Is Spot Pet Insurance Worth It? Our Review 2025
Our expert's opinion on Spot
Spot Pet Insurance stands out in the US pet insurance market for its flexible, modular coverage that allows pet owners to tailor both accident and illness protection as well as preventive care, with optional Gold and Platinum wellness packages. Annual reimbursement limits and deductible levels are customizable at the time of enrollment, which lets users manage their maximum annual benefit and cost-sharing responsibilities in line with their needs. Spot’s reimbursement rates are competitive—selected at signup—and preventive care options offer capped reimbursement for common routine procedures, dental cleanings, vaccines, and tests, positioning Spot as a mid-to-upper tier provider versus low-cost rivals like Lemonade and more premium, comprehensive plans like Trupanion. Spot is notably strong for younger pets and owners looking for broad medical and behavioral coverage, but it also suits purebred animals, given genetic illness inclusions, as well as those seeking wellness budget add-ons. The insurer, Independence American Insurance Company, manages significant premium volumes and is recognized for solid financial stability. Spot's Trustpilot rating hovers around 4.2/5 on 3,100+ reviews—a positive indicator of customer satisfaction. Digital claims processing and prorated refunds on early cancellation are highlights, with observed average claim turnaround of 10–14 days, which meets or outpaces most US competitors.
- Highly flexible plan structure with adjustable limits and deductibles
- Optional Gold or Platinum wellness add-ons for preventive care
- Covers broad range of conditions, including behavioral and cancer care
- Annual direct-vet or reimbursement claims possible
- No breed or age restrictions for enrollment
- Nationwide US coverage, including territories and Canada
- 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims made
- Strict exclusions for pre-existing and waiting period conditions
- Reimbursement rates and benefit limits require careful selection at enrollment
- Preventive care reimbursed only up to capped amounts per procedure
- No coverage for elective, cosmetic, or training-related services
- Premiums may increase yearly at renewal
- Spot Guarantees
- Spot Exclusions
- Spot rates
- Spot Assistance
- Customer feedback on Spot
- How to contact Spot?
- FAQ
Why trust HelloSafe?
At HelloSafe, our pet insurance experts review the terms and pricing of 34 insurance plans on the market each year to provide you with reliable and impartial analysis. Thanks to this thorough approach, hundreds of thousands of users across the US trust us every month to help guide them through their most important financial decisions.
Spot Guarantees
Spot Pet Insurance stands out thanks to modular formulas covering illness, accident, and reimbursing real veterinary fees at customizable rates (70–90%) and annual deductibles (from $100), with annual reimbursement limits varying by policy. Its contractual flexibility and broad eligible treatments—including therapies, hospitalization, cancer care, and behavioral therapy—are key strengths, especially compared to typical competitors. Preventive care is offered via two add-on options (Gold, Platinum) with fixed annual caps per act for wellness (vaccines, dental scaling, routine exam, etc.) but these remain quite limited in scope and amounts. Spot's main weaknesses concern strict exclusions on pre-existing conditions, dental exclusions outside illness or option, and lack of routine dental cleaning unless opting for preventive endorsement. Notably, the coverage extends to the USA, territories, and Canada, but does not include third-party liability or non-veterinary costs.
Name of guarantee | Base Formula (Accident & Illness) | Gold Preventive Option | Platinum Preventive Option |
---|---|---|---|
Positioning of formula | Modular health coverage for dog/cat | Preventive wellness add-on | Enhanced preventive add-on |
Type of coverage | Accident & illness | Preventive care | Preventive care |
Covered animals | Dog and cat designated in contract | Dog and cat | Dog and cat |
Reimbursement rate % | Choice of 70%, 80%, 90% | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Annual reimbursement limit | As chosen, variable per contract | $50–$100 per act, max per act | $25–$150 per act, max per act |
Deductible (annual/per act) | Annual, $100 minimum (variable per quote) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Age min/max for subscription – Dog | NC | NC | NC |
Age min/max for subscription – Cat | NC | NC | NC |
Health questionnaire required? | NC | No | No |
Waiting period for illness | 14 days | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Waiting period for accident | 14 days | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Lifetime guarantee once insured? | Yes, subject to terms | No | No |
Standard/emergency/specialist vet visits | Covered | Routine exam: $50/yr | Routine exam: $50/yr |
Medications | Covered if prescribed | Not covered | Not covered |
Hospitalization | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Ambulance fees | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Surgery, anesthesia | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Scans, MRI, ultrasound | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Lab analysis | Covered | Not covered | Blood/urine/parasite tests: $25/yr each |
Radiotherapy | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Dental care | Dental extraction if illness/accident | Scaling: $100/yr | Scaling or neuter: $150/yr |
Scaling | Not covered unless preventive option | $100/yr | $150/yr |
Prevention package | Not included | Routine, vaccines, limited tests | Routine, vaccines, more acts, neutering |
Alternative medicine (e.g. acupuncture) | Covered if vet-performed | Not covered | Not covered |
Therapeutic diet/food | Only if prescribed for covered condition | Not covered | Not covered |
Covered countries / travel | USA, US territories, Canada | USA, US territories, Canada | USA, US territories, Canada |
Death/cremation | Euthanasia, burial, cremation if medical | Not covered | Not covered |
Euthanasia | Covered (excl. commemorative items) | Not covered | Not covered |
Theft/loss/search fees | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Boarding fees | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
Good to know
Exclusions strictly apply to pre-existing conditions, non-prescribed hygiene and preventive products, as well as experimental treatments. Wellness (preventive) benefits have fixed maximums per act per year—unused acts do not carry over and only one reimbursement by type/year is possible. Base plan covers only the named animal and works in excess of any other health insurance; non-veterinary items and behaviors or illnesses due to neglect, breeding, or work use are not covered.
Spot Exclusions
Among the exclusions of the Spot Pet Insurance contract, it is important to note a very strict formalism for pre-existing conditions, which can only be reconsidered for coverage after 180 days without symptoms for a fully resolved issue, excluding ligament/knee conditions.
The coverage never applies to dental care for aesthetic or corrective purposes (crowns, prostheses, etc.), nor to experimental treatments or clinical trials, which remain excluded, even if some competitors make exceptions in cases of recognized innovation.
Spot refuses any coverage if the animal is used for competitions, hunting, security, or racing, thereby limiting coverage to purely companion animals.
It is also notable that all non-strictly veterinary expenses (commemorative objects, urns, everyday hygiene products, etc.) as well as services provided by a member of the policyholder's household are fully excluded.
Finally, coverage remains geographically restricted to North America (USA, US territories, and Canada) and does not cover cases of epidemic, pandemic, or conflict-related diseases, whereas some French companies may offer limited international coverage.
Exclusions | Details |
---|---|
Medical exclusions and care | - Pre-existing conditions (except curable illnesses resolved for 180 days, excluding ligaments/knees) - Dental care for aesthetic or corrective purposes (crowns, implants, roots) - Experimental treatments or unrecognized clinical trials - Dental cleaning except for covered/specific disease - Pre-existing or waiting period ligament/knee issues - Treatments or foods prescribed for prevention/after resolution - Organ or heart valve transplants - Training or training devices |
Exclusions related to the animal and activity | - Animals used for hunting, competitions, security, races - Accidents or diseases caused intentionally (abuse, negligence, intentional acts) - Care provided by the policyholder, co-owner or family members |
Geographic/event exclusions | - Care outside the USA, US territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) and Canada - Epidemic/pandemic diseases, nuclear/chemical contamination, war, terrorism |
Non-veterinary/administrative fee exclusions | - Non-veterinary fees (toys, harnesses, bedding, etc.) - Funeral expenses, urns, commemorative objects - Non-prescription grooming, common hygiene products - Home vet travel expenses (unless agreed) - Ancillary services (administrative fees, taxes, file, etc.) |
- Dental care for aesthetic or corrective purposes (crowns, implants, roots)
- Experimental treatments or unrecognized clinical trials
- Dental cleaning except for covered/specific disease
- Pre-existing or waiting period ligament/knee issues
- Treatments or foods prescribed for prevention/after resolution
- Organ or heart valve transplants
- Training or training devices
- Accidents or diseases caused intentionally (abuse, negligence, intentional acts)
- Care provided by the policyholder, co-owner or family members
- Epidemic/pandemic diseases, nuclear/chemical contamination, war, terrorism
- Funeral expenses, urns, commemorative objects
- Non-prescription grooming, common hygiene products
- Home vet travel expenses (unless agreed)
- Ancillary services (administrative fees, taxes, file, etc.)
Spot rates
Spot Pet Insurance adopts a mid-range to slightly higher pricing position, justified by a wide range of coverage options that include both accident and illness protection, with customizable limits and reimbursement rates. Deductibles and exclusions remain within the US market standard, but modular preventive options (Gold, Platinum) enhance the offer’s completeness, especially for costly procedures like sterilization or multiple vaccines. The entire customer journey and service is fully digitalized, cutting administrative costs and improving claims management compared to traditional insurers with physical agencies. However, strict policies on pre-existing conditions and annual limits for optional packages can cap generosity for pets with high medical needs. In summary, Spot is mainly suited for owners seeking robust, flexible, and fully online-managed coverage, while still positioned at the mid to high end of the market in terms of pricing.
Compare plans to get the best coverage at the most advantageous price according to your profile and needs.
Base Plan | Gold Preventive | Platinum Preventive | |
---|---|---|---|
Young cat (2 - 4 years) | $20/month | $32/month | $46/month |
Senior cat (7 - 8 years) | $34/month | $46/month | $60/month |
Small breed dog | $28/month | $40/month | $55/month |
Small breed dog (2 - 4 years) | $24/month | $36/month | $50/month |
Large breed dog (2 - 4 years) | $38/month | $50/month | $68/month |
Senior dog (7 - 8 years) | $60/month | $72/month | $95/month |
Spot promo codes
Spot promo codes | Details |
---|---|
HelloSafe promo code | -5% off your quote |
Note: Promo codes are subject to change. For the latest promo codes, visit our comparison of the best pet insurance policies.
How much will I be reimbursed with Spot?
Soin | Prix moyen (USD) | Spot Base (Accidents & Maladies) b9 | Spot Pr e9ventif Gold (option) b2 | Spot Pr e9ventif Platinum (option) b2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Consultation v e9t e9rinaire | $60 | Reimbursed up to 90% b2: $54 Out-of-pocket: $6 (excluding deductible) | Not covered | Not covered |
Vaccines (annual) | $25 | Not covered | Reimbursed $20 Out-of-pocket: $5 (excluding deductible) | Reimbursed $25 Out-of-pocket: $0 (excluding deductible) |
Neutering/Spaying | $250 | Not covered | Not covered | Reimbursed $150 Out-of-pocket: $100 (excluding deductible) |
Dental cleaning | $200 | Not covered except illness (otherwise) Not covered | Reimbursed $100 Out-of-pocket: $100 (excluding deductible) | Reimbursed $150 Out-of-pocket: $50 (excluding deductible) |
X-ray (accident/illness) | $150 | Reimbursed up to 90% b2: $135 Out-of-pocket: $15 (excluding deductible) | Not covered | Not covered |
Out-of-pocket: $6 (excluding deductible)
Out-of-pocket: $5 (excluding deductible)
Out-of-pocket: $0 (excluding deductible)
Out-of-pocket: $100 (excluding deductible)
(otherwise) Not covered
Out-of-pocket: $100 (excluding deductible)
Out-of-pocket: $50 (excluding deductible)
Out-of-pocket: $15 (excluding deductible)
Important information