Embrace Pet Insurance

 

Having a pet in your life is something that can be truly priceless. However, maintaining the health of our furry friends does carry an actual price tag. Pet insurance can help you balance money management along with the health and longevity of your pet. Fortunately, Embrace Pet Insurance has some of the best benefits in the industry. Those who choose to use Embrace Pet Insurance can customize features such as deductibles, coverage, and reimbursement so that they can find something that works for their budget.

 

What Is Embrace Pet Insurance?

 

American Modern Insurance underwrites all Embrace Pet Insurance plans. Embrace is based in Cleveland, Ohio and focuses on customers in the United States. They won the Wharton Business Plan Competition in 2003 and sold their first pet insurance policy in 2006. They now provide insurance to pet owners across the country.

While pet insurance is straight forward, it isn’t exactly like health insurance for people. Pre-existing conditions aren’t usually covered unless the pet has no symptoms or treatment for a year. Pregnancy-related treatments aren’t usually covered either.

What is covered might include a percentage of veterinarian bills. Dental issues might also be included, which other pet insurance plans usually don’t cover. Still, you will have out-of-pocket costs for the uncovered percentage.

Pets who are 15 or older and don’t yet have Embrace coverage are limited to accident-only coverage, which doesn’t cover most medical matters. Embrace plans also usually don’t cover grooming or routine care, although they do have a wellness plan that you can add as an option.

Most Embrace plans feature percentage coverage limits, annual limits, and deductibles. There are no lifetime maximums for covered treatments, and Embrace says they only cancel coverage for pets due to nonpayment.

 

Pros and Cons

 

The Pros

 

Embrace pet insurance is considered by many to be one of the best carriers in the industry, a reputation they’ve earned due to the following benefits they offer:

• Premier range of choices for deductibles, annual coverage, and reimbursement
• ‘Diminishing deductible’ goes down $50 each year you go without a paid claim
• Coverage for vet fees for accidents and illness
• Accident coverage waiting period is only two days
• 24/7 telehealth line available
• Discounts if you have multiple pets
• No lifetime maximum payouts

 

The Cons

 

While Embrace has a lot going for them, there are some potential downsides that you should know about:

• Orthopedic conditions have six-month waiting periods
• The plans have annual limits
• Pre-existing conditions only covered in very limited circumstances
• Full coverage only offered for pets 14 and younger
• Wellness plans are not refundable if you don’t use all the yearly funds

 

Coverage

 

You and your vet know your pet better than anyone, so you should have a good idea of what kind of coverage you likely need. This will help you determine whether Embrace pet insurance is right for your family.

 

What They Cover

 

Comprehensive policies from Embrace cover illnesses, accidents, and other various conditions. Your typical policy should include coverage for:

• Dental illnesses, including root canals, gingivitis, and extractions
• Genetic, congenital, and breed-specific conditions, including intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, and allergies
• Preventable conditions, including Lyme disease, parvo, and parasites
• Chronic conditions, including diabetes and arthritis
• Orthopedic conditions, which might include osteosarcoma, broken bones, and ligament tears
• Cancer testing/treatment
• Emergency care and hospitalizations
• Alternative therapies or rehab, like laser therapy or acupuncture
• Diagnostic testing, including X-rays and MRIs
• Behavioral therapy for matters including pica, marking, and aggression
• Surgery matters, including rehab services, anesthesia, and vet or technician time
• Specialist care, including behavioralists, oncologist, and internal medicine professionals
• Prescription medicines
• Accident-only policies that cover vehicle strikes, torn cruciate ligaments, and swallowing foreign objects

 

What They Don’t Cover

 

The list of things Embrace pet insurance does cover is impressive, but they don’t cover everything. You should know about primary exclusions of their coverage:

• Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered with very limited exceptions
• Whelping, pregnancy, and breeding
• Cloning
• DNA testing
• Medically unnecessary cosmetic procedures, such as declaw removal or ear cropping
• Medically unnecessary stem therapy
• Injuries deliberately caused by people in your home
• Injuries resulting from cruelty, neglect, racing, or fighting
• Avian flu

 

Waiting Periods

 

Most pet insurance has waiting periods. This is a particular stretch of time where you have restricted coverage. In the case of Embrace, you can anticipate:

• Two days of waiting for accidents
• Two weeks for illnesses

 

The two-day waiting period in terms of accidents is among the industry’s shortest. On the other hand, the 14 days of illness waiting is closer to industry norms.

Canine orthopedic conditions normally have a six-month wait with Embrace, but you might be able to get this shortened to just two weeks if you finish a waiver process including an orthopedic exam. That must be done in the first 14 days of your policy, however.

 

Cost Considerations

 

One great thing about Embrace pet insurance is the broad variety of options you have in terms of costs.

 

Maximum Annual Limit Options

 

This is the cap on reimbursement you get from the company over a given year. You can choose from several limits, with the higher ones being more expensive in terms of premiums:

1. $5,000
2. $8,000
3. $10,000
4. $15,000
5. $30,000

 

Deductibles

 

Deductibles are how much you need to pay yourself prior to coverage starting to reimburse you for pet health expenses. Choose from the following, with higher deductibles resulting in lower premiums:

1. $200
2. $300
3. $500
4. $750
5. $1,000

 

Reimbursements

 

You will have to pay for all your pet’s medical expenses up front and then submit reimbursement claims. You can choose from these options for most plans, with higher levels carrying higher premiums:

1. 70%
2. 80%
3. 90%

 

If you get the accident-only plan, you can be reimbursed under the following conditions:

1. $100 annual deductible
2. 90% reimbursement level
3. $5,000 maximum annual reimbursement

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does Embrace Offer a Routine Wellness Plan?

 

Yes, and it’s called Wellness Rewards. It’s not insurance but an optional feature that lets you pay throughout the year for wellness treatments that include grooming, spaying, neutering, and wellness vet visits.

 

How Can I Save Money on Embrace Pet Insurance?

 

You can get a discount of 5% to 10% if you cover multiple pets. Military members can get a 5% discount. Each year you don’t file any claims should earn you a lower deductible the following year.

 

How Long Does Embrace Pet Insurance Take to Reimburse Claims?

 

You can submit a claim form physically or digitally. In either case, the processing on their end usually takes two to three weeks. Initial claims might take longer. Direct deposit reimbursements can happen in three business days, or you can get a physical check in the mail in around two weeks. Claims tracking is available online.

 

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