Healthy Paws Pet Insurance: An In-Depth Review
This review provides an objective look at Healthy Paws pet insurance, helping you determine if it’s the right choice for your furry friend. Forbes Advisor evaluated Healthy Paws based on key factors like coverage, costs, customer service, and more.
Why You Can Trust This Review: Our analysis considered various aspects, including pet insurance costs, the ability to pay the vet directly, and the availability of a 24/7 vet health line. Our editors are committed to giving you unbiased ratings and information. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate insurers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and methodology for the ratings below.
Key Metrics:
- 34 coverage categories evaluated
- 900,224 pet insurance rates crunched
- 2,600 U.S. pet owners surveyed
- 108 years of insurance experience on the editorial team
Overview of Healthy Paws Coverage
Healthy Paws offers an accident and illness plan, the most common type of pet insurance. This comprehensive plan covers a wide range of veterinary issues, from accidents to illnesses.
What’s Covered:
- Accidents: Poisonings, sprains, broken bones, etc.
- Illnesses: Cancer, diabetes, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and more.
- Congenital and Hereditary Conditions: Conditions like cherry eye (entropion), intervertebral disc disease, or elbow dysplasia are covered.
- Hospitalizations: Emergency services, surgeries (including anesthesia), vet or technician time, and rehabilitation services.
- Specialist Care: Includes behaviorists, internal medicine specialists, veterinarians, and oncologists, alongside alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic services.
- Prescription Medication: Medications for covered issues, including prescription food if your vet prescribes it for a covered problem.
- Diagnostics: X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic procedures.
What’s Not Covered:
- Behavioral training
- Boarding and doggie daycare
- Cosmetic procedures such as ear cropping
- Exam fees for injuries and illnesses
- Pet diets
- Pre-existing conditions (though curable pre-existing conditions may be covered if they are symptom-free for 180 days)
- Routine dental care
- Spaying and neutering
- Wellness and routine care (vaccinations, heartworm medication, etc.)
Healthy Paws also has a “bilateral exclusion” for pre-existing cruciate ligament conditions. If a pet has a cruciate ligament condition before coverage begins, Healthy Paws will not cover expenses if the opposite ligament becomes injured.
Coverage Levels and Costs
Healthy Paws offers a single annual coverage limit: Unlimited.
Deductible Options:
- $100
- $250
- $500
- $1,000
The deductible options may vary based on factors like your pet’s age, breed, and location.
Reimbursement Options:
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
Reimbursement options are also subject to variations based on your pet’s age, breed, and location.
Claim Payment Calculation: Healthy Paws first calculates the reimbursement percentage and then deducts the deductible amount. This method can result in a lower claim payment compared to insurers that subtract the deductible first.
Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Healthy Paws has waiting periods before coverage begins:
- 15-day accident waiting period
- 15-day illness waiting period
- 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia illnesses (if your pet is age 6 or older at enrollment, hip dysplasia is totally excluded from coverage).
These waiting periods do not apply in Maryland. Some states have different waiting periods (Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington). Your dog or cat must be between 8 weeks and 14 years of age to enroll in a Healthy Paws pet insurance policy.
Cost of Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
On average, Healthy Paws pet insurance costs:
- Dogs: $60 per month
- Cats: $28 per month
These figures are based on unlimited annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement.
Price Comparison by Breed (Dogs):
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Costs for dogs age 7 in North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin are based on unlimited annual coverage with a $750 deductible and 70% reimbursement level.
Price Comparison by Breed (Cats):
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Costs for cats age 7 in North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin and are based on unlimited annual coverage with a $750 deductible and 70% reimbursement level.
Healthy Paws vs. Competitors (Simplified Comparison)
Here’s a comparison of Healthy Paws with other leading pet insurance providers:
Availability and Claims
Healthy Paws is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Filing a Claim: You can file a claim through the following methods:
- Online or app
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: (888) 228-4129
- Mail: Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, P.O. Box 50034, Bellevue, WA 98015
You can submit a claim by photographing your invoice and uploading it via their online customer center or mobile app. A claim form isn’t required, but one is available for download.
Digital Experience
Healthy Paws offers a good digital experience, including a useful app for managing your policy and submitting claims. Customer ratings are generally positive. The website has a useful site search feature but lacks a live chat function, which would be helpful.
FAQs
Is Healthy Paws pet insurance good? Healthy Paws scores well, but factors like the long waiting period for hip dysplasia may be a consideration. Healthy Paws has decent prices, unlimited annual coverage, and several deductible options depending on your pet’s age. You’ll also have access to a 24/7 pet telehealth line.
Does Healthy Paws pet insurance work with any vet? Yes, Healthy Paws will pay claims for covered medical expenses from any licensed veterinarian, including emergency animal hospitals and specialists.
Can I add multiple pets to my Healthy Paws pet insurance policy? Yes, you can get multi-pet insurance, but you will need a separate policy for each pet and you can manage them from one account. Healthy Paws does not offer a multi-pet discount.
Does Healthy Paws pet insurance cover dental care? Yes, Healthy Paws’ pet dental insurance covers accidents and illnesses, including broken or chipped teeth and dental issues. However, it doesn’t cover routine dental care.
Does Healthy Paws pet insurance cover spaying and neutering? No, Healthy Paws doesn’t offer pet insurance for spaying and neutering.
How can I reach Healthy Paws customer service? You can contact Healthy Paws’ customer service at (855) 898-8991. Customer service is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. You can also contact them through their website’s email form.
How do I cancel Healthy Paws pet insurance? You can cancel via phone, email, fax, or mail. You’ll need your name, pet’s name, policy number, the desired cancellation date, and the reason for the cancellation.
About Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws has been providing pet insurance since 2009, underwritten by the Chubb Group. The company also supports shelters and rescues through its non-profit foundation.
In conclusion, Healthy Paws is a solid choice for pet insurance, particularly if you’re looking for unlimited annual coverage and are comfortable with their specific waiting periods and claim calculation method.
