In This Review
We give Embrace Pet Health Insurance a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Have you ever looked at a bill from your veterinarian and had your eyes go wide with sticker shock? I have. My dog, Penny, once had an operation on her hind legs due to a self-induced injury from trying to run too fast (no, I’m not kidding!), and I was shocked by the final cost.
Medical science for humans and animals continues to advance. We can help many species live longer lives and treat more and more diseases with advanced medications and surgeries. While improvements in medicine are needed, they can come with certain drawbacks, one of them being increased costs. This is where Embrace Pet Health insurance steps in, to help with high costs associated with unexpected illness and injury.
Embrace Pet Insurance Review
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About Embrace Pet Insurance
In a world where treatments and diseases are getting more expensive, where does the discerning pet owner turn?
Embrace Pet health insurance! Pet insurance, unheard of not too many years ago, is now a reality. Most Americans insure their health and their family’s health. Why not the furry members of your family?
In the rest of this article, we’ll discuss the ups and downs of pet health insurance, what to look for, and why Embrace Pet Insurance is likely an excellent choice for your pets.
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Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2024)
Base Policy
Embrace offers one of the most comprehensive base policies on the market. Where other insurers have gone to great lengths to split out different coverages and leave a barebones basic plan, Embrace seems to have “embraced” (forgive the pun!) the perspective that their insurance should just work when you need it. As you peruse the list, realize each coverage is listed separately because some other insurer decided it shouldn’t be part of basic coverage.
If you’re like me, I don’t want to have to argue with some actuary over what is or isn’t covered. I just want my insurance to work!
- Embrace basic coverage covers
- Emergency care
- Exam fees
- Curable pre-existing conditions *
- Unexpected dental care
- Diagnostic testing
- Cancer care
- Preventable conditions
- Pets in all 50 states
- Professional activities (cattle dog, police dog, etc.)
- Orthopedic conditions
*As long as the pet goes treatment free for 1 year
Customizations
Preventative Care and Wellness Coverage
Embrace offers one major add-on for pet care. It is not insurance. It’s more like a budgeting tool that helps you set aside money for your pet’s wellness and well-being each month. It can be used for things health insurance doesn’t commonly cover, like:
- Wellness exams
- Vaccinations
- Spaying/neutering
- Flea, tick, and heart-worm meds
- Pet activity monitors
- Cremation or burial costs
- Nutritional supplements
- Routine anal gland expression
When I set up coverage for my dog, I was quoted $52.09 per month for $650 of wellness spending. $52.09 x12 months is $625.08, meaning I come out ahead by $24.92 if I spend my entire wellness allowance! That’s around a 4% return, and you get to use the entire $650 upfront. You don’t have to wait and spend it as you put money in.
Embrace Pet Insurance Comparison for Dogs
| French Bulldog | Golden Retriever | |
| Male or Female | Male | Female |
| Age | 1 year | 3 year |
| Location | Missouri | Missouri |
| Reimbursement Limit | Unlimited | $5,000 |
| Annual Deductible | $100 | $1000 |
| Reimbursement % | 90% | 70% |
| Price per month | $226.03 | $25.02 |
| Breed Name | Under 1 | 5 Years Old |
| French Bulldog | $40.42 | $44.05 |
| Rottweiler | $42.51 | $49.83 |
| Labrador Retriever | $24.50 | $28.71 |
*Please note that quotes are subject to change and are dependent on breed, age, zip code/location) and date of quote*
Deductibles & Claims
Embrace is well-known for offering customizable coverage options. Annual deductibles are offered at $1,000, $750, $500, $250, and $100 levels. Annual reimbursement limits are offered at $5,000 up to unlimited, and reimbursement percentage (how much of each claim is paid by Embrace) is offered at 70%, 80%, and 90%.
What Does Embrace Pet Insurance Cover?
In my research on pet health insurance, I was unable to find any other pet insurers that offered more comprehensive base coverage than Embrace. As previously mentioned, what other insurers call add-ons or ‘riders,’ Embrace calls “standard coverage.”
Pre-existing Conditions
Many insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions. However, Embrace takes a slightly different stance and distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. They will cover curable pre-existing conditions like ear infections, undiagnosed vomiting, and diarrhea (as long as the pet goes treatment free for that condition for 1 year) . They will not cover incurable conditions like diabetes or allergies.
Embrace determines preexisting conditions by reviewing the previous 12 months of medical records. On request, they will do a free Medical History Review right after you buy a policy and let you know what conditions, if any, will not be covered. If you decide you’re unhappy with their review, they’ll refund you any unused part of your premium! Many other pet insurers make you wait until you submit your first claim. Embrace offers exceptional service on this point.
Waiting Periods
Insurance companies institute waiting periods to limit consumers buying insurance for an injury or illness that has already happened. This is done to keep costs down for other people buying pet insurance, otherwise, everyone waits until their pet got injured or sick before purchasing it. Embrace pet insurance has some of the shortest waiting periods in the industry.
- Illnesses: 14 days before coverage starts.
- Accidents: 2 days before coverage starts.
- Orthopedic: 6 months before coverage starts, OR you can go through an optional extra exam where your vet will ensure your pet is free of the signs of joint disease, then coverage starts after the exam! This option is wholly unique to Embrace as far as I could tell.
Reviews From Customers
- “I have had insurance from Embrace for 5 dogs for quite a number of years. One of the dogs had a number of serious health issues that came with very large expenses. Filing all of the claims online was a very easy process, and all claims were processed very quickly. Embrace provides more comprehensive coverage than the other companies, and has a lot of options (deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual maximum payout). Customer service has been very pleasant, professional and helpful. Based on my firsthand experience with Embrace, I highly recommend them as the company to choose.”
- “There is no other insurance that matches Embrace, If you really think of you pet as part of the family, then how could you not have the best insurance out there for them. We love our pet & feel great knowing he is covered from nose to tail with Embrace. We have used the coverage a couple times & never had a problem with reimbursements, just plain simple & reliable.”
FAQ
I heard from another pet insurer that my breed has a specific problem for which i must buy extra coverage; do i have to do that with embrace?
No! Embrace doesn’t pick apart coverage like that.
Another pet insurer has different reimbursement options based on which vet i use; are there any vet restrictions if i use embrace?
No! Embrace takes care of your costs from any vet. Now, if only your insurance company understood that!
What about joint benefits for dogs? Dental benefits? Breed-specific conditions?
As long as they are not deemed pre-existing; Embrace covers unexpected dental issues, breed-specific conditions, and orthopedic care.
How do pre-existing conditions work?
Many insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions. However, Embrace takes a slightly different stance and distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. They will cover curable pre-existing conditions like ear infections, undiagnosed vomiting, and diarrhea, as long as the pet goes treatment free for that condition for 1 year. They will not cover incurable conditions like diabetes or allergies.
Embrace determines preexisting conditions by reviewing the previous 12 months of medical records. On request, they’ll do a free Medical History Review right after you buy a policy and let you know what conditions, if any, will not be covered. If you decide you’re unhappy with their review, they’ll refund you any unused part of your premium!
Is there a lifetime maximum on benefits?
There is no lifetime maximum, just the yearly maximum you pick up to unlimited!
Are there waiting periods?
Yes.
- Illnesses: 14 days before coverage starts
- Accidents: 2 days before coverage starts
- Orthopedic Waiting Period (dogs only): 6 months OR 14 days with the Orthopedic Exam and Waiver Process, where your vet will perform a simple orthopedic exam and ensure your dog is free of the signs of joint disease.
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Our Verdict
Embrace provides some of the most comprehensive pet insurance I could find. The signup is simple, the price is competitive, and if pet insurance is right for you, Embrace will be the right choice 99+% of the time. Their service is unbelievably good, and they earned their Internet-wide sterling reputation. If you need them, they are there for you.
- Pet Keen acknowledges that it is not licensed as an insurance agent, and therefore will not offer any advice regarding insurance, nor recommend a particular coverage, policy, or insurance company.
