Costco Pet Insurance: What You Need to Know

Is there anything you can't get at Costco?!

It's true what they say: You really can get just about anything from Costco. And this goes well beyond what's on their shelves. You can get new glasses, book a vacation -- and yes, even get pet insurance.

Alright, yes, it sounds bizarre. Who gets insurance from a warehouse store?! But if your Costco membership can get you a deal on pet insurance, I certainly think it's worth investigating. So, here's a look at some questions you may have about Costco pet insurance.

Who is the provider?

As you may suspect, Costco isn't an insurance company. As such, it can't actually provide the insurance itself. Instead, Costco's pet insurance is provided through a partnership with Figo Pet Insurance. The policy is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Figo is a fairly well-known pet insurance provider. It is ranked as one of our best pet insurance providers, thanks in part to unlimited annual benefits and access to tele-vet services.

Do you need to be a Costco member?

Since the insurance is provided through a third party -- Figo -- you definitely don't need to be a Costco member to get it. However, you do need to be a Costco member to take advantage of the special discount.

That's right, there's a discount. Costco members who sign up using the partnership can get 15% off their pet insurance premium. And if you're an Executive Member, you also get the enrollment fee waived (that's an extra $15 savings).

How do you sign up?

It all starts on the Pet Insurance page on the Costco website. You can find this in the main menu, under the Services tab (it's listed as Pet Insurance).

You can get a pet insurance quote by calling, or by signing up online. Once on the Pet Insurance page, simply click the "Get a Quote" button to start the online sign-up process.

You'll need to provide some basic details, including:

• The type of pet (dog or cat)
• Your pet's sex
• Your pet's name
• Your pet's age
• Your pet's gender
• Your ZIP code
• Your email address

Once you fill out this form, you'll be given your plan options. Then, you'll provide personal info (name, address, etc.) and billing information. Et voila!

What are the plan options?

What you get from your pet insurance will depend on what you select during sign-up. You can choose:

• The annual coverage limit: This is the maximum amount you can be reimbursed for eligible expenses each year. The options include: $5,000, $10,000, and unlimited. The higher your annual limit, the higher your premium will be.
• The deductible: This is how much you'll need to pay out of pocket before you get reimbursed. As with any other insurance, a lower deductible comes with a higher premium.
• The reimbursement amount: This is how much you'll get back (after you meet the deductible). They're set as percentages, with 70% being the lowest, and 100% being the highest.
• Add-ons: You can choose from two different add-ons for a more customized plan. This includes Wellness (routine care, including dental work), as well as Vet Exam Fees (coverage for exam fees for accidents and illness, including telehealth consultations).

If you have multiple pets, don't forget to add them during this process so you can take advantage of the 5% multi-pet discount.

Things to note

There are a few things to be aware of when considering Costco's pet insurance. For one thing, plans don't cover pre-existing conditions. So if your furry friend has an already-established medical issue, it won't be covered.

If your pet has yet to be spayed or neutered, be prepared to cover that cost yourself, too. It's not covered under your Figo pet insurance policy.

Another thing worth mentioning is that routine care, including dental care, is only covered if you get the Wellness add-on. Otherwise, you're on your own here.

Is Costco pet insurance worth it?

All in all, if you're in the market for pet insurance, then getting it through Costco's partnership isn't a bad way to go. Figo is, by all accounts, a solid provider, and the 15% discount you get through Costco can help keep costs down, especially if you want to tack on extras like Wellness care.