ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

My dog had her physical in May and I had pointed out what resembled a white pimple on her side. The vet said they are common in older dogs and are harmless. Four months later, the "pimple" started to change in appearance so I brought her in again and was told it was a cancer. She had surgery a week later. She is fine. ASPCA would not pay on the claim because it was noticed in a different claim year. They didn't even give me my $100 deductible for the year.

I pay full year for a pet insurance each July since 2009 for my dog Taco Bella. I went to Wakefield Animal Hospital on two occasions for first time medical problems. On 7-25-11, a right leg problem (muscle or joint) and was given medication. On 8-25-11, for a skin problem (allergies) and was given a shampoo and medications. Both problems have been resolved. My two claims are pending for additional information. I called today and was told that they are waiting for 12 months of records from the hospital. Taco Bella has only been at the hospital for the wellness physical and vaccinations each year. The box was checked on the claim that these problems were not treated before.

Unacceptable and undue hardship on the hospital and me being treated as if I am committing some kind of fraud.

I paid into a pet insurance plan for over 4 years for two dogs, and never made a claim until April 11, when a growth on one dog turned funny looking, so I brought her to the vets. They recommended biopsy to be sure it was cancerous. In the interim, I found two more, so while she was under, they removed and biopsied them also. My claim was for $842, in which they paid $125. They claim this was from a previous billing period and wasn't covered. The two additional ones weren't even discovered until a couple of days before surgery on 4/13/11.

It took over a month just to get some money, which I fought them about. She also had an x-ray to check out why she was holding up her leg sometimes, (new problem ). They didn't cover those either because she has a patina, which is genealogical in her breed. She is a mixed breed, and it doesn't make any sense. They are a total rip off. They make up any excuse not to pay out. After a deductible, they only pay 80 percent. I am cancelling both my policies, which were $500 a year. It is not worth the aggravation and stress I went through battling with them. Do not purchase pet insurance from this company.

We purchased this "insurance" for our new dog. We never had pet insurance before but figured it would be a good investment since, should she have an accident or illness, we do not want to have to borrow money from family or friends or clean out our savings. We've been paying an exorbitant premium every month (more than what my people health insurance costs!). Recently, she had an accident and hurt her leg. The initial emergency visit was $376 and I submitted a claim. It took them nearly two weeks to "process" the claim and when it came back, they denied the coverage. They even went so far as to tell me that the surgery she'll need (which we shopped around for to get the lowest price) wouldn't be covered either.

It's obvious that this "insurance" is a scam. They're not going to pay anything for a claim and have so many loopholes (for themselves) to get out of paying anything, that it is ridiculous. What's worse? Trying to cancel this scam insurance is next to impossible with their "automated billing".

I have had the same experience as the rest of you, guys. I had coverage for my cat for 12 years. In all those years, I submitted one claim for like $50 for a check up at the Vet. Now when I really needed the coverage, they denied me, stating a pre-existing condition. My cat got sick on January 28 and was euthanized on February 4. Because my policy renewed on February 1, the second hospitalization was denied as pre-existing even though it was the same illness! It just happened to cross into the new period.

I will do the useless appeal (It goes to them.), only so that I can bring them to Small Claims Court. And even if I lose, it will be worth it to make them pay out what they should have paid me in attorney's fees and time. I have also complained to the NYS Insurance Department and will submit a complaint to the NYS Attorney General's Office, Consumer Frauds Bureau. Class action? Yes!

ASPCA is denying claim which is a secondary condition of cataracts to my pet's diabetes which they consider pre-existing because it manifested in the prior plan year. The policy wording does not specifically state that secondary conditions are excluded. I would like to take a legal action and to have my claim paid.

The following may be the reason the ASPCA/Hartville Group, Inc. Pet Health Care Insurance is not paying claims submitted by the insured, or paying very little. The Hartville Group may be in financial distress. Take a look at the following statistics regarding their penny stock. Take a look at their 52 week low of 6 cents! The CEOs and the rest of these hoodlums must be milking this company dry, and we, the insured, are paying the price for this deceptive company's ways. This pet insurance company must be the gravy train for the executives that are running this company into the ground. We get paid pennies on the dollar, which is fitting for a penny stock, of which most eventually fail.

The Hartville Group, Inc. should be scrutinized regarding their business practices, pertaining to paying very little on submitted claims. The company may be using and manipulating the exclusions in their policy, in order to fraudulently deny claims, or pay their 20% average on submitted claims. The ASPCA Pet Health Care Insurance administered by the Hartville Group, Inc. which is a penny stock, is despicable and disgusting, and blaming customers for filing claims for procedures that are not covered, when, in fact, the Hartville Group may not be paying out on claims for possible fraudulent reasons. In addition, the Hartville Group, Inc. recently filed papers with the SEC so they no longer have to make their financial records public. What is this company hiding?

On December 15, 2008, Hartville Group, Inc. (the "company"), issued a press release announcing that it plans to voluntarily de-register its common stock, and suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by filing a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by December 30, 2008. Upon the filing of Form 15, the company's obligations to file certain reports with the SEC, including forms. The insured are not getting paid due to possible financial distress of the Hartville Group, Inc. aka ASPCA Pet Health Care Insurance.

This company blames the customers, for filing claims for non covered procedures, when, in fact, the Insured may be getting denied payment because of well thought out, deceptive practices on the part of this company, due to their possible financial distress. The possible financial distress may be why the insured are getting paid 20% on their submitted claims. This company should be scrutinized regarding possible Deceptive Business Practices.

My poor cat had an abscess in her mouth that burst through her face. She needed emergency surgery, and had some teeth removed. During her emergency surgery, the doctor had to remove the abscess material from the other teeth, and clean those teeth in order to inspect them thoroughly, to see if there were any other abscesses in her mouth.

Of the many procedures that the ASPCA Petshealth Care Insurance (Hartville Group) denied, was the cleaning of her teeth, saying it was a wellness procedure, a dental cleaning, which was an exclusion under the Policy! This was not a wellness dental cleaning, this was a possible life sparing surgery, wherein the teeth had to be thoroughly inspected. My poor lil girl later passed soon after, from possible complications from the abscess.

They interpret procedures, contrary to the reasons they were ordered by the Veterinarian, so that they may be excluded from your claim. It's disgusting & abominable.

The average payout for claims by this company is 20-25% of total claim. It's a conscientious effort to pay as little as possible on claims, in comparison to the amount of premiums collected. The company and reps are not concerned with the welfare of your beloved. About the only claim they will pay is for euthanasia, and they may not even pay the full amount. The usual & customary charges they use are not from any veterinary practice on this planet.

I advice all who have beloved pets and are shopping for Pet insurance to stay as far away as possible from any pet insurance with the names ASPCA, Petshealth Care Insurance, Canton, Ohio, Hartsville, etc. associated with it. This pet insurance is well known to be the ASPCA Pet Insurance Plan but you cannot get a straight answer from the plan itself, regarding the ASPCA association.

This insurance plan pays pennies on your dollars regarding claims. They will take six weeks to settle your claim but take only two days to deny your appeal. The ASPCA Petshealth Care insurance Plan has many exclusions but very few covered items. One exclusion in particular is very troublesome and indicative of the type of, or lack of coverage that the ASPCA Petshealth Care Plan Coverage offers. It is called The 180 Day Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Rule, which also applies to Policy Renewals.

For example, let's say, your policy renews on July 1 and your pet falls ill on June 30, you and your beloved pet will not be covered for any expenses because this company will treat the illness as a pre-existing condition. This is disgusting and indicative of the extent this company goes to make sure that your reimbursement is as little as possible regarding a claim. This 180 Day exclusion Rule was never clear in the policy and it is only recently, that it is now on the Declarations Page of Written Policies.

You buy Pet Insurance, in case your beloved ever needs care in their time of need but the ASPCA Petshealth Care Plan will not be the Policy you thought it to be when it comes time to paying a claim. Shop elsewhere for a pet insurance Plan, as the ASPCA Coverage is despicable, horrible and disgusting. If the ASPCA is just lending their name to this Pet Insurance Company, they should stop. If this plan was created by the ASPCA, they should be ashamed of themselves due to the many exclusions and the horrible 180 Pre-existing Conditions Rule, which also applies to policy renewals!

When they review a claim, they twist and turn the procedures to fit their exclusions, when in reality, the procedures were done for reasons not excluded from the policy. This coverage interprets the procedures done regarding your pet, so as to fit their many exclusions, contrary to the real reasons the vet ordered them.

DO NOT get ASPCA Pet Insurance if you think they will, as stated, reimburse you for spaying or neutering your pet!!!! Under "Covered Expenses" for the plan I opted for, it says "Necessary surgical treatment for an illness or injury including costs to spay or neuter your pet". The cost was about $400 for the neuter and related treatment. Know how much they reimbursed me? $60!!!! When I called, they said they go by a NATIONAL AVERAGE AND NOT WHAT IT COSTS YOU. But just go ahead and try to find out in advance what they deem "reasonable" - because they will not tell you! Having called multiple vets in my area, no one charged less than what I was charged. So, after the $100 deductable, and THEIR assumption that I could have gotten it for less, we got a LOT LESS than we signed up for. I am sure if I found some random guy with a pair of pliers and a sewing kit, their reinbursement for the "Metropolitan Area" would have been just fine - but not in any reality is this the case. Their rep was not at all surprised when I canceled them.

And, I am ALL FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT! Contact me if you are serious. I just want my money back that I paid them in good conscience that they actually did what they said they were going to do.

I signed up for the Level 2 Pet Insurance in 2008, for both of my dogs. The first claim I submitted was when my dog was tested and diagnosed with Cushings Disease. The claim was immediately denied as "pre-existing" condition, and also for the "waiting period". I knew that my dog had never been tested or treated for this, so I got letters from my vets and fought it. The company eventually paid the claim, but reduced it drastically due to the "reasonable and customary" schedule for my area. They would not, or could not give me details on exactly what area is considered in this schedule. Since I live on Mt. Desert Island, I wondered how large an area was included in the determination.

The second problem I had with them was my other dog had a back injury, the following year. We tried to treat it with medication to reduce the inflamation and avoid surgery, since he was 14 at the time. That worked for a couple of months and then it was determined that he'd need surgery. I already knew it would be considered
"pre-existing" since we were now into the renewal term of the policy. I paid my own claim of close to $4,000 and would do it again if needed. My issue with this company is how they determine pre-existing conditions. I have seen numerous complaints on this website and several others, and mostly for the same reasons.
I believe that if you have paid your premiums and there is no gap in coverage from renewal to renewal, the covered illness should NOT be considered pre-existing in the renewal term.

If they really want to be "cost effective" they shouldn't penalize those of us who try to avoid costly surgery. They are encouraging people to jump into surgeries and avoid alternative treatments which are easier on the pets and less costly to them.

I also believe that the R & C schedule that this company uses is far below what is "reasonable"!!!
I do understand that Insurance Companies are in business for profit and they are entitled to that, but they should also be held to certain standards.
I have decided to non-renew my policy and would definitely warn people to avoid this company.

I have been a long-time supporter of the ASPCA and am a Legacy Society member, but am currently reconsidering future support.

This is the most terrifying experience that I had to go through. I have a dog named Jae who is 3 going on 4 years old, a Chihuahua/dachshund mix. He recently got injured and was paralyzed in his back legs. In desperate need we brought him to the ASPCA in Manhattan. We did not know what to do because he was in so much pain that he would bite every time he felt extreme pain. And note he never bites or never intended to do so. When we got to the ASPCA we had to fill out forms while we held him in our arms.

Me, my granddaughter and son went into the room to see the doctor. She touched him and emptied his bladder because he could not urinate on his own. They did no x-rays, no test and already said that he had a disc out of place and it was broken. She pulled the hair from his back foot to see if there was any reaction, which was painful to see. But it gets worse. Since she received no reaction she brought a clamp and squeezed his toes so hard. I mean I think she broke his toes; she said, "I know this looks cruel."

While we were in such an emotional shock, she tells us to either do surgery that would be $3,000 or put him to sleep which cost $300 because he had no chance of living at all. She said a 10% chance of living. Also, she stated that he would never walk again and we would have to stick our finger in his anal to extract feces and squeeze his bladder for the rest of his life. I didn't want him to suffer but I didn't want to lose him either. We said forget that and brought him home to take care of him.

Now it is 3 months later and he walks perfectly fine, no pain, and he goes to the bathroom on his own. He is happy and playful as if nothing were to ever happen. And just to think that at that moment we would have laid him to rest for no reason and cost us such an emotional tragedy.

I believe the workers there are extremely careless towards animals and others' feelings and damaged his toes while using the clamps! They were sure of what he had without even running any test on us and cost us over $200.00 for no reason. They charged an extra $75.00 to hear that he was ready to put to sleep by a "professional". I'm so emotionally damaged. He keeps me so much company and he is just apart of our family it hurt me to know the lack of care these workers have. It scares me to know there are doctors like this, especially in the ASPCA. I'm destroyed in my heart. I'm sure millions of people lost their animals to the same situation as this, but there is always hope for your animal. Always think twice!

I have had insurance since 2/15/10. I submitted a claim dated 3/19/10, but they say there is a 30-day wait period. They must have a different calculation than mine since they now say it is not past the 30-day waiting period for illness. They don't have money to pay claims. I know this because they have already processed a claim that is 12 days later than one for normal wellness covered.

They actually also didn't allow one claim against a deductible since they claim it is more than the standard charge! I feel that they should at least allow what they say to be "standard"! This is just a scam, don't waste your money! Cancel now and use your money to pay your vet bills because this company will not. I have made donations to ASPCA for many years, but they have stopped as of now!

I purchased the top-tier insurance from ASPCA for my 11 year old dog. 4 months later, he developed liver cancer. ASPCA paid 80% of the bills. I received 3 calls asking me to share my "story" for the ASPCA website. I'm a professional writer, and I wrote my story. It was posted on their website under a different owner and pet name at the same time ASPCA stopped reimbursement payments, saying the maximum allowed for "one incident" is $5,000. Cancer is not "one incident" -- cancer is an on-going disease.

ASPCA is very misleading and perhaps even misrepresenting of its policies, by stating the "maximum reimbursement" for one year is $13,000. I was told I would qualify for the $13,000 if my dog were to have a different "incident" - like break his leg. But, cancer is considered ONE incident and capped at $5,000. Buyers beware -- ASPCA sells its insurance by selling it covers treatment for cancer but it does not clarify that they cover it as a one-time event rather than on-going treatment. I believe ASPCA changed the name, etc. on the story I wrote regarding my experience because they knew they would stop the payments to me, and so intentionally misrepresented the story so it could be used anyway.

My Dog has been continually enrolled in the ASPCA Pet health insurance since 12/18/2008. I had no claims until January of 2010. I had taken my dog for a rabies vaccine and had her skin checked. He recommended a vet dermatology specialist, which I took her too the next day. A couple of days later, the vet wanted to do another test for thyroid.

It came back low so more medication was prescribed. ASPCA denied the clam stating it was a "pre-existing" condition. Apparently, they have quite a scam going there. Every time they renew your yearly policy anything that happened previously is now a "pre-exiting" condition, so they deny paying the claim...

I applied for the ASPCA Pet Insurance after being referred by a friend. I felt that I could trust the name since it is well known organization that I felt was a good one. You must wait for 30 days after applying before any claims can be submitted. That was fine. No problem. After 6 months in the plan, my boxer dog was diagnosed with a torn ACL. When I applied for the plan, I was told that with the Plan 2 coverage I got, everything was covered with the exception of well care, office visits, food and vitamins. Any injury, surgery, illness or diagnostic needs would be covered. It sounded great for $365.00 (which included extended coverage) in case the dog got sick and needed care the next year).

Nothing was said about not covering ACL injuries until I called about the surgery. It was then stated that the ASPCA would not cover this type of injury if it took place within the 12 months after signing with them. The plan is for 12 months and after that would be considered a preexisting condition so would never be covered nor would any diagnostic means having to do with the condition. This plan is totally worthless. I have read numerous complaints about denials of services that had been previously promised.

Forget this company, they are not in business to help animal owners. They are in it strictly for profit. Do your research and don't sign up for any plan without having the contract in writing before you deal with them. I would never recommend them to anyone. I am notifying everyone I know who is considering dealing with the ASPCA not to do so when it comes to insurance. My vets office was as surprised as I am about this. They will not be putting out pamphlets for their customers any more.

I am responsible for a $2800. surgery plus all the diagnostic x-rays, meds, etc. which I was told would be covered. Not so. This company is worthless.

My dog was injured in a fall and ruptured a disc in her back. I spent about $6,500 on an MRI and on surgery. They do not want to pay the $3,500 limit they owe on the plan because they said that it was a genetic problem. I have info from my doctor and my surgeon that states other wise. So, I am taking them to court.

For over a year my dog is being treated for a urinary disorder. Mainly an xray and medication was given to find the problem but it was not definatively detected. The plan renews yearly. In October the plan renewed for 2010.

Last month the condition for my dog got worse and now that she is older my Vet advised getting a sonogram done on her. The procedure was 690.00. The claim (the first for the year) was submitted. I was aware of a 100.00 deductible but expected a portion back for the procedure as I am paying 35.00 a month for my dog to be on the plan (420.00 a year).

The claim was denied with reason being I sought treatment for my dogs condition in the new plan period and I cannot treat the same condition from the previous plan period in the new plan period unless 180 days passes. Meaning do nothing for 6 months and if your dogs condition worsens and she dies so be it. If you decide to continue treatment before 6 months they wont pay but you just keep paying a policy monthly for nothing bascially including necessary treatments on a terrible condition my dog has and got after I enrolled in the plan. It was not a pre existing condition.

My dog was only 3 months old..she had no pre existing conditions. I want the money due me for this claim. If not I want a full refund for my plan since the new policy began (they paid nothing out to me since the policy began anyway so why should I have paid a premium?) In addition I need to know who can thoroughly investiaget this issue. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS IT IS ANIMAL CRUELTY!

I enrolled in a Level 3 ASPCA plan effective June 15 2009. I selected the Level 3 plan because it covered puppy boosters for our 3 month old puppy. In late June we took our dog to the Vet for a round of puppy shots and subsequently submitted a claim form to ASPCA for reimbursement. The claim took 11 days to process and it came back with only $43 of the $140.76 being covered. This bill included 5 shots and a $15 service fee. ASPCA covered the professional service of $15 and only one of the shots (DAP). I was charged $45 for the DAP shot and ASPCA covered only $28 of this expense sighting that this charge was $17 above the reasonable limit.

My general impression of ASPCA is that they go out of their way not to accept any charges. They would not provide me with a list of Reasonable Costs for my area, and so they have the ability to call pretty much everything and anything beyond reasonable cost. I downgraded my service, at which time they force you to forfeit what little money was applied against my deductable, and am considering dropping the service all together because I cant seem myself ever being able to get my moneys worth out of any ASPCA coverage. Good luck if you choose this pet insurance.

This co. appears to be acting in bad faith. I have had numerous problems with them honoring legitimate claims. For instance, I just sent in a claim re. pneumonia ( the dog had a fever, cough and lethargy two days prior to Dx via chest x-rays on 3-30-09, etc. ) for about $883. It was immediately denied. They asserted that because my dog presented with a, cough way back in 8 or 9/08 prior to the effective date of the coverage, the symptom was, pre-existing, thus, they were entitled to deny coverage for the pneumonia. This is a pattern with them.

Also heinous, is their clever use of the pre-existing clause to automatically deny claims when the annual renewal date rolls over. When customers elect to renew coverage, the next period is considered a new plan period and ailments before that period won't be covered. This co. just started offering a new thing re. continuation coverage. Pay an additional premium and coverage will span plan periods.

This didn't exist when I signed up nor was I fully informed about their tortuous explanation/use of their pre-existing loophole! Because the co. is affiliated with a reputable org. ( the ASPCA ) people are buying this product and then getting screwed. People have expressed interest in joining a law suit. I,m also interested in doing so. Interestingly, I work in the med-legal field and deal with litigation sometimes in millions of dollars. This co. still NAILED me.

In addition, they have denied other claims totaling over a thousand dollars.

I took out an ASPCA Premium policy for both my dogs. I chose the Premium Plan because it covered an annual dental cleaning for my our dogs. The premium is $75/month/dog. Under this plan, after an annual $100 deductable is met, ASPCA claims it will cover 80% of reasonable claims. I took the insurance out in December of 2008. In late February I had one of my dog's teeth cleaned. No extractions were required. The bill was $575. The claim was submitted. ASPCA reiumbursed me $113. The reason given for this low reiumbursement is that $240 is in their view what is reasonable for my geographical area.

They then took $100 off the $240 and THEN reiumbursed 80% of the remaining $140. I called to complain about the low reimbursement and was told I needed to find a less expensive vet. I then called 5 other Manhattan veterinarians and received quotes ranging from $750 to $500. The bottom line is ASPCA's idea of reasonable charges are far below reality. They promise to cover 80% of a claim but fail to tell you that their definition of what reasonable is, is far below the actual going rates.

Our dog was in to see the vet. She had some rods put in her legs a few yrs. In 2007 she only went to the vet to get her yearly shots and that was it. Our policy started in Sept 2007. She got medicine for her knee that was infected because of her rod in June 2008. It was denied.

A few weeks later I took her in and they did blood work to check her thyroid. She is hypothyroid. Again the claims department said that it was pre-existing. I don't know how that is pre-existing when this is the first time she was diagnosis with it. I called and challenged their decision. I had her medical history in front of me when I did call so when they claim something happened at a certain date, I was ready. I was told that the info would be resent to claims department. I would be contacted in a few days.

It has been a month since I made that call and no check, explanation to my reasons for their denial or a phone call. We pay lots of money for the policy for her and I don't know how any of those claims could be pre-existing when they didn't exist when she went on the policy.

Signed up for Aspca pet insurance in Sept. 2007. Plan was not effective for 30 days and on day it took effect, my pet was taken in to clinic for treatment. The claims later submitted for partial reimbursement (which was earlier advised would be processed) were denied. No advisement or paperwork was received prior, stating the claims would be denied.

Monies paid by myself were not partially reimbursed nor were any funds applied toward the annual deductible as was earlier advised on this policy; the paperwork of policy was finally received in Nov. 2007, 2 months AFTER policy was originated.

I brought my daughter's dog to the vet for update of immunizations, nueter and declaw removal,dental cleaning and earflush. I was charged for a total sum of $1343.62 by the veterinarian ALL Creatures Hospital. Although I had purchased and paid for the Premeir insurance with ASPCA which should cover all immunizations, health or surgical procedures and preventive care,illness or injury,ASPCA excluded $1.079.62.

I had paid the veterinary office the total charges by credit card as instructed by this insurance company. I had expected at least 80% refund from this company.

In the human health care business, patients are not charge or made to pay the full amount. Rather it is the caregiver that bills directly to the insurance company with ample proof of identification from the insurance agent.

Please help intervene with this process with ASPCA. The refund check I got was not enough to cover the expenses incurred. I had the impression that I had purchased the best insurance.

Financial hardship. I was not reimbursed at least 80% of total expenses.