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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review

3,227 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

3.5/5
Coverage
4.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 3.9 / 5 (Very good)

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 - 3.5 / 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

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

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 - 4 / 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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3227 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Jennifer D

12/15/2015
I signed up my retriever mix rescue puppy on the advice of her vet because she liked to swallow non-edibles. I decided to go with Healthy Paws because unlike most companies, they will cover hip dysplasia if not found in the first 12 months of the policy coverage. Unfortunately, my dog hurt her knee and had to have it repaired surgically. I had opted for 90% coverage and a $250 deductible. In our circumstance we pay $31 per month for a 70 pound retriever. I received my 90% reimbursement in the form of a check less than 2 weeks after submitting the vet bill. Since I was reimbursed over $2k, I feel as though having pet insurance has already paid for itself for the next several years! I... Read More


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Christina L

12/6/2015
I got pet insurance months ago because my work discounted it for me. I kind of thought it was silly, but then I purchased it and paid the $20 a month. Seeing how I can spend $20 for a meal and not think about it, I figured I could spend $20 a month for my pet and not think about it. Time went on and very unexpectedly my cat spiraled down with kidney ideas. I watched my credit card go from $100 to $1,500 in one week for bloodwork, xrays, medication, and more. I submitted a first time claim online and Healthy Paws reembursed 80% of everything because it was plan I selected. It was such a relief to know that my pet was covered in an emergency situation for the cost of a night out.


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rsslynn51

12/1/2015
I just signed up with them based on their reviews. I took the $250 deductible with 90% reimbursement. I hv a 6 month yellow lab puppy now. I hv had a few things go wrong with him. Nothing major. I did not realize they do not pay for the visit if you go to the vet to get your dog looked at to find out what the heck is wrong with them. Was my fault not looking at the fine print. Seems they are all like that. I know none cover anal glands. But both times when I put my claim thru my phone app, they did not follow through! I read reviews how fast they process your claim and you get your check fast. Well that has not been the case with me. I kept looking at my phone, and the... Read More


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Shannon H

11/14/2015
I am extremely pleased with my pet insurance with Healthy Paws. Never in my life have I experienced customer service like Healthy Paws; especially when dealing with claims on ANY insurance company. I've always been skeptical about the need for pet insurance but after my previous cat's accident and losing thousands of dollars towards his care, I vowed to look into pet insurance if I decided to get another pet. We did end up with a purebred Maine Coon named Gideon (GiddySmalls on Instagram - he's kinda famous - haha). I did extensive research and wanted the best coverage. Healthy Paws stood out. Still skeptical, I had some incidents that needed coverage. They were small claims so... Read More


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Luann L

9/24/2015
I have just had a 100% positive experience with Healthy Paws pet insurance for my 3 year old sheltie, Leo. He needed lifesaving emergency surgery and I was able to say go ahead and do the surgery without a second thought due to this insurance. Once I submitted the claims (I had 2 claims) they processed them quickly and I had my reimbursement checks back within days. My Leo is home, alive and healthy and back to his family. Healthy Paws even sent a follow up email asking how Leo is doing. I would highly recommend this insurance.


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Traci A

8/14/2015
I submitted a claim over a year ago. They were waiting for me to submit my dog's adoption paperwork but I had to search for it... I finally sent it in months later when I finally located the paperwork and they paid the claim quickly. They actually applied it toward my dog's deductible. Very friendly and professional and honest service.


M
Mel R

7/27/2015
I don't like the fact this company and many others do not offer Wellness Plans. I have to WAIT for my dog to have a condition to use the insurance. I want assistance in his regular everyday health. Once I know it cost a little more but their are some pet owners who are willing to pay a little higher premium to have a wellness plan. Because of you exclusion of that alone, I am rating you with 1 star. Also, the fact that this review would not let me submit without a photo is ridiculous.


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Steve R

7/25/2015
I just added our other dog "Bentley" to our policy today. Healthy Paws has been insuring our younger dog "Chunk" since we got him a few years ago. Hands down these people are the best in the industry!!! They have always come through for us when we needed them. Its nice to know that a company such as this is reputable and honest. I highly recommend anyone with a pet to sign up now and have the piece of mind knowing that your covered with an insurance policy so you can get the care and help when your pet needs it.


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Laura B

7/16/2015
Healthy Paws is incredible. I've had different pet health insurance plans over the years, and this is unmatched. Best aspects: no lifetime maximum coverage, excellent customer service (I contact them via email, and the turnaround is remarkably quick), quick reimbursement (within 2 weeks of submitting a claim), simple claim submission process, and competitive prices. My dog Callie has had $5,000 in claims in the last two months due to excessive panting. About $500 was for physical exams, which isn't covered, but Healthy Paws paid 90% of the rest, which was for tests and medications. I selected a plan with a $100 annual deductible and 90% coverage. Callie had already met the $100 deductible.... Read More


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Chelsea F

6/8/2015
I don't usually write online reviews, but I was compelled to after the excellent customer service I received with Healthy Paws. Simply put, they have some of the best customer service I have ever encountered. I had been hesitant to purchase pet insurance as so many of my friends and colleagues told me "it wasn't worth it." I was still tossing around the idea of getting it when I came across other healthy paws reviews. They were so overwhelmingly positive, that I thought it would be worth it - and it certainly was. My puppy decided to eat the spiral binding of a notebook TWO days after the end of my waiting period. I was expecting to have to fight to get his procedure covered and... Read More



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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options