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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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Rosalind R

9/10/2016
Health Paw is the best company to insure your pet. it help me in an 100% with my dog.


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Tena M

9/10/2016
This has been by far the best pet insurance that I haveever had. I love submitting the claims with my phone app. I am normally reimbursed within a week. My cavalier had two subluxating patella surgeries and they never questioned me about it being a pre existing condition prior to surgery. I got her insurance when I adopted her and this condition emerged as she grew. I recommend them to everyone looking for pet insurance. I sincerely do not have one complaint. Their customer service is great!


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Wendy K

9/10/2016
Signing up for Healthy Paws insurance was the best thing we ever did for our Goldendoodle. She has a history of consuming things – socks, underwear, dish towels, holiday ornaments, nylon stockings, and most recently a stick pin wrapped in a paper towel. We have had multiple trips to the vet for X-rays and/or to induce vomiting and a recent surgery to remove the stick pin from her stomach. Healthy Paws continually provides us with exceptional customer service for each and every claim we submit. Our reimbursement checks arrive within about 10 days, sometimes sooner! Given our crazy girl's history, it gives us peace of mind to have her covered by Healthy Paws. We have the $250 yearly... Read More


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Brian O

9/10/2016
We researched several pet insurance options when we brought our chocolate lab puppy home in June. Finnegan became a beloved member of our family instantly, bringing much love and many laughs into our home. He became seriously ill 2 months after we brought him home, suffering from lung torsions and pneumonia. His condition was extremely rare in labradors and his prognosis was not promising. Thanks to the amazing vets at Tufts Animal Hospital in Massachusetts and his fighting spirit, Finnegan improved after surgery and was released and continues to recover. We incurred bills for his treatment totaling over $11,000. Thanks to our Healthy Paws insurance policy we never thought twice about his... Read More


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Casey L

9/9/2016
Our dog Cowboy tore a ligament and needed surgery rather quickly after we received te news. This is an expensive surgery! Since we'd not used the coverage before we were concerned what we'd need to provide, how long it would take to process our claims and how long would it take would from claim to pay. That said, we were pleasantly surprised. We're very happy with the coverage and how quickly checks were sent after submitting our claims. Using the phone app made all of this super easy and painless! I've told all my friends with pets to check Healthy Paw out!


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Hillary B

9/9/2016
I never had pet insurance before but after I got my first dog, I decided to get it knowing as he got older he might be prone to hip dysplasia due to his breed. Little did I know that just 3 months after I took out the policy, my dog would get hit by a car on the highway. He almost didn't live through the night and had 2 paralyzed legs. In those first days, it was such a relief to know that all I had to worry about was my dog and not how much it was going to cost to save him. Over the course of the next year and a half, I took him to a rehab facility for intensive rehab, trying to save his paralyzed leg (one healed itself, the other did not). Two years later, we accepted that the... Read More


Debra F

9/8/2016
I was very happy with the ease of submitting the claim on the Healthy Paws app on my phone. It was so simple and I received a confirmation email in a timely manner, letting me know that the claim was submitted, then again that it was in process, and lastly that the claim had been approved. We received the reimbursement check within two weeks! I was also happy with the personal concern expressed in the messages for my pet's health and the follow up email inquiring how he was doing. I will definitely recommend Healthy Paws to my family and friends!


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Noelle F

9/7/2016
We decided to get pet insurance because our dog started eating things she shouldn't. When we saw how much it costs to remove a foreign object, we realized we couldn't afford the surgery and decided to get pet insurance. A month later our dog ate something and had to have surgery. We were so happy we had insurance otherwise we would have not been able to keep her. Healthy Paws paid the claim before we even got the credit card bill. They were so kind and even emailed us to check in on her. They were clear on the benefits and the claims process was so easy.


Babs W

9/4/2016
Recently my Bernese Mountain Dog required emergency surgery to remove a foreign body lodged in her stomach - specifically, a stuffed dinosaur! Knowing that she was covered by Healthy Paws Pet Insurance allowed me to focus on what was best for my dog rather than solely on what I could afford. I also appreciate the ease of filing claims and the speed with which claims are processed and checks are mailed. Thanks, Healthy Paws, for being there when we need you!


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Karen R

9/4/2016
I've had Healthy Paws insurance since the day we adopted Riley. We've had to use it 3 times in the 5 years he's been with us. First was for surgery for bladder stones, then a trip to emergency for unknown intestinal discomfort which let to a lot of tests. But most recent was a huge expense. Riley my beagle tore is ACL in BOTH knees. I didn't know this at first, I just came home and found him lame in the hind legs. A trip and over night stay in the emergency room was close to $1500. I chose the 90/10 plan so all I had to pay was the office visit of $97 & 10%. Then when the doctors didn't find anything on the X-rays, the next stop was a vet who guessed that it was knee issue and sent us to... Read More



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