Costco Pet Insurance Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Coverage

Our expert's opinion on Costco

Last update: September 4, 2025

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2.7

Score

2.7

Score

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Costco's pet insurance in the United States is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and administered by Figo Pet Insurance, offering a branded product through a third-party administrator that combines core accident-and-illness protection with multiple optional riders.

Plans are offered in three tiers—Value Plus, Popular and Higher Coverage—with sample monthly premiums in the pricing table ranging from roughly $20 for younger cats to $240+ for older large-breed dogs; reimbursement rates, annual limits and deductibles vary by chosen plan and pet, and wellness budgets are available only via an optional Wellness Rider. Compared with mainstream competitors, Costco positions a tiered, value-oriented offering through Figo that is competitively priced for basic cover while relying on optional add-ons for routine and elective care.

Best suited for owners of young to middle-aged pets and budget-conscious buyers who prefer tiered options and are willing to purchase riders for routine or elective services.

The policy is underwritten by Independence American and administered by Figo; claims are submitted via the Figo Pet Cloud with customer support by phone and email, and the offering has a provider-average rating of 3.7 (Value Plus 3.5, Popular 3.7, Higher Coverage 3.9).

Pros

• ✅Core accident and illness coverage
• ✅Optional riders for wellness, dental, and exam fees
• ✅Lifetime coverage continuation upon renewal
• ✅24/7 Live Vet text service
• ✅Specialist consultations included
• ✅Tiered pricing with three plan levels
• ✅Very short accident waiting period (1 day)

Cons

• ❌Routine and preventive care only via paid riders
• ❌Six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions
• ❌Pre-existing conditions excluded with long symptom-free requirement
• ❌Older purebred dog premiums can be high
• ❌Multiple riders may substantially increase total cost

Discover the offer

2.7

Score

2.7

Score

ProsCons

• ✅Core accident and illness coverage
• ✅Optional riders for wellness, dental, and exam fees
• ✅Lifetime coverage continuation upon renewal
• ✅24/7 Live Vet text service
• ✅Specialist consultations included
• ✅Tiered pricing with three plan levels
• ✅Very short accident waiting period (1 day)

Our expert's opinion on Costco

Last update: September 4, 2025

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Pros

• ✅Core accident and illness coverage
• ✅Optional riders for wellness, dental, and exam fees
• ✅Lifetime coverage continuation upon renewal
• ✅24/7 Live Vet text service
• ✅Specialist consultations included
• ✅Tiered pricing with three plan levels
• ✅Very short accident waiting period (1 day)

Cons

• ❌Routine and preventive care only via paid riders
• ❌Six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions
• ❌Pre-existing conditions excluded with long symptom-free requirement
• ❌Older purebred dog premiums can be high
• ❌Multiple riders may substantially increase total cost

Discover the offer

2.7

Score

2.7

Score

ProsCons

• ✅Core accident and illness coverage
• ✅Optional riders for wellness, dental, and exam fees
• ✅Lifetime coverage continuation upon renewal
• ✅24/7 Live Vet text service
• ✅Specialist consultations included
• ✅Tiered pricing with three plan levels
• ✅Very short accident waiting period (1 day)

Costco's pet insurance in the United States is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and administered by Figo Pet Insurance, offering a branded product through a third-party administrator that combines core accident-and-illness protection with multiple optional riders. Plans are offered in three tiers—Value Plus, Popular and Higher Coverage—with sample monthly premiums in the pricing table ranging from roughly $20 for younger cats to $240+ for older large-breed dogs; reimbursement rates, annual limits and deductibles vary by chosen plan and pet, and wellness budgets are available only via an optional Wellness Rider. Compared with mainstream competitors, Costco positions a tiered, value-oriented offering through Figo that is competitively priced for basic cover while relying on optional add-ons for routine and elective care. Best suited for owners of young to middle-aged pets and budget-conscious buyers who prefer tiered options and are willing to purchase riders for routine or elective services. The policy is underwritten by Independence American and administered by Figo; claims are submitted via the Figo Pet Cloud with customer support by phone and email, and the offering has a provider-average rating of 3.7 (Value Plus 3.5, Popular 3.7, Higher Coverage 3.9).

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Costco Guarantees

Costco’s pet insurance offering is built around a single core accident-and-illness plan that is presented across three sample coverage tiers (Value Plus, Popular, Higher Coverage). The core plan covers emergency care, surgery, imaging, laboratory diagnostics, ambulance transport, and specialist consultations, while a range of optional riders can add exam-fee reimbursement, wellness items (vaccinations, parasite prevention), dental cleanings, alternative therapies, identification, boarding reimbursement, and cremation/disposal services. Lifetime coverage is available upon renewal, and the product is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and administered by Figo.

Plan positioning ranges from entry-level (Value Plus) through mid-tier (Popular) to higher-end coverage (Higher Coverage). Waiting periods are short for accidents (1 day) and standard for illness (14 days), with a six-month orthopedic waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions. Deductible and reimbursement mechanics are determined by plan configuration and optional selections; several benefits require purchasing specific riders to be covered.

Strengths include a core accident+illness structure with ambulance and specialist coverage, availability of optional riders to tailor preventive and non-core benefits, lifetime coverage on renewal, and 24/7 telehealth access (“Live Vet 24/7”) via the administrator. Main limitations are that many routine and preventive services are excluded from the core plan unless a rider is purchased, orthopedic conditions have an extended waiting period, and certain curable pre-existing conditions require an extended symptom-free period before becoming eligible.

Exclusions and key limitations: Pre-existing conditions are excluded if they occurred or had clinical signs within 12 months prior to the policy start date or during waiting periods; a curable condition may become eligible after 12 consecutive months free of symptoms and treatment, but this exception does not apply to knee/ligament issues. Preventive and routine care—wellness exams, routine dental cleanings, standard vaccinations, parasite prevention, and spay/neuter—are not covered under the core plan unless the corresponding optional rider is purchased. Cosmetic, elective, and breeding-related procedures are excluded.

Other notable limitations include exclusions for injuries or illnesses resulting from intentional acts, persistent neglect, or disallowed activities (organized fighting, etc.), and exclusions for treatment of parasites preventable by available preventives. Physical examination fees, rehabilitation, and certain alternative/holistic therapies are excluded from the core plan but can be covered if the appropriate rider is selected. Non-medical and administrative charges (administrative fees, taxes, waste disposal) and losses arising from catastrophic events (government-ordered slaughter, nuclear incidents, acts of war) are not covered.

Costco Exclusions

Costco’s core policy excludes pre‑existing conditions with a 12‑month look‑back and treats curable conditions as eligible only after 12 months symptom‑ and treatment‑free, while knee/ligament (canine orthopedic) issues remain excluded from that reinstatement and have an extended orthopedic waiting period.

Illnesses resulting from failure to vaccinate, injuries deliberately caused by the owner, and conditions arising from organized fighting or persistent neglect are excluded, and the policy can bar a repeated type of incident after three similar events (e.g., repeated foreign body ingestion).

Parasitic infections for which preventive treatments exist, breeding‑related costs, removal of deciduous teeth, and pre‑existing periodontal disease are specifically excluded, increasing potential out‑of‑pocket exposure for certain common conditions.
Administrative and non‑medical charges and losses from major catastrophic events (avian influenza, government‑ordered slaughter, nuclear events, war) are not covered; many ancillary benefits (wellness/exam/boarding/cremation) are offered only as optional riders rather than included by default, which can affect overall coverage scope and costs.

Costco Prices

Costco’s pet insurance is positioned as a mid‑range offering with clear tiered options that allow policyholders to choose an entry‑level cost profile or scale up to broader protection via higher tiers. Value Plus represents the lower‑cost entry point, Popular sits in the mainstream mid segment, and Higher Coverage targets owners seeking more extensive benefits; this tiered structure helps Costco appeal to a wide range of budgets while maintaining consistent core accident and illness coverage.

Reimbursement levels, deductible choices, and annual coverage limits remain the key levers that determine value and competitiveness—lower deductibles and higher reimbursement or annual caps raise monthly premiums but reduce owners’ out‑of‑pocket exposure, while higher deductibles and narrower riders lower premium cost. Costco’s model combines a membership distribution channel with digital administration (through Figo), optional wellness and exam riders, telehealth access (Live Vet 24/7), and lifetime cover on renewal, distinguishing it from more traditional carriers that may rely on legacy distribution and fewer integrated digital services.

To help you find the best match between your needs and budget, compare the monthly estimated prices below.

Costco Promo Codes

Note: Promo codes are subject to change. For the latest offers, check our comparison of the best pet insurance providers.

How much will I be reimbursed by Costco?

Reimbursements with Costco are calculated by subtracting your annual deductible from eligible veterinary expenses, then paying the plan’s reimbursement percentage on the remaining eligible amount (examples below use the Higher Coverage tier at 90%).

✅ Example 1: Consultation for allergic dermatitis Total vet costs: $250 (consultation + medication) Deductible amount to subtract: $100 (annual deductible) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Higher Coverage plan: $250 – $100 = $150 90% of that amount reimbursed: $150 × 90% = $135
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $135.

ℹ️ *The annual deductible applies once per policy year; subsequent eligible claims that year are paid after the deductible has been met.*

✅ Example 2: Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cruciate rupture Total vet costs: $6,500 (surgery, imaging, hospitalization, implants, medication) Deductible amount to subtract: $0 (deductible already satisfied earlier in the policy year) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Higher Coverage plan: $6,500 – $0 = $6,500 90% of that amount reimbursed: $6,500 × 90% = $5,850
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $5,850. Remaining out-of-pocket cost: $6,500 – $5,850 = $650.

ℹ️ *Large claims reduce your remaining annual coverage if an annual limit applies; optional riders and exclusions may affect specific procedures.*

✅ Example 3: Annual wellness visit and vaccinations (Wellness Rider) Total vet costs: $300 (wellness exam, vaccinations) Deductible amount to subtract: $0 (deductible already met earlier in the year for this example) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Higher Coverage plan + Wellness Rider: $300 – $0 = $300 90% of that amount reimbursed: $300 × 90% = $270
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $270. Remaining out-of-pocket cost: $300 – $270 = $30.

ℹ️ *Preventive care is covered only if the Wellness Rider is purchased; rider terms can specify different reimbursement rules or sublimits separate from the core plan.*

Costco Assistance

Costco’s pet insurance pairs a strong telehealth offering with a digital claims ecosystem, giving owners quick access to clinical triage and streamlined online claims.

The Figo Pet Cloud platform simplifies invoice submission and policy management, which helps accelerate reimbursements and maintain medical records.

Optional riders for wellness, exam fees, dental, and boarding provide flexibility to cover routine or ancillary costs that the core plan excludes.

Buyers should confirm at purchase whether direct-to-vet billing, payment plans, or international coverage are available for their chosen policy level.

Customer Reviews on Costco

Because no pet‑insurance‑specific customer reviews are available on the commonly used platforms for this service, it is not possible to identify a set of recurring positive aspects reported by members of the public.

In the absence of platform‑specific feedback, common concerns and limitations cannot be reliably summarized from customer commentary; this prevents an evidence‑based synthesis of frequent complaints or service issues.

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FAQ

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and an experienced entrepreneur in the insurance and personal finance sector, Antoine uses his experience and in-depth knowledge of the market to help Internet users make the right choices. With an MBA in economics, he is a committed expert whose mission is to make personal finance and insurance issues simple and understandable. With a rich career marked by the creation of innovative companies, Antoine's ambition has always been to bring transparency to complex issues and to give power back to consumers. With HelloSafe, he continues to translate this vision by providing accurate advice, impartial comparisons and detailed explanations of travel insurance. He has analysed hundreds of contracts to reveal the best options available on the market.