Embrace Pet Insurance Review

Overview

Embrace offers customizable accident and illness pet insurance for dogs and cats. Policies can be tailored using different annual deductibles, reimbursement percentages and annual coverage limits. Embrace also offers optional Wellness Rewards for routine and preventative expenses. There are no provider networks, so policyholders can visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S.

Plans

Embrace’s primary pet insurance provides accident and illness coverage. Customers can customize their policy by selecting an annual deductible, reimbursement percentage and annual maximum. Embrace also offers accident-only coverage for eligible pets, including pets that are 15 years or older. Optional coverage is available for items such as veterinary exam fees. Wellness Rewards is a separate optional wellness membership rather than insurance and is designed to help reimburse eligible routine and preventative expenses.

What to check: Confirm which plan types (accident only, accident and illness, wellness add-ons) are currently sold in your state.

Coverage

Embrace accident and illness coverage can include eligible diagnostics and imaging, hospitalization, surgery, emergency veterinary care, specialty care, dental illness, behavioral therapy, rehabilitation, and treatment for hereditary, genetic and breed-specific conditions. Dental illnesses are covered up to $1,000 per policy year, while dental accidents are covered subject to the policy’s annual limit. Embrace generally excludes pre-existing conditions, but certain curable pre-existing conditions may become eligible after the pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for the applicable period.

What to check: Read the sample policy’s lists of covered and excluded conditions, not only the marketing summary.

Deductibles

Embrace uses an annual deductible. Current published materials state that customers can choose an annual deductible from $100 to $1,000. Once the annual deductible has been met, it does not need to be paid again until the next policy year.

What to check: Check whether the deductible is annual, per-condition or lifetime, and which amounts are offered.

Reimbursement

Embrace offers reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90% for eligible covered expenses. The reimbursement percentage is selected when customizing the policy and works together with the annual deductible and annual coverage limit.

What to check: Confirm the percentages offered and whether payouts are based on the actual invoice or a benefit schedule.

Annual limits

Embrace allows customers to customize their annual coverage maximum. The selected annual maximum determines the maximum amount available for eligible covered expenses during the policy term. The available limits can vary by state and policy.

What to check: Look for annual, per-condition and lifetime limits, and whether an unlimited option exists.

Waiting periods

Embrace’s published policy terms state: accidents 2 days, illnesses 14 days, orthopedic conditions for dogs 6 months. The orthopedic waiting period may be reduced for some dogs after an eligible orthopedic examination and review by Embrace. Waiting-period requirements can vary depending on the policy and state.

What to check: Compare waiting periods for accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions, and whether they vary by state.

Age restrictions

Embrace allows accident and illness enrollment for pets up to their 15th birthday. Pets 15 years and older can still be eligible for accident-only coverage. Embrace states that there is no upper age limit for accident-only enrollment.

What to check: Check the minimum enrollment age, any maximum age, and whether coverage renews for life.

Dental coverage

Embrace covers dental accidents under the policy’s annual coverage limit. Dental illness coverage is available up to $1,000 per policy year. Embrace states that an annual dental exam is not required for dental illness coverage. Routine dental care is handled separately through the optional Wellness Rewards program.

What to check: Find out whether dental is limited to injury or illness or also includes routine cleanings.

Prescription coverage

Prescription medications can be covered when they are prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for an eligible covered condition. Embrace also offers additional options related to prescription medications and prescription diet coverage depending on the policy and selected benefits.

What to check: Confirm whether prescription medication is covered by default or is optional.

Wellness

Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional wellness membership designed to reimburse eligible routine and preventative expenses. It can help cover expenses such as routine veterinary care, preventative services, training and grooming, depending on the selected annual allowance. Wellness Rewards is not insurance and is separate from Embrace’s accident and illness insurance coverage. It is not available in Rhode Island.

What to check: Compare the add-on’s price with what you would likely spend on routine care.

Claims process

Embrace uses a reimbursement model. Pet owners can visit any licensed veterinarian, clinic, specialist or emergency practice in the U.S. There are no provider networks. After paying the veterinarian, customers can upload their invoice through the Embrace app or website and track the claim. Embrace currently states that 90% or more of claims are paid within 10 business days, with approved reimbursement deposited directly into the policyholder’s bank account.

What to check: Ask how claims are submitted, how long reviews typically take, and whether direct payment to the vet is offered.

Pros and limitations

Who may consider Embrace

Pet owners who want customizable accident and illness coverage, multiple deductible and reimbursement options, dental illness coverage, and the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian without a provider network. It may also appeal to owners who want optional wellness benefits and exam-fee coverage. As with any pet insurance policy, review the policy documents available in your state before purchasing, because coverage, pricing, eligibility, waiting periods and available options can vary.