Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Reviews: Customer Service, Coverage, Waiting Period, Quote, Cancel Policy & More
Healthy Paws stands out with no lifetime cap on any of its policies, ensuring you’ll never have to worry about reaching a coverage limit. Once your deductible is met, you can rely on prompt reimbursement for any covered expenses—half of claims are processed within just two days, making it one of the fastest in the industry. But does Healthy Paws cover the specific conditions you care most about?
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
Summary
Healthy Paws offers some of the lowest pricing for plans with unlimited payouts. It also has some of the most responsive customer support in the industry.
Overall Score
Pros
- Unlimited lifetime coverage, so no annual or per-incident limits on payouts
- 50% of claims are processed within 2 days (direct deposit or check reimbursement)
- Good CCL (ACL) coverage
- Your pet is covered when they travel with you in the U.S. or Canada (up to 3 months)
- High customer satisfaction
- Great email response time
Cons
- Veterinary exam fee and behavioral therapies are not covered
- 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia
- Pets enrolled after age 6 aren’t eligible for hip dysplasia coverage (MD doesn’t have this age limitation)
- 15-day waiting period for accidents is longer than the competition
- Plans aren’t as customizable as competitors (can’t select a lower annual payout limit than unlimited to reduce your monthly premium)
- Doesn’t cover curable pre-existing conditions
- Pets older than 8 years old are restricted to specific limits
What Does Healthy Paws Cover?
Healthy Paws’ accident and illness plans include coverage for a wide range of conditions, treatments, and diagnostics similar to those offered by other insurers, along with a few distinctive benefits. Medically necessary treatments are eligible for reimbursement as long as the condition isn’t pre-existing, excluded, or falls within the waiting period. Covered accidents and illnesses include but are not limited to:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Cruciate ligament tears
- Cuts
- Dental malocclusion
- Dental trauma
- Dentigerous cysts
- Diabetes
- Ear infections
- Euthanasia
- Foreign body ingestion
- Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea)
- Hereditary conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Poisoning
- Root canals
- Stomatitis
- Urinary tract infection
Diagnostics & Treatment
Examples of covered diagnostics and treatment include:
- Alternative care (acupuncture, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, laser therapy, and massage)
- Blood tests
- CT scans
- Emergency care
- MRIs
- Prescription medications
- Surgery & hospitalization
- Specialty care
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
Healthy Paws Insurance Exclusions
Below is a list of the major conditions and services Healthy Paws excludes in insurance policies:
- Behavioral modification (e.g., training, therapy, medications)
- Bilateral conditions (a condition or disease that affects both sides of the body) if your pet had any pre-existing conditions on either side of the body
- Boarding
- Breeding and related conditions (e.g., whelping and queening)
- Conditions arising from repeated activity that occurred prior to the effective date
- Dental hygiene (e.g., brushing, veterinary dental cleanings, and extractions and reconstructions necessitated by dental disease)
- Diseases preventable by vaccines and prophylactic medications (e.g., heartworm, lice, internal parasites, and fleas)
- Elective or cosmetic procedures (e.g., tail docking, ear cropping, de-clawing, micro-chipping, dew claw removal, and ear cleaning)
- Feeding, housing, exercise
- Grooming (e.g., nail trimming, shampoo, bathing, etc.)
- Periodontal disease
- Pre-existing conditions
- Retention of deciduous teeth
- Routine care
- Special diets, foods, vitamins
- Vet exam fees
How Is Healthy Paws’ Pricing Determined?
Healthy Paws has no one time fees or transaction fees. Your monthly premium is based on the reimbursement and deductible options that you choose from the table below.
| Deductible Options | Reimbursement Options |
|---|---|
| $100 $250 $500 $750 $1,000 | 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% |
Healthy Paws adjusts plan options based on factors such as breed, age, and location. For instance, the company sets the following limitations:
- Reimbursement rates above 70% are not available for many common breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
- Dogs over the age of 5 are limited to a maximum reimbursement rate of 70%.
- Pets over the age of 6 cannot have a deductible lower than $750.
- Pets 10 years and older are restricted to a 50% reimbursement rate and a $1,000 deductible.
- Reimbursement rates above 80% are unavailable for pets in California and several other states.
- Pets older than 4 years old aren’t eligible for new enrollment in New York.
As a result, the Healthy Paws pet insurance plan options available to you may differ from those listed in the table above.
Pricing is also based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). I recommend obtaining quotes from Healthy Paws for your specific pet to get an idea of how much a policy would cost you.
You can also use our pet insurance quote form below to see how top providers compare for your actual pet.
How Much Is Healthy Paws Pet Insurance?
The table below shows Healthy Paws premiums for 25 sample pets, including Bulldogs, Yorkies, Doxies, and Ragdolls. Some of these pets had no customization options and were restricted to fixed reimbursements and deductibles, as mentioned earlier. I’ve italicized those cases for clarity. Unless stated otherwise, all plans include a $500 deductible.
| French Bulldog | Yorkshire Terrier | English Bulldog | Dachshund | Ragdoll Cat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Month Old in California | $81.79* | $32.68‡ | $114.20* | $52.27‡ | $23.23‡ |
| 1 Year Old in New York | $58.04* | $22.79‡ | $75.54* | $31.92* | $15.83‡ |
| 2 Year Old in Florida | $89.13** | $40.89** | $62.42** | $38.46* | $24.15** |
| 5 Year Old in Texas | $129.27* | $33.18‡ | $132.09* | $40.76* | $40.58‡ |
| 8 Year Old in New Jersey | $131.23† | $43.39† | $188.50† | $64.65† | $31.89† |
*70% reimbursement, **90% reimbursement, †50% reimbursement and $1,000 deductible, ‡80% reimbursement
How Did My Healthy Paws Quote Compare Against Other Pet Insurers?
Here are the quotes I obtained from ten different pet insurance companies for my 10-year-old Coonhound mix. Healthy Paws offered a fixed plan option for my dog with a $1,000 deductible and 50% reimbursement.
| Company | Deductible | Reimbursement | Payout Limit | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $70.22 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $100.78 |
 | $1,000 | 50% | Unlimited | $163.62 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $104.86 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $59.68 |
 | – | – | – | Uninsurable |
 | $500 | 90% | Unlimited | $190.50 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $76.49 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $70.27 |
 | $500 | 80% | $5,000 | $40.84 (Accident Only) |
My dog was too old for Nationwide’s illness coverage.
Does Healthy Paws Have Discounts?
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price and get a quote for your pet from Healthy Paws.
Customer Service Options & Hours
The support staff at Healthy Paws is available by phone, fax, and email. Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST on Saturday. Healthy Paws’ customer service is closed on Sundays. The company’s website also features a comprehensive FAQ section.
- Email: [email protected]
- Call: 855-898-8991
- Fax: 888-228-4129
What Do Customers Think Of Healthy Paws?
I searched the internet for reviews of Healthy Paws, and this is what people have to say.
Praise From Pet Owners
Policyholders have highlighted several positive aspects of Healthy Paws. The company has a strong track record of paying claims and offers a straightforward claims process. Many customers appreciate the comprehensive coverage provided by their pet insurance policies and frequently praise the friendly and knowledgeable customer service team.
Policyholder Complaints
Over time, some policyholders have reported changes in their experience with Healthy Paws. Many noted a decrease in responsiveness compared to earlier interactions and observed that the company no longer inquired about their pet’s health after processing claims. Additionally, some policyholders have expressed frustration with claim denials and significant premium increases, particularly following the company’s acquisition by Chubb.
How Do I Submit A Claim To Healthy Paws?
Healthy Paws requires an enrollment exam for all pets:
- Dogs younger than 6 years old must have visited the vet in the last 12 months or go within 15 days of policy issuance
- Dogs older than 6 years old must have been to the vet in the last 30 days or go within 15 days of policy issuance
When you need to file a claim, you can do so through the mobile app or through email ([email protected]). Healthy Paws will need a copy of your vet’s itemized invoice.
Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the service date. Healthy Paws processes most claims in 2-15 days, with about half done in two days. Reimbursement can be made via direct deposit or check.
With approval from Healthy Paws and the clinic, on a claim-by-claim basis, Healthy Paws ;may be able to pay your clinic directly. This means you don’t have to pay a hefty vet bill in advance and wait for reimbursement (check with your vet — not available everywhere).
How Does The Reimbursement Process Work?
Healthy Paws uses a “copay then deductible” reimbursement method. This is calculated in the following way:
- (Eligible vet expenses x Reimbursement percentage) – Remaining annual deductible = Reimbursement amount
Reimbursement Story
- Dog: Darby, Labrador Retriever mix
- Diagnosis: Cancerous tumor
Darby, a 7-year-old retriever mix, developed a lump on her side. Further inspection revealed a tumor needed to be removed, based on the location and type. After removal, a biopsy confirmed it was cancerous. However, Darby didn’t require any follow-up chemo or radiation treatments because it was caught early and the cancerous tissue was removed.
Darby’s recovery went smoothly. She rested for a couple of weeks while a large wound on her side healed up. Now her fur has fully grown back, and she is as good as new. She is expected to live a completely normal life.
- Treatment Cost: $3,181
- Healthy Paws Reimbursed: $2,737
- Final Cost For Pet Parent: $444 ($250 deductible, 10% copay)
- $3,181 (actual vet bill amount) – $250 (remaining annual deductible) – $194 (copay) = $2,737 (reimbursement amount
What Are The Most Common Claims Submitted To Healthy Paws?
- Stomach issues (e.g., vomiting, diarrhea) – as high as $29,086 for some families
- Skin conditions – as high as $4,138 for some families
- Pain – as high as $11,425 for some families
Who Is The Underwriter For Healthy Paws?
Chubb is Healthy Paws’ underwriter, which has an A++ rating from A.M. Best. Chubb policies are administered by one of these branches:
- ACE American Insurance Company
- Westchester Fire Insurance Company
- Indemnity Insurance Company of North America
- ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company
- Atlantic Employers Insurance Company
What Are The Waiting Periods For Healthy Paws*?
Insurance companies implement waiting periods to identify any pre-existing conditions a pet may have before coverage begins. Providing false health information about a pet during enrollment is considered insurance fraud, which is a felony in most U.S. states.
Pet insurance plans generally include waiting periods for both illnesses and accidents. Healthy Paws, for example, enforces a 15-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses.
For more serious medical issues, such as cruciate ligament tears, hip dysplasia, or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), some insurers require extended waiting periods. At Healthy Paws, hip dysplasia is among the orthopedic conditions subject to a 12-month waiting period.
Both New Hampshire and Maryland remove the 15-day waiting period and the 12-month hip dysplasia waiting period.
*States are gradually adopting a Model Law for pet insurance, aiming to standardize regulations, including uniform waiting periods. In California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Washington, Rhode Island, and Maryland, waiting periods are:
- Accidents: 0 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions: 30 days
- Routine Care: 0 days
How To Sign Up With Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws has a simple sign-up process. Go to Healthy Paws’ website, fill in your pet’s name, and select dog or cat and boy or girl. Then click “See My Rates.”
Next, fill in your pet’s information.
On the next screen, you’ll see options to customize your plan. Adjust the coverage levels to fit your needs and budget.
Once you’ve personalized your plan, you’ll be prompted to provide additional details, including your address, email, and phone number. You can also add a secondary pet parent to the policy, giving them access to review and modify any policies within your account.
Finally, submit your payment information, and just like that, your pet is insured!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Healthy Paws pet insurance from our readers.
What Is The Annual Deductible For Healthy Paws?
Healthy Paws’ has annual deductible choices that range from $100 to $1,000. Not all options may be available to you based on your dog’s age, breed, and location.
Does Healthy Paws Insurance Go Up With Age?
Yes, Healthy Paws increases premiums as your pet ages and the cost of vet care increases.
Does Healthy Paws Have A Lifetime Limit?
Healthy Paws plans have no maximum limits on payouts, whether they’re per incident, annually, or for the lifetime of the pet.
Does Healthy Paws Cover Dental?
Healthy Paws covers non-routine dental treatments and tooth extractions due to accidents. It also covers trauma to the teeth, face, and jaw.
Does Healthy Paws Cover Ear Infections?
Ear infections are eligible for coverage as long as the condition is not pre-existing and the pet has not shown symptoms during the 15-day waiting period.
Can You Cancel Healthy Paws Insurance?
You may cancel your Healthy Paws policy via regular mail to the address below, fax to 888-228-4129, email to [email protected], or via phone by calling 855-898-8991.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
P.O. Box 50034
Bellevue, WA 98015
If you’d like a replacement for your Healthy Paws insurance policy, take a look at our pet insurance reviews to see which pet insurance companies we recommend.
Who Owns Healthy Paws?
Healthy Paws began as Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation back in 2009 and was co-founded by Steve Siadek and Rob Jackson (check out our exclusive interview with Rob). They met through a local, no-kill animal shelter. Steve had left a corporate career to pursue his pet passion and become the shelter’s executive director. Rob, an insurance executive, adopted his dogs from the shelter and kept coming back to foster more. In 2024, Chubb, an underwriting company, acquired Healthy Paws.
Does Healthy Paws Offer Wellness Plans?
No, Healthy Paws does not offer optional wellness plans.
Healthy Paws vs Other Companies
Interested in seeing how Healthy Paws stacks up against other popular pet insurance companies? We’ve written many comparison articles for you to see how Healthy Paws and other leading pet insurance companies compare in coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, plan customization, and price.
- Healthy Paws vs ASPCA
- Healthy Paws vs Embrace
- Healthy Paws vs Fetch
- Healthy Paws vs Figo
- Healthy Paws vs Lemonade
- Healthy Paws vs Nationwide
- Healthy Paws vs Pets Best
- Healthy Paws vs Pumpkin
- Healthy Paws vs Trupanion
| Pets Best | Lemonade | ASPCA | Nationwide | Figo | Embrace | Fetch | Healthy Paws | Trupanion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapies |  | Extra Fee | | | | | | | |
| Complementary Care* | Extra Fee | Extra Fee | | | | | | | Extra Fee |
| Vet Exam Fees | Extra Fee | Extra Fee | | | Extra Fee | Extra Fee | | ||
| Gum Disease | | Extra Fee | | | | Canines & Carnassials Only | |||
| Tooth Extractions | | Due To Accident | | | Due To Accident | | Due To Accident | | |
| Average Claim Processing | 10 Days | 2 Days | 15-30 Days | 10-14 Days | 3 Days | 5 Days | 15 Days | 2-15 Days | 2 Days |
| Wellness Plans | | | | | | | | ||
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 15 Days | 15 Days | 30 Days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 3 Days | 2 Days | 14 Days | 14 Days | 1 Day | 2 Days | 15 Days | 15 Days | 5 Days |
| Maximum Enrollment Age | Depends On Breed† | 10 Years For Illness | 14 Years For Illness | 14 Years** | 14 Years |
†Lemonade Plan Restrictions: Some breeds have specific age limitations for enrollment.
**Healthy Paws Plan Restrictions: In NY, enrollment must occur before the pet is 4 years old.
Is Healthy Paws Good?
I recommend Healthy Paws for its unlimited annual coverage, which are frequently among the most affordable options available when compared to other insurers offering similar coverage. Additionally, Healthy Paws has a strong reputation for providing excellent customer service.
For a comprehensive look at how Healthy Paws compares to other pet insurance carriers, be sure to check out my detailed comparison of the best pet insurance companies. I rank each company and highlight their strengths and weaknesses, along with helpful comparison tables to clearly illustrate the differences between them.
Methodology
My team and I conduct extensive research on the most reputable pet insurance companies, analyzing customer feedback, policy changes, and industry trends. Our licensed insurance agent fact-checks everything, and we update our reviews year-round as insurers adjust premiums, coverage, exclusions, and customer service.
We rank each U.S. pet insurance provider using a 100-point scale, ensuring an unbiased breakdown of how companies perform in real-world claims.
Our Ranking Criteria
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding companies with fewer coverage limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run thousands of sample quotes and factor in extra fees, discounts, and add-ons.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We review hundreds of customer experiences, assess the sign-up process, and evaluate claim support.
- Financial Strength (10%) – We examine A.M. Best & Demotech ratings to ensure companies can pay claims reliably.
- Customization Options (10%) – Providers with more deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank higher.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Shorter illness & accident waiting periods result in a better score.
- Claim Processing (5%) – Companies offering fast reimbursements and direct vet pay score higher.
- Innovation (3%) – We recognize unique offerings and advanced technology in the industry.
Unbiased Pet Insurance Rankings: Putting Pets First
Unlike many review sites, we don’t sell rankings—every provider earns its spot based on real performance. Our in-depth comparisons help pet parents make informed decisions, while insurers use our reviews to improve their policies. We only recommend the best because that’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 author 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 policies that are accurately represented.
