Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review 2024 (Official)
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Coverage Options
Pets 3 and under
Deductible: $100, $250, or $500
Coinsurance: 70%, 80%, or 90%
Pets 4-5
Deductible: $250, or $500
Coinsurance: 70%, or 80%
Pets age 6
Deductible: $500
Coinsurance: 70%
Pets age 7
Deductible: $750
Coinsurance: $70
Pets age 8-13:
Deductible: $1,000
Coinsurance: 70%
14 and older are not eligible to enroll
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers an Accident & Illness plan with unlimited annual and lifetime payouts. However, they do not offer a wellness plan for coverage of routine pet care, nor the option to enroll in Accident-Only coverage for those seeking a more affordable option.
They also impose greater restrictions on their “comprehensive” plan than many other providers, such as exclusions for preventable conditions and hip dysplasia in dogs over the age of six. Pets ages 14 and older are ineligible for coverage.
Keep reading to find out whether Healthy Paws is the best pet insurance solution for your specific needs.
Pros
- No payout limits per condition or policy term
- Customizable deductible and reimbursement rate
- Processes most claims quickly
- Multiple methods to file a claim
- Covers some alternative care
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- Restrictions on reimbursement rates and deductibles based on your pet's age at enrollment
- 90-day window to file claims
- Maximum lifetime payout limit
- 365-day waiting period for hip dysplasia (only for pets under six years old)
- No coverage for sick exam fees
- Limitations on coverage for working pets
- Premium rates increase after filing a claim
Healthy Paws has been a major player in the pet insurance industry since its inception in 2009. Rob Jackson and Steve Siadek co-founded the company in an effort to help pet owners deal with the financial burden of veterinary care. The company, which also operates a non-profit foundation to benefit homeless pets, has grown into one of the largest pet insurers in the United States.
Plans are underwritten by the Chubb U.S. Group of Insurance Companies (comprised of ACE American Insurance Company, Westchester Fire Insurance Company, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Atlantic Employers Insurance Company). All five entities have an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of “A++” and are considered financially stable as of March, 2024. Healthy Paws reviews have also earned the insurance carrier an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
What's Covered
- Accidents and illnesses
- Breed-specific conditions
- Some orthopedic conditions
- Cancer treatment
- Dental injuries (accidents only)
- Prescription medications
- Vet-recommended euthanasia
What's Not Covered
- Preventable conditions
- Obedience training
- Dental cleanings
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Cosmetic procedures
- Stem cell treatments
- Pre-existing conditions
Waiting Periods
When you sign up for pet insurance, there is a mandatory waiting period before your coverage becomes effective and you become eligible for claim reimbursement. These waiting periods vary by insurance provider.
The timeframe for Healthy Paws waiting periods depends on the type of incident you need coverage for, as seen below.
- Accidents: 15 days
- Illnesses: 15 days
- Cruciate ligament conditions: 15 days
- Hip dysplasia: 365 days
Find the pet insurance plan that fits YOUR needs
How it Works
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance works by reimbursing 50 to 90% of your eligible veterinary expenses (after the waiting period has passed and your deductible has been met). You are responsible for the remaining portion of the vet bill, also known as co-insurance, in addition to the monthly or annual insurance premium.
1. Visit any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency hospital you'd like with no network restrictions.
2. Pay for the veterinary services provided during your visit upfront at the time of your appointment.
3. File a Spot Pet Insurance claim through the app or website and upload the requested documents.
4. Get reimbursed for a percentage of eligible veterinary expenses based on your selected coverage.
LEARN MORE : Pet Insurance & How It Works: A Pet Parent's Guide
How to File a Healthy Paws Claim
- Window to file: within 90 days of the date of service
- Filing requirements: itemized invoice
- Average claim reimbursement: Most claims are processed within 10 days
- Reimbursement methods: check or direct deposit
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Cost
The cost of Healthy Paws insurance starts at $20 per month for dogs and $15 per month for cats. The actual price you can expect to pay will depend on your location, pet breed, deductible, and reimbursement rate.
Average price for dogs:
$63 / mo
Average Price for cats:
$29 / mo
Sample Prices
To illustrate how the cost of pet insurance ranges, we generated sample quotes for a policy featuring a $500 deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and an unlimited annual coverage limit on behalf of pets living in Dallas, Texas.
Breed of Pet | 6 Months Old | 3 Years Old | 10 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
French Bulldog | $74 | $85 | $198 |
Labrador Retriever | $52 | $60 | $125 |
Domestic Shorthair Cat | $16 | $19 | $40 |
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: All pet insurance policies are subject to price increases annually. Pawlicy Advisor crunches the numbers to calculate the lifetime price of a policy, then makes recommendations that will save you money over your pet's lifetime.
Healthy Paws Customer Service
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT
Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PT
Chat Support: 24/7/365
Phone Number: 1-855-898-8891
General Email: info@healthypawspetinsurance.com
Customer Support: help@gohealthypaws.com
Claims: claims@healthypawspetinsurance.com
Enrollment Requirements
- Minimum age at enrollment : 8 weeks
- Maximum age for enrollment: 14 years old
- Medical Review : required at enrollment
- A pet less than six (6) years of age on the date of enrollment must have undergone a complete clinical examination. The exam must have taken place either in the twelve (12) months prior to the pet policy effective date, or within fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date.
- A pet six (6) years of age or greater on the date of enrollment must have undergone a complete clinical examination within thirty (30) days prior to the pet policy effective date, or within fifteen (15) days following the pet policy effective date.
- Valid United States address : Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you provide to the insurance provider
Cancellation Policy
Here are the instructions on how to cancel Healthy Paws Pet Insurance:
You must be the policyholder, also referred to as the “Pet Parent” shown on the Policy Declarations Page, in order to cancel the policy.
Cancellation requests can be submitted in the form of fax, regular mail, email, or done verbally. Email requests may go to help@gohealthypaws.com. List your name, your pet’s name, your pet policy number, the cancellation effective date, and the reason for the cancellation.
If a cancellation request is received within the first 30 days of the pet's policy and no claims have been filed, the policy is canceled with a full refund. Refund offer is not available in New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Once your account is canceled, you will no longer have access to the online Customer Center. For help, please contact our Customer Care Team at 1-855-898-8991.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance also includes this language about cancelling your policy in its Terms and Conditions: “You understand that in order to cancel coverage, you need to notify Healthy Paws via regular mail, fax, email or verbally where permitted by your policy. We will return unearned premium on a pro rata basis.”
Expert Insights
Is Healthy Paws worth it?
"Overall, the Healthy Paws insurance plan is comparable to those of other pet insurers. The company offers accident and illness coverage, including coverage for many hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, and chronic health problems. Healthy Paws even offers coverage for alternative care, such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy (although homeopathy is excluded).
The company has been in business for over a decade, which means it’s more experienced than many of the newest pet health insurance companies. Most importantly, Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual payouts with every plan. Of course, this could be a drawback if you want to reduce your annual payout limit to get a more affordable monthly premium.
In our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review, we were disappointed to find that the carrier lacks a wellness plan offering. Its product is less flexible than those of other providers, either, and many customers report being surprised to learn about their policy exclusions after enrollment. Though most pet owner reviews of Healthy Paws are positive and full of appreciation for the customer service team, still many speak to the shock they experienced when their premium rate spiked unexpectedly."
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Reviews
4.3
2,213 Consumer Reviews
Healthy Paws reviews are full of high praise for its comprehensive coverage in emergencies and its fast, straightforward claims reimbursement process. Multiple customers highlighted the emotional and financial relief provided by Healthy Paws during their pet's health crises. Others give Healthy Paws high marks for the company's customer service, commending their representatives for demonstrating empathy during their stressful experiences.
However, Healthy Paws reviews express concerns about premium increases. One reviewer said their premium increased significantly in one year due to their zip code and their pet's age. Other customers were frustrated because they didn't realize their insurance wouldn't cover common expenses like exam fees.
-
Healthy Paws may excel in emergency care coverage and customer service, but customers should be aware of what is excluded from their coverage and what situations impact their premium rate over the lifetime of the policy.
Caution: Every Aging Dog Pet Owner Should Know THIS
“We tried two separate pet insurances when we got our beagle puppies in 2012 (Trupanion) and 2014 (HealthyPaws). I am based in Texas. Today, we pay $127 a month for Trupanion (for the older dog) and $208 a month for Healthy Paws. Our recent premium increased $80 per month this year "due to our zip code" which apparently isn't impacted at Trupanion. I've considered dropping coverage but with my dog's age now, it would be very difficult to start over elsewhere. Ironically, I went with Healthy Paws on a friend's recommendation. She also regrets Healthy Paws and went through a different insurance provider (Nationwide Pet Insurance) when they recently got a puppy. It's beyond frustrating (and unethical) what they do to their customers. LOOK ELSEWHERE!
OUTSTANDING
Over three days at two separate critical care veterinary offices our dog required over $10,000 of tests and care after collapsing for no apparent reason. Fortunately, our sweet girl made it through the ordeal and is on the road to recovery. The emotional roller coaster was made so much easier knowing we had Healthy Paws insurance and could say “just do whatever is necessary” at every decision point. Within one business day after bringing our sweet girl home the 80% reimbursement was deposited in our checking account and a representative from Healthy Paws had reached out to see how she was doing. Outstanding!
Is Healthy Paws Pet Pet Insurance right for you?
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More From Pawlicy Advisor
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's a Vet’s Perspective
- Learn How To Compare & Find the Right Pet Insurance For Your Furry Family Members
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- When Is Pet Insurance a Great Decision?
- Everything You Need to Know About Filing a Pet Insurance Claim
We are the pet insurance experts. The Pawlicy Advisor team analyzes the top pet insurance companies and the fine print in their policy details to provide you with an objective breakdown of the insurance provider, the plans they offer, and how they compare.
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. When she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor , she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
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