Healthy Paws vs. Embrace: 2024 Comparison

Healthy Paws and Embrace are two popular pet insurance providers. Healthy Paws has fewer frills than Embrace, but many pet owners appreciate its straightforward approach and unlimited coverage. 

We evaluated each provider’s website, sample policy, and customer reviews to see how their coverage, pricing, and customer satisfaction compare. See which comes out on top in our Healthy Paws versus Embrace pet insurance review. You can also check out our list of the best pet insurance providers for other recommendations.

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Compare Healthy Paws and Embrace

We scored both Healthy Paws and Embrace a 93.5 out of 100 using our in-depth methodology. Both offer unlimited coverage, a range of deductibles, and multiple ways to reach customer support. Both are also well-rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

Embrace, however, offers preventive coverage, something many pet parents appreciate. The provider’s waiting periods are shorter, particularly for accident-related claims. Embrace also offers more customer support via a 24/7 pet help line and online chat function. 

Healthy Paws claims to get reimbursement funds to customers much quicker, though, and the company provides unlimited coverage to every customer.

See how the two providers compare in the table below:

*BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2023.

Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Coverage

The biggest difference between the providers is that Embrace offers more coverage than Healthy Paws. Both companies have a standard accident-and-illness plan, but Embrace also has a wellness plan you can combine with your standard plan for an additional monthly fee. The wellness plan covers routine preventive vet care, including annual wellness checkups, grooming, vaccinations, and more.

Each provider covers the same standard vet treatments pet owners expect, such as the following:

• Diagnostic testing, including MRIs and X-rays
• Emergency care
• Hospitalization
• Prescription medications
• Specialist care 
• Surgeries

They also both cover common conditions, including the following:

• Allergies
• Broken bones
• Cancer
• Chronic conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Hereditary conditions

Both providers’ accident-and-illness plans exclude the following treatments:

• Breeding, whelping, pregnancy
• Cosmetic procedures unless medically necessary
• DNA testing or cloning
• Injury or illness resulting from neglect caused by you or a member of your household
• Preexisting conditions
• Routine veterinary care

Embrace also offers accident-only coverage, but only for senior pets, as the provider does not provide illness coverage for pets aged 15 years and older. The other big difference is that Embrace’s standard plan covers alternative therapies (acupuncture, laser therapy), behavioral therapies, and dental treatments.

Preventive Care Options

Embrace’s preventive care plan, Wellness Rewards, is less of an insurance policy and more of a rewards program. You can use it to budget for routine care and get rewards for investing in your pet’s health.

You can choose a $250, $450, or $650 allowance per policy year. Reimbursable items include the following:

• Burial or cremation
• Fecal and routine blood tests
• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
• Gastropexy
• Grooming
• Hip dysplasia exams, radiographs, or other OFA testing
• Medicated shampoos
• Microchipping
• Nutritional supplements
• Prescription diet food
• Teeth cleaning
• Reiki, massage therapy, and acupuncture
• Routine anal gland expression
• Routine chiropractic care
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Toenail trimming
• Training
• Vaccinations and titers
• Wearable pet activity monitors
• Wellness exam fees

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Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Cost

Pet insurance pricing is based on your location and your pet’s age, breed, gender, and species. Older and male pets cost more to insure, as do dogs and breeds known for complicated health conditions. We got sample quotes for a few common breeds and found that Embrace consistently costs more than Healthy Paws.

Plan Customization

Healthy Paws and Embrace offer similar plan customization options that give you some control over your premium.

Both offer deductibles of $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000. Both offer reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%. The two differ, however, in their annual coverage limits. Healthy Paws offers unlimited coverage for every customer, while Embrace offers limits of $5,000, $8000, $10,000, and $15,000, in addition to unlimited coverage.

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Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Premiums

We compared each provider’s monthly prices for the following breeds using the same deductible, reimbursement rate, coverage limit, and location. We found that Embrace’s monthly premiums are consistently more expensive than Embrace’s. While Embrace offers more coverage, its accident-and-illness plan alone is roughly $20–$25 more per month for any given breed.

*Sample quotes are for 4-year-old, mixed-breed, male dogs in Raleigh, North Carolina, using a $250 deductible, $5,000 annual limit, and 80% reimbursement rate.

Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Discounts

Based on our research and experience, we’ve found Healthy Paws to be a straightforward insurance provider. It prices its plan at the rate it deems fair and will tell you during the quote process if it’s not the best provider for the coverage you need. Its no-nonsense approach means it doesn’t offer discounts. Embrace, however, offers multiple money-saving options.

Embrace automatically includes discounts when giving you a sample quote. As long as you answer its questions accurately, your savings will be factored in. While Embrace’s discount policies vary by state, most active and former military members receive a 5% discount, and those insuring multiple pets get a 10% discount.

Embrace also offers a Healthy Pet Deductible. With the Healthy Pet Deductible, your annual deductible automatically reduces by $50 each year you don’t receive an accident or illness claim reimbursement. This is included with every policy at no extra cost.

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Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Claim Filing

Both providers allow customers to file claims through their online customer portals or via their mobile apps. From our research, Healthy Paws has a much faster turnaround time for claims. The provider says it reimburses customers within two days for 99% of claims filed. Embrace says its claims process can take up to 15 business days but that most claims are reimbursed in less time.

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Healthy Paws vs. Embrace Reviews

Healthy Paws and Embrace both have positive BBB ratings. The BBB rates Healthy Paws an A- and Embrace an A+ as of March 2023. Each provider has many positive customer reviews, though Healthy Paws’ customer review rating is 2.68 out of 5 and Embrace’s is 3.44 out of 5.

Both providers have negative customer comments that state what many pet insurance customers cite, which is the tendency for companies to label a condition as preexisting and therefore not approve the claim. Many other customers report having positive claim experiences, so this could be a matter of some customers not understanding policy terms. 

See what customers have said in the example reviews below:

Healthy Paws:

“I have found that the turnaround time for a claim is done within 10 days or sooner. Due to this experience and a few others, I recommend Healthy Paws for your 4 legged family member. My future pets will always have a policy in place. It’s worth the peace of mind it gives you.” —Gail H., January 20, 2023, on BBB

“Have been paying my premiums for the past several years. Had to file a small claim….found the documents I provided were not enough. Had supplied every document from invoice to X-rays. At least I found out that their customer service is horrible before I had to file a large claim. I’m still trying to get my few dollars owed to me though.” —Mark A., January 18, 2023, on BBB

Embrace:

“I have been an Embrace client for going on nine years. I carried two coverages; Wellness Rewards and Accident & Illness. Their service has been excellent regarding handling of my claims. I could not ask for a better partner in caring for my furry companion, who just passed away. I do recommend this company whenever possible.” —Tom C., June 10, 2022, on BBB

“Extremely long around times for claims. Clunky mobile app, difficult to upload information.” —A.S., January 15, 2023, on BBB

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Our Conclusion

If you want simplified accident-and-illness coverage at a lower monthly premium, Healthy Paws may be the right provider for you. If you want a wellness plan and are willing to pay more per month for more comprehensive coverage, Embrace is a practical option. The right provider for you depends on your budget and pet’s needs.

Whichever route you choose, we always recommend reading a provider’s coverage details carefully before enrolling in a pet insurance policy. Most providers include a sample policy on their sites, so you can read through their plans’ fine print. We also encourage you to get a quote before enrollment to see how much you can expect to pay.

If saving money is your priority, see our list of the cheapest pet insurance companies.

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FAQ About Pet Insurance With Healthy Paws and Embrace

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Our Rating Methodology

We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:

• Coverage (25)
• Plan options (20)
• Monthly cost (20)
• Company reputation (15)
• Customer service (10)
• Species eligibility (10)

Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.