Hartville pet insurance review

Hartville coverage options

Below, we list what pet insurance does and doesn't cover under Hartville's policies. Terms and conditions may impact eligibility for reimbursement of certain treatments on this list. Reach out to customer service or your broker for more details to avoid disappointment or frustration.

What Hartville does not cover

To avoid frustration and disappointment, you should familiarize yourself with Hartville's exclusions. Below we list general exclusions that aren't covered by Hartville's policies.

Hartville plans and customizations

Hartville provides different levels of coverage to suit various needs and budgets. You can choose between the accident-only plan, accident and illness plan and preventive care add-ons. This allows you to select a plan that best matches your pet’s health requirements and your financial situation.

Accident-only plan

Hartville’s accident-only plan covers injuries resulting from accidents, such as broken bones, bite wounds, cuts, abscesses, lodged foreign objects and toxic ingestions. This plan is ideal for pet owners looking to safeguard against unforeseen accidents without the higher premiums of a more comprehensive plan.

Accident and illness plan

The Complete Coverage℠ plan builds on the accident plan with additional coverage for treatments related to non-accidental illnesses. This more extensive policy covers conditions such as digestive problems, diabetes, hypothyroidism, gingivitis and cancer.

Complete Coverage℠ also covers treatment for eligible hereditary and congenital conditions such as heart disease, eye disorders and hip dysplasia. Finally, this policy will reimburse you for eligible behavioral issues such as excessive licking, destructive chewing, fur pulling and tail chasing.

Basic preventive care

With Hartville’s preventive care packages, you receive reimbursement up to a scheduled amount for specified routine vet care and preventive care treatments. These include annual wellness visits, vaccinations and dental cleanings. 

Hartville’s basic wellness add-on costs an additional $9.95 per month and gives you $250 of coverage toward preventive care expenses per policy year.

Prime preventive care

For an additional $24.95 per month, the Prime Preventive Care package offers more extensive coverage, up to $450 per year for preventive care treatments. 

This package includes all the benefits of the Basic Preventive Care package, plus additional coverage for parasite prevention, blood tests and spay or neuter procedures.

Customization options

Hartville Pet Insurance offers several customization options to tailor coverage to the specific needs of pet owners and their pets. These options ensure flexibility in terms of coverage levels, deductibles and reimbursement rates to help manage the cost of pet insurance for different individuals.

Annual coverage limits

The annual limit on your pet insurance policy dictates the maximum amount your provider will payout in a policy year. 

Hartville offers a spectrum of annual coverage limits ($2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000 and $10,000).  A higher annual limit is helpful for pets with considerable medical expenses. A lower annual limit will provide less coverage but come with a more affordable premium.

Deductibles

The insurance deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. Higher deductibles typically result in lower monthly premiums. Hartville offers three deductible choices ($100, $250 and $500). 

Reimbursement rates

Reimbursement rates, or co-insurance, refer to the portion of the vet costs your insurance will reimburse. Lower reimbursement rates lead to lower premiums while higher reimbursement rates translate to higher premiums. 

Hartville offers a fairly standard selection of 70, 80 and 90 percent reimbursement rates.

Pros and cons

Additional features of Hartville

Hartville Pet Insurance offers some additional features that enhance its appeal for pet owners.

Multi-Pet discounts

Hartville offers a 10 percent discount for each additional pet enrolled. This discount makes it more cost-effective for families with multiple pets to get comprehensive coverage for all their furry friends.

Mobile app

Hartville’s mobile app makes it easy for policyholders to manage their pet’s insurance on the go. The app allows you to file claims, track claim status, view policy details and access customer support.

Online Member Center

Customer convenience is a top priority for Hartville. Policyholders can use the Member Center to view coverage details, make payments, update billing information, submit and track claims and add additional pets. You can also locate a nearby vet and access the 24/7 veterinary helpline.

Exclusions and restrictions

Age restrictions

Pets as young as eight weeks old may sign up for coverage. While some insurance companies impose upper age limits, Hartville does not restrict enrollment of senior pets. 

This is good news for pet owners looking for financial assistance with the pet care costs associated with these life stages. Be sure to check whether your four-legged friend has any pre-existing conditions that will not be covered.

Waiting periods

To limit financial risk, insurance providers enforce waiting periods on certain aspects of their policies. 

Hartville keeps things simple by having a 14-day waiting period for accident and illness coverage. While two weeks days is a bit longer than the average waiting period for accident coverage, 14 days for illnesses and ligament injuries is shorter than most pet insurance companies. 

There is no waiting period for preventive care.

Location restrictions

Hartville pet insurance reimburses for applicable veterinary costs from any licensed veterinary care clinic, vet specialist or emergency vet center in the U.S. or Canada. Read through your policy to check for state-specific benefits and exclusions.

Hartville pet insurance costs

Bankrate gathered sample quotes to give you an idea of how much Hartville might cost for your pet. Your quotes will depend on discount eligibility, policy choice and location.

How to file a claim with Hartville

Filing a claim with Hartville is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to ensure your claim is processed efficiently:

You can receive your reimbursements via direct deposit or a check sent in the mail. The option of Direct Vet Pay isn't advertised on Hartville's website, but the company encourages pet owners to speak to a representative about this option.

Claim processing usually takes less than 30 days. Hartville will send emails to keep pet owners informed of the claims process. Alternatively, log in to your Hartville app or the Member Center to track the progress of your claims.