What is the Best Pet Insurance Company? If you're a pet owner, chances are you've thought about how to care for your furry friend in the event of an emergency. Veterinary bills can add up quickly, especially if your pet needs surgery or treatment for a chronic illness. Pet insurance can help cover these unexpected costs, making it easier to provide the best care for your pet without breaking the bank.
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Healthy Paws offers pet insurance for cats and dogs aged 8 weeks to 14 years. Their plans cover visits to all licensed veterinarians. The company is underwritten by various Chubb group companies, listed on Healthy Paws' website - your specific underwriter depends on individual factors like your location.
Limited customization
Healthy Paws only offers one pet health insurance plan, and you can't customize the deductible or coverage amount to save on your monthly premium. They don't limit your payouts per incident or any period of time, but they only offer 50% reimbursement with a $1,000 annual deductible. Our test case for an 8-year-old large mixed-breed dog resulted in a rate of $113.24 per month. Healthy Paws doesn't advertise the average cost of their plans for young pets, but our research suggests it's $20/month for dogs and $15/month for cats.
No coverage for dental disease
Healthy Paws offers coverage for the typical range of conditions covered by pet insurance, including illnesses, accidents, hereditary and congenital conditions, chronic conditions, and cancer. They also cover diagnostic treatments, surgeries, hospitalizations, and even alternative treatments. They do not cover:
We recommend requesting a quote, because you may have more exclusions depending on the state you live in.
No wellness plans or add-ons
Healthy Paws does not offer a wellness plan. They say this is because, unlike accidents, routine wellness and preventive care can be planned and budgeted for. They suggest checking with your veterinarian to see if they offer their own wellness plan.
Exam required for enrollment
Healthy Paws has a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, and a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia. (Some pet insurance providers will allow you to bypass waiting periods for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia with an exam and waiver process, but not Healthy Paws.) For enrollment, pets under 6 years need to have a vet exam within 12 months before or 15 days after the policy start date. Pets 6 years old and up need an exam within 30 days before or 15 days after. Without this exam, your policy might be voided or claims denied until you provide it.
No per-condition or lifetime caps
Unlike some competitors, Healthy Paws has no per-condition caps, annual caps, or lifetime caps on payouts. This means they will cover eligible expenses without limiting the amount they'll pay you, regardless of how costly or frequent the treatments might be. For example, if your dog develops a chronic condition like diabetes that requires ongoing medication and regular check-ups, Healthy Paws will continue to cover these expenses year after year without reaching a maximum limit. That can give you some peace of mind, especially if you own a breed prone to health issues.
Claims processing takes 2 days
Healthy Paws will pay your claims fast and without hassle. Just take a photo of your vet bill from any licensed veterinarian or emergency clinic in the US, upload via the app or their website, and voila: your claim should be processed in just 2 days. (It will take a little longer for the money to reach your account.)
Healthy Paws was accused of breaching their policy with age-based premium increase
A 2022 class action lawsuit alleged that Healthy Paws breached its policy contract by increasing premiums based on pets' age, contrary to what their policy said at the time. In Washington state, regulators fined Healthy Paws' underwriters for unfair rate increases and age-based pricing not approved by the state. Healthy Paws withdrew from Washington and has since updated their website to say that they will raise premiums based on age, as well as other factors like breed, gender, and where you live. While that's a step in the right direction, it demonstrates that this company is willing to breach their own contract to raise your prices if they think they can get away with it.
Your policy may be unexpectedly canceled
Healthy Paws has a good rating on Trustpilot, but there are some issues you need to be aware of. A common complaint is that policies are often canceled due to outdated payment information. The company claims they contacted these customers, but the customers insist they never received any form of communication. One such customer reported paying over $3,000 over six years without receiving any reimbursement due to the high deductible and eventual policy cancellation. If you're considering this pet insurance company, you'll need to be diligent about keeping your information up to date.
Premiums skyrocket at 8 years; claims processing has slowed
Another long-time customer reported that their premiums have increased significantly over 12 years, from $80 per month for two dogs to over $500 per month. They acknowledge that Healthy Paws covered expensive treatments like chemotherapy, blood tests, and imaging, but warn others that prices skyrocket when your pet reaches 8 years old. Another customer who had been with the company for 14 years mentioned that while claims were previously processed quickly, they are now experiencing delays. This customer is facing difficulties with unresolved claims and inconsistent communication from the company, even after their dog has passed away. These reviews suggest that while Healthy Paws provided valuable coverage in the past, recent changes may have led to increased premiums and slower claim processing.
Exclusions and waiting periods make them less attractive
Healthy Paws has a few issues that may be deal breakers. These include the lack of coverage for dental issues (except for accidents), no hip dysplasia coverage for pets enrolled at 6 years or older, and the absence of coverage for exam fees, behavioral therapy, and preventive care. Their waiting periods mean you won't have full coverage for the first year. Also, Healthy Paws doesn't offer an accident-only plan or multi-pet discounts, which may make other insurance providers more attractive for some pet owners.
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If you're a pet owner, chances are you've thought about how to care for your furry friend in the event of an emergency. Veterinary bills can add up quickly, especially if your pet needs surgery or treatment for a chronic illness. Pet insurance can help cover these unexpected costs, making it easier to provide the best care for your pet without breaking the bank.
From puppies prone to accidents to older cats with ongoing health needs, pet insurance can be a valuable tool to help you manage costs while giving your pet the treatment they deserve.Pet insurance comes in a few different types, which vary based on the coverage they offer. For instance, some plans only cover accidents, such as a broken leg from a fall, while others offer more comprehensive coverage that includes illnesses, wellness checkups, and vaccinations.
Basic accident-only plans tend to be more affordable, but they won't help if your pet develops a long-term health condition. Comprehensive plans may include preventive care as well, though they often come with higher monthly premiums. Other policies cover hereditary or congenital conditions, which can be particularly important if your pet is a breed known for specific health issues.
The cost of pet insurance depends on factors like your pet's age, breed, and health history, as well as the type of coverage you choose. Monthly premiums can range from under $10 to over $100, so understanding the differences among plans can save you money in the long run. Additionally, different insurance companies have various reimbursement models and payout limits. Some plans reimburse a percentage of each vet bill, while others have annual limits, meaning you'll want to consider how much you're likely to spend on your pet's healthcare each year.
It's important to choose the right pet insurance plan the first time. If you decide to switch to another provider later, any health issues your pet has developed in the meantime will be considered pre-existing conditions by the new provider and not covered. You should also be aware that "upgrading" to a better policy from the same provider can technically be considered canceling your old policy, meaning the conditions your pet is currently covered for may become considered pre-existing.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind when shopping for pet insurance:
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best pet insurance companies available. We hope this review helps you find the best service for your pet, so you can feel confident they're covered, no matter what life brings.
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How Pet Insurance Can Save You Money
If you asked every pet lover you encountered in a day how they feel about their pets, they'd likely tell you they view them as family members, not pets. As such, most pet owners want their furry family members to live long and healthy lives.
One of the best ways to make sure that happens is by investing in a pet insurance policy.
Like their human counterparts, animals can get sick or be involved in accidents which can cause severe injury. They also need routine preventative healthcare in order to stay healthy - all of which can cost a pretty penny. Pet insurance plans are designed to help shoulder the burden of these costs, helping pet owners to have the choice in caring for their pet, versus euthanasia due to insufficient funding to pay for necessary medical procedures.
Currently, only one percent of the U.S. pet population - just under 3 million animals - is insured. However, industry trends indicate that pet health insurance policies are growing in popularity in the U.S., with an anticipated increase of up to 10 percent within the next five years.
The first official pet healthcare policy was sold in Britain in 1947. Britain trails only Sweden in the number of pet owners who provide insurance for their pets. Dogs are the most-insured pet, followed by cats and small exotic animals. While it is sold under the name "healthcare insurance," pet health insurance is actually under the insurance umbrella for property. According to insurance laws, pets are seen as property, so the insurance policy which covers them is similar to that for any other property owned by an individual.
Most pet owners understand that cost for care, as well as the likelihood that the pet will suffer from certain diseases and conditions, significantly increases as the pet ages. However, not many pet owners have stopped to ask themselves what they would do if their pet suffered a serious or unexpected injury. Average cost for mending a broken leg, for instance, can run between $2,000 and $5,000 without insurance coverage. Dogs, which are known for eating and swallowing items which can be harmful, may need emergency surgery to remove the item and repair any internal damage that may have been caused. That kind of procedure can cost up to $3,000. Many pet owners cannot afford such high up-front costs and most veterinarians require payment in full at the time of the procedure. That leaves many pet owners struggling with what to do for their pet when they can't afford the procedure that could help them.
Other conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, are on the rise in the pet population. One out of every 400 dogs and cats will be diagnosed with diabetes at some point in their lives. With the advent of medical procedures and interventions not previously available to our pets, many are living longer, which increases their chances of developing age-related conditions and injuries. Take for instance, a pet which develops diabetes. That animal would require insulin injections, much as its human counterpart diagnosed with the same condition would need. Monthly costs between insulin and the syringes needed to administer it can cost a couple hundred dollars. Then there is the glucose monitoring system required to keep track of your pet's insulin levels. Animal-specific monitors such as AlphaTrak can cost $200 by the time you purchase the monitor, the lancets and the testing strips.
Most pet policies cover these issues and many more, making them a good investment for pet owners. With a variety of plans from which to choose, pet owners can find one that is not only affordable to them, but which also covers their pet's annual medical needs.
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