Our Take on Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is an ideal pet insurance provider if you are looking for unlimited annual coverage caps at affordable rates. Healthy Paws offers a comprehensive and flexible plan but may not be the right choice for all pet owners due to a lack of routine care add-ons and customizable benefits for older pets.
While Healthy Paws doesn’t offer customizable policies for animals 6 years or older, we recommend Lemonade or Embrace as alternative pet insurance providers for your older dog or cat.
Pros and Cons
What Does Healthy Paws Cover?
Healthy Paws offers one pet insurance plan that covers injuries, illnesses, genetic conditions and emergency care. The plan comes with an unlimited annual coverage cap — meaning you can’t max out your policy — and reimburses you if your pet needs a procedure or treatment due to an accident or illness.
Coverage includes the following conditions, treatments and diagnostics:
- Cancer
- Hereditary conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Broken bones
- Toxic ingestions
- Diagnostic treatment
- Emergency and specialty care
- Alternative therapies
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Ultrasounds
- Blood tests
- Prescription medications
- X-rays
Optional Add-On Coverage
Unlike some other pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws does not offer add-on coverage for wellness or routine care like checkups and vaccinations. However, the accident and illness plan coverage is more comprehensive than that offered by most of its competitors.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Exclusions
Like many pet health insurance providers, Healthy Paws does not cover pre-existing conditions before or during your policy’s waiting period. A waiting period is a set amount of time after purchasing a policy that you must wait before making any claims. So if your pet shows signs of illness before your policy kicks in, Healthy Paws may not extend coverage for treatment.
Healthy Paws coverage also excludes the following:
- Behavioral disorders
- Exam fees
- Spaying and neutering
- Anal gland expression
- Elective procedures
- Boarding fees
Since it doesn’t offer a wellness or routine care add-on, Healthy Paws also excludes preventative care treatments, such as:
- Dental care and cleanings
- Parasite control
- Vaccinations
For a full list of coverage, exclusions and policy limitations, we recommend reviewing a Healthy Paws sample policy.
Healthy Paws Coverage Levels
Healthy Paws only offers one policy, but you can choose from customization options to ensure you only pay for your pet’s needs. While all Healthy Paws policyholders benefit from unlimited coverage caps, it’s important to note that you can only change your deductible and reimbursement rate if your pet is under 6 years old. Rates for older pets are locked in and based on age.
Deductibles
Your policy deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance provider takes over. So if you have a $250 deductible, you must pay $250 in out-of-pocket expenses before using your insurance coverage.
Healthy Paws offers two annual deductible options for pets younger than 6 years old: $250 or $500. Pets 6 years and older receive the following deductibles:
- $500 deductible if your pet is 6 years old
- $750 deductible if your pet is 7 years old
- $1,000 deductible if your pet is 8 years or older
Reimbursement Rates
Your reimbursement rate determines how much of a claim your insurance provider pays back to you. If your pet is under 6 years old, Healthy Paws allows you to choose from a 70% or 80% reimbursement level. It offers the following options for older pets:
- 70% reimbursement rate if your pet is 6 or 7 years old
- 50% reimbursement rate if your pet is 8 years or older
Healthy Paws also offers a vet direct pay option on a claim-by-claim basis, which means you don’t have to submit a claim for reimbursement later. However, you must make your request for direct payment in advance of the treatment. If the claim is approved, Healthy Paws pays the veterinarian directly for the covered expenses, minus any applicable deductibles or copayments.
Annual Coverage Limits
Your annual coverage limit is the maximum amount your provider will pay you each time you file a claim. Since Healthy Paws extends unlimited coverage, there is no limit on your annual payout amounts. However, your policy terms will dictate what is and is not covered.
Healthy Paws Waiting Periods
After you purchase Healthy Paws pet insurance, the company requires you to wait 15 days from your policy’s effective date before filing a claim. This applies to claims for most illnesses and injuries. However, there are no waiting periods for illness, injury or orthopedic conditions resulting from an accident.
There is also a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage. Only pets under 6 years old at enrollment are eligible for hip dysplasia coverage.
Before your waiting period can begin, you must submit your pet’s most recent clinical exam findings to Healthy Paws. Your pet must undergo this exam within 12 months before the policy start date (or 30 days before the policy start date for pets who are 6 years of age or older). Your pet can also undergo the exam within 15 days after the policy start date.
Healthy Paws allows you to enroll your puppy or kitten in a policy once they are eight weeks old. The maximum age to enroll your dog or cat in a new policy is 14. However, as long as your pet is enrolled before its 14th birthday, it is eligible for lifelong coverage.
How Much Does Healthy Paws Cost?
Our team collected quotes for four types of pets in all 50 states, gathering a total of 200 quotes for Healthy Paws. Based on the sample quotes we received, Healthy Paws pet insurance policies are anywhere from $15 to $77 a month, with an average price of $39.
The table below summarizes the average cost for each pet we gathered quotes for in all states:
A 5-year-old medium mixed-breed male dog | $51.03 |
A 2-year-old large golden retriever female dog | $57.44 |
A 5-year-old mixed-breed male cat | $23.60 |
A 2-year-old Siamese female cat | $23.63 |
Compared to other cheap pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws is 5th cheapest, behind ManyPets, Lemonade, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, and Figo.
Note: Policies that cover pets over 6 years old come with lower reimbursement rates (50%–70%) and higher annual deductibles ($500–$1,000).
Discounts and Deals
Healthy Paws does not currently offer any discounts or deals on its pet insurance plans. Some companies offer a multi-pet discount if you have more than one animal on your plan, but Healthy Paws does not have this perk.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Reviews
Healthy Paws, founded in 2009, has over 10 years of experience in the pet insurance industry. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an A rating.
As part of our research process, we read more than a hundred reviews from Healthy Paws’ customers to get a sense of their experience and overall satisfaction. The company has a mix of positive and negative reviews on its BBB profile, examples of which we’ve included below.
Some customers are happy with the way claims are processed online, the monthly prices and the customer service.
“Very impressed with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance. Premiums are reasonable and claims are super easy using the app. I’ve not had any [pushback] at all with any of the claims I’ve submitted. My cat recently had surgery and Healthy Paws even followed up to see how he was doing. Very professional and thoughtful team!” — Monica T.
“[Healthy Paws] pays exactly what is covered [in] our policy, and I’ve never had any issues. It’s so simple to snap a photo of the bill and submit it, and we get a reimbursement check within a week.” — Barbara J.
Typical complaints report long wait times on the phone and considerable price hikes when renewing a policy. Most of Healthy Paws’ negative reviews have official responses from the company in an attempt to solve any issues. However, when we reached out to Healthy Paws about the negative reviews, the company declined to comment.
“I started with [Healthy Paws] in 2018. My premium was $33 [per] month for my rescue dog. Rates went up every year. In 2021, I have noticed it is going to $68 [per] month. I tried [canceling] via phone in April, May and June and now they are still billing me in July. I am going to have to disable my credit card.” — Lisa R.
“I enrolled my healthy puppy with [Healthy Paws] two years ago, submitted every single document they asked for with doctors notes from her first puppy visit [until] now (multiple times as they always state they did not receive it) and they are constantly giving me run around.” — Vanja M.
How to File a Claim with Healthy Paws
The Healthy Paws claims and payout process is as follows:
- Download the Healthy Paws mobile app or go to the company’s website and log in to your account.
- Upload an itemized veterinary invoice that outlines your pet’s treatment and associated costs.
- Healthy Paws will process your claim in two to 10 days, and reimburse your vet bills at the agreed-upon reimbursement rate.
If you prefer to file your claim via email, sign in through the Healthy Paws Customer Center and download a claim form. You can then send the claim form and itemized vet invoice to claims@healthypawspetinsurance.com.
If using the vet direct pay option (offered on a claim-by-claim basis) the process works as follows:
- Healthy Paws approves your request for direct payment in advance of the treatment.
- Your pet is treated for a condition covered by your Healthy Paws insurance policy.
- Your veterinarian sends the claim directly to Healthy Paws for processing.
- If the claim is approved, Healthy Paws pays the veterinarian directly for the covered expenses, minus any applicable deductibles or copayments.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance vs. Competitors
How do Healthy Paws’ costs and coverage stack up against its competitors? Compare waiting periods, discounts, communication channels and more in the chart below:
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 day | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$53-$123 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$28-$59 | A+ | 3 days | Compare Plans |
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 day | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$53-$123 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans | ||
$28-$59 | A+ | 3 days | Compare Plans |
Healthy Paws vs. Lemonade
Healthy Paws does not have any payout caps, and its accident and illness plan covers alternative treatments and care for genetic conditions. On the other hand, all of Lemonade’s plans have an annual coverage limit and do not cover alternative treatments and genetic conditions.
However, unlike Healthy Paws, which only offers one accident and illness plan, Lemonade also offers add-on coverage for vet fees, physical therapy and preventative care. So if you’re deciding between choosing a Healthy Paws policy or a Lemonade policy, you should consider what type of insurance coverage you value the most.
To learn more, read our full review of Lemonade Pet Insurance or how the two insurance providers compare.
Healthy Paws vs. Spot
Spot and Healthy Paws both offer plans with unlimited annual coverage. Spot has a slightly shorter waiting period before you can file a claim — 14 days for all conditions, compared to 15 days with Healthy Paws.
Based on our quote analysis, Spot’s monthly cost for its standard accident and illness coverage is slightly lower than the Healthy Paws plan. Additionally, Spot has no age limit for older animals, while Healthy Paws has some stipulations for coverage of pets over the age of 6.
To learn more, read our full review of Spot Pet Insurance.
Healthy Paws Availability
Healthy Paws pet insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states. But keep in mind that the cost of coverage may vary depending on where you live.
Is Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Worth It?
Healthy Paws offers comprehensive pet insurance with one straightforward plan. Customers benefit from unlimited annual and lifetime coverage gaps, so you won’t ever have to worry about maxing out your coverage there for making it worth it.
Healthy Paws also has no credit checks to enroll or cancellation fees if you decide to end your policy, making it a good option for pet parents who prefer flexibility.
If you are looking for routine care coverage or have pets over 6 years old, you may want to choose another provider. Healthy Paws does not offer a wellness care add-on, which won’t cover preventative treatments like vaccinations and dental cleanings. It also does not allow you to customize your reimbursement rate or deductible if your dog or cat is over 6 years old. Instead, Healthy Paws automatically locks in a rate for you based on your pet’s age.
Because Healthy Paws’ prices can vary depending on your pet’s age, breed and location, we recommend getting a free online quote to see how much your monthly premiums will cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws’ pet insurance policies are underwritten by the Chubb Group, a global provider of insurance products including homeowners insurance, life insurance and pet insurance. It includes ACE American Insurance Company, Westchester Fire Insurance Company and others.
Yes. Like most other pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws has a waiting period for coverage. After purchasing your pet’s policy, you have to wait 15 days before coverage for most accidents and illnesses kicks in and 12 months for conditions related to hip dysplasia.
Yes. Healthy Paws requires medical records from a full physical exam by a licensed vet for your pet to be eligible for coverage. Dogs and cats under 6 years old need an exam within 12 months of the policy’s coverage start date, whereas pets 6 years or older need an exam within 30 days. If you adopt a pet from an animal shelter, the shelter may be able to provide recent medical records you can use when signing up for your policy.
No. Healthy Paws doesn’t currently offer pet insurance policies for exotic animals. It only provides pet insurance policies for cats and pet insurance for dogs.
You can contact Healthy Paws by filling out a contact form or calling 855-898-8991.