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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

3,281 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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3281 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Cindy T

9/22/2016
Our dog Ryder is so special to us and Healthy Paws has taken such good care of him. He recently had knee surgery and the coverage was spectacular. They even sent us an email to check in on him. The service has always been spectacular!


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Megan S

9/22/2016
We couldn't be happier with healthy paw's support, turn around time and customer service. It's been a long battle with our little doggy and we are staying positive. Without healthy paws we wouldn't have had as much time with Mishka; we are so grateful.


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Adam V

9/22/2016
I highly recommend Healthy Paws. It's services are as advertised. I am skeptical about insurance companies due to the horror stories I hear about them, however I have have been with Healthy Paws over two years now and have submitted a dozen claims and have been completely satisfied with their service. My claims have been from a small visit to a major surgery in excess of $3500 and Healthy Paws sticks to its agreement by providing payment with no question. The only down fall I have noticed is that my premium increases every year due to claims I submit. I wish this wouldn't be the case. Thank you Healthy Paws!!


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Elaene S

9/20/2016
Healthy Paws is very quick and accurate. Claims are assessed within 2 business day of receipt and a check is sent out immediately, even for large amounts. In addition, when they see that your pet has endured a serious procedure, someone at Healthy Pets sends a note to see how she is doing. I was a wreck when I took my dog in for knee surgery. Knowing that most of the costs for the procedure were covered eliminated the additional financial stress. Thanks, Healthy Paws!


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Rob C

9/20/2016
I cannot say enough about Healthy Paws Insurance. We never expected to need it, but when our 4-month old puppy golden retriever suffered a fractured leg and needed expensive surgery, HP rescued us from a very expensive bill. No hassles, no questions, no hesitation, just unequivocal support and first class service with a smile. On the few occasions we've called and spoken to a representative, they have been knowledgable, patient, courteous and compassionate. They even wrote to see how our puppy was healing just a week after her surgery. The website is user friendly and straight forward. Healthy Paws has my full endorsement on every level and I'll be recommending them to every pet owner I... Read More


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Kerilynn H

9/19/2016
When I first got my dog I started paying attention to how many friends had horror stories of pet illnesses and the huge costs involved in treating their pets. I thought maybe I better look into pet insurance. I did some research and read reviews on a number of companies and settled on Healthy Paws. It seemed to grant the most coverage and I felt like it was the best choice for my adventurous little boxer puppy. It's a decision I will NEVER regret. The company offers a variety of plans to suit your various needs. The coverage they offer is incredible. Not to mention the ease of submitting claims on-line and the quick turn around on the reimbursement. My dog recently contracted a rare... Read More


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Ross P

9/19/2016
So we've had Mr Pickles since 4 months old, and we took out pet insurance with Healthy Paws straight after getting our little guy. Less than 2 weeks after the waiting period finished Pickles was having surgery to remove things he shouldn't have swallowed (rocks, sticks, ribbon etc). Healthy Paws didn't flinch, and with the necessary documentation paid out 90% of the $2,500 cost for the treatment. Thank you Healthy Paws, what great service!!!


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Whitney S

9/18/2016
Healthy Paws is absolutely amazing. I have had to submit a couple of high dollar claims in the last month and never gotten the run around on my reimbursement. After dealing with other companies that I had to fight to get claims paid this was a refreshing and welcome experience. I highly recommend this insurance!


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Rachel M

9/18/2016
Healthy Paws made submitting a claim and redeeming benefits straightforward, hassle free and fast. The reimbursement amount was exactly what we expected based on our deductible and reimbursement level. We were under enough stress with our dog's CCL tear diagnosis - not having to worry about the costs, submitting claim, etc. was such a relief. If you're thinking about pet insurance (and every pet owner should be) do not hesitate to sign up for Healthy Paws!


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George C

9/16/2016
RIPOFF! I've been paying this policy religiously for two pets for several years. They've made thousands off of me. When one of my pets needed surgery, I had to fork out thousands. The process took a ridiculously long time and I was only reimbursed less than 15% of what I had to spend. So if I had to spend $10,000, I was reimbursed less than $1500. This charge couldn't be included. That charge can't be included! I worked hard for the money I paid to them to make sure my pets were covered. And when a crisis hit, I feel like I was really taken advantage of. Not happy! Stay away unless you want to be taken for a fool!

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
George, We apologize that it took longer than usual to process your claims. All claim decisions are based off of your pet’s medical records and it took a few attempts on our part to have your veterinarian fax them to us. In regards to your claims, they were all covered by your policy according to the deductible and reimbursement level you chose at enrollment. As with any policy that includes a deductible, the deductible has to be met before any reimbursements are made. In your case, your initial claim was covered, but went towards your deductible, The other claim covered the balance of your deductible and a check was sent to you based upon the reimbursement level you chose.


Top Rated
  • 25% discount on all in-office medical care 
  • Pet wellness plans available
  • No age restrictions
  • Covers pre-existing and hereditary conditions
  • Discounts available immediately on sign-up
  • A+ BBB accredited company