Former Veterinary Assistant Reveals the Best and Worst Pet Insurance

The pet insurance industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade or so, and there are more companies than ever offering coverage for your furry family members. But how do you know you've picked a good company?

Unfortunately, it's often not until you file a claim that you get to find out whether you chose wisely -- or very, very poorly.

That's why we love coming across industry insiders willing to spill the tea on the companies they've worked with day in and day out. Like this video, where @tired.all.the.time87 -- a former veterinary assistant -- gave her opinion on the best and worst pet insurance companies.

High costs, stingy coverage, and defaulted claims

So, which companies does this insider say to avoid? According to the video, both Healthy Paws and Lemonade earned a "buyer beware" from the former vet assistant.

"Stay far, far, far away from Healthy Paws and Lemonade," she warned.

While both companies advertise low rates, she said, they have a very small range of covered services. They also have very high deductibles, which means more money out of your pocket before you can get reimbursement. (Most pet insurance works on a pay first, claim later system, so you pay out of pocket then get reimbursed later.)

That's not the worst of it, however. The video calls out Healthy Paws for some very unscrupulous behavior.

"Healthy Paws likes to default on claims," she said. "Sometimes they will just sit and wait until your claim defaults, then they won't cover it because it ran out of time. And it's usually on their end -- they do it on purpose."

Bad insurance company. No treat for you.

Now, to be fair, there were a number of people in the comments who stood up for Healthy Paws and Lemonade alike. More than a dozen, in fact, all saying they've had claims reimbursed without issue. So like anything else on the internet, take both sides with a grain of salt.

Low deductibles, broad coverage, and quick turnaround

Of course, the video wasn't all doom and gloom. Our friendly host also gave her two cents on the best pet insurance companies. In particular, she had some great things to say about these companies: Trupanion and Nationwide.

While the two companies tend to have higher monthly rates, she said, their deductibles are much lower. They also have a wider range of covered services. Plus, these companies received good marks for reimbursing claims in a timely manner.

"They have a really quick turnaround rate for reimbursement," she confirmed. "Typically, I would see my clients get reimbursed within a couple of weeks."

The comment section seems to heartily agree with her recommendations, too. Dozens of commenters -- including a few other industry professionals -- chimed in to say they've had great experiences with both companies.

Having issues? File an official complaint

Perhaps one of the most important mentions in the video's comment section was a reminder that the insurance industry is subject to extensive government regulation. Specifically, insurance is regulated by the states.

This means if your pet insurance company isn't operating in good faith, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance regulation office. (Simply search your state and the words "insurance complaint," and you should find your way to the right place.) It will then investigate your complaint. If your state's regulation office finds that the company didn't meet its legal obligations, it can require corrective action.

In the end, you'll have to make your own choices about which pet insurance company to trust with your pet's healthcare needs. For every complaint about a company, there are usually happy customers who simply haven't felt the need to raise their voices about it. Do some investigating on your own -- such as asking staff members in your own vet's office, asking other pet parents, and reading a variety of reviews -- before making a decision.