Compare Embrace and Trupanion
We reviewed Embrace and Trupanion based on the information most important to you, like policy features, average monthly premiums, coverage options and discounts. The chart below offers a quick glance at each provider, so you can compare the two and decide which option works best for your budget and your pet’s healthcare needs.
Your monthly pet insurance premiums may vary depending on your coverage selections, your location and your pet.
| Star Rating | ||
| Best For | Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts | Our Pick for Savings |
| Average monthly cost | $70 for dogs and $40 for cats | $30–$40 for dogs and $15–$20 for cats |
| Coverage limits | Unlimited | $5,000–$30,000 |
| Deductibles | $0–$1,000 | $200–$1,000 |
| Reimbursement rates | 90% | 70–90% |
| Wellness care add-on | No | Yes |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | No | No* |
| Multi-pet discount | No | 10% |
| Star Rating | ||
| Best For | Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts | Our Pick for Savings |
| Average monthly cost | $70 for dogs and $40 for cats | $30–$40 for dogs and $15–$20 for cats |
| Coverage limits | Unlimited | $5,000–$30,000 |
| Deductibles | $0–$1,000 | $200–$1,000 |
| Reimbursement rates | 90% | 70–90% |
| Wellness care add-on | No | Yes |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | No | No* |
| Multi-pet discount | No | 10% |
*Embrace will reevaluate coverage for curable pre-existing conditions if your pet does not display symptoms or require treatment for at least 12 consecutive months.
Embrace Coverage Overview
Embrace offers an accident and illness plan that covers veterinary care if your pet is unexpectedly hurt or gets sick. Coverage includes:
- Hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions
- Specialist care
- Physical therapy, alternative therapy and behavioral therapy
- Emergency care
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Orthopedic conditions
- Prescription medications
- Up to $1,000 for dental illnesses
Embrace offers a Wellness Rewards Plan for pet parents looking to cover routine care costs, with an allowance of up to $250, $450 or $650 per year. An add-on care plan, Wellness Rewards will reimburse you 100% of costs related to your pet’s routine care, including:
- Wellness exams
- Parasite treatments (like fleas and heartworms)
- Vaccines
- Microchipping
- Spay or neuter procedures
- Grooming
- And more
Embrace Coverage Exclusions
Like other pet health insurance companies, Embrace does not cover pre-existing conditions your pet had before policy enrollment. It also excludes coverage for non-diagnostic DNA testing, breeding and elective procedures.
Embrace also enforces waiting periods to ensure your pet doesn’t have pre-existing conditions before their coverage begins. The company extends a two-day waiting period for injuries, 14 days for illnesses and six months for orthopedic conditions.
How Much Does Embrace Cost?
Based on the quotes we gathered, Embrace costs $30 to $40 per month for dogs and $15 to $20 for cats. Your monthly premium will depend on your pet’s age, species, breed, location and level of coverage.
You can also customize your policy by choosing different coverage limits, deductibles and reimbursement rates. Embrace offers the following options:
- Annual coverage limits: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000
- Deductible: $200, $300, $500, $750 or $1,000
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80% or 90%
Your selections can help lower your premium, but will also affect your coverage. For example, your monthly premium will be lower if you select a $5,000 limit, but your annual coverage will max out quicker.
Discounts Available
In addition to its diminishing deductible system, Embrace offers discounts for multi-pet coverage, military members and enrollment through an employee benefits program.
Trupanion Monthly Pricing
The chart below outlines sample quotes we pulled for 1-year-old pets in Kansas City, Mo. Each quote is based on Embrace’s accident and illness policy with a $200 deductible, a $30,000 annual payout limit and a 90% reimbursement rate. We also added the $250 Wellness Rewards option for an extra cost of $18.75 per month.
| Medium Mixed-Breed Dog | Golden Retriever | Domestic Shorthaired Cat | Domestic Medium-haired Cat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident and Illness Plan | $67.09 | $100.64 | $33.55 | $33.55 |
| Accident and Illness Plan with Wellness Rewards | $85.84 | $119.39 | $52.30 | $52.30 |
Trupanion Coverage Overview
Trupanion has one pet insurance plan that covers veterinary costs related to pet accidents, injuries and illnesses, including:
- Hereditary conditions
- Diagnostic testing
- Congenital conditions
- Surgery
- Hospital stays
- Emergency veterinary care
- Prescription medications
- Veterinary supplements
- Herbal therapy
- Prosthetic devices and carts
Trupanion also has three wellness care packages that you can add to your policy.
- Recovery and Complementary Care: Covers your pet’s rehabilitative and non-clinical treatments, like acupuncture, chiropractic care and hydrotherapy.
- Pet Owner Assistance: Includes coverage for non-medical costs such as pet burial or cremation and boarding.
- Breeding: This rider covers costs related to pet breeding.
While most providers require you to submit veterinary bills for reimbursement, Trupanion can pay participating vets directly at checkout. A direct pay system removes the hassle of the claims process and paying out of pocket for costly veterinary services.
Trupanion Coverage Exclusions
Trupanion also excludes pre-existing conditions from its coverage, as well as spay and neuter procedures, preventive care, dental illness, exam fees and sales tax.
The company has a five-day waiting period for accidents and 30 days for illness coverage and hip dysplasia.
How Much Does Trupanion Cost?
Based on the quotes we gathered, Trupanion costs $50 to $70 per month for dog insurance and $25 to $40 for cat insurance.
Trupanion provides a 90% reimbursement rate and unlimited payout with every plan. While this is an excellent feature for pet parents seeking high coverage, it might not be the best option for pet owners who need low-cost options or more policy customization.
Trupanion allows you to choose a deductible from $0 to $1,000. The company utilizes a per-condition deductible system, rather than annual copays. So once you meet the set deductible for a covered condition, you do not have to pay it again — you’ll only pay deductibles for your pet’s new conditions.
Discounts Available
Trupanion will discount plans for assistance animals and therapy pets.
Trupanion Monthly Pricing
The chart below shows quotes we gathered for a 1-year-old pet in Kansas City, Mo. based on an accident and illness plan with a $200 deductible.
| Medium Mixed-Breed Dog | Golden Retriever | Domestic Shorthaired Cat | Domestic Medium-haired Cat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident and Illness Plan | $46.87 | $62.67 | $25.85 | $25.85 |
| Accident and Illness Plan with Physical Therapy | $52.33 | $70.30 | $28.44 | $28.44 |
Why Choose Embrace?
To help you better understand the customer experience, we analyzed Embrace pet insurance reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, with many customers praising the company’s customer service. However, some customers complained about denied claims and coverage restrictions.
“My cat went to the emergency room (ER) in respiratory distress. They kept him in the ICU for the night. Per my agreement with Embrace, it paid 70% of the bill, no questions asked. This was such a relief. [Embrace] sent me a check in the mail and kept me updated on the Embrace app.”—Marilyn W. via Trustpilot
“Embrace recently doubled my monthly insurance payment. When I called a representative, they stated it does not have to do specifically with my dog, but [Embrace] decided to raise all rates across New York State … and I can expect my rates to double every year going forward.” —Chris via Trustpilot
Why Choose Trupanion?
Trupanion has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot, with positive reviews that mention notable customer service and quick claims processing. Other reviews mention issues with the claims and reimbursement.
“Trupanion has been an incredible partner and lifesaving resource for my dog. We have utilized our plan more than we could have envisioned, and Trupanion has always followed through with integrity, clear replies and timely reimbursements for covered costs.”—Jonathan via Trustpilot
“If you want to pay high premiums and receive peanuts when you make a claim, Trupanion is for you. We have paid for our dog for over six years and made a few claims, and every time, Trupanion paid almost nothing. We are canceling our policy and will not be using Trupanion in the future.”—Brandon C. via Trustpilot
Embrace vs. Trupanion: Which is Better?
While Embrace and Trupanion both offer pet insurance coverage, the best policy ultimately comes down to your pet’s needs and your budget. Trupanion is a better choice for pet parents seeking higher payouts with unlimited annual benefits. On the other hand, Embrace is a better option for preventive care coverage and curable pre-existing conditions.
Whether you are seeking cheap pet insurance or more comprehensive coverage, we recommend you get quotes from multiple pet insurance companies before purchasing a policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance
Trupanion is designed to cover emergency veterinary care, not wellness or routine care. So the company does not cover vet visits, exam fees or wellness checkups. It also does not offer a preventive care add-on plan.
Embrace offers a Wellness Rewards Plan that you can purchase for routine care coverage, including wellness exams.
Trupanion extends unlimited coverage limits, meaning the company will not limit your reimbursement for covered services. However, Trupanion enforces an upper age limit and does not cover pets 14 years and older.
Embrace allows you to select an annual coverage limit of $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or $30,000. Embrace doesn’t enforce an upper age limit, but only offers accident coverage to pets aged 14 and older.