Embrace Pet Insurance Review 2024

Embrace—included in our best pet insurance companies list—pet insurance offers an accident and illness plan, which covers the widest range of problems and is the most common type of pet insurance plan. It also offers an accident-only plan and an optional wellness plan.

Pet Accident and Illness insurance

Here are the types of problems that you can expect an accident and illness plan from Embrace to cover:

• Alternative therapies and rehabilitation such as acupuncture or laser therapy.
• Behavioral therapy for issues such as aggression, marking and pica.
• Breed specific, congenital and genetic conditions such as allergies, hip dysplasia and intervertebral disc disease.
• Cancer testing and treatment.
• Chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes.
• Dental illnesses such as gingivitis, root canals and extractions.
• Hospitalizations and emergency care.
• MRIs, X-rays and other diagnostic testing.
• Orthopedic conditions such as ligament tears, broken bones and osteosarcoma
• Prescription medications.
• Preventable conditions such as parasites, parvo and Lyme disease.
• Specialist care such as oncologists, behaviorists and internal medicine experts.
• Surgeries including anesthesia, rehabilitation services and vet/technician time.

Pet Accident-Only Insurance

Embrace also offers an accident-only policy, which covers problems such as injuries from getting struck by a vehicle, swallowing foreign objects and torn cruciate ligaments.

Keep in mind, if you purchase an accident-only policy, you won’t be covered for problems typically included in an accident and illness plan. For example, an accident-only policy won’t cover common illnesses like ear infections, diarrhea and vomiting.

Pet Insurance Add-Ons

Embrace also offers an optional Wellness Rewards plan. This is not an insurance plan, but you can purchase a reimbursement level for qualified preventative care expenses, which can help you save money over the course of a 12-month period.

Here’s how it works: You’ll pick a reimbursement level of $250, $450 or $650 per year. You will then be charged a monthly amount for the plan. For example, a $250 reimbursement level costs $18.25 per month, which equals $225 for a year. That means you can save up to $25 in preventative health care costs.

Reimbursable items and services include:

• Wellness exam fees
• Vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Flea, tick and heartworm preventatives
• Nutritional supplements
• Spay/neuter surgery
• Fecal and routine blood tests
• Grooming (including toe nail trimming)
• Medicated shampoos
• Routine anal gland expression
• Gastropexy
• Preventative teeth cleaning
• Prescription diet food
• Training
• Hip dysplasia exams, radiographs or other OFA testing
• Routine chiropractic care
• Reiki, massage therapy and acupuncture
• Wearable pet activity monitors
• Cremation or burial

Here are some problems that are not covered by Embrace pet insurance:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Breeding, pregnancy and whelping
• DNA testing or cloning
• Cosmetic procedures such as ear cropping or declaw removal (unless medically necessary)
• Stem therapy that is not medically necessary
• Injuries caused deliberately by you or any person who lives in your household
• Injuries or illness caused by fighting, racing, cruelty or neglect
• Avian flu or nuclear war

Pet insurance companies typically have waiting periods—a specific amount of time where your coverage is restricted. Once the waiting period ends, your coverage will begin. For example, Embrace has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.

The two-day waiting period for accidents is one of the shortest waiting periods you’ll find when comparing it against other pet insurers. However, the 14-day illness waiting period is average across the industry.

Embrace also has a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions. You can have this waiting period reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process. The orthopedic exam must be completed within the first 14 days of your pet insurance policy. If it is not completed within the first 14 days, the waiting period will be reduced to the day of your dog’s orthopedic exam.

Maximum Annual Limit

The cap on the reimbursement your insurance company will pay in a given year is known as the annual coverage limit. Embrace has one coverage limit:

• $5,000
• $8,000
• $10,000
• $15,000
• Unlimited

Deductible Options

The amount you have to pay before your coverage begins to reimburse you for expenses is your deductible. Embrace offers the following deductible options:

• $100
• $250
• $500
• $750
• $1,0000

Reimbursement Options

When you pay up front for a pet’s medical expenses, you will then submit a claim for reimbursement for problems covered by your policy. You can select a reimbursement level of:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

Embrace pet insurance costs an average of $51 per month, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of pet insurance costs. That’s for $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. The average cost of Embrace pet insurance is $76 per month for unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

Examples of Embrace Pet insurance Cost by Dog Breed

Dog breed	Average cost per month
Beagle	$56
Bulldog	$94
Dachshund	$48
French bulldog	$94
German shepherd	$61
Golden retriever	$61
Labrador retriever	$61
Mixed breed (large)	$49
Mixed breed (medium)	$40
Mixed breed (small)	$34
Poodle	$73
Rottweiler	$106

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Source: Petinsurer.com. Costs are based on $5,000 in annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

Embrace Pet Insurance Cost Comparison for Cats

Cat breed	Average cost per month
Abyssinian	$37
Bengal	$37
Bombay	$37
British shorthair	$37
Exotic shorthair	$37
Maine coon	$37
Mixed breed	$25
Persian	$37
Ragdoll	$37
Siamese	$37

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Source: Petinsurer.com. Costs are based on $5,000 in annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

Embrace offers several way to save on your pet insurance, including:

• 5% to 10% multipet discount
• 5% military discount

Embrace also offers the “Healthy Pet Deductible” at no extra cost. For every year you do not file a pet insurance claim, your deductible will be reduced by $50. For example, if you choose a $300 deductible and do not file a claim for two years, your deductible will be reduced to $200.

Embrace pet insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Company	Company - Logo	Forbes Advisor Rating	Forbes Advisor Rating	Reimbursement Choices	Deductible Choices	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	View More
Pets Best		5.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Embrace		4.5		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Paw Protect		4.5		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Fetch		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$300, $500, $700	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Figo		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%, 100%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Healthy Paws		4.0		50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Lemonade		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Spot		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website

Reimbursement and deductible choices may vary by state.

Pet insurance benefits and waiting periods vary depending on the pet insurance company. For example, Embrace’s two-day waiting period is one of the shortest waiting periods you’ll find. It also covers vet exam fees and offers an optional wellness plan, which you won’t find at Trupanion pet insurance.

Embrace Pet insurance vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Embrace pet insurance	Healthy Paws pet insurance
Forbes Advisor rating
Accident coverage waiting period	2 days	15 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	15 days
Special waiting periods	6 months for orthopedic conditions	12 months for hip dysplasia; coverage for hip dysplasia not available for pets age six or older at time of enrollment
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	No
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	No
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Details can vary by state.

Embrace Pet Insurance vs. Pets Best Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Embrace pet insurance	Pets Best pet insurance
Forbes Advisor rating
Accident coverage waiting period	2 days	3 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	14 days
Special waiting periods	6 months for orthopedic conditions	6 months for cruciate ligaments, 14 days for hip dysplasia
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	Only with Plus and Elite plans
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	Yes
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Details can vary by state.

Embrace Pet Insurance vs. Spot Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Embrace pet insurance	Spot pet insurance
Forbes Advisor rating
Accident coverage waiting period	2 days	14 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	14 days
Special waiting periods	6 months for orthopedic conditions	None
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	Yes
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	Yes
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Details can vary by state.

Embrace Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Embrace pet insurance	Trupanion pet insurance
Forbes Advisor rating		N/A
Accident coverage waiting period	2 days	5 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	30 days
Special waiting periods	6 months for orthopedic conditions	None
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	No
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	No
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	No

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Details can vary by state.

To cancel an Embrace pet insurance policy, contact Embrace:

• Phone: (800) 511-9172
• Email: hello@embracepetinsurance.com

Embrace Pet Insurance is a Cleveland-based company underwritten by American Modern Insurance. The company began as a pet insurance concept and won the 2003 Wharton Business Plan Competition. In 2006, Embrace sold its first pet insurance policy. Today, Embrace provides insurance for pet owners nationwide.

To find the best pet insurance we used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score each pet insurance company based on the following:

• Pet insurance rates (40% of score): We calculated average rates for medium sized mixed breed dogs age 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 7 years for plans with unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement level, or the closest options available.
• Special waiting period (10% of score): Many pet insurance companies have a special waiting period for problems such as cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. Plans that had no waiting period, a waiting period of fewer than six months or the ability to have the waiting period waived scored higher.
• Direct payment to vet (10% of score): Pet insurance companies that have the ability to pay a vet directly earned points.
• 24/7 vet health line (10% of score): Insurers that provide access to a 24/7 vet health line scored in this category.
• Routine wellness plans (10% of score): Insurers that offer optional wellness plans earned points.
• Pays veterinary exam fees (10% of score): Not all insurers cover exam fees, even if the fee is for an illness or accident-related visit. Plans that cover the vet exam fee scored in this category.
• Euthanasia or end of life expenses (5% of score): Insurers that cover end of life expenses, such as euthanasia, cremation or burial fees, scored in this category.
• Multipet discount (5% of score): Many pet insurance companies offer a discount if you insure more than one pet. Insurers that offer a multipet discount earned points.