Wagmo Pet Insurance Review: Is It Worth the Cost to Keep Your Furry Friend Healthy?
Hey there, fellow pet lovers! As a pet mom myself, I know that our fur babies are family. We want to give them the best possible care, but with vet bills rising every year, it can be a real challenge to balance their health needs with our budgets. That‘s why I‘m excited to share my experience with Wagmo pet insurance.
What is Wagmo?
First off, let me explain exactly what Wagmo is. Founded in 2017, Wagmo is a relative newcomer to the pet insurance scene, but don‘t let that fool you. This New York-based company is shaking things up with its innovative, user-friendly approach to helping pet parents manage the costs of care.
Wagmo offers both traditional pet insurance plans that cover accidents and illnesses, as well as optional wellness plans that help with the costs of routine care like checkups and vaccinations. But what really sets Wagmo apart is its flexibility, affordability, and exceptional customer service.
Why Does Pet Insurance Matter?
Before I dive into the details of Wagmo‘s plans, let‘s talk about why pet insurance is so important. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, the number of insured pets in the U.S. reached 3.45 million in 2021, a nearly 28% increase from the previous year. And it‘s no wonder why.
The American Pet Products Association reports that in 2021, pet owners spent over $34 billion on veterinary care and products. To break that down further, the average annual cost of care is:
- $242 for a dog‘s routine vet visits
- $178 for a cat‘s routine vet visits
- $426-$855 for surgical vet visits for dogs
- $214-$495 for surgical vet visits for cats
And that‘s just for basic, planned expenses. What happens when your pet has an unexpected accident or illness? According to PetFirst, the average cost of an emergency vet visit is between $800-$1,500. And specific conditions like cancer can cost $5,000 or more to treat.
The reality is, most of us don‘t have that kind of cash lying around. That‘s where pet insurance can be a lifesaver, both for your pet and your wallet. By paying a predictable monthly premium, you can get reimbursed for up to 90% of your vet bills. It‘s the peace of mind we all want as pet parents.
How Does Wagmo Pet Insurance Work?
Now that you understand the "why" behind pet insurance, let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of how Wagmo works.
Signing Up
The first step is requesting a quote on Wagmo‘s website. To give you the most accurate pricing, you‘ll be asked for some basic info about your pet, including:
- Name
- Species (dog or cat)
- Breed
- Age
- Sex
- Location
Don‘t worry, this is just to determine your pet‘s risk factors, not to discriminate. Wagmo insures all breeds, even those often excluded by other companies like French Bulldogs, Rottweilers, and Maine Coons.
Once you get your quote, you can customize your plan to fit your budget by selecting your:
-
Deductible: The amount you‘re responsible for before coverage kicks in. Wagmo offers $250, $500, and $1,000 deductible options. A higher deductible means a lower monthly premium and vice versa.
-
Reimbursement Percentage: The portion of each vet bill that Wagmo will pay after you‘ve met your deductible. Choices are 70%, 80%, or 90%.
-
Wellness Plan: An optional add-on that helps cover preventative costs. More on this later.
After selecting your preferences, simply enter your payment info to complete your enrollment. The whole process is entirely digital and takes only a few minutes. Once you‘re signed up, you can log in to your account to view your policy, make changes, and submit claims.
How Coverage Works
Wagmo keeps its coverage simple with just two main plans:
1. Accident & Illness Plan
This is Wagmo‘s bread and butter. The accident & illness plan covers diagnostics and treatments related to sudden injuries or unexpected health issues your pet may experience. This includes things like:
- Broken bones
- Bite wounds
- Foreign body ingestion
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin allergies
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- And more
There are no network restrictions with Wagmo, so you can visit any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada, including specialists and emergency clinics. Wagmo will reimburse you for covered expenses based on your chosen deductible and reimbursement level.
The accident & illness plan has no annual limits or lifetime caps, but there is a $100,000 maximum payout per condition. Pre-existing conditions are not covered, nor are cosmetic or elective procedures like nail trims or ear cropping.
2. Wellness Plan
For added savings, you can opt to add one of Wagmo‘s three wellness plans to your policy. These plans reimburse you for expected preventive care costs like:
- Annual exams
- Vaccinations
- Bloodwork
- Fecal tests
- Heartworm/flea/tick preventatives
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Teeth cleaning
- Microchipping
- Grooming
Here‘s a breakdown of Wagmo‘s wellness plans:
| Plan | Price | Annual Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $20/month | $350 | Pets needing basic preventive care |
| Classic | $36/month | $650 | Pets needing additional services |
| Deluxe | $50/month | $1,100 | Pets needing more comprehensive care |
Wellness plans have no deductible and reimburse covered services at 100% up to your annual limit. This is a great way to budget for your pet‘s routine needs while still saving money in the long run.
One thing to note is that Wagmo‘s wellness benefits are itemized rather than bundled. This means you‘re reimbursed for the retail cost of each covered service up to a set limit. For example, the Classic plan allots $100 for dental cleaning. If your actual bill is $150, you‘ll get back $100.
Submitting Claims
The claims process with Wagmo is easy peasy. After paying your vet as usual, just log in to your Wagmo account and upload a copy of your itemized invoice. You can submit claims 24/7 from any device.
For accident & illness claims, Wagmo‘s average processing time is 2 weeks. For wellness claims, reimbursements are usually issued within 24 hours via direct deposit or Venmo. No need to wait for a paper check!
What Makes Wagmo Different?
Wagmo is a breath of fresh air in the pet insurance space. While it offers many of the same coverage options as competitors, Wagmo goes above and beyond in terms of:
Affordability
With plans starting at just $13/month, Wagmo is one of the most budget-friendly providers on the market. Its customizable plans and range of deductibles make it easy to find a premium that fits your needs.
Wagmo also offers several discounts, including:
- 10% off for each additional pet enrolled
- 5% off for paying annually instead of monthly
- 10% off for military, veterans, and first responders
Flexibility
Wagmo doesn‘t believe in boxing you in. With the freedom to choose any vet, adjust your coverage at any time, and submit claims your way, Wagmo puts you in the driver‘s seat of your pet‘s care.
I especially love that Wagmo covers so many alternative therapies like acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and chiropractic care. As someone who has seen the benefits of these treatments firsthand, I appreciate a provider that supports a holistic approach.
Superior Service
What good is pet insurance if you can‘t get help when you need it? Wagmo gets top marks for customer care thanks to its:
- User-friendly Member Portal
- Quick claims processing (most within 24 hours)
- Responsive support team available by phone, email, text, and social
- 30-day free look period to review your policy risk-free
But you don‘t have to take my word for it. Wagmo boasts stellar ratings on sites like Trustpilot, with 78% of users giving 5 stars and 18% giving 4 stars for an average score of 4.9/5.
Here are some glowing reviews from real Wagmo customers:
"Wagmo‘s wellness plan has been a lifesaver. I used to stress about the costs of annual checkups and vaccines. Now I don‘t think twice about bringing my pup in for routine care. Plus, I get reimbursed so fast!" – Sarah M.
"When my cat ingested a foreign object and needed emergency surgery, Wagmo was there for us. The claims process was painless and we got reimbursed for 90% of the bill. I‘m so grateful we had Wagmo during such a scary time." – Michael T.
Is Wagmo Right for You and Your Pet?
At the end of the day, only you can decide if Wagmo is the best fit for your fur family. But if you‘re looking for a modern, customer-centric company that offers:
- Easy online enrollment and claims
- Customizable coverage
- Affordable rates and discounts
- Freedom to choose your vet
- Responsive customer support
Then Wagmo is definitely worth considering. With plans for every budget and helpful add-ons like wellness coverage, Wagmo makes it easy to give your pet the care they deserve without breaking the bank.
Of course, no provider is without drawbacks. One limitation of Wagmo is that it has a 12-month age minimum to enroll, so you can‘t use it for puppies and kittens under 1 year old. Additionally, if you live in Florida, Wagmo‘s accident & illness plan has lower annual limits of $20,000 due to state regulations.
Overall though, I‘ve been thrilled with my experience with Wagmo. It‘s given me such peace of mind knowing I can make care decisions for my dog based on what‘s best for her health, not my bank account. And as someone who has worked in the veterinary field, I love being able to pass along this insider info!
How to Get Started With Wagmo
Sold on Wagmo? Sweet! Here‘s how to get your pet covered ASAP:
- Head to wagmo.io and click "Get My Quote".
- Fill out your pet‘s details and choose your deductible/reimbursement level.
- Decide if you want to add a wellness plan.
- Enter your contact and billing info.
- Review and accept your policy documents.
- Feel good knowing your BFF has the protection they deserve!
Remember, you have 30 days to look over your policy and make sure it‘s right for you. If you change your mind in that time frame, Wagmo will issue a full refund as long as you haven‘t filed any claims.
Have more questions about Wagmo? Check out the handy FAQ section on their site or reach out to their friendly team. They‘re available 7 days a week by phone at (844) 584-0969 or email at [email protected].
Key Takeaways
Phew, that was a lot of info! Let‘s recap the highlights of this Wagmo pet insurance review:
- Wagmo offers customizable accident & illness plans with optional wellness add-ons
- Plans start at $13/month with no annual limits or lifetime caps on essential coverage
- You can visit any licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada—no networks!
- Claims are processed quickly and reimbursements issued via direct deposit or Venmo
- Wellness plans cover preventive care costs often excluded by other providers
- Wagmo gets high marks for affordability, flexibility, and customer service
Well folks, I hope this inside scoop has been helpful as you navigate the world of pet insurance. It‘s a big decision, but one that can make a world of difference for your pet‘s health and your financial wellbeing.
Remember, when it comes to our fur kids, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By investing in their care today, we can help them live their best, happiest, longest lives. And what could be more rewarding than that?
Thanks for reading and give your pets an extra snuggle for me!
Til next time,
Your Resident Pet Insurance Guru
