24PetWatch Pet Insurance Review
24PetWatch Pet Insurance Review
ConsumersAdvocate.org
39 Customer Reviews - see all comments
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24PetWatch is a subsidiary of Pethealth Inc. who provides services like pet insurance and companion animal services to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
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The Ontario-based company issues coverage unexpected accidents and illnesses for dogs and cats, as well as microchip ID and lost pet recovery services.
- No enrollment or administrative fees
- Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
- Most claims are processed within 2 days
- Flexible premium & deductible options
Latest 24 Pet Watch Reviews
I have had 24 Pet Watch for several years for 2 chihuahuas. I have a wellness rider on the policy also. They are perfectly healthy, so the only claims I submit are the routine vaccinations and annual wellness checkups. I too experienced a dramatic increase in my premiums, but I ignored it because I, honestly, hadn't paid close attention and blamed myself because the premiums were paid on auto draft . Of my recent submission for over $400 in claims I was only reimbursed for less than $50. Now get this, these were for routine vacs and wellness checkups. My total premium for the two was $185.00 a month (and it just increased again by $10.) They offered only vague explanation for denying... Read More
I have had 24PetWatch insurance for my cats and dog for over 10 years. Since they changed underwriting to The North River Insurance Company it has gone completely down hill. My premiums nearly doubled for coverage that was not greater and I had to re-satisfy deductibles during the year just because they changed underwriting. Customer service is inconsistent. Today a representative hung up on me just as our conversation began about a claim I submitted. They make it difficult to submit claims, requiring unreasonable documentation. For example, they did not accept a "receipt" from CVS pharmacy (which had "receipt" printed on it) as a receipt showing I had paid it. I had to obtain a printout... Read More
I was told that when you adopted a pet with 24 Hour Petwatch that there would not be a waiting period as long as the policy was activated through the rescue group. I just submitted a claim for my dog that was adopted in September last year. They denied my claim stating that her condition was pre-existing because of a visit she had in October 2017. ? That was after the policy went into effect. It is now May 2018, I have paid 7 months of premiums for basically what has amounted to NO coverage. Don't waste your time or money with 24 Hour Petwatch.
I am a military veteran, and I have received more timely care from the VA than my dog received from 24PetWatch. I was denied a claim on an emergent surgery for my dog. The claim was denied because it involved my dog’s mouth. 24PetWatch stated that they don’t reimburse dental claims, and used that excuse to deny compensation for an emergent surgery. I filed an appeal with a personal letter from my dog’s veterinarian explaining the emergent nature of the surgery, and 24PetWatch still denied my claim/appeal. I have been working on this issue for over 8 months, which is how long their claims process took. 24PetWatch Customer Service is terrible; I had to submit my initial claim... Read More
I have been a customer, pet owner, with a policy on my dog since 2014, having signed up when I adopted my pet from the Longmont Humane Society in Colorado, July of 2014. I paid just over $40/month, plus a yearly renewal fee of $19.99. Even though I had visits that I could have filed a claim, I basically got lazy and never filed. I kept all my paperwork, and thought I would actually file once for all of them. NOTE: You must submit a claim within 90 days, or they become invalid. Word to the wise. Last May, our dog had an emergency overnight, 2am wake-up call. We heard her wince and cry out. We searched for her on the bed, as she sleeps with us. We could not find her. I turned on... Read More
When my dog reached 6 years, they increase insurance 3.5-fold to make it completely unaffordable. My dog is healthy, no huge claims or chronic health problems. I assume it was their way to remove older and potentially sicker dogs from the pool. Don't use them.
We've had 24 PetWatch for both dogs close to 3 years. We are satisfied with their offerings and find them comparable to others. I just received my 2017 policy renewal and rates are doubling due to a change in underwriters so I started shopping around...again. I find the PW review by Consumers Advocate misleading and outdated: (1) coverage levels changed a few years ago. We have EXTRA with $3000 per policy term max. and $100 annual deductible. (2) I do not find a sliding scale in my new 2017 policy manual. (3) They pay eligible vet exams where some competitors do not pay vet exams. (4) They also pay towards RX diets. Our 2 dogs will have pre-existing conditions should we change companies... Read More
I really liked this company for years. I was with them for 7 years. Two years ago I took the highest coverage. $20,000/$100 ded. yearly at $60 per month. This year at 11 years old, my girl had surgeries totaling $10,000. When the year was up my insurance went from $60 to $166 per month!!!!! Outrageous!!! I want noticed at all either and I'm still fighting it. Plus it takes months to get your money. In fact I have unpaid claims from May still. BUYER BEWARE!!! Ask a lot of questions.... Dont go here!!!
This company was recommended to me by the adoption center where I got my dog. I understand that most insurance companies for humans aren't great but this company takes the cake. I submitted my first claim for a minor vet bill after my dog fell down the stairs. I have been a customer for almost two years paying $46/month. My dog had Xrays done and had some medicine prescribed. The total bill was only $299 so I was due around $130 refund from insurance. I submitted the claim and it came back with an email saying it was completed but doesn't say rejected or approved. Just that I will receive a letter with the outcome. I called in to see what the outcome and it was rejected. I was told that a... Read More
Paid 5 years of insurance with 24 Hour petwatch for our Great Dane , put in first claims for urinary problems. They raised our insurance from 61 to 200 dollars and paid 88 cents for 337 dollar claim. Do not use this company, we are seniors on fixed income , these are bad people.
I would give zero stars if possible, by this site allows a minimum of half a star. Find a different insurance company to cover your valued pets. It is like pulling teeth trying to get this company to approve a claim. They used to be better years ago, but within the past 2-3 years they have gotten terrible. I submitted a claim for my cat with kidney failure, provided all the receipts and required medical records and documentation. A month later I received an email saying they couldn't process my claim. They gave no explanation as to why it couldn't be processed and didn't identify which claim they were referring to (I had several different claims outstanding at the time). I called... Read More
This company is a joke. Their pre-existing clause is sweeping and will afford them the ability to deny basically any claim they don't want to pay. When you call customer service to discuss it, they will talk to you like you're stupid. When you request to speak to a supervisor, they will tell you all they can do is request a call back within 48 hours. Then you won't receive that call, but somehow your account will be noted that they called you back and left you a voicemail (you never received because they never actually called you back). You call back and go through the same cycle a few more times. After a MONTH, you'll finally blow your top at the newest agent who thinks you clearly... Read More
My son adopted a rescue puppy and registered his chip with 24PetWatch. 19 months later, someone forged my sons signature on an ownership transfer form. 24PetWatch did not contact my son or make any attempt to verify his signature basically allowing another individual to steal ownership. 8 months after the fradulent transfer of ownership my son passed away and we discovered the transfer had occured. 24PetWatch confirms my son was original registered owner but will not void the illicit transfer request - even though we can prove my son did not consent to the transfer saying they do not "get involved in ownership disputes." 24Petwatch did not do their due diligence and allowed ownership of a... Read More
Watch out for this company They're dishonest and don't tell you the whole truth when you buy from them. I told them I wanted to buy health insurance for my dogs. What they sold me was just microchip tracking. Which is a waste since dogs get tracked anyway when they're lost. Total scam.
Horrid! What is the point of having insurance if EVERYTHING is a pre-existing condition. I was told "well we thought he had worms. So we paid once but now everything else is a pre-existing condition." No where did I ever say he had worms. What a waste of money. Whatever you do - do NOT use this company.
Both cats enrolled in micro-chip program. Find them very pushy, frequently receive emails to renew microchip program for the life-time membership that has annual fees. In email it tells you to phone them and the telemarketer is pressuring you into upgrading and attempting to sell 'superior tags'. If you refuse, they become very annoyed. The previous microchip service I had, did not have an annual fee and I was able to go on line, to update changes such as phone number or change in address-which does not seem possible with this company/
Very burdomesome paperwork. It's like a full time job to get a claim through and you have to be very assertive about following up because they won't be getting back to you. I am still trying to get a claim through and have a list of things to collect, including a letter on letterhead from my vet. Every time I call, I get an incomplete set of instructions and when I call to follow up there is an additional set of instructions. Last time I called for more instructions on getting my claim through, I went ahead and cancelled my policy at the same time. They didn't seem to care at all. My impression is that 24 PetWatch is one of those business models where as long as they collect premiums... Read More
Got my puppy at 8 weeks from a rescue on June 9. She was happy and healthy, or so I thought. Had the free month of 24 Pet Watch insurance from the shelter and enrolled her in the insurance program. On July 11, my baby got sick and on July 13th, she was put to sleep. 24PW did not cover anything except the euthanasia stating that her illness started within the 30 day waiting period. States the shelter enrolled her on a different date, but they were sure quick in sending me a check for the euthanasia. Turns out my neighbor used to work for them and quit when my neighbor felt the company's practices and ethics were extremely questionable. STAY AWAY!
This company is terrible--at least in canada they are!!!!!! They would rather you kill your dog than give you a penny. My 5 month old puppy was the runt of the liver and only after having him for about a month did we have some concerns--we always have chosen the runt of the liver --with no issues. My puppy ended up needing surgery as he had a postsytematic shunt issue. He was placed on anti seizure medication, antibiotics a stool softener and a special diet (low protein) from the the vet. Hiis surgery was over 5,000.....They covered nothing!!!!!! Not the medication, food or surgery......Nothing. All of this happened well after the waiting period. So if you have money to throw away go ahead... Read More
In 2005 I enrolled my cats in 25 Pet Watch Insurance company. For many years I was thrilled with both the customer service and the quick turnaround. However, back in 2012 or thereabouts I found that this was no longer the case. Very long turnaround time, many rejections of submissions for missing documents that I knew had been submitted. This said, I am very happy with the recent changes in this company. The turn around has become much better, the customer service has improved greatly, and the customer portal gives members much more control of what is going on with claims. I have submitted several claims in the past couple of months and they have been handled with dispatch. They... Read More
The 24PetWatch.com account website doesn't work to update dog tracking information. When I called to get assistance for the account, I was "belittled" as the legal wife. I had no rights as a woman. Sorry my husband has to work M-F, 6am - 5pm to pay for our mortgage for Karla, our new adopted dog, can have a loving place. I was not able to obtain assistance from Help Desk because my husband has to work and cannot call. And although I take care of Karla and love her 24/7, I was not able to get assistance. I don't recommend 24PetWatch because of how they treat family members. The account doesn't work and I was not able to set up an account. I tried to call the shelter and I was put on hold... Read More
I signed up last November at $146.00 a month for a 8 yr old cat & 8 yr. dog. First time I put in claim, the claim was denied. I was 8 days late of the 90 days. My bills were over $900.00, only $60.00 examination was covered. Since November I paid $1168.00 on fees, the wellness insurance is a scam. Nothing was covered for my dog who needed medication. What a waste of my money. I cancelled and will place $100.00 each month in a savings account to cover any cost I may have in the future. Even the cat yearly vaccinations were not covered.
What an absolute scam. If I could rate it zero stars I would. Got my pet microchipped and was told that I can't update the address unless I buy their lifetime plan costing $199.99 that will include pet finding services, a $30 discount to Rover.com, and direct access to a dog trainer. When I mentioned that I saw a $74.99 option on the site, the agent said that was without the dog trainer benefits. Not mentioning this at the start and starting with the most expensive option - disingenuous. Never mind that I already paid for the chip to be implanted. What exactly did I pay for then? I'm told these are recent changes. Save your money, make sure your vet isn't implanting their chips, and... Read More
I was not always 24PETWATCH. I was grandfathered in. The premiums were super low and I could never figure out how they were ever going to pay claims for their customers. One day I got a letter advising of the huge increase in premium. I was not at all surprised. Actually, I was glad to know that they were pricing their policies well enough to pay out claims in the event that one is likely to happen. My Obie was insured throughout his life for 11 years. I had the $20k Gold Tier plan with $1000 deductible. He received the best medical treatment because we had insurance. It's just like people. When his heart problems began, he had a cardiologist. When he had emergency surgery for GDV, we... Read More
My dog was micro chipped at Animal Defense League. 2 year later I lost my dog. Tried to go the 24PetWatch to see if I could look up details and update and keep saying microchip number not found! How the hell is anyone who looses your dog supposed to locate the owner! They don't care about your pet. Just your money.