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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

3,335 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 Do We Rate Healthy Paws?

Breakdown

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

Our 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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3335 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Kathryn T

1/1/2017
I am very pleased with Healthy Paws. In 11/2016 I purchased pet insurance from Healthy Paws for my two giant breed puppies. Little did I know just a year later I would need to use the plan I chose. I was not sure how to submit a claim and needed to phone them three times. Each person could not have been any more helpful or polite. I submitted my claim just a few days after my dog's ACL surgery (12/5/2016) and received my claim check 12/22/2016. My dog will need the same surgery on other leg when he heals from this one. After the surgery Healthy Paws e-mailed me and wanted to know the dog was doing. I am so pleased that I chose Healthy Paws as now I know that I do not have to worry about... Read More


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Rachel

12/30/2016
A lifesaver. This company is wonderful. Healthy Paws is very affordable for the level of coverage you can get ($100 yearly deductible, 90% reimbursement). We just had $6,000 worth of emergency vet services after our furbaby ate something she wasn't supposed to, and Healthy Paws processed everything in a couple of business days. I usually receive any reimbursement checks within a week of submission. Very simple submissions using your app and no hoops to jump through. I want to say thank you to you, your team, and Healthy Paws...you guys have been actual lifesavers. There is no way I would be able to afford to make decisions based on what is best for my dog and her quality of life v. what is... Read More


Marilyn M

12/28/2016
At first Healthy Paws seemed great to me, but as time went on, they went down the toilet. I know people look for insurance that's cheap, I didn't care, I wanted a company that would stand by my pets, 2 german Shepherds. But they didn't cover something with my male because he was too young, then They don't cover doctor Exams, even if it is an emergency or an illness. So you take your pet to the Vets for an illness, of course, they charge you an office visit charge as well as what they have done for the pet...So you send an invoice to HP and you don't actually get the 90% that you paid high premiums for, you never get the full amount of the issue paid for. They have a great deal of small... Read More

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Marylyn - We are never happy when we have to deny a claim for one of our clients. Like other insurance companies, our policy excludes all conditions related to breeding, whelping, queening or any complications as a result of breeding, whether it is intentional or accidental. Healthy Paws makes 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. In addition, anyone interested in Healthy Paws can review a sample policy in its entirety on our website.

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Steve A

12/28/2016
People often say they “would give anything to have one more day” with a friend or loved one. Unfortunately, the realization of “anything” leads to financial disaster in addition to heartbreak. I took out Healthy Paws Pet Insurance the day I brought my puppy home five years ago. I thought he would most likely do something stupid such as swallowing a stick, eating gum, or some other “dog” activity that was not well thought out by him or his owner. For five years we paid on our Healthy Paws Insurance without a claim. I was tempted to cancel the policy since he was now five years old and no disasters had occurred. My “one more day” unfortunately came. Two weeks shy of his fifth... Read More


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Christine C

12/27/2016
Great experience with Healthy Paws. No nonsense, no drama, no insurance company games. Comprehensive coverage, easy, clear and straightforward claims process, and speedy payment. We had VPI (now Nationwide) for years, but the coverage options declined and the ability to get claims paid became more and more difficult over time, so we went looking for a new option. We read the reviews on Healthy Paws and took a chance--so glad we did are now in the position to write a positive review of our own.


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Will N

12/27/2016
Great company. Interested in pets well being and always paid promptly.


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Kristy

12/23/2016
Our dog was diagnosed with Cushings disease, which prompted our vet to check for an adrenal tumor. When we decided to have surgery, it was easier & less stressful knowing Healthy Paws was our support. Mina's surgery went well, but she had complications after which made our bill 4 times as much as we thought. We were able to bring our girl home only with Healthy Paws help - & they approved the claim in 2 days! I'm so grateful, I'll always use Healthy Paws & tell everyone I know to use it too!


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Caitlin

12/23/2016
Healthy Paws has been more than "just" an insurance company for my dog, Bridget, and I. After I adopted her, I realized that insurance for her would be a smart move...and I was right. Healthy Paws has been readily available when I have questions or concerns, they are prompt in their review of claims, and they even check in to see how we are doing. Having insurance through Healthy Paws has allowed me to give Bridget the care that she truly deserves. We are grateful for them and for all that they do for us.


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Shirley

12/23/2016
We did our research before we chose Healthy Paws pet insurance. We are 100% happy with our choice. Without Healthy Paws we would of had to put our dear kitty to sleep. Healthy Paws has so many advantages since there is only an annual deductible of $100. , not per incident and they reimburse 90% for surgery, tests & hospitalization. And they will direct bill your vet right away. They are very professional and genuinely concerned about your pet. We are very pleased.


Rose D

12/23/2016
Yet another 5 star review from me! My girl is one of "those dogs" that the vets know by name and look forward to seeing. I adopted her and soon found out she had allergies, tummy troubles, breathing issues, but she is the sweetest, best companion in the world. This plan allows me to focus on her health rather than my funds. So helpful! Also they always send follow up emails after ER visits which make me feel so valued. It's nice that someone cares about my girl, not just the $$



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Rated "Best Choice Overall" by Mashable

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