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Embrace and Trupanion have two of the longest-standing reputations and are among the best coverage in the pet insurance marketplace, easily placing them among the best pet insurance providers. Each has unique qualities that make it stand out from the others, as well as benefits that pet owners find appealing. With my thorough comparison, you’ll be able to select the insurance that best suits your needs.
  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | 4.5/5.0 | 3.8/5.0 |
| Our Ranking | Best Coverage | Best For Vet Direct Pay |
| Year Founded | 2003 | 2000 |
| Customer Support Options | Live Chat, Phone, Fax | Live Chat, Phone, Email, Fax |
| Underwriter | American Modern Property and Casualty Insurance Group | American Pet Insurance Company |
| A.M. Best Rating* | A+ | Unrated |
| Demotech Rating* | Unrated | A’ |
| Claim Processing Average | 5 Days | 2 Days |
| Can Reimburse Vets Directly |  | |
| Payout Limits | $5,000 to Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductibles | $100 to $1,000 | $0 to $1,000 |
| Reimbursement Rates | 70% to 90% | 50% to 100% |
| One-Time Fees | $25 | $35** |
| Accident Waiting Period | 2 Days | 5 Days |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 Days | 30 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period | 6 Months | 30 Days |
| Other Waiting Periods | IVDD, Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Patellar Luxation – 6 Months | |
| Enrollment Ages | 6 Weeks or Older | 0 to 14 Years |
| Preventative Plan | | |
 | |
**$25 in Washington; $0 in Maryland & Michigan.
Coverage Comparison
Accident and illness insurance policies from both Embrace and Trupanion are available in all 50 states. Plans cover examinations and medical care for newly discovered diseases and injuries. These insurance plans cover various services, including emergency care, hospitalization and surgery, specialized examinations and specialty care, blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, cancer, chronic illnesses, congenital disorders, hereditary conditions, non-routine dental care, and more. Neither provider covers pre-existing conditions, breeding, pregnancy, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures (like tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal).
Many ailments, including cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, tears in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), chronic illnesses, hereditary illnesses, and congenital diseases, are covered under the base pet insurance policies of both companies. However, if symptoms existed before enrollment or during the insurer’s waiting periods, the condition is not covered and will not be included in the policy.
Trupanion caps enrollment for pets at 14 years old. Meanwhile, Embrace allows enrollment for their accident only policy for pets enrolled after their 15th birthday.
Embrace has a 2-day waiting period for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for CCL injuries, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, and patellar luxation. When using Trupanion, there is a 5-day waiting period for accidents and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.
Two riders (add-ons) are available for Trupanion and Embrace at an extra price. Embrace’s riders are for exam fees and prescription drugs. Trupanion offers no coverage for vet exam fees, and prescription medications are included in their base plan at no extra charge.
The first rider for Trupanion is $4.95 per month for the Pet Owner Assistance package, which includes boarding expenses in case you end up in the hospital, liability coverage for damage to third parties’ property, cancellation costs for holidays due to pet-related emergencies, cremation or burial for accidental pet deaths, and reward and advertising for lost pets. Embrace offers no comparable coverage to this rider. The second rider for Trupanion is Recovery & Complementary Care, which, in addition to the accident and illness plan, can range from a few dollars to $30. Acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, physical and rehabilitative therapy, behavioral modification, and naturopathy are all covered. This is covered under Embrace’s base plan.
Base pet insurance policies from Embrace and Trupanion cover non-routine dental treatment, tooth extractions, and trauma to the teeth, face, and jaw. The two differ in dental coverage for gum (periodontal) disease and endodontic disease because Embrace covers all teeth. Meanwhile, Trupanion covers canines and carnassials for gum disease and endodontic disease. Each company covers developmental abnormalities with its own terms; Embrace covers them as long as they aren’t pre-existing, and Trupanion covers pets enrolled before they are six months old.
Embrace will cover curable pre-existing conditions as long as the pet is symptom- and treatment-free for one year or more. Meanwhile, Trupanion states that it covers curable pre-existing conditions that show no symptoms or indicators within the 18 months before enrollment.
Many pet insurance providers do not cover conditions or diseases that affect both sides of the body (referred to as bilateral conditions) if the pet has a pre-existing diagnosis for one side. For example, if a dog tears their CCL on the right side before the policy starts, most insurers won’t cover CCL injuries on the left side. This can be tough for pet owners because CCL surgery can cost $1,200 to $8,000. It’s crucial to understand your policy. Trupanion is one of the few insurers that does not have these exclusions in its policies.
Wellness coverage is available as an add-on to Embrace’s insurance policy. These Wellness Reward plans can cover routine veterinarian visits, spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and other related expenses. By signing up for Embrace’s Wellness Rewards, preventive care is covered and eligible for reimbursement by Embrace. Trupanion does not offer a separate wellness program.
| Coverage | | |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy* | Base Plan | Base Plan & Add-On |
| Alternative Therapy* | Base Plan | Base Plan & Add-On |
| Wellness Care For An Extra Fee | Add-On |  |
| Exam Fees | Add-On | |
| Prescription Medications | Add-On | Base Plan |
| Hip Dysplasia | After 6 Months | After 30 Days |
| Non-Routine Dental Treatment | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Trauma To Teeth, Face, & Jaw | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Gum (Periodontal) Disease | Base Plan | Canines & Carnassials |
| Tooth Extractions | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Endodontic Disease | Base Plan | Canines & Carnassials |
| Developmental Abnormalities | If Not Pre-Existing | If Enrolled By 6 Months Old |
| Pre-Existing Bilateral Conditions | | Base Plan |
Premiums & Pricing
Insurance companies determine premiums based on your pet’s age, breed, location, and the coverage level you select for your plan. In the hundreds of quotes I obtained, Trupanion was more expensive than Embrace. All of Trupanion’s plans have unlimited annual limits. Meanwhile, Embrace provides a range of annual payout amounts, reimbursement rates, and deductible choices.
Embrace has an annual deductible, while Trupanion has a lifetime and per-condition deductible. An annual deductible can be beneficial if your pet becomes ill or is involved in multiple accidents within the policy period (a year), as you will only be required to pay the deductible once. However, Trupanion’s per-condition deductible can benefit pets diagnosed with chronic illnesses, like allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, UTIs, etc., because you only have to pay the deductible once.
To help you fit the premium into your budget, Embrace offers $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, and unlimited annual payouts. On the other hand, there is no maximum reimbursement limit with any Trupanion policy, so you won’t have to worry about not being reimbursed for having too many vet bills.
Embrace charges a $1 transaction fee and a $25 enrollment fee. You can avoid Embrace’s transaction fees by making an annual payment rather than a monthly one. In comparison, Trupanion has no transaction fees and charges a $35 one-time administration fee ($25 in Washington and $0 in Maryland and Michigan).
The monthly premiums for Embrace and Trupanion are displayed in the table below based on sample quotes. The different payouts, deductibles, and reimbursement rates are indicated in the table’s footnotes. By providing several examples for each pet from each provider, I demonstrated how pricing can vary depending on plan coverage selection.
| Pet Details | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | $150.11* | $193.76* | $92.57** | $112.39** |
| Labrador Retriever | $65.73* | $114.58* | $40.54** | $218.23# |
| Golden Retriever | $52.59* | $286.93‡ | $42.07† | $154.94# |
| Ragdoll Cat | $27.17* | $41.93* | $19.29** | $26.70** |
*90% reimbursement and $500 deductible; **90% reimbursement and $1,000 deductible; †70% reimbursement and $500 deductible; ‡90% reimbursement and $0 deductible; #70% reimbursement and $0 deductible;
To compare the costs of pet insurance, it is always best to obtain quotes for your particular dog. You can get fast quotes from several companies by using our pet insurance quote form below.
Discounts
Pet insurance providers sometimes offer discounts to pet owners who insure more than one pet, bundle other insurance policies, are military or veterans, work as a veterinarian, work at an animal shelter, pay yearly, and more. Embrace offers 10% off for multiple pets (5% in NY), 5% off for military and veterans (NY and TN excluded), 10% off if your company or clinic offers Embrace as an employee benefit (FL, ND, NY, and TN excluded), 5% off in NY if you pay annually, and up to 25% off for eligible USAA customers. Additionally, each year you don’t receive a claim payment, your deductible automatically goes down by $50. Trupanion does not offer discounts to pet owners.
Customer Service & Reputation
It is easy to overlook customer service and reputation when presented with an attractive policy quote, but these are two of the most important considerations. Though I genuinely hope you never have to, I want you and your pet to have the simplest and least stressful experience possible when making a claim.
When you call a company and never get your questions answered or problems resolved, it feels like you wasted your money, no matter how much you spend. Both companies offer a range of support avenues, including phone, fax, and live chat. Trupanion provides email as well. If your plan doesn’t work out, you can cancel and get your money back within 30 days, thanks to both insurers’ money-back guarantees.
I read hundreds of Yelp, Trustpilot, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer reviews for Embrace and Trupanion. Overall, both companies had similar customer ratings. The main differences were that Embrace had a higher customer rating on the BBB, and Trupanion had a larger number of reviews overall. Both insurers are active online, responding to customers and resolving outstanding issues.
I noticed two themes for Embrace’s complaints. The first was that people had long wait times over the phone to speak with customer service. The second was about Embrace marking claims as pre-existing when policyholders feel it’s unwarranted.
The most common complaints I saw regarding Trupanion were high premium increases, avoiding claim coverage, and splitting a claim into two conditions (resulting in two deductibles). Pet owners bemoan that Trupanion hikes premiums at renewal, and they cannot change insurance companies because of pre-existing conditions.
Claim Processing
The length of time it takes an insurer to pay out claims may affect the choices made by certain pet owners. Some people can’t wait several weeks to receive their money, while others don’t mind waiting a bit longer. Trupanion has one of the fastest average claim reimbursement times, with the majority of their claims paid out in less than two days. Regarding Embrace claims, the processing time is currently about five days, which is still among the quickest in the industry.
The only insurance that can pay its portion of your veterinary bill directly to your veterinarian’s office at the time of checkout, saving you the headache of having to wait for payment, is Trupanion. If this feature interests you, you can talk to your veterinarian’s office about getting access to Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay software. The computer(s) in the veterinarian’s office must have the software installed. A comparable feature is not available to Embrace policyholders.
Plan Coverage Options
The annual payout, annual deductible, and reimbursement rate are all customizable with Embrace. Options for deductions start at $100 and go up to $1,000. You have the option of an annual $5,000 limit up to unlimited. Regarding reimbursement rates, Embrace provides the customary choices of 70%, 80%, and 90%.
Trupanion offers plans with a per-condition deductible that have an unlimited payout limit. The reimbursement options start at 50% and go up to 100%, with deductible options ranging from $0 to $1,000. Depending on the state in which you live, there are different options. Trupanion is one of the few providers that offers options with no deductible and 100% reimbursement.
Additionally, Embrace provides an accident-only pet insurance plan that covers situations involving unexpected physical harm. Embrace’s accident insurance provides coverage for various injuries, including poisoning, broken bones, and foreign body ingestion. Only pets enrolled in Embrace after 15 years of age are eligible for this plan.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Payout Options | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductible Options | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $0-$1,000 (in $5 increments) |
| Reimbursement Options | 70%, 80%, 90% | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% |
| Optional Wellness Plan |  | |
| Accident-Only Plan | (For pets enrolled after 15) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we get asked about Embrace and Trupanion. If you don’t see your question, reach out in the comments.
Why do vets recommend Trupanion?
More than $2 billion in veterinary expenses have been covered by Trupanion since 2000. Veterinarians recommend Trupanion for a variety of reasons. Some say it’s because Trupanion has been a stable provider in the pet insurance business for more than 20 years. Some say it’s because more than 2,300 veterinary hospitals and more than 10,000 veterinarians use Trupanion’s Vet Direct Pay to pay veterinary hospitals directly.
Who is Embrace Pet Insurance owned by?
NSM Insurance Group acquired Embrace in 2019.
Which Is Better For Your Pet?
Embrace and Trupanion offer some of the best dental coverage in pet insurance; the only distinction is for gum disease and endodontic disease Embrace covers all teeth, while Trupanion covers canine and carnassials. Another big perk is once all conditions are met, both providers cover treatable pre-existing conditions.
Embrace offers more plan customization options, including a wellness plan and many ways to adjust your plan’s coverage to fit your budget. It also offers coverage for pets older than 14, unlike Trupanion, which stops offering enrollment beyond 14. On average, Embrace’s premiums are much lower than Trupanion’s, and many discounts are offered.
You can get your vet bill paid by Trupanion directly, saving you the trouble of getting reimbursement. Its two-day claim processing average is among the fastest in the industry, even without that feature. Furthermore, pre-existing bilateral conditions for undiagnosed sides of the body are covered by Trupanion. Embrace does not provide this coverage. Finally, unlike Embrace, Trupanion does not have lengthy waiting periods for orthopedic conditions.
Overall, the pet insurance coverage offered by Embrace and Trupanion is comparable. If you are worried about chronic conditions, you might be interested in Trupanion’s per-condition deductible. On the other hand, Embrace might offer a more cost-effective option for you.
I’ve dug even further into my individual reviews of Embrace and Trupanion to aid you in your comparison. You can also read my evaluations of the top pet insurance, which include my best recommendations and essential details about well-known pet insurance companies.
Methodology
We review each U.S. pet insurance company to provide an unbiased breakdown of providers’ performance in real claim situations. We use a 100-point scale for each pet insurance company to rank them. Our in-depth research includes:
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We scrutinize every policy from top to bottom and read all the fine print, carefully noting each exclusion. We factor in any age restrictions, required add-ons for basic coverage, and whether a company is available nationwide. Insurers with fewer exclusions receive more points in this category than those with less coverage.
- Pricing (15%) – We evaluate pricing by running thousands of sample quotes for dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, locations, and ages. We analyze which companies charge extra fees and discounts and consider which companies nick and dime pet owners with add-on coverage. Providers with the lowest premiums, fewest extra fees, most discounts, and fewer add-ons receive more points in this category.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We assess hundreds of customer reviews, scope out the sign-up process, speak with representatives, and factor in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace to determine the points in this category. Companies with an easy sign-up process, highly rated mobile apps, multiple ways to reach customer service, positive consumer feedback, and a seamless claim filing process score high in this category.
- Financial Strength (10%) – Insurance is only beneficial if you can count on reimbursed claims. Companies with at least five years of nationwide experience and high A.M. Best and Demotech ratings receive high remarks in this category.
- Customization Options (10%) – We consider customizations available to adjust your coverage to fit your budget. Companies with fewer restrictions based on breed, age, location, etc., multiple plan options, and more reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits earn the highest scores.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Providers with the shortest illness and accident waiting periods and fewer additional waiting periods for other conditions merit high remarks.
- Claim Processing (5%) – We share our firsthand experience submitting claims with companies and examine how long it takes to be reimbursed. Insurers with a vet direct pay option and short claim processing averages earn the most points.
- Innovation (3%) – We meet with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings. Providers offering unique, comprehensive coverage and utilizing advanced technology receive more points.
Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also highlight each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to writer for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources. Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing insurance policies legally. Kimberly has spent over 100 hours researching Embrace and Trupanion, reading every line in their policies, speaking with their operation teams, and gathering quotes to bring you the most accurate information.
