident-and-illness plan. Its accident-only plan is available to older pets.

Spot discounts

The company offers a 10% multi-pet discount.

Spot pet insurance rates

U.S. News published a recent review of Spot pet insurance, including sample monthly rates for a variety of animals. Samples included:

• Five-year-old Labrador retriever: $59.79.
• Five-year-old German shepherd: $50.25.
• Five-year-old French bulldog: $81.16.
• Five-year-old ragdoll cat: $19.30.
• Five-year-old exotic shorthair: $28.21.

Pricing lower than these sample rates is almost certainly available. Spot currently notes that it offers insurance plans for as little as $9 per month for cats and $15 per month for dogs. Keep in mind that your policy cost will be based on several factors, including your pet’s breed, size, and age; where you live; and your coverage selections.

About Spot pet insurance

Spot’s reputation

Spot pet insurance has 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot—82% of reviewers gave the company 5 stars. Positive reviews cite Spot’s fast claims process, communications, and ease of use.

Spot policies are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (AM Best A- rated) or United States Fire Insurance Company (AM Best A rated). These high ratings reflect the companies’ financial stability and ability to pay claims.

State availability

Spot policies are available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

Consumer experience

Spot offers pet insurance quotes online at the company’s website. Claims can be filed online or through the Spot pet insurance app. Spot reimburses you for the cost of covered services. So you’ll first pay a veterinary bill out of pocket, then file a claim with Spot. Your claim filing should include a copy of the paid invoice.

How Spot stacks up

Here’s how Spot compares to other major pet insurance providers when it comes to maximum annual coverage, reimbursement choices, deductible choices, and money back guarantees.

Bottom line

If you’re like most American pet owners, you’re spending more on your four-legged companion than ever before. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, spending on pets increased by 78% between 2013-2021.

A lot of this spending undoubtedly goes toward veterinary services. So it’s no surprise that pet insurance—which can help reimburse pet owners for some of those expenses—has become more popular in recent years.

If you’re a pet owner who values the opportunity to customize a policy, be sure to add Spot to your list of insurers to consider. The company offers multiple plans, along with reimbursement options for wellness care. Spot’s numerous options for coverage limit, reimbursement percentage, and annual deductible ensure you’ll get a policy that works both for your pet, and your budget.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is Spot pet insurance accepted everywhere?

Spot covers services provided by veterinarians across all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

How long is the waiting period for spot pet insurance?

Spot has a 14-day waiting period. This means that the company won’t provide coverage for any illness or accidents that occur during the first 14 days following the policy’s inception date.

How long has Spot pet insurance been around?

Spot pet insurance was founded in 2019.

Are Spot and ASPCA insurance the same?

Spot and ASPCA insurance are separate brands. But their policies are underwritten by the same companies—United States Fire Insurance Company and Independence American Fire Insurance Company. There are close similarities between Spot’s and ASPCA’s plan options and policy contracts.