Wells Fargo Health Advantage® for Veterinary Care Credit Card Review

The Wells Fargo Health Advantage credit card is not a type of pet insurance. Instead, the product provides pet owners with an alternative method of paying for their pet’s wellness and emergency care.

The card also offers a comprehensive range of financing options for other healthcare expenses, including dental, vision, and audiology. Customers can apply for the credit card through Wells Fargo’s website or at participating veterinary offices, which will process your application on-site.

Wells Fargo is an American company based in San Francisco, California, that was founded in 1852. The bank has branches throughout the U.S. and is ranked number 26 on the 2018 Fortune 500 rankings of largest U.S. companies by revenue. It is the second-largest bank in the world by market capitalization and fourth-largest in the U.S by total assets.

Unlike pet insurance, the Wells Fargo Health Advantage card does not provide expense reimbursements or any actual coverage. The card can be used to pay for expenses incurred from pet care visits to the veterinarian, up to its approved limit.

Cardholders can make minimum payments to the card or issue extra payments each month instead of paying a monthly deductible for limited service offerings that vary according to the pet insurance company and plan one chooses.

Before you decide if pet insurance is a better option for you, consider the coverage, cost benefits, customer service, and claims process involved with at least three pet insurance companies.

Wells Fargo Health Advantage Card vs. Pet Insurance Coverage

Most pet insurance policies cover cats and dogs under a comprehensive medical and wellness plan. Some companies have customizable options that may raise or lower the policy’s monthly premiums and offer the following variations:

Age

Pet insurance companies usually limit coverage to pets as young as six to eight weeks to those as old as ten to fourteen years.

Some providers, such as Banfield Hospital and PetFirst, have no upper age limit for enrollment.

Once your pet is enrolled, most insurers continue to cover them through the entirety of their life—with significantly higher premiums for older and sicker pets.

Veterinarian choices

Standard throughout the industry, pet insurance helps pay covered services from licensed veterinarians.

With the Wells Fargo Health Advantage card, pet owners can obtain coverage through participating veterinarians. Therefore, eligibility depends on whether your vet offers the card, as well as on your credit rating and other factors.

Waiting period

Most pet insurance companies have a waiting period following the enrollment process and between visits.

There may be different waiting periods for accidents versus illnesses. For example, AAA has a 15-day waiting period after enrolling, which is customary in the industry. However, many insurers waive their waiting periods if an accident occurs after your registration begins.

When shopping around for pet insurance, be sure to understand how a pet insurance company handles this provision since the rules can vary widely.

Deductibles

Policyholders pay an annual or per visit out-of-pocket deductible based on the plan they choose. Some insurers let pet owners customize their deductible, which may range between $100 and $1,000, to lower their monthly premium.

With the Wells Fargo Care Card, there is no deductible, as the full cost of the service is charged onto the card to be paid off according to its terms.

Preexisting Conditions

Because it features no reimbursement benefits, the Wells Fargo Health Advantage card also doesn’t have any exclusions. This is unlike pet insurance companies, which universally exclude preexisting conditions.

Preexisting conditions are those that your pet had before your coverage period starts.

Pet insurance isn’t a great option if your cat or dog has already been diagnosed with an illness or if you are looking for coverage for any of the following services.

Pet insurance common exclusions:

Note that the aforementioned exclusions are just a sample taken from several top pet insurance policies. Each provider is unique, and the items a policy excludes will vary from company to company.

Read more: Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying?

Wells Fargo Health Advantage Card vs. Pet Insurance Costs & Benefit Limits

In return for paying a monthly fee, pet insurance policyholders receive partial reimbursements—typically 70 to 90 percent—for covered services and treatment.

The Wells Fargo credit card doesn’t provide any reimbursement for pet care service expenses. However, it also charges no monthly fee beyond the minimum payments due on your card balance.

Unlike regular credit cards, the Wells Fargo Health Advantage card has special terms and promotions. Cardholders are able to get their pets treated immediately and have the advantage of flexible monthly payments.

The card also helps track your pet care costs separately from your other credit cards expenses. A revolving line of credit allows you to return to your vet for follow-up visits or extended care on an as-needed basis.

When you’re shopping around for the best pet insurance, consider the following components:

According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association,  the average monthly premium for combined accident and illness coverage in 2017 was $44.66 for dogs and $27.93 for cats. Pet owners with older animals, breeds prone to certain congenital conditions, or who choose higher reimbursement percentages and lower deductibles pay much more for coverage.

Three Reasons Standard Pet Insurance May Not Work for Your Pet

Pet insurance may not be suitable for every pet or pet owner.

Wells Fargo Health Advantage Card vs. Pet Insurance Claims Process & Customer Service

In addition to its medical coverage options, you should also look into a pet insurance company’s claims process. Try and find providers with exceptional customer service records.

Wells Fargo Health Advantage cardholders can take advantage of the customer service department from a multinational financial institution that has over 150 years of experience resolving customer complaints.

Pet insurance companies vary vastly in their commitment to fast and efficient claims processing. Some don’t advertise a target resolution period. Others may state that they process claims within three to 90 days or longer after receiving the completed forms and documentation that is required.

Wells Fargo offers customer support that is efficient, pleasant, and available seven days a week.

With Wells Fargo Health Advantage card, you don’t have to file a claim. You can use it as needed for eligible services and pay it off like you would any other credit card.

Pet insurance policyholders typically have several options available for filing a claim. The digital experience a company provides plays a big part in meeting its customers’ needs. Therefore, the most technologically savvy insurers let you file claims quickly online or through a mobile app. Some offer direct payments based on the veterinarian invoice.

The top pet insurance companies may offer claims processing services via email, fax, online portal, or phone app. Wells Fargo Health Advantage cardholders can pay their bills online or by mail.

The BBB chronicles Wells Fargo’s abysmal record of thousands of complaints and alerts notifying consumers of the company’s fraudulent and unfair practices, and the company is not accredited by the BBB. About 500 reviews document the experiences of customers claiming that Wells Fargo was dishonest in various ways.

The company is in the process of answering many of these complaints. Most major pet insurance companies have an A+ rating with the BBB and have responded to or resolved the handful of complaints filed against them. Of course, there are exceptions, and you should check out the online reviews of any provider you’re considering.

Wells Fargo Phone Number & Contact Information

To learn more about the Wells Fargo Health Advantage credit card, you can reach out to the company via phone or online.