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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

3,291 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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3291 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Rozalynd

9/15/2017
I honestly have to say that enrolling both our dogs with Healthy Paws insurance was hands down one of the best decisions I ever made. We had them enrolled in other pet insurance companies prior to Healthy Paws and the payout structure was confusing and always a hassle to submit claims. From our dog Demon' s horrific experience from a spider bite and now our dog Angel's ACL surgery, Healthy Paws gave us peace of mind during stressful situations. Angel's knee surgery cost us nearly $4300. I sent Healthy Paws a photo over her invoice using their app and now, two weeks later, they're issuing us a reimbursement check for over $3300. Her physical therapy, which is going to cost us over $600 is... Read More


Alexandra C

9/14/2017
When my dog tore his cruciate ligament, the corrective procedure involved complicated surgery and follow-up physical therapy including underwater treadmill. Fortunately, my beloved Baxter has recovered beautifully. Healthy Paws covered the surgery and physical therapy, which otherwise would have come to over $10,000. I very much appreciate them. They even contacted me after the surgery to ask how he was doing! Alexandra


ChetandKristy F

9/12/2017
Healthy Paws is truly an exceptional company. I am an insurance agent with 17 years of experience. My dog, Romeo an Am Staff, blew out his ACL and required surgery. I called to see what type of pre-authorization was required and what pricing limits I could expect. Neither applied, I was told to use the surgery center of my choice, and as long as I met the eligibility requirements, Healthy Paws will pay 90% once my deductible was met. Once the surgery was completed, I submitted my paid invoice. I had previously submitted all of his medical records to speed up the process. My claim was approved, and a reimbursement check was mailed out within two weeks. I am beyond pleased. If only... Read More


M
Mike G

9/12/2017
Rider, our German Wirehaired Pointer suffered a severe life threatening heat stroke this summer. He pulled through thanks to the amazing emergency care he received at the local veterinarian hospital. Rider is now back to normal and bounds through the house like a deer. We are especially happy with Healthypaws Pet Insurance & Foundation. The folks at Healthpaws were thorough, attentive, and caring throughout this whole ordeal. The payments to cover the Vet bills were sent promptly. and this was most appreciated. Our research in choosing a pet insurance company was spot on. We have no doubt we chose the best pet insurance company out there. Regards, Mike and Robin


Mauricio D

9/11/2017
I'm extremely disappointed with this insurance. My dog went successfully through the waiting period, unfortunately he got injured on the day the insurance was supposed to kick in. Long story short we were denied our claim because he's injured paws were considered pre existing. But they weren't. Needless to say I will no longer do business with them. By the way they took over 3 weeks to look at my claim so I'm on the hook for a second month of a product that I can't use. Good luck with them

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Mauricio - We’re never happy when we have to deny a claim for a client. 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. Unfortunately, we could not cover your pet’s injury since the signs/symptoms of your pet’s current condition were first noted during your policy’s fifteen day waiting period, and therefore, it was not eligible for coverage. We have to process claims for all pets according to the same standards set within the provisions of our policy that are submitted to each state’s Department of Insurance. As you are aware, the majority of pet insurance companies have some sort of waiting period before coverage actually begins. Healthy Paws is very transparent about our waiting period on our website, in the policy documents that are in each client’s online account and during the enrollment process, whether enrolling online or over the phone with one of our customer care team members. We’re sorry your baby was injured and hope he is doing better.

M
MomOfThree

9/11/2017
Claim review process was quick for our pit's TPLO surgery. When I had questions, their customer service folks were quick and accurate with answers by phone. Our reimbursement checks also came quickly. And here's a bonus: They actually emailed me weeks afterward and asked how our dog was doing with his recovery! When has an insurance company ever called after a claim was resolved to check on you!? I am so pleased with the service.


Kate B

9/11/2017
Healthy Paws has been fabulous in processing my claims and communicating with me. My pup has already benefited enormously, needing 2 major surgeries and a trip to the emergency clinic. Thankfully, all I had to worry about each time was my dog -- I had complete faith that Healthy Paws would support me with the cost, and they did. (PS - I did have another insurance company with my previous dog, and it was a chore to get claims processed and too much fell through the cracks until I called to fight about it. I'm so glad I switched to Healthy Paws!)


R
Rob

9/11/2017
I can't say enough about Healthy Paws they were there for us in our time of need and did not hesitate in paying claims. We Have a puppy Layla who first had a tick born illness (Anoplasma?) and then later decided to eat a metal paper clip that she was unable to pass on her own and needed surgery. These were both costly procedure (almost $3000) and Healthy Paws held up their end of the bargain and paid the claims within a couple weeks. Great Carrier and I highly recommend. Thank you Healthy Paws!


N
nicole m

9/11/2017
Excellent company - quick and easy claim submission forms and fast turnaround with the reimbursement check! I love having this support for my furry son!! :)


M
Michelle

9/10/2017
I cannot say enough Good about Healthy Paws and how much I am Thankful for having their pet insurance. I have been a customer since 2011 and I have had a number of claims... all of them were attended to promptly and with a smooth process. I usually just email my claims in, but sometimes I need to call and talk to a person and I have found their live customer service to be outstanding. I like that they give you a choice of deductible levels as well as reimbursement levels, so you can mix and match to find a price plan that works for your situation. I like that they also cover some alternative treatments. I love that they help homeless animals. I don't think I will ever have... Read More



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