Hartville Pet Insurance Review 2025

Accident-Only Plan

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For budget-conscious pet parents or those with pets who have existing illnesses, Hartville offers an accident-only policy. This plan only covers unexpected injuries (like broken bones, swallowed objects, or bite wounds) and related treatments, such as X-rays, surgery, or hospitalization. It will not pay for any illness-related costs, but it still covers things like emergency exams and even alternative therapies needed for accident injuries.

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Premiums for accident-only insurance are lower than full coverage, though Hartville’s accident-only premiums can be relatively expensive for what you get. This option is best if you mainly want catastrophic accident protection and your pet has health issues that make illness coverage impractical.

Preventive Care Add-Ons

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Hartville also offers two tiers of wellness coverage that you can add to either plan for an extra fee. The Basic Preventive Care add-on helps reimburse routine vet expenses like annual wellness exams, vaccines, deworming, and dental cleanings (up to set dollar limits per item). The Prime Preventive Care upgrade includes everything in Basic at higher reimbursement limits, plus additional items like spay/neuter, blood tests, urinalysis, and flea/heartworm prevention.

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These wellness plans have no deductible or waiting period, and essentially give you a budget for routine care each year. While wellness coverage isn’t insurance for accidents/illness, it can be worthwhile if you plan to take your pet for regular preventative visits – especially for puppies or kittens who need many initial vet visits.

Pricing and What to Expect with Hartville

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Cost

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Hartville’s premiums are in line with other top pet insurers, though not the absolute cheapest. Monthly rates start around $12 for dogs and $10 for cats for accident & illness coverage on young pets. For example, a medium 2-year-old mixed breed dog costs roughly $48/month for the Complete Coverage plan, whereas the Accident-Only plan for the same dog is about $37/month. A similar cat might be about $20–$25/month depending on coverage level.

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Your own price will vary based on your pet’s breed, age, and where you live, as well as the deductible, reimbursement, and annual limit you choose. Hartville lets you customize those: deductible options typically include $100, $250, or $500; reimbursement choices of 70%, 80%, or 90%; and annual payout limits ranging from $2,500 up to $10,000 (an unlimited annual coverage option may be available by request).

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Payout Limits

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Hartville’s maximum standard annual limit is $10k, which is ample for most situations, though some competitors offer truly unlimited coverage. When choosing your coverage, remember that higher limits and lower deductibles mean a higher premium.

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Discounts

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If you have multiple pets, Hartville gives a 10% multi-pet discount on each additional pet’s policy. You can also save about $24 per year in fees by paying your premium annually instead of monthly. Hartville will not increase your rate just for filing a claim – any annual price increases are typically due to your pet aging or overall veterinary cost inflation, not because you used the insurance. This is good news for pet owners who worry that using the coverage will price them out later.

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Waiting Periods

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Like all pet insurers, Hartville has waiting periods before coverage kicks in. Coverage begins 14 days after enrollment for any accident or illness claims. This 14-day wait is a bit longer than some competitors’ waiting periods for accidents (many have only a 2–3 day wait for accidents), but Hartville’s policy is straightforward: two weeks for anything not routine.

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Notably, Hartville does not impose any special 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia – those are covered after the standard 14 days, which is much faster than the extended waits some other insurers require.

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Claims and Customer Service

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Hartville policyholders pay their vet bills upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement – Hartville does not pay vets directly at the time of service. Filing a claim is easy to do online through Hartville’s Member Center or via their mobile app, and you have up to 270 days to file a claim after a vet visit. Most customers report that claims are processed relatively quickly (often within a couple weeks), and Hartville advertises that most claims are completed within 30 days.

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You can choose to receive reimbursement by direct deposit or check. Hartville’s customer service is available by phone or email six days a week (with limited hours on Sundays), and policyholders have access to a 24/7 vet helpline for advice on pet health issues at any time. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee: if you cancel within the first month and haven’t filed a claim, you can get a full refund of premiums paid.

Pros and Cons of Hartville Pet Insurance

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Pros:

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• Comprehensive Coverage: Broad accident/illness protection covering hereditary conditions, chronic diseases, exam fees, and even alternative therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy.

• Curable Pre-Existing Conditions Covered: Hartville will reinstate coverage for curable pre-existing conditions once your pet has been symptom-free for 6 months.

• No Age Limit: You can enroll older pets – even senior dogs and cats – since there’s no maximum age cutoff for new policies.

• 24/7 Vet Helpline: Policyholders get free access to a 24/7 veterinary telehealth line for any pet health questions or guidance at any time.

• Multi-Pet and Payment Discounts: Save 10% on each additional pet’s premiums, and avoid monthly fees by paying annually.

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Cons:

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• No Direct Vet Pay: Hartville requires you to pay the vet bill upfront and then get reimbursed later, which could be challenging if you face a very large vet expense out-of-pocket.

• Annual Limits Max Out at $10k: Unlike a few top competitors, Hartville doesn’t readily offer an unlimited annual coverage option through its standard enrollment.

• Longer Accident Waiting Period: A 14-day waiting period for accidents is longer than the industry norm – many insurers make accident coverage effective in 48–72 hours.

• High Cost for Minimal Coverage: The Accident-Only plan’s price is high relative to its limited protection.

• Limited Routine Care Benefits: Hartville’s wellness add-ons help with routine care costs, but the reimbursement amounts might not cover your full spend.

Hartville Pet Insurance FAQs

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Is Hartville Pet Insurance worth it?

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Yes. Hartville Pet Insurance is a legitimate and reputable provider (in business since 1997) that offers extensive coverage for accidents and illnesses. It earned a 4.2 out of 5-star customer rating on Trustpilot, indicating many pet owners find value in it.

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Does Hartville Pet Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

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No, Hartville (like all pet insurers) will not cover incurable pre-existing conditions that showed symptoms before you enrolled. However, Hartville stands out by offering coverage for curable pre-existing issues once the pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for 180 days.

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Does Hartville Pet Insurance have waiting periods?

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Yes. Hartville imposes a 14-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses on new policies. There is no additional waiting period for orthopedic conditions beyond 14 days, which is more generous than many competitors.

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Does Hartville Pet Insurance offer wellness coverage?

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Yes. Hartville offers two optional wellness plans (preventive care add-ons) that you can include with your policy. The Basic Preventive Care plan reimburses up to a set amount for routine services like exams, vaccinations, deworming, and a dental cleaning. The Prime Preventive Care plan costs more but covers higher amounts and additional items such as spay/neuter surgery and bloodwork.

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Does Hartville Pet Insurance pay the vet directly?

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No. Hartville does not have a direct-pay arrangement with veterinarians. You will need to pay your vet bill out-of-pocket and then file a claim for reimbursement.

Conclusion: Our Take on Hartville Pet Insurance

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Hartville Pet Insurance provides robust coverage and peace of mind for pet owners who want to be prepared for the worst. With its comprehensive Complete Coverage plan, 24/7 vet helpline, and willingness to cover curable pre-existing conditions, Hartville shines as a pet-friendly insurer that tries to say “yes” to claims wherever possible. While its premiums and policies are not the cheapest on the market, the value is evident in the breadth of treatments covered and the company’s long track record in pet insurance.

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If you have a young pet or one prone to adventurous mishaps, Hartville’s accident & illness plan can potentially save you thousands on big vet bills. On the other hand, if you’re considering accident-only coverage for a very old pet or have a tight budget, you may want to compare a few providers to ensure Hartville’s pricing makes sense for you.

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Overall, Hartville Pet Insurance earns high marks for coverage, flexibility, and trustworthiness. It’s especially worth a look if you want strong coverage for things like hereditary conditions, alternative care, or if you’re insuring an older pet. By understanding its limits (like the $10k annual cap and 14-day wait) and taking advantage of discounts, you can decide if Hartville fits your needs.

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Finally, as you weigh your pet insurance options, remember that managing pet expenses can go beyond just insurance. Consider using Kudos as your smart shopping companion – it can help you compare top pet insurance plans in one place and even ensure you’re using the best credit card for vet bills or pet purchases. Kudos makes it easy to save money while you protect your furry family members – a win-win for you and your pet!