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Healthy Paws Insurance Review
In a nutshell: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for your pets' medical needs. Its easy-to-understand plans cover illnesses, accidents, hereditary conditions, and chronic diseases, without restrictions for any breed or age of pet. The insurance also provides coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and hospital stays.
Healthy Paws Insurance Review
In a nutshell: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for your pets' medical needs. Its easy-to-understand plans cover illnesses, accidents, hereditary conditions, and chronic diseases, without restrictions for any breed or age of pet. The insurance also provides coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and hospital stays.
Healthy Paws Insurance Review
In a nutshell: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for your pets' medical needs. Its easy-to-understand plans cover illnesses, accidents, hereditary conditions, and chronic diseases, without restrictions for any breed or age of pet. The insurance also provides coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and hospital stays.
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Overview

The cost of veterinary bills can really add up. With Healthy Paws pet insurance, you can save yourself thousands of dollars by paying a low monthly premium. You’ll never have to make the choice between your bank account versus getting your pet the care they need. Healthy Paws pet insurance covers unexpected vet bills including accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, genetic conditions, and even alternative care for dogs and cats.

Claims are processed conveniently online through the Healthy Paws app. Once you visit the vet or animal hospital, you can take a photo of the bill and upload it to your account. Most claims are processed within two days, and you can expect reimbursement as quickly as within a week.

Healthy Paws provides pet insurance for over 500,000 dogs and cats. But is this the right choice for your furry family member? Find out all you need to know before signing up and what customers have to say in this Healthy Paws pet insurance review.

Community Involvement

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Foundation is dedicated to ending animal homelessness. The company started its foundation in 2009. As of December 31, 2022, the organization donated over $2 million toward homeless pets to hundreds of non-profits.

Policies

You can “retrieve” a quote for free through the Healthy Paws website. Policy costs will depend on your pet’s breed, age, and where you live as well as your preferred reimbursement and deductible.

Once enrolled, you will have continuous coverage, with no caps of any kind. Just make sure to provide your pet’s medical records to verify the breed selection and establish a baseline health exam. Pets ages 5 and below require an exam within 12 months (or within the first 15 days) of enrollment. Pets over the age of 6 require an exam within 30 days (or within the first 15 days) of enrollment.

Typically, new customers will have a 15-day waiting period from the effective enrollment date until coverage begins (This excludes pets in Maryland and New Hampshire). After that point, you can submit claims that occur after the 15-day waiting period. Pets enrolled before the age of six have a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia.

You don’t need to spend time looking for someone specifically within the Healthy Paws network. With Healthy Paws, you get the flexibility to take your pet to any licensed veterinarian. Simply send the vet bill through the claims system. You can expect approval within two days and your reimbursement within a week (in most cases). Your pet is also covered when they travel with you in the United States or Canada for up to 3 months.

Like any pet insurance provider, Healthy Paws does not cover pre-existing conditions. That said, Healthy Paws agrees to cover hereditary and congenital conditions, so long as your pet does not show any signs or symptoms prior to enrolling.

Healthy Paws also covers hip dysplasia for pets under the age of 6 at the time of enrollment and as long as no clinical signs or symptoms manifest within the first twelve (12) months of continuous coverage.

Healthy Paws also cover the costs of euthanasia, if medically necessary. However, cremation and burial costs are not covered.

Limitations

Before you join, make sure to have a recent health exam and send the results to Healthy Paws. This will establish a baseline health evaluation ensuring coverage of any future illnesses, accidents, or injuries.

So what’s not included in your plan? Overall, Healthy Pets is meant to cover unexpected veterinary care and does not cover the following:

  • Wellness and preventative care (including vaccinations, parasite control, spaying/neutering, and grooming)
  • Examination fees or telemedicine appointments
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Conditions that occur within the waiting period of your policy
  • Dental healthcare
  • Behavioral treatment
  • Non-FDA treatment or supplements
  • Pet diets
  • Daycare/boarding

Cost

The cost of your pet insurance will depend on your pet’s breed, age, and state of residence.

Sample coverage for a 2-year-old male labrador retriever

  • $48.39 per month
  • Based in Florida
  • 80% reimbursement level
  • $200 annual deductible

Sample coverage for an 8-year-old English cocker spaniel

  • $59.78 per month.
  • Based in Illinois
  • 50% reimbursement level
  • $1000 annual deductible

Sample coverage for a 2-year-old mixed-breed cat

  • $20.70 per month.
  • Based in Washington DC
  • 80% reimbursement level
  • $250 annual deductible

Customers who would like to lower their monthly premium can do so by decreasing their reimbursement level or increasing their deductible. Some states also charge a $25 enrollment fee.

Healthy Paws bases reimbursements on your veterinary bill. They will take the total cost of treatments and multiply that by your reimbursement rate. Then they will subtract your remaining annual deductible.

Customer Support

If you have any questions, you can reach customer support by phone at 855-898-8991. Claims are easy to file and accepted through your account portal, either through the desktop page or mobile app. Based in Bellevue, Washington, support is available Monday-Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

Stay on top of the latest updates by following Healthy Paws on social media. The company keeps active accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Like many insurance providers, pet insurance doesn’t always get the best reputation in terms of value. Not the case with Healthy Paws. This highly-rated company consistently receives satisfactory reviews from customers.

The company received an average 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot from over 1,200 customers. Bad reviews complain about rate increases and issues with claims. Overall, customers love that they save thousands of dollars with Healthy Paws.

prosAndCons icon
Pros
  • 2-day average claim reimbursement
  • High customer satisfaction
  • Unlimited lifetime coverage
prosAndCons icon
Cons
  • Exams & vaccines not covered
  • No wellness coverage
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Our Top 3 Picks
HealthyPaws at a Glance
7.8Editorial Score
Fee Structure Variety
8.0
Several deductible options and reimbursement levels, providing a few premium structures and some flexibility
Payout Speed
7.0
Processes and pays out claims in a reasonable timeframe, typically within 5-7 business days
Integration Capabilities
8.0
Good integration capabilities, support electronic claims submissions
Security measures
8.0
Good encryption practices, strong security measures through partners, regular audits and compliance with data protection laws
Customer support
8.0
Customer support is available during standard business hours with multiple contact methods such as phone and email
Most Commonly Asked Questions About Dog Insurance Plans
Before getting started with a dog insurance plan make sure to familiarize yourself with how dog insurance works and what plan is best for your furry friend. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about dog insurance to help make sure your dog is fully covered and protected.
Who is Dog Insurance For?
Pet insurance can benefit anyone with a dog. Whether you're bringing home a new puppy or adopting a mature dog from a pet rescue, making sure you have the right dog insurance can end up saving you more money than you realize. If you've had a dog for years but have never had dog insurance, some of the best dog insurance plans could benefit you. Plans cover routine visits as well as emergency care. This means that you wouldn't pay much for routine vet visits, and you have the added security of emergency care coverage.

Having dog insurance is a good idea no matter the age of your pet. Owners with older dogs can especially benefit because, as dogs age, their bodies need more care and attention, just like people. Older dogs should be insured by a provider that offers specialized care for senior dogs. Those who have just gotten a puppy can benefit from dog insurance as well. Puppies need to go to the vet to get many different vaccinations. Therefore, the best dog insurance plan for the owner of a puppy should cover preventative care.
Is Dog Insurance Worth It?
Healthcare for pets can end up costing a lot of money. Having dog insurance provides you with the security of knowing that, in an emergency, you can choose the right medical option for your pet without spending a fortune. You don't have to make any decisions about your pet's well-being based on your finances.

If you already take your dog to the vet on a routine basis, you should look for insurance that covers routine visits and vaccinations. Finding the right pet insurance for your situation and your pet is key. To do this, review the features of the plans available and the type of coverage offered. If you have multiple pets, for example, some companies give discounts on dog insurance for more than one animal.
Can Dog Insurance Save You Money?
Dog insurance can save you money if you choose the right one for your and your pet's needs. When it comes to emergency care, having dog insurance can help you save big. Pet surgeries for emergency situations can get expensive. If your dog experiences an accident, you can end up with vet bills costing thousands of dollars.

Because many dog breeds are very active, they can injure themselves by running, jumping, and playing just as humans do. If your pet lands wrong after jumping or overexerts themselves while running, they could easily tear a ligament in one or more of their limbs. Testing and specialized surgery to repair something like a torn cruciate ligament can leave you with vet bills totaling more than $5,000.

Coverage could cover most of the surgery costs and decrease the bill by almost $4,000 with the right copay and deductible. If your pet has an accident with a car, you could end up paying around $10,000 for the surgeries needed in order to save their life. In this situation, dog insurance with the right copay and deductible ensures that you receive reimbursement for the majority of surgery costs.
What Are Some Common Dog Health Problems?
Dogs have many common health problems that may require you to take your pet to the vet. Having dog insurance gives you peace of mind knowing you can afford pet care. For example, stomach issues represent one of the most common causes for a vet visit among dogs. Dogs suffering from symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and refusing food may need an ultrasound, which can range anywhere from around $300 to $500. Some cases may also require additional testing like an endoscopy, which can cost from $800 to $1,000, or a $3,000 CT scan. The best dog insurance plans offer 80-90% reimbursement, so having a dog insurance plan when your pet needs extensive testing could turn out as a financial lifesaver.

Dogs often need treatment for skin conditions, ear and eye problems, and growths. If your dog needs treatment for a skin condition like dermatitis, you may need to pay anywhere between $100 to $500 for their prescriptions. The bill for a visit to the vet for something as small as an ear infection could cost as much as $250. If your pet needs treatment for an eye condition, surgery could cost thousands of dollars. When dogs need care for a growth, a biopsy can cost as much as $1,500. If test results show signs of cancer, a full course of chemotherapy can cost around $15,000. A number of pet insurance plans cover preventative care so that you can catch a lot of issues early on and avoid these high costs. Plans also include illness coverage if your pet is diagnosed with a serious condition.
Which Pet Insurance Provider is Good for Dogs?
There are a number of factors to consider. The best dog health insurance for one pet may not always make sense for another. Circumstances vary from animal to animal so you should think of your pet's age, breed, and overall health when selecting insurance. Of course, you'll also need to consider your budget, the type of specialized services you may need (such as grooming, breeding, etc.), and how many pets you have.

If you have an older dog, Pets Best and Petplan stand out as two of the better dog health insurance companies. Pets Best does not have upper age limits for coverage, and Petplan has plans designed specifically for senior dogs. It's important to note, however, that Petplan can get pricey, and they have no wellness program.

Along with its age, your dog's breed plays a major role in coverage and price for pet insurance. Larger breeds like bulldogs, mastiffs, retrievers, and Rottweilers are more prone to conditions like hip dysplasia. If you have a larger breed, you should look for a provider that will cover things like hip dysplasia and other conditions that affect large breeds.

For those seeking dog insurance for multiple dogs, the ASPCA offers owners of more than one dog special low rates. Unfortunately, the ASPCA does not cover pre-existing conditions.
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