Posted on: October 1, 2024 Posted by: Petsynse Comments: 0

Small dog laying next to pet insurance paperwork.
Image credit: Yta23, Shutterstock

Kanguro is the best bilingual pet insurance company, offering policies in English and Spanish as a standard. It is the first carrier to provide a completely Spanish-language experience, servicing an underserved community. Although newer to the industry, founded in 2021, it’s operated by individuals with pet insurance experience who have a mission to modernize a less glamorous product.

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Contents

Kanguro Pet Insurance Review

Kanguro logo 250

Product Name: Kanguro Pet Insurance

Product Description: Kanguro offers pet insurance for dogs and cats.

Summary

Kanguro Pet Insurance offers one of the best customer service experience with its AI Javier. It is also the first insurer to have a complete Spanish-language experience, fulfilling a gap in the industry. Kanguro is also one of the few carriers to underwrite its own policies. 

Overall Score

Pros

  • Annual deductible (not per-incident)
  • Vet exam fees are eligible for reimbursement for covered incidents 
  • Wellness coverage available as an add-on
  • Coverage available for pets as young as 6 weeks old
  • 10% multi-pet discount

Cons

  • Maximum enrollment age is 14 years old
  • Not available in all 50 states
  • Not covered when traveling with your pet outside of the U.S.
  • No accident-only plan is available

What Does Kanguro Cover?

Many of the same conditions, treatments, and diagnostic procedures are covered by other insurers’ accident and illness plans, as well as those offered by Kanguro. The treatment is covered as long as the condition is considered medically necessary, doesn’t already exist, isn’t excluded, or occurs after the waiting period. Examples of covered accidents and illnesses are as follows:

  • Allergies
  • Arthritis
  • Broken bones
  • Cancer
  • Chronic conditions
  • Congenital conditions
  • Cruciate ligament tears
  • Cuts
  • Diabetes
  • Dental trauma
  • Ear infections
  • Euthanasia
  • Exam fees
  • Foreign body ingestion
  • Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea)
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Poisoning
  • Prescription medications
  • Urinary tract infection

Diagnostics & Treatment

Examples of covered diagnostics and treatment include:

  • Blood tests
  • CT scans
  • Emergency care
  • Lab work
  • MRIs
  • Surgery & hospitalization
  • Specialty care
  • Ultrasounds
  • Urinalysis
  • X-rays
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Exclusions

Below is a list of the major conditions and services Kanguro excludes:

  • Alternative treatments, including aromatherapy, massage, herbal remedies, CBD oil, etc.
  • Anal gland expression
  • Boarding
  • Cloned or genetically modified animals
  • Cloning, genetic testing, or participation in clinical trials or research
  • Commercial guarding, herding, or participating in a sports activity like sled racing
  • Conditions relating to and resulting from breeding, pregnancy, or giving birth
  • Cosmetic, aesthetic, or elective surgery
  • Ear cleaning
  • Grooming and nail trimming
  • Microchipping
  • Obedience training and other behavioral conditions
  • Parasite prevention, treatment, and medication
  • Prescription food
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Transport expenses or housing
  • Vitamins or supplements not prescribed by a vet

Optional Coverage: Wellness Plus & Basic

Kanguro’s wellness plan covers routine care items. The table below includes the maximum amounts that Kanguro will pay for specific routine items each year.

Essential Plus
1 Routine Wellness Exam $50
1 Internal Parasite or Fecal Test $35
1 Routine Teeth Cleaning and Scaling $150
Heartworm Test $40
1 Blood Test $65
3 Vaccines $75
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Medications $65

Where Is Kanguro Pet Insurance Available? (Map)

Kanguro U.S. map available states.

Kanguro pet insurance is only available in 23 states and the District of Columbia: AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MO, NE, NV, NM, NC, OK, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, and VA.

How Is Kanguro Pricing Determined?

Kanguro charges a $25 one-time enrollment fee and a $1 transaction fee for every payment. Your monthly premium is based on the deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual payout options you select from the table below.

Deductible Options Payout Options Reimbursement Options
$100
$200
$500
$700
$1,000
$5,000
$8,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$30,000
70%
80%
90%

Pricing is also based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). I recommend obtaining quotes from Kanguro for your specific pet to get an idea of how much a policy would cost you.

You can also use our pet insurance quote form below to see how other top providers compare for your actual pet.

Does Kanguro Have Coupons?

Kanguro offers the following discounts:

  • 10% off for Canine Journal readers – use the code CANINEKANGURO
  • 10% off for paying annually
  • 10% off for multiple pets 

Customer Service Options & Hours

Kanguro uses artificial intelligence (AI) to take customer service up a notch. Referred to as Javier, the AI technology is available any time day or night to speed up the claims process.

The support staff at Kanguro is available by phone, email, text, and Whatsapp. Representatives are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST on Saturday. Kanguro’s customer service is closed on Sundays. The company’s website also features an FAQ section.

  • Call, Text & Whatsapp: 888-546-5264
  • Email: javier@kanguroseguro.com
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What Do Policyholders Think Of Kanguro?

Kanguro is still fairly new, but people seem impressed and happy with their experiences. Many customers state how helpful and kind the customer service reps are. Policyholders feel their questions are answered thoroughly, and information about their policies is discussed to ensure they fully understand their coverage.

What Is The Reimbursement Process For Kanguro?

Kanguro uses a “deductible then copay” method. Deductible then copay is calculated the following way:

  • Actual vet bill amount – Remaining annual deductible – Copay = Reimbursement amount

Who Is The Underwriter For Kanguro?

Cimarron Insurance Company is Kanguro’s underwriter. Kanguro is not rated by A.M. Best or Demotech, which gives financial stability ratings.

What Are Waiting Periods For Kanguro?

Kanguro waiting period chart.

Before granting insurance, providers use waiting periods to determine whether a pet has any pre-existing conditions. In most U.S. states, insurance fraud is a felony committed by pet owners who falsify their pet’s health information during enrollment.

There are waiting periods for illnesses and accidents with pet insurance companies. Kanguro has a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses.

For more severe medical conditions (such as canine cruciate ligament [CCL] tears, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease [IVDD], etc.), some providers have longer waiting periods. CCL injuries are among the conditions for which Kanguro has a 6-month waiting period. Additionally, there is no waiting period if you enroll in a wellness plan.

*States are slowly adopting a Model Law for pet insurance. This Model Law attempts to standardize each state’s regulations, which includes a standard for waiting periods that all companies must follow. Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:

  • Accidents – 0 days
  • Illnesses – 14 days
  • Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
  • Routine Care – 0 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Kanguro pet insurance from our readers. If you have a question that isn’t covered in my article, ask in our comments or forum.

Does Kanguro Cover Dental?

Yes, Kanguro covers up to $1,000 in dental illness each year.

Does Kanguro Cover Euthanasia?

Yes, Kanguro covers end-of-life/euthanasia up to $1,000.

Is Kanguro The Best Pet Insurance?

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Kanguro offers competitive pricing and quality coverage. It also provides a variety of plan customization options. However, Kanguro is newer to the industry and is not available nationwide. It hopes to be in all 50 states by 2025, though. We’d like to see Kanguro become more well-established, but so far, it’s looking promising.

You have many options if you’re unsure if Kanguro is the best option for your needs in terms of pet insurance. Check out our best picks for pet insurance. We rank and compare the top pet insurance companies, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, you can see the differences between pet insurance companies with our numerous comparison tables. We provide answers to frequently asked questions, example pet insurance claims, an easy-to-read directory of all your pet insurance options, and much more. So that you feel prepared to choose the best course of action for your pet, we can address all your questions about pet insurance.

Methodology

We review each U.S. pet insurance company to provide an unbiased breakdown of providers’ performance in real claim situations. We use a 100-point scale for each pet insurance company to rank them. Our in-depth research includes:

  • Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We scrutinize every policy from top to bottom and read all the fine print, carefully noting each exclusion. We factor in any age restrictions, required add-ons for basic coverage, and whether a company is available nationwide. Insurers with fewer exclusions receive more points in this category than those with less coverage.
  • Pricing (15%) – We evaluate pricing by running thousands of sample quotes for dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, locations, and ages. We analyze which companies charge extra fees and discounts and consider which companies nick and dime pet owners with add-on coverage. Providers with the lowest premiums, fewest extra fees, most discounts, and fewer add-ons receive more points in this category.
  • Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We assess hundreds of customer reviews, scope out the sign-up process, speak with representatives, and factor in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace to determine the points in this category. Companies with an easy sign-up process, highly rated mobile apps, multiple ways to reach customer service, positive consumer feedback, and a seamless claim filing process score high in this category.
  • Financial Strength (10%) – Insurance is only beneficial if you can count on reimbursed claims. Companies with at least five years of nationwide experience and high A.M. Best and Demotech ratings receive high remarks in this category.
  • Customization Options (10%) – We consider customizations available to adjust your coverage to fit your budget. Companies with fewer restrictions based on breed, age, location, etc., multiple plan options, and more reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits earn the highest scores.
  • Waiting Periods (5%) – Providers with the shortest illness and accident waiting periods and fewer additional waiting periods for other conditions merit high remarks.
  • Claim Processing (5%) – We share our firsthand experience submitting claims with companies and examine how long it takes to be reimbursed. Insurers with a vet direct pay option and short claim processing averages earn the most points.
  • Innovation (3%) – We meet with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings. Providers offering unique, comprehensive coverage and utilizing advanced technology receive more points.

Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also highlight each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to writer for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources. Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing insurance policies that are accurately represented. Kimberly has spent days researching Kanguro, reading every line in their policy, speaking with their operation team, and gathering quotes to bring you the most accurate information.