Anyone who isn’t pleased with their pet care coverage might be interested to know that Banfield pet insurance is an alternative option to ensure your pet gets the routine vet care they may need. Pet wellness plans from Banfield are designed to cover preventive services that include annual checkups, vaccinations and other essential screenings for diseases. Banfield has five different programs available for dogs and cats of all ages. One of the significant parts about Banfield is that it has over 1,000 locations across the U.S.
- Pets who have pre-existing conditions
- Pet owners looking for general wellness coverage
- Pet owners looking for a simple pricing structure
- Coverage for everyday wellness and preventive services
- Tailored plans for young and adult pets
- Tailored plans for young and adult pets
- No waiting periods
- Doesn’t exclude pre-existing conditions
- No coverage for accidents and illnesses
- Limited to network providers
- Only available for dogs and cats
Banfield Pet Insurance Ratings at a Glance
| Minimum Coverage | No limits |
| Maximum Coverage | No limits |
| Eligible Ages | NA |
| Eligible Animals | Dogs; cats |
| # of Plan Options | 5 wellness plans |
The five different wellness plans under Banfield are all designed for the various stages of a pet’s life and levels of care. Puppies and kittens less than six months old qualify for Early Care and Early Care Plus Programs. Meanwhile, older pets are eligible for three adult plans: Active Care, Active Care Plus and Special Care.
Customers need to be aware that covered treatments vary by plan, but some common benefits are included with each one. Banfield optimum wellness plans cover two physical exams per year for your pet as well as vaccinations and many other screenings. To make matters easier, there are no limits on the number of office visits made in a year. In certain situations, though, you may have to pay for your visit if you exceed the allotted number of annual exams.
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| AM Best Rating | NA |
| NAIC Complaint Index | NA |
| Moody’s Rating | NA |
| J.D. Power Rating | NA |
Standard phone and email support form the extent of Banfield’s customer service. When pet owners have signed up their pet through the simple and intuitive online enrollment, they receive 24/7 customer support with Vet Chat. This tool is a live web chat feature for help and advice. Other online services available to pet owners are virtual health records and appointment scheduling.
All Banfield’s wellness plans price well compared to what you expect to pay for a mid-tier level of coverage. Whether or not the price is worth it will depend on how many of the included services you take advantage of per year. Banfield is a discount provider that is only accepted at Banfield locations. The two tables below display monthly prices for each plan and are further broken down by age group.
As the name implies, treatments included under the Banfield wellness plan only include wellness. Pet owners can add custom coverage for specific health conditions in certain instances, but the options by pet insurers are not promoted. A visit to the vet is required to discuss those types of coverage programs.
| Early Care | Early Care Plus | |
| Puppy under six months | $37.95 | $47.95 |
| Kitten under six months | $34.95 | $41.95 |
| Active Care | Active Care Plus | Special Care | |
| Dog over six months | $33.95 | $44.95 | $56.95 |
| Cat over six months | $29.95 | $43.95 | $52.95 |
The pricing of Banfield is relatively reasonable and affordable. For that, it receives a 4 out of 5 stars.
What makes Banfield unique is that it isn’t technically a pet insurance provider, so you don’t file claims. Pet owners only need to contact support hotline to schedule an appointment at their Banfield pet hospital locations to use plan benefits. The online account manager, MyBanfield, allows pet owners to view pet medical history and review which services are available for the year.
Banfield’s application experience holds a steady 4 out of 5 stars.
Banfield vs. Competitors
One of the leading competitors of Banfield is Pet Assure. Pet Assure plans are designed differently, meaning that instead of including a set number of covered services each year, they offer a flat 25% discount on all types of medical care at participating vets. As a result, Pet Assure pet insurance plans are cheaper, starting at $18 per month. Compared to an adult dog under Banfield, this insurance costs $33.95 for the most affordable plan.
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.
Banfield might be the best option for a pet’s ongoing wellness, especially if the pet owner knows they will use the included benefits. The program doesn’t offer much protection for accidents or illnesses that result in unforeseen vet bills, so it may be in your best interest to consider another way of purchasing additional coverage with lower monthly premiums.
Banfield’s overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I purchase pet insurance after my pet gets sick?
Pet owners need to be mindful that standard pet insurance does not cover costs for pre-existing medical conditions. It is a good idea to sign up a pet before they become ill or injured. It can be hard to foresee such a predicament, so enrolling a pet in coverage as soon as possible is the best course of action to take. If you are unsure if your pet’s issues fall under the category of pre-existing conditions, research and discuss with your provider.
A pre-existing medical condition is a noticeable illness, injury or irregularity before the end of the waiting period. Even if your pet had not gone to the vet for the issue, it is still considered pre-existing. No pet insurance company protects against pre-existing conditions.
How do pet owners secure the best quality of life for a pet?
It is unfortunate, but the reality is that illnesses and injuries can happen suddenly. Fortunately, though, pet insurance coverage can ease the burden and give pet owners more peace of mind. Sometimes having insurance could mean the difference between life and death. If you seek ways to provide your pet with high-quality petcare throughout their life, turn to pet insurance. It is essential to stay ahead of the curve, meaning with all of life’s uncertainties, it is tough to tell when something unfortunate is about to happen. Don’t take chances. Invest in pet insurance or wellness plans as soon as possible to give your pet the quality of life they deserve.
Is Banfield a good dog insurance?
If you are looking for pet insurers that mainly focus on preventive care and routine services, then Banfield is a good choice. It offers different pet wellness plans designed for various stages of life and levels of petcare. But if you need a more comprehensive coverage, you’ll need to check policy options from other pet insurance providers.