Healthy Paw Pet Insurance Review
Founded by Rob Jackson and Steve Siadek, customers rated Healthy Paws the best pet insurance company in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Healthy Paws is a great choice for pet owners to compare dog insurance products in the market. With one simple plan, Healthy Paws is helping thousands of pet owners find relief from the unseen costs associated with pet ownership.
Coverage
Of the top pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws is the only provider that offers unlimited lifetime benefits with an annual deductible. This means that you can file as many claims as possible without a cap on reimbursement. In other words, you get kitten insurance for life! Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Healthy Paws offer the following pet insurance covers:
- Diagnostic treatment
- Accidents and illnesses, including cancer
- Hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions
- Blood tests, X-Rays, and ultrasounds
- Prescription medications
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Emergency and specialty care
- Alternative treatments
Benefit limits
Healthy Paws is one of the few pet insurance providers that offer policies without caps on limits, including per incident, annual, or lifetime caps. Of course, other pet insurance providers offer unlimited benefits; however, this always comes at a high price. Healthy Paws includes an unlimited benefit option in their standard plan.
Reimbursement method
Healthy Paws’ reimbursement method does set them apart from other providers. Their reimbursement is based on the actual vet bill. Other plans reimburse according to the benefit schedule or the usual veterinary costs, which they often base on the national average cost.
Annual deductible
Healthy Paws’ annual deductibles mean that you only need to meet your deductible once every year. Other providers have per-condition deductibles, thus you have to meet your deductible every time your pet falls sick or is involved in an accident. This is a great cost saving to the pet owner, and just one of the reasons why Healthy Paws enjoys great reviews.
Healthy Paws allows pet owners to opt for deductibles that work best for them and their needs. Deductibles can be set at $100, $250, or $500, which is the highest.
The cost of Healthy Paws plans
Healthy Paws plans are reasonably priced, taking into account that they do not come with any kind of limits. The company also offers a range of discounts, including special rates for AAA, AARP, and Costco members. Employer-sponsored plans enjoy a 15% lifetime discount.
The average premium starts at $17.19 for cats and $32.80 for dogs. Of course, this depends on a number of variables including the pet’s age, breed, where you live, and your policy of choice.
The claims process
Healthy Paws has a fully automated claims process. To file your claim, simply visit the claims portal on their website or install the app on your smartphone. The claims approval rating is high with a fast turnaround for reimbursements.
Enrollment and waiting period
The starting age for pets is eight weeks and older. The upper age limit for coverage is 13 years old. The waiting period for illnesses and accidents is 15 days while the waiting period for hip dysplasia is 12 months. Before enrollment for coverage, you will be required to provide a full physical exam report from a licensed veterinarian. The timeline for this exam will depend on the pet’s age upon enrollment. No extra tests such as blood work and X-Rays are required.
Conclusion
Healthy Paws is passionate about pet insurance. Their friendly and welcoming customer service makes you feel valued as a customer. Unfortunately, they do not offer a plan that covers regular vet checks, and like pretty much any pet insurance provider they do not cover pre-existing conditions. All in all, the no limit on claims feature makes Healthy Claws one of the most favorable pet insurance companies in North America.