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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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agoldberg32

8/2/2020
I’ve had this company for many years with different dogs and it seem to be fine. This year all of a sudden they changed my Insurance Payment From $39 a month to $79 a month due to some kind of error they made throughout the years. I don’t know how many other folks are affected by this but I canceled my insurance with them. they just went head and took the money out of my account and never notified me that they were doing this. I say it’s really poor communication on their part and it’s very sad

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Agoldberg - We truly appreciate you being part of the Healthy Paws family over the years. Premiums and coverage are based on your pet’s age, breed, and your zip code. There was an error in the age of your pet that kept your premiums lower than normal for over a year and the age correction accounted for the premium increase. Our customer care team sent an email notifying you of the change using the email address in your account. Charging premiums based on accurate pet details allows us to provide our features and benefits — with no annual or lifetime caps — while also keeping premium prices as affordable as possible. We're sorry to lose you as a policyholder and hope you and your pet stay well.

zack.i.rosenberg

8/2/2020
Healthy Paws has proven time and time again to be the best decision we made for our dog. Filing claims is easy, their monthly rates are affordable, and you can opt to have claims directly deposited to your personal banking account. Truly a breeze. They have even gone above and beyond to personally check in on our dog's well being and help navigate filing claims to make sure we get the best return on our coverage.

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Zack - Thanks for all of the kind words about our claims submission process and customer care. Give your baby a big hug from us.

M
Mark I

8/1/2020
We signed up for Healthy Paws when our puppy came home in 2016. We submitted several claims over the past four years, including our most recent claim for major leg surgery. Healthy Paws processed the claim immediately and we received the reimbursement check 8 days after surgery. Submitting a claim is quick and easy. Just snap a photo of the bill using their app. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance is well worth the investment. I recommend Healthy Paws to all my friends.

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Mark - Thank you for being part of the Healthy Paws family since 2016. We appreciate all of your kind words regarding our easy claims process and quick reimbursement. We're happy we can play a part in making sure you pup has access to the best available medical care. Give you baby a hug from us!

A
Ann M

8/1/2020
Our dog needed a very expensive surgery on her leg. Submitting the claim was really easy. Their quick response and compassionate inquiry helped emotionally as well as financially during our ordeal. I couldn't be happier with Healthypaws.

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Ann - We're sorry your baby had to have that major leg surgery, but glad we could help relieve some of the financial stress. We appreciate all of you kind words and send wishes for a swift recovery.

Michael A

7/31/2020
Tim, What you write sounds to Me like You are a good PR Man for Healthy Paws Insurance . With respect to You Sir I already know I could take less coverage at 70% but who is going to make up the difference to pay the Vet and and I have to pay & $ 500.00 deductible plus exam fee too . Healthy Paws Employee lied to get Me to entice Me to enroll and and is responsible for My heartache. I sure would like to know how The Owner sleep at night . Community don't fall for this melancholy hogwash by Healthy Paws Insurance Company and wait until your insured animal gets old and see if you still feel the same way about Healthy Paws . I felt the same way about them for My... Read More


Janet L

7/31/2020
I've had healthypaws for my cat since 2017. I've had 2 claims so far and they are helpful, accommodating, understanding and caring for our 4 legged fur babies. My sister told me about healthypaws and I haven't shopped around for any other insurance. Healthy paws is competitive and I feel has the best rates with best customer service.

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Janet - Thanks for all of your kind words about our policy and customer care. Give your kitty a big hug from us.

Annie O

7/30/2020
Always prompt with reimbursement information. Have been using Healthy Paws for 4 years and have been extremely happy with their customer service!

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Annie - Thanks for being part of the Healthy Paws family for the past four years. We appreciate all of your kind words. Give your baby a hug from us.

dmlake

7/30/2020
I could not be more dissatisfied with healthy paws. So far I have submitted six claims and all were denied for fine print. They don't pay exam fees either which is unreal. The bottom line is they give you an unlimited policy, but good luck getting a claim approved. Don't fall for the bogus reviews and stay clear of these guys. If it sounds too good to be true...

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
dmlake - We're sorry that you are not happy with your policy. We do our best 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. By making the office visit fee (vet exam, emergency exam, recheck or consultation) part of the pet parent's financial responsibility, it allows us to offer a complete accident and illness plan at an affordable monthly premium. Our policyholders value comprehensive accident/illness coverage and unlimited benefits at reasonable rates, which is why they choose to assume the responsibility of paying for those costs. I regards to your claims, a number of those fell into one of the above exclusions, so we could not provide coverage. The balance were covered based on the deductible and reimbursement level you chose at enrollment.

jsmacdonald

7/27/2020
I enrolled my puppy when he was about 5 months old. We've had Healthy Paws for 2 years, plan had $250 deductible, not covering wellness visits. He has had no health issues, so I can't speak to how quickly they are to pay their claims. But if you are trying to get insurance for the lifetime of your pet, you might consider elsewhere because the cost of coverage increases dramatically as time moves forward. While their quotes were competitive when I signed up, at the end of the first year my monthly premium rose by about 25% (a bit higher than the cost of inflation I'd say). I stayed on, but now that they are raising it by an additional 25% at the end of the second year, I just... Read More

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
jsmacdonald - We understand that no likes any form of premium increase. Our management team works hard to keep our premiums as low as possible while still providing comprehensive coverage. New technology, advancements in veterinary treatments, and overall claim costs are taken into consideration when assessing our rates. Premiums are determined based on the rates and rating rules filed and approved within each state’s Department of Insurance. These reflect the cost of treatment, advances in veterinary medicine, your individual pet’s breed, gender, age and other factors, in addition to the overall claims experience for the program within the region your pet resides. As a result, we need to increase the premium level for all pets in your state so you and your pet can have continued access to the best veterinary care. All pet insurance companies, no matter how they market their benefits, will raise rates to keep up with the rapidly rising cost of veterinary care. We do our best to be transparent regarding annual premium increases by including this information on the "Frequently Asked Questions" page of our website. We're sorry to lose you as a policyholder and hope you and your pup stay well.

Jennifer D

7/25/2020
So far my experience with healthy paws had been wonderful. I always have a very quick reimbursement, and they cover exactly what they say they will cover, no surprises. Filing a claim is also super easy. My puppy had a big knee surgery recently, and healthy paws covered his care swiftly and as my benefits were described. They even reached out to see how he was doing post surgery! Thumbs up from this puppy and human.

Tim  
Official Response

Customer Care of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Jennifer - We hope your boy is doing well in his recovery from the knee surgery. We appreciate your kind words regarding your policy coverage and easy claims process. Give your baby a big hug from us.


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