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Healthy Paws is among the most popular pet insurance companies in the United States. Many customer reviews are positive, and buyers enjoy a comprehensive pet insurance plan. What sets Healthy Paws apart from competitors has nothing to do with its coverage. Its site describes efforts to help homeless pets, saying, "For us, Healthy Paws isn't just a business venture."
Statements like this stand out to pet parents looking for more personalization. After all, if the ownership and staff are true pet lovers, wouldn't that translate to a company going the extra mile when we need it? So how does Healthy Paws stack up?
Types of Pet Insurance Plans from Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual or lifetime reimbursements for insured animals with eligible claims. This means whether your veterinary bill is $100 or $10,000, Healthy Paws will pay based on the terms of your policy. Remember, while you can use any vet, Healthy Paws reimburses you afterward. So you pay your vet, submit the claims form and invoices, and then Healthy Paws reimburses you based on your policy. Currently, it offers insurance for cats and dogs, but not exotic pets.
Healthy Paws offers comprehensive pet health coverage, including things you might expect, like:
- Illness and accidents
- Cancer coverage
- Chronic conditions (excluding preexisting conditions)
- Emergency and specialty hospitals (including emergency surgery and other major surgeries)
It also offers less common coverages, including:
- Hereditary and congenital conditions (excluding preexisting conditions)
- Chronic conditions (excluding preexisting conditions)
- Alternative care, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture
- Hip dysplasia for qualifying pets
Quotes vary based on breed, age, pet size, and other factors. Healthy Paws also allows pet parents to customize two areas of coverage:
- Annual deductible ($250 or $500)
- Coinsurance of 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible expenses (how much the pet insurance company covers)
What should you know about Healthy Paws and homeless pets?
The nonprofit arm of Healthy Paws continues to look outside its business interests. It contributes to a homeless pet's medical care whenever a potential customer requests a pet insurance quote. It also donates $25 to a nonprofit rescue or shelter for every successful customer referral under its program "Every Quote Gives Hope." Donations are also made for insured pets who pass away under its Pet Memorial Project.
Additional Coverage Options
Healthy Paws does not offer pet wellness or maintenance coverage for routine veterinary care such as dental cleanings, annual exams, spaying or neutering, and vaccinations. The company's stance is wellness plans often raise monthly premiums without adding value. However, owners can budget for anticipated expenses such as dental care or annual exams. Healthy Paws also touts a comprehensive plan to cover all reasonable costs associated with pet accidents and illnesses.
How Much Does Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Cost?
Like other pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws is only suitable for some pet families. It's also more expensive than some pet insurance companies known to focus on the lowest possible pricing. When we requested a quote for our hypothetical 3-year-old Golden Retriever, Caboodle, the Healthy Paws estimate page told us, "Unfortunately, our quote might not be the best value for your pet," and suggested three competitors that might offer lower rates.
With no preexisting conditions, Caboodle's insurance coverage options were as follows:
70% reimbursement | 80% reimbursement | |
$250 annual deductible | $49.39/month | $55.30/month |
$500 annual deductible | $41.98/month | $47.00/month |
Caboodle was not eligible for a 90% reimbursement tier option. So the quote we received did not reflect those rates. Of course, Healthy Paws can generate a customized quote for other pets based on location, breed, size, and other questions its site asks.
How to File a Claim
Healthy Paws pet parents can submit claims through the company's mobile app or online via their customer account. Policyholders can also submit claims via fax, email, or snail mail with a paper form.
You can contact Healthy Paws through the following channels:
Email: claims@healthypawspetinsurance.com
Fax: (888) 228-4129
Mail:
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
PO Box 50034
Bellevue, WA 98015
Policyholders must submit claims within 90 days of your vet's invoice date. If appropriately submitted, Healthy Paws' site states most claims are processed within two business days.
You'll need the following information to file your claim:
- The invoice number for your vet bill
- The total amount of your invoice
- The name of your veterinary hospital
- The first date of your pet's illness or injury symptoms
You'll also need to sign a statement of truthfulness and accuracy and date your claim form before sending it to the company.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance FAQs
Healthy Paws does not limit annual or lifetime reimbursements for insured pets with eligible claims.
Pet owners can choose between a $250 or $500 annual deductible. Healthy Paws also offers reimbursement tiers of 70%, 80%, or 90% on eligible claims.
Healthy Paws pet insurance coverage does not include wellness or preventative services like dental care or annual exams.
Methodology: How We Reviewed Healthy Paws
When evaluating pet insurance carriers, we consider several that impact your overall experience. Insurance companies at the top of our list prioritize customer experience, communicate in simple, straightforward language, and provide an easy claims submission process with quick payouts for eligible claims.
Healthy Paws meets all of these criteria, and the philanthropic focus on care for annual shelters is a nice bonus. Our full insurance rating methodology can answer questions you may have.
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Lemonade Pet Insurance
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Figo Pet Insurance
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Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Compare Healthy Paws vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws and Lemonade pet insurance donate a portion of their revenues to philanthropic organizations. Both companies also accept insurance claim submissions via their dedicated smartphone apps. However, the Healthy Paws claims process has more of a traditional feel. Gen Z and millennial pet owners may prefer Lemonade's unique claim submission process, which allows you to film a video explaining what happened.
Pet owners seeking comprehensive coverage should consider Lemonade pet insurance, which offers optional packages for routine expenses such as dental care and spaying/neutering. Pet parents seeking the lowest price may also turn to Lemonade, as accident rates can be as low as $10/month. On the other hand, pet parents with accident-prone or high-risk fur babies may prefer Healthy Paws coverage, which does not limit annual or lifetime payouts for eligible claims. Even if Healthy Paws is not suitable for you, its website automatically compares it to other companies. In addition, a donation is made to homeless pets for every quote.
Compare Healthy Paws vs. Figo Pet Insurance
Like Healthy Paws, Figo pet insurance offers an unlimited reimbursement plan with no payout limit. Customers can also choose from pet insurance plans with annual limits of $5,000 and $10,000, respectively.
Owners who want more customizable pet insurance plans may prefer Figo, which offers plans paying up to 100% reimbursement for eligible claims, compared to Healthy Paws' maximum of 90%.
Compare Healthy Paws vs. Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers annual deductibles as low as $100. It also provides $250 and $500 yearly deductibles like Healthy Paws. Furthermore, Pumpkin reimburses eligible claims at a flat 90%, although annual payout limits are set at $10,000 for dogs and $7,000 for cats.
Pumpkin pet owners can also purchase optional preventative care coverage, which Healthy Paws does not offer. Healthy Paws states that pet parents can budget for annual plans, and services may cost less overall without a reimbursement process. However, Pumpkin's dental care options are popular. This said, our Pumpkin quote for a large mixed-breed dog with 90% reimbursement, unlimited coverage, and a $500 annual deductible came back at $126.48 per month. So Healthy Paws pet insurance is more accessible for the average pet parent.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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