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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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Natalie

6/1/2017
I would recommend this insurance to anyone and everyone!!! A few weeks ago my dog got to a very large bowl of grapes and ate quite a few of them. I had to rush her to the hospital to get her stomach pumped, get fluids and keep her there for 2 days. I just have to say after that ordeal I could not be more happy that I had the insurance available. Having the peace of mind to tell my vet to do anything they needed to do and finances were not an issue was such a relief. When things like that happen the last thing you want to be thinking about is can I afford to save my dog, and because of Healthy Paws guys I didn't have to think that way. They reimbursed me in just 1 week and I couldn't rave... Read More


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Kelly

5/31/2017
I have been with healthy paws for 5-1/2 years since we first got our dog. They have been great! We would not have a pet without getting pet insurance. The monthly cost and the deductibles are very reasonable especially in light of all of the other expenses that come with owning a pet but it gives peace of mind that you won't have to make health decisions based on if you can afford the treatment. Our dog has allergies for which she takes medication and recently has had surgery and treatment for cancer. With Healthy Paws It is easy to submit claims especially via the app, they keep you updated with the status of you claim via email, provide explanation of what is and is not covered and have... Read More


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John-Olav J

5/30/2017
My 2 1/2 year old St.Bernard/Border Collie mix "Freya" fell off the high deck about a year ago. Other than a bloody lip - at the time - she was fine. However, upon having her teeth cleaned a couple of months ago it was noted that her upper right premolar was dead from being cracked and an abscess had developed up in the root area . The crack was from a side impact, not chewing and evidently was from the fall. While it could have been extracted this major tooth in such a young dog would have caused significant reduction in her ability to chew plus the abscess needed to be addressed. Instead the Veterinary Dental Center in Algodones, New Mexico did a root canal procedure to save the... Read More


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Yanelle

5/30/2017
Healthy Paws pet insurance is probably one of the best decision I have made for all three of my pups. Healthy Paws has excellent customer service and has always responded to my emails and inquiries with high priority. I am so pleased with our decision to choose Healthy Paws, that I refer all pet owners (even those already with insurance) to Healthy Paws. This company cares about my pets well being and health, as much as we do. Although they don't cover wellness exams and other pet parent responsibilities, they have your and your pets best interest at heart. For 2 of 3 of my pets, Healthy Paws has covered such an amazing amount of our costs, that the insurance policy has essentially... Read More


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Natalia F

5/30/2017
I decided to get insurance for my dog last summer because he's a little bit of a sensitive pup and didn't want to run the risk (he was about 2.5 years old at the time). Sure enough about ten months later, he was unable to keep food down and all alarms started to go off. Thankfully, we were able to get on the right course of action and my pup is now recovering from surgery after having an obstruction (btw he doesn't ever eat anything that is not his food so this was a massive surprise). Having healthpaws literally saved my dog... and me from paying thousands of dollars which would have been very difficult. Surgery and even medication can be so expensive. I think if I didn't have the... Read More


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Brian G

5/30/2017
My dogs are my children, and their healthcare is every bit as important to me as my own. I've had my dogs covered with Healthy Paws since 2010 and I am continually impressed with the quality of the coverage, the ease of filing a claim, the lack of lifetime spending caps, and how genuinely concerned they are with their client's pets and keeping them healthy. When your pet is suddenly faced with an expensive and serious illness or injury, it's tremendous peace of mind to know you'll be covered. The team even reaches out to see how my pets are doing after they've required treatment, and they support the rescue mission through their business. I'm very happy to have Healthy Paws helping... Read More


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Mary H

5/29/2017
My Golden Retriever pup had terrible anal gland problems. Every month from 9 months to 17 months he had to go in to the vet to get them expressed. During this time, he also developed three infections in the glands, which required medical infusions. At this point, my Vet felt a Bilateral Anal Sacculectomy was necessary to avoid the glands becoming abscessed. During this whole ordeal, Healthy Paws was completely supportive. Receipts turned in were promptly assessed, and a check was sent. During this time Healthy Paws never question my Vet's actions. More amazingly, after every thing, they contacted me and told me how happy they were to know my dog was recovering and that he was fine. I... Read More


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Karen

5/28/2017
We couldn't be happier! Getting Healthy Paws was the best decision we made.


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Maryanne

5/28/2017
Healthy Paws is amazing! Our rescue dog, Nacho, needed eye surgery for a cataract that was causing him to become blind. He is only 2 years old. I was not sure if any of it would be covered, but thankfully 90% was covered. I submitted the claim on Monday and had a check by Saturday! Our last rescue dog was 4 years old and developed bone cancer. We had another pet insurance carrier. It would take 1-2 months to get each claim resolved. On top of a speedy resolution, they contacted us a week later via e-mail to see how Nacho was doing. What a thoughtful thing to do! I am happy to say that he is doing pretty well. I can not say enough about Healthy Paws. They are very... Read More


Jillian R

5/28/2017
Thank God for HealthyPaws. We had friends tell us to get health insurance for our pup, and laughed it off -- after all, he was barely 4 months, what could go wrong? 2 days after our waiting period ended, we discovered that Gunther (french bulldog puppy) was dragging his paws, indicating neurological dysfunction. After a $2,000 MRI, we realized the only option was a $6,000 surgery to save him from a cyst that had developed on his spine. This $8,000 doesn't include the probably $1,500 worth of in-between appointments and $500 worth of therapeutic toys and medication we ended up cashing in on during the entire process. I can honestly say we probably couldn't have provided him with... Read More



Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
  • Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days