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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

3,292 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Healthy Paws is a pet insurance company based in Washington state that provides coverage for cats and dogs. They are underwritten by Chubb Group, a consistently highly-rated insurer.

Healthy Paws offers an industry-leading suite of policies that include unlimited lifetime benefits, high reimbursement, affordable coverage, and top rated customer service.

How is Healthy Paws rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Coverage
4.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5 (Excellent)

Healthy Paws ranks highly among the pet insurance companies we've reviewed. The company offers a single pet insurance plan with multiple reimbursement options, comprehensive coverage for alternative therapy and no caps of any kind.

Reimbursement is based on the cost of your actual vet bill and there is no limit as to the type of or how many claims you can make for covered conditions. Healthy Paws provides all of this at the same or sometimes lower prices than less comprehensive plans.

Healthy Paws Coverage

Coverage - 4.5 / 5

Compared to other pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws offers the most comprehensive coverage and does so without any caps or limits. Policies cover all accidents and illnesses without restrictions for hereditary or congenital conditions.

The company also includes services like advanced testing, surgeries, hospital stays, and prescription medications, as well as alternative therapies and emergency care.

Healthy Paws does not have a wellness plan, but they will treat canine hip dysplasia if it is not a pre-existing condition.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Coverage Types
Medical
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 4.5 / 5

Where Healthy Paws really asserts its dominance is in benefit limits. Regardless of the plan you choose, there are no caps on coverage, either annual, lifetime, or per incident.

Generally speaking, other companies offer unlimited benefits as an option available only for their highest level and most expensive plans. This is not the case with Healthy Paws; it is included in their standard price plan.

As long as the condition or treatment is covered under the plan (very few restrictions do apply) there is no limit to what the company will pay to make your animal well.

One Healthy Paws customer reported to us that the company recently paid out over $18,000 on a $20,000 vet bill in order to save the life of a dog suffering from cancer. More recently, another customer wrote, "I have a six-year-old German shepherd. Unfortunately, he already has had more than his share of problems, from herniated discs to cancer. Healthy Paws has not given me any hassle or trouble, even though his expenses to date are approaching $40,000. This was by far the best financial decision I have ever made."
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 4 / 5

As with deductibles, Healthy Paws is in line with the industry's best companies by allowing you the flexibility of customizing your reimbursement percentage as well.

You can select either 70%, 80%, or 90% at the outset of your policy. Healthy Paws reimbursement is based on the actual veterinary bill.

The company will compile all covered treatments for a given claim and pay your chosen percent after you've met the deductible. As with low deductibles, high percentage payouts are going to equal a more costly monthly premium.
In general, Healthy Paws pays on a reimbursement model. Policyholders pay the vet up front for treatment, submit their claims to Healthy Paws, and receive a reimbursement. However, in situations where pet owners can't pay their vet at the time of treatment, they have the option of contacting Healthy Paws and asking them to pay the vet directly. If the veterinary hospital is willing to accept payment from Healthy Paws, the insurer can work directly with it to expedite access to medical records and claim processing. This direct payment option is available on a case-by-case basis and applies to treatment by any licensed vet in the United States. It is not limited to any specific network of vets.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
70%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 4.5 / 5

Like all the best pet insurance companies, Healthy Paws allows you to customize your deductible to best suit your financial needs.

Values can be set at $100, $250, and $500. Lower deductibles do result in higher premiums. But many customers will appreciate the flexibility Healthy Paws offers.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$500

Pricing: How much does Healthy Paws cost?

Cost - 4 / 5

Considering the few benefit limits Healthy Paws imposes and the company's customizable payout percentages and deductibles, Healthy Paws plans are reasonably priced and even cheaper than less substantial plans.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$32.83
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$17.19
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $500, Benefit Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: 70% of Annual Cost
Available Discounts:

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 5 / 5

Healthy Paws enrolls pets 8 weeks and older. While some companies have no upper age enrollment restrictions, Healthy Paws limits coverage to pets 13.99 years old and younger.

Some companies offer accident coverage immediately upon premium payment. Healthy Paws imposes a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses.

The waiting period for hip dysplasia is 12 months. Healthy Paws will not cover hip dysplasia if the pet was 6 years or older at the time of enrollment. Other companies we review have no such restrictions on hip dysplasia.

For pets younger than 6 you'll have to provide documentation of a complete physical within the last 12 months. Pets older than 6 must have had a complete examination within the last 30 days.
Min Enrollment Age
8 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
15 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
15 days
Free Look Period
30 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4 / 5

Healthy Paws has a proven track record of fulfilling claims fast and with as little fuss as possible compared to other pet insurance companies.

Customer support is efficient, courteous and available 7 days a week. With Healthy Paws, you have the ability to file a claim online or through their mobile app.

You simply submit the veterinarian invoice and the company will send you the reimbursement check. 99% of claims are processed in 2 days.
Advertised Response Time
3 days
Claim Form
Email
Fax
Online Portal
Mobile App

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Headquarters Address
11120 NE 33rd Place, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 50034, Bellevue, WA, 98105
Year Founded
2009

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3292 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Peggy G

5/22/2017
Quick, efficient, and helpful! What more can you ask for during a stressful time. The claim was very easy to file. We received email updates on the claim status and the check with 2 weeks. Thank you for making the process so easy.


K
Karine

5/22/2017
My dog tore her ccl and had to have major knee surgery. This was a major and expensive surgery. Healthy Paws had a check for us within 1 week of the surgery. Thank you Healthy Paws for helping my family get through this difficult time. I would recommend Healthy Paws to all pet families!


Allison C

5/22/2017
We got our cat and dog pet insurance through Healthy Paws hoping we would never have to use it (so much so that I forgot we had even purchased it until we needed it). I signed them up after a coworker had a scare with his chihuahua that ended up being undiagnoseable (he's fine tho) and also a few thousand dollars. A few months after this incident we noticed a shadow in our cat's eye. She's a short hair exotic (like a short haired Persian) so her eyes are like 40% of her face and the shadow wasn't hard to miss. We caught is early but she had to have surgery on her cornea. Sitting in the doctor's office we were ready to sign up for the most proactive treatment (which ended up being surgery)... Read More


M
mattreid99

5/21/2017
Treatment: Mammary Adenocarcinoma Claimed: ~$5000+ Pets name: Bella (F,~5Y) I would start by saying I never usually leave feedback, but I am so impressed I just had to. My wife and i are from the UK and were a little unsure about what to expect from a pet insurance company as still yet to navigate the US health insurance system ourselves (as homosapiens). It is safe to say that Healthy Paws have to-date, exceeded our expectations and even though we have not had Bella for long (~6 months) they have given her a second chance in a home that loves her. She had her left mammoth chain removed and is now undergoing cheomothery. HealthyPaws are attentive always answering... Read More


J
Joyce W

5/21/2017
My year old Chocolate Labrador was diagnosed with Elbow Dysplasia, FCP, and required an expensive surgery. As many people know Retrievers are nortorious for eating things that can accidentally cause many problem. I never really dreamed that she would have a problem with her elbows. Being retired and on a fixed income I am so very grateful for the policy that covered her surgery at 80%. It was so reassuring, knowing that I could give her the necessary treatment for her to lead a normal dog life. Healthy Paws has been so easy to work with and the ease of making claims on their site was a time saver as well as simple. Thank you to all at Healthy Paws. I will never be without health... Read More


Naza K

5/20/2017
Best pet insurance company ever! Highly recommend. Very friendly staff, courteous, helpful in any ways possible. Good rates, no delays in processing claims. Healthy Paws Pet insurance ! Thank you very much for being here for our dog, Blu!


Andrew K

5/20/2017
Garbage. Insurance states that they claim everything except pre existing conditions. What they don't tell you is that if one of your dogs legs have been hurt previously, they will not cover the other legs. When I call to talk to them about the issue, no matter which department I try, I get a message saying that I am reaching them outside of normal business hours. It would have been nice to know this before a claim arose. Now I have paid hundreds of dollars for what? Thanks for nothing!

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Andrew - It is always difficult when we can’t cover a claim for a client. Healthy Paws makes every effort to be transparent throughout our website, during the online quote process, in conversation with our Customer Care Team and in the policy documents about the limited exclusions of our policy. This includes information on our only bi-lateral exclusion - pre-existing cruciate ligament problems. Unlike many other pet insurance companies that exclude most bilateral conditions (a condition that can occur on both sides of the body), Healthy Paws has only one bilateral-exclusion on our policy for cruciate ligament problems. Since your pet was showing cruciate ligament problems before enrollment, this condition would be considered pre-existing and we would not be able to provide coverage for any cruciate issues on either leg. We’re sorry your pet is going through all of this and hope she is feeling better.

Lisa G

5/19/2017
Excellent Pet Ins. Company!! Simply download the app, and customize your policy. Claims are processed quickly and excellent customer service.


Jenni G

5/19/2017
From the moment I brought Charles home, I knew I would do anything to keep him healthy and hiking and running and jumping and swimming so I signed Charles up right away. Charley is a very active frenchie, and as many know, these guys are pretty prone to a variety of issues. Luckily he was super healthy when I brought him home, BUT before I knew it, I needed Healthy Paws. I researched several pet insurance companies and found Healthy Paws to be the best out there. Charley turns 4 in a few days and has has a whole host of crazy things happen to him where I've needed and not needed the insurance. A lot of these incidents involved a vet visit, meds, and follow ups. This little man has had... Read More


Brenda S

5/19/2017
About 4 years ago, I set out to find the best pet insurance company there was for our precious Toby! After doing comparisons I decided that Healthy Paws Pet Insurance was the one and I couldn't have made a better decision. Toby has had 2 ruptured discs a year apart from each other and needed back surgery both times. After the second back surgery, Toby was paralyzed on his hind legs for a couple of months. Once Toby began therapy, he started walking again after 1-2 weeks. He continued therapy to strengthen his legs and Healthy Paws covered therapy 100%! Toby recently broke his 2 rear molars and our vet told us to have the remaining base of molars extracted, but he would need to eat soft... Read More



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