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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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E
Ellieri

4/14/2017
My 17 week old puppy had a cough & constant itching. After many trips to the vet, anesthesia, x-rays, radiology consults Healthy Paws paid nothing. There appears to be no explanation. My other bills they consider well visits & are not covered. If you're your paying over $1500. in pet medical & nothing is covered what's the point of the insurance?

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Ellieri - We make every effort to be transparent throughout our website, during the enrollment process and in the policy documents available to each client in their online Healthy Paws account regarding the limited exclusions of our policy. Those exclusions are pre-existing conditions, preventative/routine care and the office visit fee (veterinary exam fee). Anyone visiting our website can see this information on our “Benefits, Coverage and Exclusions” page. All claim decisions are based off of your pet’s medical records and the signs/symptoms that are noted by your veterinarian. We use a pet's medical records and notes written by the attending veterinarian to determine if there are any pre-existing conditions which would keep us from approving a claim. Since your pet had the issues you mentioned prior to enrollment, they were not eligible for coverage. As you stated in your review, your other visit was for preventative care (vaccines, heartworm/flea and tick prevention, etc.), which is excluded from coverage. We hope your and your pet stay well.

Nancy F

4/13/2017
My puppy of 9 months had a sneezing attack with discharge coming out of one nostril. We went to the vet and the did a scope to find nothing but completely swollen. We then went to a specialist who performed a more comprehensive scope plus a cat scan. Healthy Paws exceeded my expectations. Not only did the pay the full amount due (over $3,000) but they did without questioning it and processed within one day! Their customer service team is top notch - very friendly, knowledgeable and lovely demeanor on the phone. I would wholeheartedly recommend them! Nancy


Paul D

4/12/2017
My 5 year old Black Lab, Jack, developed a tumor around one of his bottom canines, which turned out to be squamish cell carcinoma. In a 6-week period, Jack and I went from our normal daily routine of walks, playing fetch, rolling around and play wrestling, to a whirlwind of surgeries, recovery from them, follow-ups, and appointments with specialists including 2 oral surgeons and an oncologist. Jack had to undergo a total of 3 surgeries to successfully remove all of the cancer and patch up some scar tissue where stitches had broken. Jack's bottom jaw from behind the canines foward had to be removed. His pain was excruciating at times, and it was a difficult recovery. When all was said... Read More


J
Jennifer

4/12/2017
I would highly recommend Health Paws to anyone looking for affordable pet insurance. I've dealt with other companies in the past. When I received huge premium increases from the company I used for 7 years (since he was a puppy), I started looking for another option. Health Paws is by far the best deal. They have very few limitations on what is covered, offer many policy options so you find the right policy for your budget, and have been super friendly during claims. I just recently had to make the decision to have my Tyler's eye removed due to Glaucoma. Even though husky's are prone to that, it was still covered. The previous company I used didn't cover hereditary conditions. They answered... Read More


C
clwd

4/11/2017
I have a different policy for my older dog and it is mediocre at best, I wish I had known about Healthy Paws when she was a pup. I added a puppy to the family and he has already had an emergency room visit but Healthy Paws was fast and easy to file. I received my reimbursement extremely fast, thank you Healthy Paws.


Cameron H

4/11/2017
I have nothing but excellent things to say about my experiences with Healthy Paws. I have a 6 year old male boxer who has had one hell of a year. Last February he had two growths surgically removed and biopsied to rule out cancer. In September he had to get a lymphnode removed and biopsied to rule out lymphoma, and in December he slipped and fell and tore his ACL which required him to undergo a TPLO on his left knee in March. The TPLO itself was almost $3800 and that didn't include an additional $300 for x-rays to be taken at 8 weeks to ensure the bone has healed correctly or the laser treatments that help him heal faster. Without Healthy Paws I don't know what I would have done. I can't... Read More


T
Tina

4/10/2017
HEALTHYPAWS is AWESOME! I've always thought insurance companies of any kind are a scam because of the numerous stories I've heard. We just moved to the States from Taiwan in 2015 with our two beloved pomeranians. I knew the medical cost for pets are crazily high, especially compared to where I'm from, so I purchased insurance for my dogs as soon as we settled in (got the premium that covers 90%). 1.5 year went by with just one visit to the vet because of diarrhea, then at the end of March 2017, the unthinkable happened! Our 10m baby was in his baby walker and hit one of my dogs and broke her leg. The surgery costed $1950! I received the check of 90% of the medical bill minus $100... Read More


J
Josh

4/10/2017
I bought my import puppy and after it arrived he was diagnosed with Parvo. He was treated at the hospital for 5 days and the bill was more than $7,000, luckily, I had purchased HealthyPaws insurance for the puppy a few weeks after it was born. Because it was imported and it was a small puppy I only had the import documents to submit, still the insurance company said it was not a problem. In a few days HealthyPaws processed my claim and sent a check to cover 90% of my costs to treat my puppy. The agents were kind and understanding as I had limited paperwork from the European breeder. I would highly recommend this insurance company.


S
sue w

4/10/2017
Our little 14 month old puppy started vomiting uncontrollably. After x-rays, emergency ultrasound, fluids, medications etc., etc., and a total of 1 week in ICU including a surgery, you can imaging how expensive the bill was!!! Our Puppy is now on the mend and doing great! She has about a 5 inch ‘battle scar’ to show for her decision to swallow pieces of a nylabone chew toy. This episode started on a Saturday morning, our vet off so off to the 24 hour Emergency Specialty Hospital. It was so nice knowing she had the best care and we did not have to worry about the Vet bills "breaking the bank", because of our Healthy Paws Pet Insurance policy. We had been with a competitor before a friend... Read More


Paul H

4/10/2017
I switched to HealthyPaws after being unhappy and frustrated with my previous pet insurance provider. There is one HUGE difference between HealthyPaws and the majority of their competitors. Most providers carry a tantalizingly low deductible but it only applies 'per condition'. This is a very important distinction. If you dog swallows a sock and has an x-ray, sedation, operation, and meds you will certainly meet your deductible. But if you dog swallows a Lego man six weeks later you are back to square one. HealthyPaws has an annual deductible. Once you meet it you are covered at 90% for any covered care until the end of the calendar year. In my opinion, it is a much more fair system and is... Read More



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  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
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