Our Thoughts on Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Our objective rating scale considers a company’s pricing, plan types, coverage, customer experience and customer reviews. Based on this methodology, we rated Healthy Paws 4 out of 5 stars. Healthy Paws’ standard plan makes providing coverage for your four-legged friend quick and easy, based on our experience requesting quotes.
We like that Healthy Paws covers conditions and treatments, such as genetic and hereditary conditions, breed-specific conditions and alternative care, that some other providers exclude. It also allows policyholders to choose from flexible deductible and reimbursement options so they can tailor monthly premiums to meet their budget.
A major advantage of Healthy Paws is that it has no annual or lifetime coverage limits, so policyholders do not have to worry about hitting a maximum payout for covered services. Coverage is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
However, Healthy Paws does not offer wellness care add-ons. In addition, the company limits coverage for pets enrolling at age 6 years or older, and policyholders must wait 12 months for hip dysplasia coverage.
Pros and Cons
How Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Scored in Our Methodology
Based on our objective review standards, we gave Healthy Paws 4 out of 5 stars. It scored well in the policy cost, brand reputation and customer experience categories. However, it faltered on sections such as custom coverage levels and plan types, resulting in a lower overall rating than providers such as Lemonade, Spot and Embrace.
What Does Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Cover?
Healthy Paws makes signing up for coverage quick and easy, based on our experience, because it only offers one plan. After entering your pet’s details and your ZIP code, the website provides a quote for a monthly rate. It allows you to select a reimbursement rate and deductible to determine what premium works for your financial situation.
In addition to the premium rate, Healthy Paws details what the plan covers and outlines exclusions. It also provides a link to view a sample policy for a more thorough understanding of what is and is not covered.
Healthy Paws offers an accident and illness plan with no option to customize coverage by adding wellness care. This offers a simple process with limited decision-making on behalf of the customer, which may appeal to some pet owners.
Accident and Illness Plan Details
Healthy Paws’s accident and illness plan delivers more comprehensive coverage than some other providers we’ve reviewed. However, it doesn’t offer an accident-only plan or optional wellness coverage. Its exclusions include pre-existing conditions, preventive and routine care, spay and neuter procedures, cosmetic procedures, routine dental care, office visits and examination fees.
Healthy Paws only offers one plan that covers conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions, such as arthritis, allergies and metabolic conditions
- Congenital conditions, such as heart and brain defects and entropion
- Hereditary issues, such as epilepsy, patellar luxation and intervertebral disc disease
- Some illnesses, including gastrointestinal upset and respiratory infections
- Some injuries, such as lacerations, fractures and poisonings
Healthy Paws covers multiple diagnostics and treatments, including:
- Blood tests
- Cancer testing and treatment
- Emergency care
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved alternative therapies
- Hospitalization
- Prescription medication
- Specialty care
- Surgery
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
How Much Does Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Cost?
The average cost for a Healthy Paws pet insurance plan is $49 per month for dogs and $19 for cats, with an overall average of $35. The plan cost depends on factors such as your geographic location and your pet’s age and breed. You can also expect to pay more for purebred pets predisposed to hereditary health issues, as well as older dogs.
To help us determine Healthy Paws’ average monthly costs, we requested quotes for sample pets — two dogs and two cats — in each state. We used those quotes to calculate the average overall and species-specific costs in each state and determine a national average. Because policies for mixed-breed pets are usually cheaper than purebred pets, our sample pets included the following:
- A 5-year-old male, mixed-breed dog
- A 2-year-old female golden retriever
- A 5-year-old male, mixed-breed cat
- A 2-year-old female Siamese cat
When compared to other top insurers, Healthy Paws pricing lands in the lower half. Compare it to top competitors below:
Customizable Coverage Levels
Because Healthy Paws has one pet insurance policy, the only way policyholders can customize a plan is by adjusting the deductible and reimbursement rate. After enrollment, you can lower your deductible and raise your reimbursement rate as long as you have not submitted any claims. If you previously submitted a claim, you can only lower your reimbursement and raise your deductible.
Deductible Options
The Healthy Paws deductible ranges from $50 to $1,000, but pet owners may not have all price points available to them. Deductible options depend on where you live and your pet’s age and breed. Healthy Paws uses an annual deductible which starts the same day as your coverage. For example, if the policy became effective on Jan. 3, 2024, the coverage term would last through Jan. 2, 2025.
Reimbursement Rates
Healthy Paws offers reimbursement rate choices between 50% and 90%, but your pet may not be eligible for higher percentages based on their age, breed and geographic location.
When calculating reimbursement, most pet insurance providers first subtract your deductible and then multiply the remaining amount by your reimbursement rate. However, Healthy Paws determines the number of covered treatments multiplied by the reimbursement rate and then subtracts the annual deductible. This method can result in a lower claim payout.
Annual Limit Options
Healthy Paws has no annual or lifetime limits for coverage.
Policy Sign-up, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
Sign-up is easy through the Healthy Paws website, based on our experience. Click on the “See My Rates” button at the top of the home page and you will be routed to a form asking for your pet’s species, gender, age, ZIP code and email address. Once you enter the requested information, click on the button at the bottom of the page to get your quote.
Your quote is highlighted at the top of the page. If you scroll down, you can see what the plan covers and excludes. You also have the option to click on the “Sample Policy” tab to get more information about what the coverage entails.
Healthy Paws sets the quoted rate based on the most popular plan chosen by pet owners, but you can click on the “Customize Rate” button to change the reimbursement rate and annual deductible.
After enrollment, Healthy Paws requires a licensed veterinarian to qualify your pet(s) for coverage with a physical exam. Pets under 6 years old must have had an exam within 12 months before enrollment or in the first 15 days after enrollment. If the pet is 6 or older, the exam must have taken place within 30 days before enrollment or in the first 15 days after enrollment.
Claims and Reimbursement
Once the policy is in place, Healthy Paws pet owners can choose any licensed veterinarian, including specialists and emergency veterinarians, to treat their animals. The pet owner must pay the veterinarian in full and then submit a copy of the paid invoice to Healthy Paws for reimbursement. You can submit a claim by taking a photo of the invoice and uploading it through the online customer center or Healthy Paws mobile app.
Healthy Paws will also need your pet’s medical records, including doctor’s notes, laboratory results and other documentation regarding the veterinary visit.
The insurance company bases reimbursements on the submitted veterinary bill. Healthy Paws claims representatives determine the cost of the covered treatments and multiply the total by your reimbursement rate. The company then subtracts the remaining annual deductible to determine your payout. Policyholders can receive reimbursement by check or direct deposit, which can take up to 10 days to reach you, according to the Healthy Paws website.
In cases when a policyholder cannot pay a veterinarian at the time of service, they can request Healthy Paws pay the vet directly. Pet owners must request this payment model before treatment by calling the company and speaking with a representative. However, approval for a vet-direct payment does not mean Healthy Paws will cover the claim.
Healthy Paws’ Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Healthy Paws has a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, which means any condition that occurs before enrollment or during the waiting period is not covered. In addition, if your pet is affected by a cruciate ligament injury in one limb before enrollment or during the waiting period, the insurer will not cover the other limb.
Healthy Paws also has a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia for pets 5 years and younger, and it does not cover the condition for pets older than this.
Healthy Paws has no minimum age limit to enroll a pet but will not enroll pets 14 years or older. In addition, pets that are 6 years or older are only eligible for limited coverage. Obtaining pet insurance when your pet is a puppy or kitten can help prevent a provider from excluding a pre-existing condition.
What Customers Think About Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Our team reviewed customer feedback on platforms such as Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine how actual customers rate Healthy Paws’ service. Based on our review, 85% of respondents gave the company a 5-star rating, but there were a few comments from dissatisfied customers.
What Customers Like
- Fast and easy claims process: Most respondents said they had no problems submitting claims and typically received reimbursement within a week.
- Customer service: Respondents commented that Healthy Paws customer service representatives were kind, caring and professional throughout the claims process. They said reps provided prompt and clear communications. One respondent noted how touched she was that a team member reached out to her after her dog’s surgery to see how he was doing.
- Easy-to-use app: Customers said the app was straightforward and easy to use.
- Unlimited annual payouts: Customers who had pets with multiple health issues commented how they are glad Healthy Paws coverage has no annual payout limits.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Increasing premiums: Some respondents said their insurance premiums increased by 50% every year despite having a healthy pet.
- Necessity for a pet exam: A few customers expressed frustration that their pet needed a veterinary exam to qualify for coverage.
- Claims denial: Some respondents said they had difficulty getting their claims approved for what they thought would be a straightforward case.
- Confusing deductibles: One customer complained that deductibles were misleading because they do not include vet visit fees.
We reached out to Healthy Paws for comment on its negative customer reviews but did not receive a response.
Healthy Paws vs. Other Pet Insurance Companies
Use the table below to compare Healthy Paws with other popular pet insurance providers.
