If you’re a pet parent, chances are you’ve thought about how to cover your furry friend’s medical bills without breaking the bank. Veterinary care can get expensive, especially when unexpected accidents or illnesses happen. That’s where pet insurance comes in.
One of the most common questions pet owners ask is:
👉 Does Banfield Pet Hospital accept Pets Best Insurance?
If you’re looking for a clear and simple answer—YES, you can use Pets Best insurance at Banfield Pet Hospitals. However, there’s a catch. Banfield doesn’t directly accept pet insurance like human doctors accept health insurance. Instead, pet insurance works differently—you pay for the vet visit first and then get reimbursed by the insurance company.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about using Pets Best Insurance at Banfield, how pet insurance works, what Banfield offers, and how to combine them for the best care. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the answers to make an informed decision for your pet’s health.
What is Banfield Pet Hospital?
Banfield Pet Hospital is one of the largest veterinary chains in the U.S., with over 1,000 locations across the country. You’ll often find them inside PetSmart stores, offering routine check-ups, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and medical treatments.
Banfield provides pet owners with Optimum Wellness Plans (OWPs), which are not insurance but rather a membership plan that covers routine and preventive care.
What Services Does Banfield Offer?
Banfield hospitals provide a range of services, including:
✔ Wellness exams (routine check-ups)
✔ Vaccinations (rabies, distemper, parvo, etc.)
✔ Dental cleanings
✔ Parasite prevention (flea, tick, and heartworm treatment)
✔ Nutritional advice
✔ Surgical procedures (spaying/neutering and other surgeries)
✔ Diagnostic tests (bloodwork, X-rays, urinalysis)
✔ Emergency care (limited availability in some locations)
Banfield’s wellness plans help cover routine care, but they do not cover unexpected accidents or illnesses. That’s why many pet owners combine Banfield’s wellness plan with pet insurance for full coverage.
What is Pets Best Insurance?
Pets Best is a popular pet insurance provider that helps cover the costs of unexpected vet bills due to accidents, illnesses, and some routine care (if you choose a plan that includes it).
What Does Pets Best Cover?
Pets Best offers different types of coverage:
✔ Accident-Only Plans – Covers injuries like broken bones, poisoning, and car accidents.
✔ Accident & Illness Plans – Covers vet visits for diseases, infections, cancer, allergies, and more.
✔ Wellness Coverage (Optional Add-On) – Covers routine care like vaccinations and check-ups.
How Does Pets Best Insurance Work?
- Visit any licensed vet (including Banfield).
- Pay the bill upfront.
- Submit a claim to Pets Best for reimbursement.
- Get reimbursed based on your coverage plan (70%, 80%, or 90% of the cost).
Since Pets Best works on a reimbursement model, it doesn’t matter whether a vet clinic “accepts” it or not. You can use Pets Best at any licensed veterinary clinic, including Banfield.
Does Banfield Accept Pets Best Insurance?
Since Banfield does not bill pet insurance companies directly, you can still use Pets Best insurance at Banfield by paying for your pet’s treatment first and submitting a claim for reimbursement.
How to Use Pets Best at Banfield
✔ Step 1: Take your pet to Banfield for an exam or treatment.
✔ Step 2: Pay the bill in full at the time of service.
✔ Step 3: Ask Banfield for an itemized invoice (you need this for reimbursement).
✔ Step 4: Submit a claim to Pets Best through their website or mobile app.
✔ Step 5: Wait for reimbursement (usually within a few days to a week).
Comparing Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan vs. Pets Best Insurance
Many pet owners wonder: Should I get Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan (OWP) or Pets Best Insurance?
Banfield Optimum Wellness Plan (OWP)
✔ Covers routine care only (exams, vaccines, dental cleanings, parasite control).
✔ Only works at Banfield locations.
✔ Not pet insurance – does not cover accidents, illnesses, or emergencies.
✔ Monthly membership fee instead of traditional insurance premiums.
Pets Best Insurance
✔ Covers unexpected accidents & illnesses (broken bones, infections, cancer, etc.).
✔ Works at any licensed vet, not just Banfield.
✔ Reimburses you after you submit a claim.
✔ Can include optional routine care coverage.
Which One is Better?
It depends on what you need! If you only need routine care, Banfield’s OWP might be enough. But if you want coverage for unexpected vet bills, Pets Best is a better choice.
Many pet owners combine both for complete protection.
Pros and Cons of Using Pets Best at Banfield
✅ Pros:
✔ You can use Pets Best at Banfield by submitting claims for reimbursement.
✔ Banfield provides high-quality veterinary care.
✔ Pets Best helps cover unexpected costs that Banfield’s OWP doesn’t.
✔ Pets Best works at any vet clinic, giving you flexibility.
❌ Cons:
✘ Banfield does not directly accept pet insurance, so you have to pay first and get reimbursed later.
✘ Banfield’s OWP only works at Banfield locations, so if you go elsewhere, you’ll need insurance.
✘ Pets Best does not cover pre-existing conditions.
How to Maximize Your Pet’s Coverage at Banfield
Want the best protection for your pet? Follow these steps:
1. Combine Banfield’s OWP with Pets Best Insurance
- Banfield’s OWP covers routine care.
- Pets Best covers emergencies, accidents, and illnesses.
- This combination ensures your pet is protected at all times without surprise vet bills.
2. Choose the Right Pets Best Plan
- If you only want emergency coverage, choose Accident-Only.
- If you want coverage for illnesses too, go for Accident & Illness.
- If you want preventive care reimbursement, add the Wellness Option.
3. Keep Track of Your Vet Bills
- Ask for detailed invoices from Banfield.
- Submit claims quickly to Pets Best for faster reimbursement.
- Use the Pets Best mobile app to track claims.
Final Thoughts: Should You Use Pets Best Insurance at Banfield?
Yes! You can use Pets Best Insurance at Banfield, but you’ll need to pay upfront and then get reimbursed later.
If you already visit Banfield for regular check-ups, combining Pets Best Insurance with Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan can give your pet the best possible care without financial stress.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Banfield does NOT directly accept pet insurance.
✔ You can still use Pets Best Insurance by paying first and getting reimbursed.
✔ Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan covers routine care only.
✔ Pets Best covers unexpected accidents, illnesses, and emergencies.
✔ For full coverage, use both Banfield’s OWP + Pets Best Insurance.
👉 Best of both worlds = A happy, healthy pet and peace of mind for you! 🐾❤️