24PetWatch Pet Insurance Review 2023

Pros Explained

• Four plan tiers covering accidents and illnesses: 24PetWatch offers four different levels for its accident/injury plans. The medical treatments covered by all four levels are the same. The plans differ only in the annual coverage limits and deductible amounts.
• Online claim submission: Customers file all claims and necessary paperwork online through the customer portals. Paper submissions are not allowed.
• No restriction on eligible veterinarians: You can use any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada.
• Premium may be lowered if no claims are filed: According to a customer service representative, your premium may be lowered if no claims are filed over a specific time frame.

Cons Explained

• Wellness plans are only available as add-ons and have low annual limits: 24PetWatch only offers wellness as an add on to an existing accident or injury policy
• Plans tend to be more expensive than competitors’: 24PetWatch’s premiums tend to be on the higher side when compared to other pet insurance companies, but they're not the priciest on the market.
• Maximum age of 10 years for newly enrolled dogs, 12 years for cats: 24PetWatch will not write coverage for any dog over 10 or cat over 12 years, so this would not be the company for you if you have a senior pet that you want to cover.

Overview

24PetWatch was founded in 2003 under the umbrella of PetHealth Inc. The Ontario-based company offers pet health insurance plans in the U.S. and Canada. It issues coverage for both accidents and illnesses, and wellness plans can be added for additional premiums. 

The plans cover only dogs and cats. Exotic pets aren't eligible. 24PetWatch provides additional perks that you don’t often see, such as a lost pet recovery service, for an additional charge. This service has reunited 625,000 lost pets with their owners, according to the insurer. Instant quotes, as well as customer service and account management, are easily accessed through its website.

Available Plans

24PetWatch offers four accident and illness insurance plans: Extra, Classic, Super, and Champion. They all cover the same types of medical treatments, but they have different levels of deductibles and annual limits. This enables pet owners to choose the financial commitment that suits their ability to cover veterinary expenses.

The following treatments are covered by 24PetWatch's basic plans and its optional wellness add-ons.

Riders and Add-Ons

• Wellness add-ons: Pet owners can add an optional wellness plan that covers preventative care. It's offered in two tiers. These plans cost a flat rate, which is added to the monthly premium for the accident/illness policy. The “Advanced” wellness plan offers higher coverage limits than the “Routine” plan in many cases. 
• Pet Recovery Assistance: Pet Recovery Assistance is a lost pet program that connects you with specialists who can help reunite you with your pet if it gets lost. It's available 24/7. You can pay a one-time fee of $99.95 for a lifetime subscription to this service, or you can pay annually: $49.95 the first year and $19.95 every year thereafter. Your pet must be microchipped to participate in this program.
  

Waiting Periods

One nice feature of 24PetWatch is that there's no waiting period for accident coverage. But illness coverage comes with a waiting period of 14 to 30 days, depending on the option chosen when you're enrolling.

Cancellation Policy

24PetWatch policies can be canceled at any time by calling the company or sending a notice in writing. Any unused premium will be refunded as long as a minimum of one month’s premium has been paid. The add-on wellness plan can't be canceled on its own during the term. The wellness and accident/illness plan must be canceled together. There's a 12-month waiting period before wellness coverage can be purchased again if it's canceled at the time of policy renewal.

Plan Exclusions

24PetWatch offers rather comprehensive coverage, but there are some notable exceptions. Coverage will not be approved for conditions that may affect both sides of the body (bilateral conditions) if they've been previously diagnosed on the other side of the body, regardless of cause. Some of these conditions include cruciate ligament injury, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

Supplements, dental accidents, root canals, and crowns aren't covered either.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Pets with pre-existing conditions can be insured with 24PetWatch, but no coverage will apply to any health or genetic issue that was present in the 24 months prior to enrollment. Veterinary records and a veterinary exam are required prior to coverage beginning.

Plan Pricing

24PetWatch covers only one set of medical treatments with its accident and illness plans, but you can choose from four different levels of coverage limits and deductible amounts. These plans all tend to be somewhat higher in price than those of other insurers.

We found 24PetWatch to have an average premium of $70.24, using an average of three different pet personas from around the country (two dogs and a cat). But keep in mind that premium costs can vary a great deal due to the species, breed, and age of your pet, along with where you live.

Claims

Claims must be filed online at the customer portal at mypethealth.com. Paper claims are no longer accepted. All required documents must be submitted before the claim will be assessed.

Reimbursement is available by mailed check or direct deposit. It typically takes about 16 to 18 days for reimbursement to be disbursed after all the paperwork has been submitted, according to customer support.

Customer Service

Clients can call 24PetWatch Monday through Friday at (866) 375-7387 if they're in need of customer service. There are also options for email.

Third-Party Ratings

Clients of 24PetWatch had both positive and negative comments in our independent survey of pet owners, including “it was convenient,” “premiums are too expensive,” and complaints about the website being glitchy.

Alternative Choices

Choosing to purchase pet health insurance is a big decision. It's essential to evaluate your pet’s and your family’s needs. Plans can vary significantly in what they do and don't cover, how much they cost, and how much of your medical expenses will be reimbursed.

Customer service and ease of filing claims should also be considered. Plans with low premiums might seem like the obvious choice at first, but some of these don't cover common treatments or conditions and can leave your pet vulnerable.

Competition

Final Verdict

24PetWatch costs pet parents more than some other pet insurance options, but it offers fairly comprehensive coverage. We find it difficult to justify the higher premiums, however, with no mobile app, age limits for older pets, no dental coverage, and wellness coverage only available as an add-on.

FAQs

Is 24PetWatch a good insurance?

24PetWatch comes with some advantages that other insurers don't provide, such as its lost pet recovery service. That makes it stand out. It also offers four tier plans to cover illnesses and accidents, but they tend to be expensive.

How much does 24PetWatch insurance cost?

24PetWatch charges an average premium of about $70, but you could pay more or less depending on where you live and the age and species of your pet(s). You may qualify for a discount if you don’t file a claim for a certain period of time.

What is the waiting period for 24PetWatch?

Illness coverage comes with a waiting period of 14 to 30 days. There's no waiting period for accident coverage.

Who owns 24PetWatch?

24PetWatch is owned by PetHealth, Inc. It's based in Ontario and offers coverage in the U.S. and Canada.

Is 24PetWatch microchip free?

There's no charge to register your pet's microchip with the company or with its Pet Recovery Assistance Program.

Methodology

Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of pet insurance companies. We rated 25 providers and collected over 2,000 data points, including information about plan options, company features, and fees and limits, to ensure that our reviews help users make informed decisions for their pet insurance needs.

Our full pet insurance methodology, including our data collection process and weighted data points, is available for review.