As one of the best pet insurance providers in the business, Embrace Pet Insurance realizes the need to offer diverse services at reasonable prices, presenting its insurance plans in a way that is easily understood and transparent to help pet parents get a clearer picture of what exactly it is they will be paying for. Embrace has ridiculously few conditions that it doesn’t cover in one plan or another. And as one of the cheaper insurance packages around, prices are especially great considering that – regardless of the insurance plan – every policyholder gains access to a 24/7 pet help line thanks to Embrace’s partnership with whiskerDocs. Since its founding in 2003 the company has been dedicated to helping pets stay healthy and happy in whatever way it can and, other than the frequent donations to various pet-related charities, Embrace’s sizable team of Registered Veterinary Technicians volunteer with Neighborhood Pets to help out at low-cost clinics as well.
Embrace Pet Insurance has two main insurance plans: one covers accidents only, the other covers both accidents and illnesses. Technically, there is a third option – a wellness plan – but since this is not available as a standalone policy, it’s best to view it as an add-on.
The accident plan is pretty straightforward. It covers all new accidents that happen after the waiting period, which is the third day after the policy has been purchased. As with all insurance, however, accidents caused by preexisting conditions are exceptions. The plan including illnesses provides more extensive coverage and protection, although the waiting period is longer. Hereditary and congenital conditions, alternative care, and behavioral therapy are all covered. Both plans cover veterinary exams, which is rare among pet insurance companies and definitely a welcome surprise; taking a kitty or a pooch for a checkup can be expensive. Euthanasia and burial are also covered in both plans.
Currently only cats and dogs are accepted by Embrace Pet Insurance and they must be at least six weeks old to be eligible. Pets older than 14 are accepted but are only eligible for the accident plan, which is a bit disappointing but still better than most companies.
While Embrace Pet Insurance normally does not cover preventative care – such as vaccinations, nontraumatic dental care, and even spaying/neutering – this is included as part the Wellness Rewards plan, which functions like a health savings account to make routine pet care less financially taxing. Preexisting conditions, breeding-related conditions, cosmetic surgeries, and DNA testing or cloning will not be covered, regardless of which plan you choose.
Embrace is passionate about pets and dedicated to saving their lives and will donate $2 to charities every time a new policy is purchased. Not only that but should a beloved pet that is insured by Embrace pass away, the employees will light a candle and donate another $10 to nonprofit rescue organizations.
While not exactly difficult, filing claims could probably be made more efficient. Embrace Pet Insurance requires customers to submit claims using a form and asks for this to be printed and filled out by the vet, after which the document should either be sent via email, fax, or as regular postal mail. A copy of the invoice received from the vet should be attached as well, proving that the pet parent has already paid for the service. The form itself can be downloaded from the Embrace Pet Insurance site.
Regardless of the slightly overcomplicated procedure, though, as long as all the necessary documents are submitted, claims will be processed within 5-15 business days. For any claim to be approved, the owner must provide Embrace with the complete medical history of the pet for revision, dating back a year from the time of enrollment. A free medical review may be requested in order to know for certain what preexisting conditions the company has found – and will therefore not cover in the future – but this service is only available once a policy is purchased.
Once a claim is approved, the company will send the customer the level of refund specified in the policy. Payouts can be only requested via check or direct deposit, so customers will always be required to pay the vet in full first without the possibility for the insurer to pay the vet directly. But Embrace is quick to send the reimbursement, however, and customers will receive the money within 2-7 days, depending on the chosen payment method. Checks are slightly slower to arrive due to the limitations of regular post.
Policies at Embrace Pet Insurance are fully customizable with the exception of the accident plan, which costs $24.67 for dogs and $9.13 for cats per month. With the other plans, the chosen level of reimbursement and the annual deductible will either lower or increase the monthly premiums. A higher reimbursement percentage will result in higher monthly costs, while raising the amount of deductible will lower rates. The highest reimbursement level is 90% and deductibles range from $200 to $1,000.
Embrace has annual payout limits, which can also be tailored to personal need. Of course, the higher the payout, the more costly the service is, but on the positive side there are no lifetime caps to worry about. Payout options range from $5,000 to $30,000.
Insurance rates will further differ from pet to pet based on a wide variety of factors, such as species, breed, size, and even your zip code. Premiums will increase based on veterinary costs as well as the pet’s age, but Embrace also has a lot of discounts to compensate. First of all, Embrace is the only pet insurance provider that offers a diminishing deductible, reducing it by $50 for each year that no claims were submitted. Neutered or spayed pets are eligible for a 5% discount, while having multiple pets pays off too with a 10% reduction for each.
For a demonstration of prices, check out our charts below featuring Yoda, Best Reviews’ beloved virtual puglet.
Yoda’s Embrace Pet Insurance Illness and Accident Plan
An insurance policy can be purchased for your pet by calling Embrace’s customer service or by visiting the website. The enrollment process is fairly easy, with a prompt to request a quote immediately being offered as soon as the site is accessed. Customers simply need to choose the corresponding answers about the pet in the inquiry form that they are directed to. Customization options are also offered here, and the wellness plan can be chosen as an add-on. Documents such as the medical history are not requested at this point, but these should be provided when the first claim is submitted by the latest. Also, it is advisable to ask for a medical history evaluation to avoid misunderstandings in the future. If you are unsure which plan would suit your pet best or if you need help with the process, call customer service and the team will be happy to help you out.
Adjusting a policy after signing up can be done without hassle as well. Pet parents can opt to downgrade or upgrade at any time they want, but it’s best to keep in mind that downgrading may impact coverage. Cancelling the insurance can be done via email or by calling Embrace’s customer service.
For questions regarding policies, Embrace’s customer care team can be easily contacted by sending them an email through the website. Calling customer service at is an option as well, so long as you do so during working hours on weekdays or from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
One of the best things about Embrace Pet Insurance is the extra service that it provides to owners in need of urgent advice concerning their pet’s health. Since it has partnered with whiskerDocs, Embrace is able to offer customers access to live veterinary experts 24/7. Agents can be contacted in emergencies at any time of day, but they can help with more mundane issues such as answering questions about diet, behavior, or medication concerns.
Embrace Pet Insurance offers highly customizable policies with better coverage than most companies. Even exam fees are reimbursed, which is enough to tip the scale in its favor when compared to other providers. The option to expand or limit coverage using the different plans is a definite bonus, too, especially since older or sick pets who would otherwise be difficult to insure can benefit from protection for a reduced monthly premium.
The company could do without the payout caps but it does keep prices very reasonable thanks to this limitation and when it comes down to it, customers can choose an annual reimbursement that is high enough to cover almost anything. Embrace’s partnership with whiskerDocs deserves an extra loud shout-out, especially since access to the 24/7 help line comes at no additional cost. Then there’s the various discounts that the company offers, adding to the already great impression that any pet owner will get from the service.
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