Embrace Pet Health Insurance Review
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Embrace Health Insurance For Pets - Company Overview
Embrace pet insurance sold its first policy in 2006, but it was an award-winning business concept three years earlier when it won the 2003 Wharton Business Plan Competition. Since that point, Embrace has covered thousands of four-legged family members. Embrace has been widely recognized as having one of the best pet insurance models available, but the company has also partnered with several non-profit animal organizations to give back to pets.
Is Embrace Pet Insurance Worth It?
Embrace Pet Insurance appeals to many clients for their flexible coverage options, healthy-pet deductible decreases, optional wellness rewards plan and their evaluation of curable vs incurable pre-existing conditions. While currently pre-existing conditions are not typically covered by any pet insurance plan Embrace will cover curable conditions when a pet has been 12 months free of symptoms and treatments. If your major concern is the potential for an accident or illness plan for a pet under the age of 15, insurance can be a cost saving measure. Pet parents also have the opportunity to personalize their policy parameters based on their budget and pets needs. Ultimately the value of your plan is determined by need. If your pet suffers a high-cost accident or illness it is very likely that you will save a significant amount on the treatment.
Pros & Cons of Embrace Pet Insurance
Cons
Not all deductible options are available online, but more options are offered if you call.
There is a 6-month orthopedic waiting period for dogs. However, this can be reduced to 14 days with an orthopedic exam done by a veterinarian.
The first claim may take additional time to process. This occurs because the pet’s medical history for the 12-months prior to the policy start date, through the end of the waiting period, must be collected and reviewed which can take some extra time.
Pros
You only have one total deductible annually instead of a deductible
per condition
Curable pre-existing conditions may be covered in certain circumstances
There is no lifetime payout maximum
Multi-pet discounts and discounts for people in the military
are available
The healthy pet deductible reduces your deductible by $50 each year that you do not receive any accident or illness claim reimbursements.
You can pick your own deductible, annual payout limit, and
reimbursement amount to find a policy you can affordAlternative therapies and rehabilitation coverage is available
Behavior coverage is available on all policies.
Types Of Pet Insurance Plans Offered Through Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan. You can choose between 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement levels, and you can set your deductible at $200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000 per year with the comprehensive plan. Embrace also provides accident-only coverage online for pets over 14. Pet Parents can also select a routine care plan. Separate from the insurance plans, a Wellness Rewards program is also available for flexible preventative care. This program reimburses for everyday veterinary, training, and grooming costs. While Wellness Rewards is not an insurance policy, it can be effective for budgeting and creates an incentive for being proactive with your pet’s care.
Benefit Limits
Embrace allows you to pick a payout limit that applies annually. Those payout limits start at between $5,000 and go all the way to $30,000 annually. Unlimited payouts are available in some states, there is no lifetime maximum payout.
What’s Covered with Embrace Pet Insurance?
Embrace offers one comprehensive accident and illness plan. The prescription drug coverage can be removed in some states, but that would be considered the only optional add-on. If you call Embrace there is an accident-only plan available to pets over the age of 14 being insured for the first time. Coverage for routine care is available through the non-insurance Wellness Rewards Plan that can be purchased in addition to insurance.
Embrace's Accident and Illness Plan
Embrace provides a comprehensive insurance plan that covers accidents and illnesses. A few examples of what could be covered with this comprehensive plan include:
Cancer treatment
Chronic conditions, like allergies
Physical therapy
Emergency dental treatment
Genetic conditions, such as hip dysplasia, and congenital conditions
Exam fees
Prescription drug coverage
Hospitalization and surgery
Lab tests and biopsies
Alternative therapy, such as chiropractic treatment or acupuncture
Accident-Only Plan
The accident-only plan is available as a standalone type of coverage if you do not want a an accident or illness policy or if you have an older pet that is not eligible for a regular policy. This plan is meant to cover the costs that are related to accidents, such as broken bones or cuts and lacerations, or accidentally ingesting something harmful. The accident-only plan reimburses up to $5,000 annually, has a $100 deductible, and you always have a 90% reimbursement. However, this is typically not available to purchase online if your pet is under the age of 15.
Optional Wellness Rewards Coverage
Wellness Rewards is meant to pick up the tab for those preventive and routine care costs that your typical accident and illness policy does not cover. Wellness Rewards is only available as an add-on; it is not available as a standalone policy. Some things that can be covered with the Wellness Rewards add-on include:
Grooming and nail clipping
Medicated bathing supplies
Nutritional supplements
Pet activity monitors
OFA & Penn HIP exams and X-rays
Routine anal gland expression
Teeth cleaning and other dental treatments
Microchipping
Spaying or neutering
Fecal exams, urinalysis, and routine blood work
Parasite prevention
Wellness exams
Cremation/burial
There are three annual allowance options with Wellness Rewards: $250, $450, or $650 allowance per policy year. There is no per-item limit, so you can use the entirety of your allowance for one specific covered costs, such as to cover the costs of spaying or neutering your pet.
Embrace Pet Insurance Exclusions
Embrace does a good job of making sure just about everything is covered by their insurance policy options. However, there are still some excluded coverages to know about before enrollment, including:
Breeding, whelping, and pregnancy
Injuries caused by a deliberate action by you or someone in your home, such as if your child injures your pet
Non-medically necessary stem cell therapy
Avian flu
Injuries caused during a nuclear war
Injuries related to cruelty, neglect, or abuse
Cosmetic or elective procedures like tail docking or ear cropping
Pre-existing conditions, which is any condition noticed by you or your vet before the waiting period is over after enrollment
Embrace does exclude pre-existing conditions, but they differentiate how pre-existing conditions are treated based on whether they are curable or non-curable. If your pet has a curable pre-existing condition, and they have not had any issues for at least 12 months prior to a claim, the condition may be covered.
Other Common Questions About Embrace Pet Insurance:
Can you get insurance for an older dog or cat?
You can only enroll a pet up to their 14th birthday for a regular policy. However, if your pet is already enrolled with Embrace when they turn 14 years old, you will not lose your coverage. If you are interested in an accident-only policy for an older pet, Embrace does offer this form of coverage.
Can you use any vet or animal clinic you want?
There is no network with Embrace insurance; you can visit any vet, animal hospital, or specialist you want to visit and still be reimbursed for care costs.
How long are waiting periods with Embrace?
Embrace has a 14-day waiting period for illnesses after you enroll your pet in pet insurance coverage. Accident coverage will begin after a 2-day wait period. There is also a six-month orthopedic waiting period (OWP) for dogs, which means any condition related to orthopedic problems will not be covered for six months. You may be able to have this waiting period reduced to 14 days by taking your dog to the vet for an exam and having their orthopedic report card completed.
Does Embrace give you any discounts for additional pets or otherwise?
Embrace provides a 10% discount if you enroll multiple pets, except in NY where the multi-pet discount is only 5% Military members are also eligible for a 5% discount in most states. People employed by a vet practice that has partnered with Embrace are eligible for a 20% discount. Other discounts may apply depending on where you live.
A Disclaimer From Embrace
Pet health insurance is administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC and underwritten by one [DG1] of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA as American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8), and American Southern Home Insurance Company. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors, and are subject to change. Wellness Rewards is offered as a supplementary, non-insurance benefit administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency in the United States. © 2020 American Modern Insurance Group, Inc. + Wellness Rewards not available in Rhode Island.
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