Trupanion vs. Embrace: 2024 Comparison

Trupanion and Embrace are two pet insurance providers popular among pet parents. While both companies offer comprehensive accident-and-illness coverage, they differ considerably in price and plan options.

We reviewed each provider’s website, sample policy, and customer feedback to see how their coverage, pricing, and customer satisfaction compare. See which provider came out on top in our Trupanion versus Embrace pet insurance review. For other recommendations, view our list of the best pet insurance providers.

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Compare Trupanion and Embrace

Both Trupanion and Embrace have high Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, unlimited coverage, and accessible customer support, including 24/7 help lines. We rated Trupanion lower than Embrace due to its lack of customizable annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates. Its waiting periods for filing your first claim are also longer than Embrace’s, and it doesn’t offer a preventive care or wellness plan.

A big plus for Trupanion, however, is that it offers direct payment. That means instead of paying your vet bill at checkout, filing a claim, then waiting for reimbursement, you can pay your vet directly using your Trupanion coverage and skip the claims process. Note that this is contingent on your veterinarian having the necessary software for direct checkout.

We compare the two providers on key metrics in the table below.

*BBB ratings are accurate as of March 2023.

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Trupanion vs. Embrace Coverage

Trupanion and Embrace’s accident-and-illness plans have some overlap. Each provider covers the same standard vet treatments, including the following:

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

They also both cover common conditions, such as these:

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

Both providers’ accident-and-illness plans have similar coverage exclusions, including the following:

• 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

Unlike Trupanion, Embrace covers alternative and behavioral therapies in its standard accident-and-illness plan, as well as exam fees. Embrace also offers a wellness plan you can combine with your standard plan for an additional monthly fee. It covers routine preventive vet care, such as annual wellness checkups, grooming, and vaccinations. 

While Trupanion doesn’t have a wellness plan option, it does offer two add-ons. You can choose to add the following coverage to your accident-and-illness plan for an additional monthly fee:

• Pet Owner Assistance Package: This add-on covers advertising and reward money for lost pets; pet boarding fees if you’re hospitalized and can’t care for your pet; liability expenses for third-party property damage; cremation or burial costs for accidental deaths; and vacation cancellation costs due to a pet’s necessary medical needs.
• Recovery and Complementary Care Rider: This add-on covers acupuncture, behavioral modification, chiropractic, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and rehabilitative therapy.

Preventive Care Options

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

You can choose from 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 preventatives
• Gastropexy
• Grooming
• Hip dysplasia exams, radiographs, and other OFA testing
• Medicated shampoos
• Microchipping
• Nutritional supplements
• Prescription diet food
• Preventative teeth cleaning
• Reiki, massage therapy, 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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Trupanion vs. Embrace Cost

Pet insurance pricing is based on your location plus 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 Trupanion costs more per month than Embrace.

Plan Customization

You can customize your monthly premium by adjusting your annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate. Trupanion and Embrace both offer unlimited coverage, but Embrace also offers annual limit options of $5,000, $8000, $10,000, and $15,000.

Embrace has $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 deductibles. Trupanion takes a different approach to deductibles than other pet insurers. The provider lets you choose anywhere from $0 to $1,000 in $5 increments.

Embrace lets you choose a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement rate. Trupanion only provides a 90% reimbursement rate.

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Trupanion vs. Embrace Premiums

One of the most significant differences between Trupanion and Embrace is cost. We got sample quotes from each provider and found that Trupanion was significantly more expensive than Embrace. Though Trupanion’s monthly premium for cats leans cheaper than Embrace’s, its premiums for some dog breeds were as much as $57 more per month.

*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.

Trupanion vs. Embrace Discounts

Trupanion does not offer discounts. Embrace’s discount policies vary by state, but most active and former military members can get a 5% discount. Embrace also offers a 10% multi-pet discount. 

Additionally, Embrace 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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Trupanion vs. Embrace Claim Filing

Both providers allow customers to file claims through their online customer portals or via their respective mobile apps. Embrace says it can take up to 15 days to reimburse claims but usually does so in less time.

Trupanion says it reimburses roughly 60% of claims within 24 hours. However, customers can skip the claims process altogether by directly paying their vet at checkout, a perk only Trupanion offers.

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Trupanion vs. Embrace Reviews

Both companies rate well with the BBB. Trupanion has an A-, and Embrace has an A+ as of March 2023. The most common customer complaint for both providers is claim denial due to labeling conditions as preexisting. Trupanion customers also cite price hikes. Each provider also has satisfied customers who have left positive reviews stating they’ve had a great experience with the company.

Here’s what some customers have to say:

Trupanion:

“I am very happy I signed up for their plan and have already recommended [them] to a number of friends and family with young dogs. My suggestions when filing a claim: take charge and keep it moving along yourself. If you get an email that they need more info, do not wait for them to contact your vet to get it — get it yourself, email it to their claims department.” —JM on BBB

“Be prepared to have your rates massively increased as your pets hit age milestones. They start out at the puppy age saying to get on with them early to avoid the big hikes down the road. However, once they hit age milestones that make it difficult to switch, they start hitting you with the rate hikes. We’ve had multiple rate hikes exceeding 20% year over year.” —Gavin P. 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. on BBB

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

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Our Conclusion

Embrace has lower premiums than Trupanion and more diverse coverage in its accident-and-illness plan. Trupanion, however, offers direct payment and add-ons that cover a variety of expenses pet owners face, including preventive care costs. Your budget and your pet’s health-care needs will determine which provider is right for you.

When shopping for pet insurance, we encourage you to carefully examine each provider’s coverage and exclusions. We recommend getting quotes from at least three providers before enrolling in a plan. See our list of cheapest pet insurance companies if cost is your most important factor.

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FAQ About Trupanion vs. 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.