Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance at a Glance
If you’re already working with Liberty Mutual for your car or home coverage, their pet insurance might feel like a natural next step. This established insurer entered the pet protection space back in 2017, and they’ve built out a solid lineup of customizable plans since then. While they won’t blow you away with flashy features or unlimited coverage options, they deliver reliable protection at competitive prices backed by one of the most financially stable insurance companies in the country.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance earned an 8.1 out of 10, which wasn’t high enough to place on our list of the best pet insurance. That doesn’t mean Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance isn’t right for you, though. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right fit for your pet.
Key Strengths
- Budget-friendly pricing. Their rates consistently come in below industry averages, making coverage accessible even if you’re watching your spending.
- Rock-solid financial backing. With over a century in the insurance game, Liberty Mutual isn’t going anywhere. You’re not signing up with some startup that might disappear next year.
- Short orthopedic waiting period. While most insurers make you wait six months before covering things like cruciate ligament issues, Liberty Mutual only requires 14 days.
- Bundling opportunities. Already have your auto or homeowners policy with them? You can stack discounts for meaningful savings.
Key Weaknesses
- No unlimited coverage option. The $15,000 annual cap might leave you underprotected if your pet faces a serious health crisis requiring extensive treatment.
- No direct vet payments. You’ll need to pay your vet upfront and wait for reimbursement, which can be tough during expensive emergencies.
- Missing 24/7 vet helpline. Many competitors include round-the-clock veterinary advice at no extra charge, but Liberty Mutual doesn’t offer this perk.
- Longer accident waiting period. That 14-day wait for accident coverage exceeds what several other pet insurers require.
Who Is Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Best For?
Liberty Mutual makes the most sense for people who already have existing policies with the company and want that bundling discount. It also works well for pet parents primarily concerned with protecting against catastrophic vet bills rather than seeking the most feature-rich plan available. Budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate the pricing, and if you value working with a household-name insurer over a pet-only startup, the stability factor matters here. This isn’t the ideal choice if you need higher coverage limits, want direct vet payment capabilities, or prefer having unlimited annual protection for serious conditions.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Overview
Liberty Mutual has been protecting American families since 1912, making it one of the oldest names in insurance. Their headquarters sit in Boston, Massachusetts, where they’ve grown into the fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the United States. The company decided to branch into pet coverage in 2017, partnering with established pet insurance administrators to bring its brand into this growing market.
The pet insurance arm operates through a partnership structure where policies are underwritten by Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company and affiliates, then administered by Companion Protect Insurance Agency, LLC. This setup lets Liberty Mutual leverage existing pet insurance infrastructure while putting its trusted brand name on the product.
Coverage extends to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. They currently only insure dogs and cats, so exotic pet owners will need to look elsewhere. The company doesn’t publicly disclose how many pets they’ve insured, though their massive customer base across other insurance lines means plenty of people encounter this offering through existing relationships.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Reliability
When evaluating any insurance company, financial strength tells you whether they’ll actually be around to pay your claims years from now. Liberty Mutual checks this box emphatically.
AM Best has rated its financial strength an A (Excellent), reflecting the group’s very strong balance sheet strength along with adequate operating performance and favorable business profile. This rating places them among the most financially secure insurers you can work with.
The company’s risk-adjusted capitalization currently sits at the strongest level according to AM Best’s metrics, and its equity increased significantly in 2024 as underwriting income turned positive alongside growing investment income.
On the regulatory front, Liberty Mutual Group has maintained BBB accreditation since 1931, demonstrating nearly a century of meeting business ethics standards. Their parent company operates globally with operations across 30 countries, providing geographic diversification that protects against regional economic disruptions.
The main consideration here isn’t whether Liberty Mutual will stick around, but rather that its pet insurance is relatively newer compared to pet-specialist insurers. However, given the financial muscle backing these policies, reliability concerns are minimal.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Coverage Options
Liberty Mutual structures its coverage into three distinct tiers, letting you pick based on your pet’s needs and your budget.
Accident-Only Coverage handles treatment related to unexpected injuries but excludes illness entirely. This plan covers treatment for injuries, and up to two anesthesia treatments annually if your pet swallows a foreign object, plus burial and cremation expenses.
Accident and Illness Coverage builds on the accident-only foundation by adding protection for sickness. Beyond everything in the accident plan, this tier covers treatment for illnesses like cancer or kennel cough, along with congenital health conditions, including hip dysplasia.
Accident, Illness, and Wellness Coverage represents their most comprehensive tier. This plan includes everything from the other two options plus prescription medicine for routine purposes like flea and tick prevention, heartworm tests and medication, dietary food and supplements, wellness exams, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and deworming.
What’s Covered
Liberty Mutual’s accident and illness plans provide reasonably broad protection for common veterinary needs.
Alternative medicine gets covered under the right plan, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic therapy, holistic therapy, homeopathic therapy, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy. These treatments must be prescribed by a vet and performed by a veterinarian or staff at a vet’s or specialist’s office.
Behavioral therapy performed by a veterinarian is covered in the accident and illness tier, though not in Florida or Alaska.
Hereditary and congenital conditions receive coverage, which matters significantly for purebred pets prone to specific genetic issues. Cancer treatment, emergency care, prescriptions, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and specialty care all fall within the coverage umbrella for accident and illness policyholders.
What’s NOT Covered
Like virtually all pet insurers, Liberty Mutual excludes pre-existing conditions from coverage. They define a pre-existing condition as any illness or injury that occurred or existed, whether diagnosed or not, before the policy’s effective date or during the waiting period.
However, there’s some flexibility here. Liberty Mutual will cover a pre-existing condition if it has been treated and your pet remains symptom-free for six months. This reconsideration policy helps pets with resolved issues eventually gain coverage for those conditions.
Standard exclusions include pregnancy and breeding, cosmetic procedures, organ transplants, professional or commercial use of animals, experimental treatments and investigations, and incidents resulting from unlawful acts.
Depending on your state, Liberty Mutual may also exclude breeding, osteoarthritis, any condition preventable by sterilization, obesity not caused by a medical condition, and age-related eye or ear issues. The osteoarthritis exclusion in some states stands out as unusual since many competitors cover this common condition.
Policy Terms
All coverages carry a 14-day waiting period beginning once your policy takes effect. This applies uniformly to accidents, illnesses, and wellness claims. Maine residents get a special benefit where accident coverage starts immediately.
For age restrictions, Liberty Mutual allows enrollment starting at 8 weeks. However, dogs older than 12 and cats older than 14 at enrollment time may only qualify for accident coverage. After enrollment, your policy won’t automatically terminate due to your pet’s age, which provides important continuity as your companion grows older.
You can cancel a policy anytime by sending a written notice. Cancel within 10 days for a full premium refund, or after 10 days for a prorated refund.
To qualify for coverage initially, your pet must have had a comprehensive vet examination within the last 12 months.
Every coverage option lets you use any veterinarian in the US, including emergency clinics, giving you flexibility during travel or emergencies.
Special Features
One standout benefit: wellness coverage reimbursements don’t count against your annual benefit limit. This means preventive care claims won’t eat into the money available for treating accidents or illnesses.
If your pet dies or is euthanized within 30 days of an injury as a direct result, Liberty Mutual pays an accidental death benefit. Burial and cremation expenses also receive coverage under certain circumstances.
Unfortunately, Liberty Mutual doesn’t offer a 24/7 vet helpline, which many competitors include as a standard perk. There’s no lost pet assistance program, and rewards or loyalty programs aren’t part of the package.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Affordability
Pricing represents one of Liberty Mutual’s genuine strengths. Their pricing ran 26% below average in one evaluation for policies with $5,000 annual coverage.
Sample Pricing
Based on sample quotes for accident and illness coverage with a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, and 80% reimbursement rate for pets living in Texas:
Dogs (Monthly Premiums)
- French bulldog, age 2: $61
- French bulldog, age 8: $91
- German shepherd, age 2: $58
- German shepherd, age 8: $85
- Golden retriever, age 2: $56
- Golden retriever, age 8: $82
- Labrador retriever, age 2: $55
- Labrador retriever, age 8: $79
- Medium mixed-breed, age 2: $51
- Medium mixed-breed, age 8: $72
- Poodle, age 2: $56
- Poodle, age 8: $82
Cats (Monthly Premiums) Cat breed pricing shows more uniformity, with breeds like Devon rex, domestic shorthair, exotic longhair, Maine coon, Persian, and ragdoll all coming in around $28 monthly at age two and $40 at age 8 with similar coverage parameters.
Liberty Mutual advertises policies starting at less than $1 per day, though actual prices depend heavily on the coverage level you select.
Pricing Factors
Your premium gets calculated based on several variables: your pet’s age, species, and breed matter significantly. Location plays a role, too, along with your selected deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual coverage limit.
In certain states, including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, there’s a $2 installment fee for monthly payments.
Customization Options
Annual deductible choices include $250, $500, or $1,500. Reimbursement percentage options are 70%, 80%, or 90%. Annual limits come in at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
This customization lets you trade off between monthly premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses when claims occur. Higher deductibles and lower reimbursement percentages reduce your monthly payment but increase what you pay at claim time.
Discounts Available
For multiple pets, Liberty Mutual offers 5% off if you insure two pets and 10% off for three or more.
Additional discounts apply to current Liberty Mutual policyholders and military personnel. These discounts can stack for total savings up to 20%.
Notably, Liberty Mutual doesn’t tack on transaction or monthly administration fees, which some competitors charge.
Value Assessment
Liberty Mutual delivers solid value for pet owners, prioritizing affordability over maximum coverage limits. The competitive pricing becomes even more attractive when you factor in bundling discounts for existing customers. However, the $15,000 annual cap creates meaningful limitations if your pet requires extensive treatment for a serious condition. For basic protection against unexpected vet bills, the price-to-coverage ratio works well. For maximum protection against worst-case scenarios, you’ll likely want to look at competitors offering higher or unlimited annual limits.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Claims Process
You can file claims through your online portal, by email, or via traditional mail. The online portal provides the fastest and most convenient option for most people.
To submit a claim, provide a detailed invoice along with a claim form. Claims must be filed within 90 days of treatment.
Reimbursement Timeframe
Liberty Mutual typically processes claims within 10 business days. Once approved, reimbursement comes via direct deposit or check, depending on your preference.
Signing up for direct deposit speeds up the process compared to waiting for a mailed check.
Reimbursement Process
Liberty Mutual operates on a reimbursement model, meaning you must pay your vet and then submit for reimbursement. They don’t offer direct vet payment as a standard option. However, if you’re expecting a large bill, you can contact them in advance to ask about special arrangements for direct vet payment.
Their reimbursement calculation method actually favors policyholders compared to some competitors. They apply your deductible first, then calculate the reimbursement percentage on the remaining amount.
Here’s how this plays out on a $2,000 vet bill with an 80% reimbursement rate and $500 deductible:
- Liberty Mutual: $2,000 minus $500 deductible equals $1,500, then 80% of $1,500 equals $1,200 reimbursement. You pay $800.
- Some other insurers: $2,000 times 80% equals $1,600, then subtract $500 deductible for $1,100 reimbursement. You pay $900.
That $100 difference adds up over multiple claims.
Claim Appeal Process
If your claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision. Make sure you have all documentation ready and clearly explain why you believe the claim should be covered.
Digital Tracking
The user-friendly portal enables claims tracking and benefits access anytime. You’ll receive email updates on claim progress, though you can also log in to check status manually.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Customer Service
Phone support is available at 1-844-250-9199 during business hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday. Sunday support isn’t available.
The email address for pet insurance queries is [email protected]. You can also reach the company at their mailing address: Liberty Mutual, 175 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116.
Live chat access is available through the website.
For quick questions, you can also text 80361 with standard messaging rates applying.
Digital Experience
Although Liberty Mutual has a mobile app for auto and home insurance customers, you can’t use it to manage your pet insurance policy. Instead, you’ll need to log in to your portal through the website.
The website itself offers straightforward navigation with sample policies, FAQ sections, and easy quote tools. Managing your account online works smoothly for most tasks.
Customer Satisfaction Metrics
Liberty Mutual maintains BBB accreditation and has upheld BBB Standards for Trust throughout its long history.
On Trustpilot, Liberty Mutual overall (not pet-specific) holds a 2.6 out of 5 rating based on 718 reviews. Keep in mind this reflects the entire company across all insurance products, not specifically pet insurance experiences.
Analysis of Reddit discussions about Liberty Mutual pet insurance shows mixed sentiment, with roughly 57% positive comments versus 43% negative. Positive feedback typically highlights helpful customer service representatives, while negative comments mention frustrations with claim processing delays and coverage gaps for certain conditions.
The company shows a very small number of the more serious NAIC complaints relative to their size, which suggests their complaint resolution generally meets regulatory standards.
Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance Customer Highlights
Customer experiences with Liberty Mutual pet insurance tend to be mixed, reflecting broader patterns seen across the insurance industry.
What People Like
Many customers appreciate the coverage scope and find reimbursements helpful for managing unexpected veterinary expenses. The competitive pricing draws praise from budget-conscious pet parents, and existing Liberty Mutual customers often mention convenience in bundling policies.
Some users highlight the ease of getting coverage and the value of wellness benefits as particular strengths. The online claims portal receives positive marks for being straightforward to navigate.
Common Complaints
Frustrations surface around claim denials or delays, particularly when coverage terms aren’t clearly understood upfront. Common complaint themes include the complexity of deductibles, waiting periods for certain conditions, and the lack of direct vet payment.
Some customers report experiencing longer wait times for reimbursement than expected, especially when claims require additional documentation or involve complex medical situations.
Customer service consistency appears variable across different interactions, with some people reporting excellent help while others encountered less responsive support.
Pros and Cons of Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance
Pros
- Competitive pricing backed by financial stability. You’re getting below-average rates from a company that’s been around since 1912 with excellent financial strength ratings. That combination of value and reliability is hard to beat.
- Shorter orthopedic waiting periods. While most insurers force you to wait six months before knee and ligament issues get covered, Liberty Mutual’s 14-day waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions provides faster protection for these common problems.
- Meaningful bundling opportunities. Existing policyholders can stack multiple discounts, reaching up to 20% savings, making this an especially attractive option if you’re already in the Liberty Mutual ecosystem.
- Favorable reimbursement calculation. Their method of applying deductibles before calculating reimbursement percentages puts more money back in your pocket compared to insurers who do it the other way around.
Cons
- Coverage caps that might fall short. The $15,000 maximum annual limit sounds like a lot until you’re facing a $25,000 cancer treatment or multiple surgeries. No unlimited option means you’re accepting the risk of paying out-of-pocket for serious conditions.
- No direct vet payment as standard. Paying a $5,000 vet bill upfront while waiting for reimbursement creates real financial stress, especially during emergencies when you’re already worried about your pet.
- Missing perks competitors include. No 24/7 vet helpline, no dedicated pet insurance mobile app, and limited availability of behavioral and alternative therapy coverage in certain states put them behind more feature-rich competitors.
- Longer waiting period for accidents. That 14-day accident waiting period exceeds what several competitors require, leaving your pet unprotected longer than necessary during those crucial early weeks.
Our Verdict & Score for Liberty Mutual Pet Insurance
Liberty Mutual pet insurance delivers reliable, budget-friendly coverage backed by exceptional financial strength, making it ideal for existing Liberty Mutual customers seeking bundling discounts and pet parents wanting basic protection without premium prices. However, the $15,000 annual cap and lack of unlimited coverage options mean this isn’t the right choice if you want maximum protection against catastrophic vet bills.
Recommended for:
- Current Liberty Mutual policyholders who can maximize bundling discounts
- Budget-conscious pet owners seeking competitive rates from a stable insurer
- Pet parents who want coverage for common accidents and illnesses without bells and whistles
- People who value working with an established, financially strong insurance company
Not ideal for:
- Pet owners want unlimited annual coverage for peace of mind (consider Embrace pet insurance)
- People who need direct vet payment capabilities during emergencies (consider Lemonade pet insurance)
- Those seeking comprehensive wellness features and 24/7 vet helplines (consider Pets Best pet insurance)
Methodology
Our evaluation weighted five categories based on their importance to the average pet insurance buyer:
Affordability (30%): We compared pet insurance premium costs across multiple pet profiles, factoring in available discounts and fee structures. Pets Best’s industry-low prices drove their strong score here.
Claims Process (20%): We evaluated submission options, processing times, reimbursement speed, and the availability of direct vet payment. Multiple submission methods and reasonably fast processing earned a solid score, though customer friction reports prevented a higher rating.
Customer Service (20%): We assessed accessibility, digital tools, and customer satisfaction metrics from Trustpilot, BBB, and Reddit. The BBB complaint situation and app issues significantly impacted this score.
Stability (20%): We examined A.M. Best ratings, years in business, corporate backing, and regulatory standing. Strong financial backing, offset by mixed underwriter ratings, resulted in an above-average score.
Coverage Options (10%): We reviewed plan variety, what’s covered and excluded, waiting periods, and special features. Comprehensive offerings with genuine customization options earned a high score, with waiting periods being the main drawback.
Our review methodology weighs five key factors to generate overall scores. We analyzed 20 pet insurance providers across identical criteria, then applied a curve based on the top performer to ensure fair comparisons.
How Liberty Mutual Scored
Financial Strength: 9/10
- Coverage Options: 7/10
- Affordability: 8/10
- Claims Experience: 7/10
- Customer Experience: 6/10
- Overall Score: 8.1/10
Check out our complete methodology and see how every provider stacked up in our Pet Insurance Reviews.
