Pros and Cons of Bivvy Pet Insurance
Here are a few of our top pros and cons regarding Bivvy pet insurance:
Bivvy’s Plans and Coverage
Bivvy offers both accident-and-illness plans and wellness plans.
Accident-and-Illness Plan
While most pet insurance companies offer separate accident-and-illness coverage, Bivvy has one plan covering both accidental and emergency injuries and previously undiagnosed illnesses and conditions for cats and dogs.
The plan is $15 per month, regardless of your pet’s age, size, sex or breed. The standard plan has a $5,000 annual cap on coverage with a $1,000 maximum for accidents.
In addition to a $250 deductible, Bivvy charges 50% co-insurance on any claims and reimburses the remaining 50%. For example, if you have a $1,000 vet bill left after paying your $250 annual deductible, you must pay $500 out of pocket, and Bivvy will reimburse you for the remaining $500.
Bivvy’s standard plan covers the following:
- Surgeries related to illness or injury
- X-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests
- Lab tests
- Veterinary services rendered to treat or diagnose injury or illness, including any fees for telephone consultations
- Medically necessary supplies
- Hospitalization
- Endodontic treatments, such as root canals and crowns for injuries
- Orthodontic treatments
- Euthanasia, when deemed necessary for humane reasons
- Cremation costs
Bivvy has a 14-day waiting period for all accidents and illnesses, except for any orthopedic conditions, which require a 180-day waiting period. The waiting period is the amount of time after you purchase your policy that you must wait before filing any claims.
If your pet has an injury or sudden illness sooner than two weeks after your plan starts, you will not be entitled to coverage. Similarly, if your dog or cat is diagnosed with an orthopedic issue sooner than 180 days after plan purchase, Bivvy will not cover it.
While other companies have similar waiting periods, keep in mind that many, including Embrace and Figo, have waiting periods of no more than three days.
Wellness Care
Bivvy has an optional package for the cost of routine and preventive care. The company’s wellness add-on is an additional $9 per month, regardless of your pet’s breed, age, sex or size.
The wellness plan pays the following:
- Two regular exams per year — up to $40 each
- Microchip implantation — up to $20
- Deworming — up to $20
- Certain vaccinations, including a rabies shot — up to $15 each
- Flea, tick and heartworm prevention — up to $15 each
- Heartworm test — up to $10
Bivvy’s Exclusions
Like most pet insurance providers, Bivvy will not cover any preexisting problems, including any congenital or hereditary conditions, or other issues diagnosed before the end of the 14- and 180-day waiting period.
Bivvy also will not cover any preventive care, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, flea and heartworm medication and grooming costs, in its standard plan. Considering that exclusion, the company might not be your best option if you are looking for coverage for a young puppy or kitten.
Lemonade, for example, offers a wellness plan specifically for dogs and cats under 2 years of age that covers required vaccinations, blood tests, checkups and other routine vet exams.
Other exclusions are as follows:
- More than one removal of an ingested item or substance per one-year policy term
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental chews, rinses or general preventive dental care or cleanings
- Cosmetic surgeries, such as tail docking, ear cropping or declawing
- Vitamins and supplements
- Prescription and over-the-counter shampoos, conditioners and ear cleaners
- Any treatments given after a vet’s recommendation to euthanize
- Deliberate injury or illness caused by you, your family members, people living within your home or anyone responsible for the care of your pet. This exclusion does not apply to injuries or illnesses that occur due to family violence or by someone for whom you file a criminal complaint related to the issue.
- Injury or illness caused by commercial applications of your pet (racing, law enforcement, guarding, etc.)
Plan Customizations
- Deductibles: $250
- Annual limits: $5,000 total; $1,000 for accidental injuries
- Reimbursement rates: 50%
Bivvy’s Premiums
Bivvy charges the same premium — $15 — regardless of the breed and age of your dog or cat. Bivvy plans cannot be customized, so the $15 monthly fee is based on a $5,000 coverage cap with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
Bivvy Pet Insurance Reviews
We analyzed more than 100 customer reviews for Bivvy on sites including Trustpilot, Yelp and Google Reviews and found that Bivvy often stands out for its affordability and quick claims process. Negative reviews frequently mentioned difficulty signing up for plans online and confusion about policy details. Bivvy does not have a direct customer support line or online live chat to answer questions or provide guidance.
We reached out to Bivvy for comment on these customer reviews and the cons listed above but did not receive a response.
“I am so glad I signed up for Bivvy. Although I had it for over a year before I ever filed a claim, when my young dog started limping, the vet bills started coming quickly as we tried to diagnose the problem. My Bivvy claims were easy to submit and I was reimbursed exactly as my policy said without any issue. Thank you, Bivvy!” —Andrea
“Was kind of confusing. They were not up-front about waiting periods. Had to get clarification on how [the] wellness program works. Could use some clearer verbiage.” —Christina
“Great insurance. I have had several different pet insurance policies in the past and paid much more for them and had bad experiences. Bivvy is fast, easy and affordable. Pet health care is getting very expensive but the 50% payment really helps.” —Karen Hayes Mason
“I tried all yesterday afternoon to register and I found nothing but difficulty with the site. I spoke with customer service twice and they were looking into it. I decided to just try again today and I had no problem. My registration went smoothly. Had I not had an issue yesterday, I would have given 5 stars.” —Jacqueline
Bivvy vs. Competitors
Here’s how Bivvy stacks up against other top pet insurance providers:
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$26-$67 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 day | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$53-$123 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$28-$59 | A+ | 3 days | Compare Plans |
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$26-$67 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 day | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$53-$123 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$28-$59 | A+ | 3 days | Compare Plans |
Is Bivvy Pet Insurance Worth It?
Bivvy is an affordable and streamlined pet insurance company that provides one plan for all cats and dogs at the same monthly rate. The company is a good option for those seeking basic pet coverage since Bivvy’s standard plan will pay for most illnesses and injuries. Since Bivvy does not have exclusions or limitations based on age, it may also appeal to owners of older cats and dogs.
However, Bivvy has a limited wellness plan. If you have puppies or kittens or are looking for an additional preventive care package, companies like Lemonade, Spot and Embrace may be worth considering for their coverage of spaying and neutering and higher annual caps for heartworm and flea prevention.
While Bivvy has a straightforward policy and claims process, it requires a hefty co-insurance of half the total cost of the veterinary service you claim and a flat $250 deductible.
Bivvy is also limited in customer support, as representatives are unavailable by phone or online chat. Bivvy does have a customer service email address, but it is not clearly posted on the company’s website and can only be found through the FAQ page. On the other hand, Fetch is accessible 24/7 through a live-chat feature and may be more appealing to those for whom customer service is a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bivvy Pet Insurance
Multiple policies through different companies for the same pet are typically not encouraged and are often not allowed. Many companies will deny claims for a pet insured through another provider. If you have a pet insurance policy but are unhappy with the service or are looking for more coverage, it is better to cancel your existing policy before signing up for a new one.
Bivvy covers one pet per policy. If you have multiple pets, you will need to purchase a separate policy for each one through Bivvy.
Since Bivvy covers all breeds of dogs and cats, your dog’s specific breed will not impact the cost. If your dog’s breed is not an option during the quote or enrollment process, choose the mixed-breed option that matches your pet’s approximate weight.
You will pay your first monthly premium at enrollment. After that, payments are due every 30 days after your sign-up date. Bivvy has a customer portal for saving credit card information for recurring payments.
Signing up for the optional Wellness Care plan will increase your monthly premium by $9 to $24. However, it will not change your deductible amount, and your annual coverage cap will remain the same. In addition, Bivvy charges 50% co-insurance on all approved procedures, exams and veterinary services.
Methodology: Our System For Rating Pet Insurance Companies
Hilary Snow is a communications professional with more than 20 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She has worked for a number of well-regarded outlets and content marketing companies local to North Carolina, including The Greater Wilmington Business Journal and ZillaMetrics.
Roxanne Downer has more than 15 years as a news, finance and lifestyle writer and editor. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has previously worked at Deutsche Bank, BNY Mellon, Financial Week and MSN Money.