Healthy Paws Review

Monday, January 13th

2025 Pet Insurance Company Reviews

Healthy Paws

• Monthly premiums start at $20 for dogs and $15 for cats
• $113.24 per month for our example dog
• No limits on payouts per claim, per year, or lifetime
• Fast claims processing, typically within 2 days
• Coverage for visits to all licensed veterinarians
• Covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions
• Includes coverage for alternative treatments
• No per-condition or lifetime caps on payouts
• Mobile app available for easy claim submission
• 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses

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:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Preventative or routine care
• Spay/neuter procedures
• Office visit or examination fees
• Dental disease (only broken teeth from accidents are covered)
• Hip dysplasia for pets enrolled at 6 years or older

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.