Samantha Vargas is a freelance writer for Insurify. She has a background in comparative English literature and film and has produced a variety of journalistic content for the University at Buffalo's independent student newspaper, The Spectrum. She currently works in Buffalo, NY while finishing her master's degree. She spends her free time baking and working with animal welfare groups.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
8+ years editing experience
John leads Insurify’s copy desk, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Updated February 23, 2021
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Best For…
Pet owners looking for expansive wellness plan options
Pets under six years old
Those looking for a fast reimbursement process
Why buy pet insurance?
Pet parents might prepare for the monthly cost of food, toys, and specialty ordered treats. They might even prepare for the looming threat of unexpected accidents and illnesses. But many pet owners aren’t aware of how the cost of annual, routine procedures can add up over time.
At Insurify, we know that pet parents would do anything for their furry family members, especially when it comes to preventative care. But pet parenting can be tough when veterinary clinics charge steep fees for common, recommended treatments and procedures. Some clinics charge upwards of $700 for a simple neutering procedure. These fees can lead to unexpectedly high vet bills and avoiding annual treatments.
This is why so many pet owners are turning to pet wellness plans to relieve some of the financial burdens that come with providing the best healthcare for your furry friend. Finding the best policy for you and your pet can mean a world of difference when it comes to accessing the best clinics and treatments for your pet while not breaking the bank.
Purchasing a pet wellness plan typically means saving a set amount of money toward specific treatments like vaccines, routine blood work, and parasite prevention. The amount of money reimbursed per treatment varies depending on the company and plan.
What Is Wagmo?
Cofounded by self-described “ insurance nerds ” Christie Horvath and Ali Foxworth, Wagmo is a startup company that focuses on pet wellness plans. It offers coverage for dogs and cats in all 50 states. Wagmo also provides accident and illness pet insurance plans, but these plans have not expanded nationwide. The company and female co-founders recently gained media attention after getting backed by diversity-focused VC funds like Harlem Capital, Vestigo Ventures, and the Female Founders Fund. The co-founders have since said they plan on continuing to expand the company and its distribution model.
Wagmo does not require a veterinary exam before enrolling in its wellness plans because wellness plans do not have pre-existing condition exemptions.
Wagmo Policies and Pricing
Wellness Plan
Wagmo is primarily known for its wellness plans, which are different from traditional pet insurance. Unlike insurance plans that are strictly monitored and require agents to determine claim eligibility, wellness plans are like membership plans. This means that Wagmo will cover eligible day-to- day essentials and preventative expenses.
Wagmo offers three wellness plan options that vary in the number of pet services and the maximum reimbursement amount. Wagmo covers vaccines, fecal testing, routine exam fees, dental cleanings, and heartworm treatments, among others.
Unlike many pet insurance companies, Wagmo guarantees a 24-hour turnaround on reimbursements. This means that pet owners receive their routine care reimbursements within one day of filing their claim. Most pet insurance companies take between eight and 10 business days to reimburse policyholders.
According to Wagmo ’s website, it won’t exclude coverage regardless of breed, age, or medical history. And these factors will also not raise your monthly wellness plan premium.
The value plan is the cheapest option for dogs and cats. The plan starts at $20 per month and offers an annual maximum reimbursement of $350 per year. The plan covers one office visit, two vaccines, one round of routine blood work, and one round of fecal testing. This means that Wagmo will only reimburse a certain number of treatments every year.
The classic plan costs a bit more, but it is the most popular option for pet owners. The plan starts at $38 per month and offers an annual maximum reimbursement of $650 per year. This plan covers one office visit, three vaccines, one round of blood work, one round of fecal testing, one round of urinalysis, $100 toward parasite prevention, and $100 toward grooming.
The deluxe plan is the most expensive wellness option, starting at $65 per month. It has an annual maximum reimbursement of $1,100 per year. The plan covers two office visits, four vaccines, one round of blood work, fecal testing, and urinalysis, $200 toward parasite prevention, $200 toward grooming, and $100 toward dental care.
Wagmo ’s wellness plans do not cover any fees associated with accidents or illnesses.
Accident and Illness Coverage
Wagmo also offers traditional insurance plans that cover accidents and illnesses. However, these plans are not available nationwide. Wagmo offers to reimburse 100 percent of veterinary treatments for hip dysplasia, cancer, urinary tract infections, cherry eye, fractures, and foreign body ingestion surgery.
Wagmo offers three different plans that vary in annual deductible. Each plan offers a $10,000 incident limit, a $100,000 lifetime limit, and a 100 percent reimbursement rate. This means that Wagmo will reimburse the entirety of qualifying veterinary invoices but will not pay more than $100,000 throughout your pet’s life. The monthly cost of each plan depends on the breed, location they reside in, and age. The plans cannot be customized.
The cheapest plan has a $1,000 deductible, which means Wagmo will not reimburse any claims until you pay $1,000 out of pocket toward qualifying vet bills. The second most expensive plan has a $750 deductible, and the most expensive plan has a $500 deductible.
Wagmo does not have breed restrictions, but it won’t cover hip dysplasia treatments in pets over the age of six. It also won’t cover pre-existing conditions, dental surgeries, breeding expenses, or alternative therapy.
Wagmo for Your Bird or Exotic Animal
Wagmo does not offer insurance for birds or exotic pets. Currently, Nationwide is the only pet insurance company to provide pet insurance for exotic animals.
Wagmo Claims, Deductibles, and Benefits
None of Wagmo ’s plans offer any flexibility when it comes to customizing its plans. Pet parents can adjust the annual deductible by switching between Wagmo ’s three plan options. Still, the incident limit, lifetime maximum, and reimbursement rate cannot be changed.
Pet parents purchasing accident and illness coverage can choose among deductibles of $1,000, $750, and $500. No deductible is customizable within a plan. Each of the available plans offers a $10,000 incident limit, a $100,000 lifetime limit, and a 100 percent reimbursement.
Wagmo ’s wellness plans cannot be customized either, but pet parents can choose between maximum reimbursements of $350, $650, and $1,100 by switching plans.
Filing a Claim
Unlike many competitors, Wagmo does not require policyholders to fill out claim forms before receiving reimbursements. Pet owners are required to upload photos of the itemized veterinary invoice and medical history directly to the Wagmo portal.
According to Wagmo ’s website, it takes 24 hours to process all claims. Wagmo reimburses policyholders through Venmo, Paypal, or a bank transfer.
Waiting Period
Wagmo ’s coverage for accidents and illnesses begins 15 days after the plan finalization. Cancer treatment coverage begins 30 days after finalization. Wagmo only has waiting periods on its accident and illness coverage; wellness care coverage starts immediately.
If your pet were to get sick during the waiting period, you would have to pocket those costs. Also, any diagnosis made would be determined as a pre-existing condition. Your pet would not receive coverage in the future.
Wagmo Reviews from Policyholders
Successful Reviews
Wagmo is not a very publicized brand and does not have many reviews available online. There are no consumer reviews on its site or traditional consumer review websites. Still, social media sites like Facebook allow consumers to share their opinions and rate the company. Wagmo holds a 4.6-star rating out of 63 reviews. Positive reviews typically discuss how easy it is to use Wagmo and its 100-percent reimbursement.
Not-so-successful Reviews
Facebook also has a handful of negative reviews from consumers who are unhappy with their service. Most negative reviews cite feeling misled by the coverage in Wagmo ’s plans. Reviews also mention multiple changes occurring in each billing cycle, like the transition from Wagmo ’s value plan to the classic plan.
Wagmo Contact Information
Support@ Wagmo.io | |
Contact Portal | https:// wagmo.io/contact |
Wagmo 50 W 17th St, Floor 9, New York, New York 10011, United States | |
Website | https:// wagmo.io/ |
Who underwrites Wagmo ’s plans?
The National Specialty Insurance Company underwrites Wagmo ’s insurance plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wagmo
How much does Wagmo cost?
Wagmo’s pet insurance and wellness plan costs depend heavily on your pet’s age, breed, and location. According to Wagmo’s website, the average cost is $44.89 per month. Again, these rates are heavily subject to the factors above, as well as the insurance plans available in your state. Compared to other pet insurance companies, Wagmo had mid-range prices. However, Wagmo has yet to expand its traditional pet insurance to a majority of the country. There are many other affordable companies with comprehensive coverage and wellness plans that are more available. Wagmo also doesn’t offer any discounts, and only employees receive perks. You should compare pet insurance plans and prices before settling on one policy.
Is Wagmo good?
Wagmo took NYC by storm after its founding because of its unorthodox approach to pet insurance. Wagmo’s expansion of wellness plans brings about a new level of expectation for pet insurance companies. The company has to sort out its traditional insurance policies and expand outward to gain a spot in the ranks with other successful insurance companies. The fast reimbursement turnaround and the prioritization of technology is an excellent alternative to other companies. However, some customers are still unimpressed with the lack of available coverage. Whether Wagmo is the right choice for you comes down to what you can afford and what kind of coverage best fits you and your pet. That's why you should make sure you compare quotes before settling on a single pet insurance policy.
How is Wagmo different from pet insurance?
Although Wagmo is beginning to offer more traditional pet insurance, it is still run differently from many other competitors. Wagmo raises the bar on wellness plan options for pet parents that might not want to purchase additional accident and illness coverage. Most insurance companies that offer wellness plans do not sell them separately from their traditional insurance plans. The company is also one of the few insurance providers that provide a 100 percent reimbursement rate.
Samantha Vargas is a freelance writer for Insurify. She has a background in comparative English literature and film and has produced a variety of journalistic content for the University at Buffalo's independent student newspaper, The Spectrum. She currently works in Buffalo, NY while finishing her master's degree. She spends her free time baking and working with animal welfare groups.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
8+ years editing experience
John leads Insurify’s copy desk, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in