Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5
Embrace Pet Insurance stands out for two features no other major provider offers: the Healthy Pet Deductible (your annual deductible drops $50 for every year you don't file a claim, up to $0) and Wellness Rewards (a flexible annual pool for routine care). Combined with a 5% military/first responder discount and stackable multi-pet savings, Embrace is consistently one of the most rewarding policies for healthy pets over time.
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage breadth | 4/5 | Covers hereditary, dental illness, alternative therapy, behavioral therapy |
| Price / value | 4/5 | Mid-range pricing; Healthy Pet Deductible adds long-term value |
| Plan flexibility | 5/5 | Widest deductible range; flexible Wellness Rewards pool |
| Claims experience | 4/5 | Typically 5–15 business days; MyEmbrace app available |
| Wellness add-ons | 5/5 | Best flexible wellness pool in the market ($250–$650/yr) |
Best for: Healthy pets, military households, owners who want the best wellness add-on, multi-pet households.
Not ideal for: Pets with high orthopedic risk needing immediate ortho coverage (6-month waiting period unless waived); budget buyers wanting the lowest starting premium.
Embrace Pet Insurance Plans and Pricing
| Setting | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual deductible | $200, $300, $400, $500, $750, $1,000 | Widest deductible range of any major provider |
| Reimbursement rate | 70%, 80%, 90% | — |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000, Unlimited | — |
| Waiting period (accident) | 2 days | — |
| Waiting period (illness) | 14 days | — |
| Waiting period (orthopedic) | 6 months | Waivable with vet wellness exam at enrollment |
Sample monthly premiums (2-year-old, mixed breed, mid-size U.S. city, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $10,000 limit):
- Cat: ~$22/month
- Dog (medium): ~$38/month
- French Bulldog (2-year-old): ~$65–$85/month
The Healthy Pet Deductible: How It Works
Embrace's signature feature: every year you complete without filing a claim, your annual deductible automatically decreases by $50 — down to a minimum of $0.
Example: You enroll with a $500 deductible.
- Year 1 (no claim): deductible drops to $450
- Year 2 (no claim): deductible drops to $400
- Year 5 (no claim): deductible drops to $250
- Year 10 (no claim): deductible reaches $0
If you file a claim in any year, the deductible resets to your original enrolled amount. This incentivizes using the policy only for significant claims and rewards long-term healthy pets.
Wellness Rewards: The Most Flexible Routine Care Benefit
Embrace Wellness Rewards is a flexible annual pool — unlike itemized benefit schedules at other providers, you can apply the entire pool to any covered wellness expense.
| Tier | Monthly Cost | Annual Pool | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $9.95/mo | $250/yr | Any wellness: exams, vaccines, dental cleaning, flea/tick, spay/neuter |
| Standard | $14.95/mo | $400/yr | Same as Basic |
| Plus | $21.95/mo | $550/yr | Same as Basic |
| Premium | $26/mo | $650/yr | Same as Basic |
The flexible pool means you can put $300 toward a dental cleaning and $200 toward vaccines in the same year — no category restrictions. This is the most flexible wellness benefit available from any major U.S. provider.
What Embrace Covers
- Accidents and injuries
- Illnesses, infections, urinary disease
- Hereditary and congenital conditions (after 6-month ortho waiting period, waivable)
- Cancer — full coverage including chemo, radiation, surgery
- Dental illness (tooth fractures, resorption, stomatitis)
- Behavioral therapy (for diagnosed anxiety/behavioral conditions)
- Alternative therapy: acupuncture, chiropractic, hydrotherapy (when prescribed)
- Prescription medications for covered conditions
- Prosthetics and orthopedic devices
Embrace Discounts
- Military/veteran/first responder: ~5% discount
- Multi-pet: 5% per additional pet
- Annual payment: ~5% vs. monthly billing
- USAA members: Embrace is USAA's recommended pet insurance provider (~5% discount)
Orthopedic Waiting Period: The Key Caveat
Embrace's 6-month orthopedic waiting period is longer than Spot, Pumpkin, or Pets Best (all 14 days). However, it can be waived to 14 days by completing a vet wellness exam before or at enrollment. If you have a large breed dog (Lab, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler) at elevated CCL or hip risk, request the orthopedic waiver at enrollment.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Healthy Pet Deductible — unique, reduces cost over time | 6-month orthopedic waiting period (waivable) |
| Best flexible wellness pool ($250–$650/yr, any wellness item) | Higher starting price than Lemonade or Spot |
| Military/first responder discount (stackable) | Claims processing 5–15 business days (not instant) |
| Covers behavioral therapy and alternative therapies | Wellness Rewards not available in all states |
| Widest deductible range ($200–$1,000) | No direct vet payment option |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Embrace pet insurance worth it?
Yes — especially for healthy pets and military households. The Healthy Pet Deductible is a unique feature that reduces your out-of-pocket cost each year without claims, and the Wellness Rewards flexible pool is the best routine care benefit in the market. For a pet that goes 5+ years without a major claim, Embrace's effective cost drops significantly below competitors as the deductible approaches zero.
How much does Embrace pet insurance cost?
Embrace starts at approximately $22/month for cats and $38/month for dogs with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, and $10,000 annual limit. This is mid-range — more expensive than Lemonade or Spot, less expensive than Fetch or Trupanion. The military discount and multi-pet discount can reduce premiums by 5–10%.
Does Embrace cover pre-existing conditions?
No — like all U.S. pet insurers, Embrace excludes pre-existing conditions. However, Embrace applies a 12-month "curable condition" waiting period: if your pet had a curable condition (e.g., UTI, ear infection) that has been symptom-free for 12 months before enrollment, it may be covered. Incurable conditions remain excluded permanently.
What is the Embrace pet insurance waiting period?
2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions. The 6-month orthopedic waiting period can be reduced to 14 days by completing a vet wellness exam at enrollment. USAA members through Embrace have the same waiting periods.