Paul Sanchez
Bivvy Pet Insurance was a Wisconsin-based company that offered a flat-rate, comprehensive insurance plan with an optional wellness plan add-on. They were known for their affordable rates and coverage of a wide range of pets, including exotic animals. However, Bivvy has ceased operations and is no longer issuing new policies. While under operation, Bivvy received mixed reviews, with some customers praising their affordability and ease of use, while others complained about issues with claim denials, pre-existing conditions, and lack of customer support.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flat rate | $14 to $15 per pet |
| Premiums | Do not increase if a claim is made |
| Accessibility | Not available in all states |
| Customer service | No live-chat option or customer service line |
| Reimbursement | Low reimbursement rate |
| Pre-existing conditions | Lots of red tape |
| Waiting period | 30 days for illnesses, 14 days for accidents |
| Vet | Can go to any licensed vet |
| Claims | Smaller claims are paid, but larger claims may be denied |
| Coverage | Comprehensive, with an optional wellness plan add-on |
| Age | Covers pets no matter their age |
| Pet type | Covers a wide range of pets, including cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles |
| Status | No longer issuing new policies |
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What You'll Learn
Bivvy Pet Insurance is no longer issuing new policies
Bivvy Pet Insurance, a Wisconsin-based company, offered a unique approach to pet insurance with a flat, transparent rate of $14 to $15 per month, covering any pet, regardless of age, breed, or size. Their “one plan for all” policy included an optional wellness plan add-on. Bivvy's policies were underwritten by CUMIS Insurance Society Inc., a financially strong insurance group with a long history.
Despite its comprehensive coverage and positive reviews from some customers, Bivvy faced challenges with claims reimbursement. Some customers experienced issues with larger claims being denied, even after meeting deductibles. There were also concerns about pre-existing conditions and a lack of flexibility in coverage.
With Bivvy exiting the pet insurance market, it underscores the importance of carefully evaluating the stability and long-term viability of pet insurance providers. While attractive rates and broad coverage are important, the financial stability and customer service responsiveness of the insurer are also critical factors in ensuring peace of mind for pet owners.
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Pros and cons of Bivvy Pet Insurance
Pros
- Bivvy offers affordable pet insurance no matter the pet's age, breed, or size.
- Bivvy's flat, transparent rate may appeal to some pet owners.
- Bivvy offers "one plan for all" — a comprehensive policy with an optional wellness plan add-on.
- Bivvy is one of the few insurance companies that cover pets besides dogs and cats, including frogs, geckos, mice, lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises, goats, opossums, ferrets, chameleons, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, chinchillas, hedgehogs, iguanas, gerbils, potbellied pigs, and sugar gliders.
- Bivvy allows customers to purchase insurance coverage for their family or friends' pets as a gift.
- Bivvy is underwritten by CUMIS Insurance Society Inc., an insurance provider with a history of more than 55 years, and a member of a financially strong insurance group that has been around for 80 years.
- Bivvy covers accidents and illnesses, chronic conditions, cancer treatments, emergency care, congenital and hereditary conditions, diagnostic treatments, blood tests, ultrasounds and X-rays, surgical procedures, hospitalization, orthodontic treatment, and prescription medications.
- Bivvy's additional Wellness Care plan covers preventive and routine services, including vaccinations, wellness examinations, heartworm tests, heartworm, tick, and flea prevention, deworming, urinalysis, FELV screen, and microchipping.
- Bivvy received a rating of 4.6/5 on Trustpilot, with some reviewers praising its quick and easy sign-up process, great coverage, and low prices.
Cons
- Bivvy is no longer issuing new pet insurance policies and will not renew existing policies.
- Bivvy's insurance isn't available in all states and comes with certain limitations that other providers don't have.
- Bivvy lacks a customer service line or live chat option, and some customers have complained about their frustration with the claims process and lack of response from customer service.
- Bivvy has a low reimbursement rate, which may not provide owners with substantial financial support for expensive, ongoing conditions.
- Some customers have complained about issues with claims being denied due to pre-existing conditions and the company's strict definition of what constitutes a pre-existing condition.
- Bivvy has a longer-than-average 30-day waiting period for illnesses and a standard 14-day waiting period for accidents.
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Bivvy's Accident & Illness plan
The Accident & Illness plan has a flat rate of $14 to $15 per pet, with no increase in premiums if a claim is made. This makes Bivvy an affordable option for many pet owners. Additionally, Bivvy allows customers to purchase insurance for their family or friends' pets as a gift, although the policyholder must be listed as the pet owner.
However, it's important to note that Bivvy's insurance is not available in all states, and the company has been known to have issues with customer service, including a lack of a live chat option or a customer service line. There have also been reports of claims being denied due to pre-existing conditions or a lack of detailed invoices, and the company has a longer-than-average 30-day waiting period for illness coverage.
While Bivvy's Accident & Illness plan offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of pets, it's important for pet owners to carefully consider the pros and cons of the policy and ensure that it aligns with their specific needs and budget.
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$29.99
Bivvy's Wellness Care plan
Bivvy Pet Insurance offered an optional Wellness Care plan that covered preventive and routine services for pets. This included vaccinations, wellness examinations, heartworm tests, heartworm, tick, and flea prevention, deworming, urinalysis, FELV screen, and microchipping. The Wellness Care plan could be added on to Bivvy's "'one plan for all' insurance policy, which was an affordable and comprehensive plan with a preset deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual payouts.
The Wellness Care plan was a good option for pet owners who wanted to proactively manage their pet's health and ensure they received regular preventive care. This type of plan is ideal for pets that may be prone to certain health issues or need regular vaccinations and screenings. By having a Wellness Care plan, pet owners could help catch potential issues early on and provide their pets with the necessary care to maintain their health.
While Bivvy's Wellness Care plan offered valuable coverage for preventive care, it's important to note that, as of 2023, Bivvy Pet Insurance is no longer issuing new policies and is encouraging new applicants to seek coverage with Spot Pet Insurance. This is due to Bivvy going out of business. For those with existing Bivvy policies, coverage will continue until the policy's anniversary date.
In addition to this development, it's worth noting that Bivvy has received mixed reviews. While some customers praised the company for its affordable rates, easy claims process for smaller claims, and broad coverage, others complained about issues with larger claims, non-renewals, and pre-existing condition exclusions. As such, pet owners considering Bivvy's Wellness Care plan should be aware of these potential limitations and carefully review the terms and conditions before enrolling.
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Customer service and claim issues
Bivvy Pet Insurance is no longer issuing new policies and is encouraging new applicants to opt for Spot Pet Insurance. Bivvy will not renew existing policies, and coverage for all current policies will end on their anniversary date.
Bivvy offered an affordable and comprehensive "one plan for all" policy with an optional wellness plan add-on. However, their insurance was not available in all states, and they lacked a customer service line or live chat option.
Some customers have praised Bivvy for its easy claims process for smaller claims, where they only needed to submit a receipt showing all the required information. However, others have criticised the company for its handling of larger claims. One customer reported that their larger claim was denied because they did not submit a detailed invoice, which was not required for smaller claims.
Another common issue with Bivvy's claims process is the company's handling of pre-existing conditions. Several customers have reported that their claims were denied due to pre-existing conditions, even in cases where the condition was not explicitly diagnosed until after the policy started. Bivvy also does not cover the cost of prescription dog food, even when it is required to manage a medical condition such as inflammatory bowel disease.
In addition to issues with claim denials, some customers have reported problems with non-renewal of policies. Bivvy has been non-renewing all pets at the end of their policy term, regardless of their age, leaving customers without coverage for pre-existing conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Bivvy pet insurance is no longer issuing new policies and is encouraging new applicants to take out policies with Spot Pet Insurance. Bivvy will not renew existing policies, and coverage for all current policies will end on their anniversary date. Therefore, it is not worth taking out a policy with Bivvy.
Bivvy offered an affordable and comprehensive "one plan for all" policy with an optional wellness plan add-on. They also allowed customers to purchase insurance coverage for pets other than cats and dogs, such as birds, rabbits, and ferrets.
Bivvy has been accused of refusing to cover customers' claims, even when they provided all the required information. The company also has a low reimbursement rate, which may not provide owners with substantial financial support if their pet has an expensive, ongoing condition.
Spot Pet Insurance is recommended by Bivvy and Money.com. Pawlicy Advisor also helps customers compare pet insurance companies to find the best fit for their pets.
