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Embrace pet insurance review
For close to two decades, Embrace Pet Insurance has helped pet parents prioritize the health of their animals without putting strain on their financial well-being. The insurer keeps tails wagging through its personalized accident and illness policies, flexible wellness plan and customer service with a "can-do" attitude (which comes as no surprise considering that the company has won multiple awards as a "Top Place to Work" and "Great Place to Work").
Apart from fostering a great company culture and accommodating working conditions, Embrace's mission to give back to the community should not go unmentioned. This pet insurance company has generated over $500,000 for charity and matches 100 percent of charitable donations made by employees. Embrace and its employees should get a shout-out for the heart they put into helping pet owners give their pets the care they need when they need it.
Bankrate's Embrace pet insurance review goes over what prospective customers should consider if they are looking to this company as a possible option for covering their pets.
Embrace
Summary
Annual deductible options: $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000
Annual limit options: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited
Reimbursement percentage: 70, 80 or 90 percent
Claim turnaround time: 10–15 days for accidents or illness and up to five days for Wellness Rewards claims
Enrollment age: Six weeks–14 years*
Direct vet pay: No
*When pets hit the age of 15, they qualify for an accident-only plan.
Why Embrace is the best for healthy pet discounts
One of Embrace's stand-out features is its Healthy Pet Premium Discount Program. This feature is included in accident and illness policies (at no additional cost). The program is replacing Embrace's "Healthy Pet Deductible" program which offered a $50 reduction on annual deductibles for every year in which there were no claims for reimbursement.
The new program offers discounts for healthy pets. If owners get reimbursed less than $300 in the first year prior to the discount period, they will receive a 5 percent discount on the following year's policy's premiums. That discount is increased to 10 percent in the second year in which claims total less than $300.
Embrace coverage options
Embrace Pet Insurance made our list of the best pet insurance companies of the year because its plans offer affordable, customizable and comprehensive coverage. The company offers all three types of pet insurance plans, giving pet owners the autonomy to choose exactly how much coverage they want or need for their furkids.
What Embrace covers
Here's Embrace's list of what its insurance plans do and don't cover. Bear in mind that the treatments listed below only apply to eligible claims. Familiarize yourself with your policy's details (and terms and conditions) to avoid frustration or disappointment.
Accident-only coverage includes
This pet insurance plan covers accident-related procedures such as:
- Complementary treatments (such as acupuncture)*
- CT scans, MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds
- Diagnostic testing
- Exam and consultation fees
- General, specialist and emergency care
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Prescription medications
*Complementary treatments were formerly known as "Alternative therapies"
Conditions covered by this accident pet insurance plan include (but are not limited to):
- Bloat
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Dental trauma
- Foreign body ingestion
- Poisoning
- Prescription drugs
- Torn cruciate ligaments
Illness coverage includes
Procedures covered by the accident and illness pet insurance policy include those listed above, as well as:
- Complementary treatments
- Diagnostic testing
- General, specialist and ER care
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Lab tests and biopsies
- Physical therapy
Here are some of the illness-related issues this insurance policy covers:
- Cancer treatment
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Dental trauma
- Genetic conditions
- Orthopedic conditions
Wellness Rewards for Routine Care coverage includes
- Cremation or burial
- Flea, tick and heartworm meds
- Grooming
- Nutritional supplements
- Pet activity monitors
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Training
- Vaccinations
- Wellness exams
Note: The Wellness Plan is not available to pet owners living in Rhode Island.
Additional coverage: Add-ons
Embrace Pet Insurance offers the following optional add-ons:
- Exam fees: This add-on offers reimbursement for exam fees for covered accidents and illnesses.
- Prescription drugs: With this add-on, you can receive reimbursement for prescribed medications to help treat or manage covered conditions, such as allergy medication, antibiotics, oral chemotherapy and more.
What Embrace does not cover
- Avian flu
- Breeding-related costs (e.g. pregnancy or whelping
- Cloning
- Cosmetic procedures (e.g. tail docking or ear cropping)
- Deliberate injury
- DNA testing
- Injury or illness as the result of neglect or cruelty
- Nuclear war
- Routine veterinary care*
- Pre-existing conditions (non-curable)
*Eligible claims are covered by the wellness plan
Embrace plans and customizations
The company's plans are designed to provide flexibility and comprehensive coverage. If you are trying to decide whether pet insurance is worth the cost, or which plan is best for you and your furkid, consider your pet's needs and your budget. If none of the following check the right boxes for you, you can look into alternative ways to finance your pet's care.
Accident-only plan
This plan covers only accidents and is ideal for pet owners looking for basic coverage at a lower cost. It includes coverage for injuries from accidents, such as fractures or lacerations. If you want coverage for a senior cat or dog in its golden years (15 years old or more) this might be the right plan for you.
Accident and illness plan
This comprehensive plan covers both accidents and illnesses, including chronic and hereditary conditions. This pet insurance policy is a great option for pet owners with healthy dogs or cats with no pre-existing conditions. It's especially good coverage for young pups and kittens who can be hazards to themselves.
Wellness plan
Embrace offers an optional Wellness Rewards program that pet owners can add to any plan. This program covers many routine and preventive care expenses, such as vaccinations, dental cleanings and flea and tick treatment.
You can also use this option to cover expenses such as training, prescription pet food, medicated shampoos and end-of-life costs.
Dental trauma and illness coverage
Dental coverage comes as a standard feature in the accident and illness policy. We love this about Embrace Pet Insurance because not many insurance companies offer this coverage as part of their comprehensive plans. The accident and illness plan covers costs for dental accidents, illnesses and trauma (up to $1,000 per year) for:
- Broken, chipped or fractured teeth
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease
You can also get coverage for routine dental care via the wellness plan, including:
- Annual dental checks
- Dental chews
- Dietary dental supplements
- Pet toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Routine dental cleaning
- Teeth brushing by a groomer or vet
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Comprehensive coverage: Embrace offers extensive coverage that includes accidents, illnesses, dental issues and wellness care, providing peace of mind to pet owners.
-
Customizable plans: Pet owners can tailor their plans with various deductible and reimbursement options to fit their budget.
-
Exam fees: Embrace covers the vet exam fees in your reimbursement.
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Healthy Pet Discount Program: The Healthy Pet Discount Program feature reduces your monthly or annual premiums by 5 to 10 percent if you don't file for more than $300 in reimbursements the first and second year prior to the discount period.
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Preventable condition coverage: Embrace covers costs for avoidable illnesses such as parvo, Lyme disease and parasites
Cons
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Age restrictions: Pets older than 14 years cannot enroll in new illness coverage, which may limit options for owners of senior pets.
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Exclusions for pre-existing conditions: Like most pet insurance companies, Embrace does not cover incurable pre-existing conditions.
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Policy upgrade subject to re-underwriting: Upgrading your policy means starting from scratch. In other words, you'll face new waiting periods and reconsideration of pre-existing illnesses.
Additional features of Embrace
User-friendly app
Pet owners can use the Embrace mobile app to check and change coverage, submit a claim, view claims status, change payment details and add new furry family members.
Pet advice line
Embrace offers pet parents advice and decision support through its 24/7 pet advice line, PawSupport. PawSupport gives you access to Pet Pros who can advise on the following topics:
- Vitamins and supplements
- Behavioral changes
- Diet
- Emergencies
- Exercise
- Managing chronic diseases
- Medication issues
- Options for holistic care
- Poisons and toxins
- Training
- Wellness care
Discounts
To make your monthly premiums more affordable, Embrace offers the following discounts:
- 10 percent for multiple pets
- 5 percent military discount (excluding the states of New York and Tennessee)
Wellness Rewards program
The Wellness Rewards program is an optional, non-insurance add-on that helps pet owners manage routine and preventive care costs. It provides reimbursement for a variety of services, including:
- Cremations or burial
- Flea, tick and heartworm meds
- Grooming
- Nutritional supplements
- Pet activity monitors
- Spay/neuter surgery
- Training
- Vaccinations
- Wellness exams
Healthy Pet Discount Program
If an accident and illness policyholder does not submit claims of over $300 in the first year prior to the discount period, they will receive a 5 percent discount on premiums the following year and 10 percent in the second year.
Special discounts
Wellness Rewards members can enjoy exclusive deals from their favorite pet care brands.
$25 bonus
If you opt into the Wellness Rewards for Routine Care add-on you will be gifted an extra $25 to spend on included or eligible preventative care services.
Exclusions and restrictions
Age restrictions
Embrace does not enroll pets younger than six weeks old or older than 14 years in new accident and illness policies. However, the insurer does offer accident-only coverage for pets 15 and older.
Waiting periods
A pet insurance waiting period is the initial time frame after the policy starts during which coverage for specific conditions or treatments isn't active. This period helps prevent fraud and varies based on the type of coverage and state regulations. Coverage for accidents is available from the effective date of your pet insurance policy.
Under Embrace policies, there is a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, while accident coverage begins on the day your policy takes effect. The waiting period for orthopedic conditions for dogs varies by state. However, it can be reduced to 14 days with a completed orthopedic exam and waiver process.
Location restrictions
Embrace pet insurance is available in all 50 states, ensuring pet owners across the United States can access its services. Certain policy details, such as waiting periods and optional coverage add-ons, differ from state to state. Check your state's policy specifics before signing on the dotted line.
Embrace pet insurance costs
How much your pet insurance policy costs depends on your location, any discounts you are eligible for and your pet's details. We gathered sample quotes to give you an idea of pricing, however, you should get a quote to know more specifics of what you might pay.
| Breed | 2 years old | 5 years old | 8 years old | 10 years old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
*Sample policies were for a female dog with excellent health in Arizona with the ZIP code 85251. The choices for customization selected were for an accident and illness plan with a $250 deductible, 90 percent reimbursement limit and $5,000 annual benefit limit. Rates are rounded to the nearest dollar. The rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the company directly for applicable quotes. |
||||
| French bulldog | $147 | $187 | $271 | $357 |
| Labrador retriever | $96 | $122 | $176 | $232 |
| Golden retriever | $96 | $122 | $176 | $232 |
| German shepherd | $92 | $154 | $223 | $294 |
| Poodle | $120 | $152 | $221 | $290 |
| Dachshund | $69 | $87 | $127 | $167 |
| Breed | 2 years old | 5 years old | 8 years old | 10 years old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
*Sample policies were for a male cat with excellent health in Arizona with the ZIP code 85251. The choices for customization selected were for an accident and illness plan with a $250 deductible, 90 percent reimbursement limit and $5,000 annual benefit limit. Rates are rounded to the nearest dollar. The rates listed are for illustrative purposes only. You should contact the company directly for applicable quotes. |
||||
| Ragdoll | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
| Maine coon | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
| Persian | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
| Exotic | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
| Devon rex | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
| British shorthair | $56 | $73 | $97 | $123 |
How to file a claim with Embrace
You can submit accident, illness or wellness (if you have the Wellness Rewards add-on) claims by following the same quick and easy process:
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Ask for an invoice. Get a copy of the itemized invoice from your vet and submit it via the Embrace website or the Embrace Pet Insurance app. If you are submitting via email, fax or physical mail, you'll need to submit a claim form (available in your online account or the app).
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Submit your claim. Simply log into your account and follow the prompts. You will need to select your vet, upload the invoice and provide the diagnosis or reason for the vet visit.
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Wait for an update. Embrace generally takes 10–15 days to process an accident and illness claim and five days for a Wellness Rewards claim.
Once approved, Embrace will reimburse the covered amount based on your chosen reimbursement percentage and deductible. You can receive your reimbursement via check, which takes about 10 business days, or by direct deposit within three business days.
Frequently asked questions
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