[lizbeth]

I’m looking for some advice on choosing pet insurance for my 3-year-old Golden Retriever and my two 10-year-old cats. I’ve narrowed it down to Healthy Paws and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, but I’m having a hard time deciding which would be the better fit for my crew.

I like that Healthy Paws has unlimited payouts and doesn’t have a bunch of different plan options to sort through, but I’ve heard they don’t cover exam fees, and I know their hip dysplasia coverage has restrictions for older pets. My golden is still young, so that might not be a big deal now, but I want to make sure I’m thinking long-term.

On the other hand, ASPCA offers more plan customization with different payout limits, deductible options, and even a wellness add-on. I also noticed that ASPCA covers exam fees, which could be helpful since vet visits add up fast—especially for my senior cats. But I’ve seen some mixed reviews about claim processing times and customer service.

For those of you who have used either of these companies (especially for senior cats or large dogs prone to joint issues), how has your experience been?
* How long do claims take to process?
* Have you had any issues with denied claims or pre-existing conditions?
* If you have older pets, have you noticed big premium increases over time?

I’d love to hear your thoughts before I make a final decision. Thanks in advance!

[Kimberly Alt]

Hey! I’ve looked into both Healthy Paws and ASPCA, so hopefully, I can help a little.

Claims Processing: Healthy Paws is usually faster—a lot of people report getting reimbursed within a few days. ASPCA tends to take longer (sometimes a few weeks), and I’ve seen mixed reviews on their claim approvals.

Coverage & Exclusions: Healthy Paws has unlimited payouts, which is great for serious conditions (especially for a Golden, since they’re prone to joint issues and cancer). But like you said, they don’t cover exam fees. Also, if your Golden isn’t signed up before age 6, hip dysplasia isn’t covered at all. You can check out a more detailed breakdown of coverage between these two providers here: Healthy Paws vs ASPCA.

Senior Cat Coverage & Dental Care: ASPCA might be a better option for your older cats, since they cover exam fees and have a wellness add-on if you want preventive care. One thing to also consider is dental coverage—which is really important for cats, especially since 80% of cats over age 3 develop periodontal disease. Embrace and Fetch have some of the best dental coverage with the fewest exclusions, so it might be worth looking into those if you want stronger coverage for things like gum disease and tooth extractions. You can check out more details here:

• Best Pet Dental Insurance
• Best Cat Insurance
• Embrace vs Fetch Comparison

Premium Increases: You should expect premium increases from any insurer at renewal. Premiums increase as the cost of vet care increases and underwriters have updated agreements.

If you’re mainly worried about big unexpected vet bills, Healthy Paws might be the better fit for your Golden, since their unlimited payouts could save you in the long run. But if exam fees, wellness care, and flexibility matter more, ASPCA might work better, especially for your senior cats.

Since Goldens are prone to a lot of hereditary conditions, it might be worth looking at other insurers too—this article has a great breakdown of the best pet insurance options for Golden Retrievers: Best Pet Insurance for Golden Retrievers.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions or want to explore different insurers.

[walter_white_rules]

Hey Lizbeth, I have a young, large mixed breed who looks like she may have some Golden in her. So I’m concerned about future health problems too. I’ve been considering Healthy Paws as well for their unlimited payouts, but yes, a bummer that they don’t cover exam fees. Have you gotten quotes yet for your dog? I’m curious to see how they compare.

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