Healthy Paws pet insurance review 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 5:00 a.m. UTC May 6, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
Pros
- Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts for eligible expenses.
- Can pay the vet directly if requested in advance of treatment.
- Low monthly cost for cat insurance.
Cons
- No accident-only plan.
- No wellness plan available.
- No coverage for office visit exam fees, rechecks, consultations, office calls or emergency exam fees.
Why trust our pet insurance experts
Our team of pet insurance experts evaluates hundreds of pet insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4,000+ pet insurance rates reviewed.
- 500+ coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
About Healthy Paws pet insurance
Healthy Paws offers basic accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats. Although there isn’t coverage for routine and preventive wellness or exam fees, pet owners don’t have to worry about annual maximums if their furry companion needs costly medical treatment. Its alternative treatment coverage can also allow pet parents to take a more holistic approach to their pet’s ailments under their vet’s guidance.
There is a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illness and a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia in pets aged 5 and under, except for Maryland, which has no waiting period. Maine and New Hampshire have no waiting period for accidental illnesses, injuries or orthopedic conditions.
Healthy Paws pet insurance rates
To give you an idea of how much Healthy Paws pet insurance costs, we got sample rates for several dog breeds. These are average rates for unlimited annual coverage for 25 ZIP codes across the country.
| DOG BREED | MONTHLY COST |
|---|---|
Small mixed breed
| $35
|
Medium mixed breed
| $45
|
Large mixed breed
| $53
|
Beagle
| $51
|
Bulldog
| $88
|
Dachshund
| $50
|
French bulldog
| $83
|
German shepherd
| $63
|
Golden retriever
| $63
|
Labrador retriever
| $62
|
Poodle
| $55
|
Rottweiler
| $103
|
Source: Petinsurer.com. Rates are based on the average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs at ages 3 months and 3 years, with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
What Healthy Paws covers
After you meet your deductible, Healthy Paws will cover up to 90% of the following vet expenses, depending on the reimbursement percentage you choose:
- Accidents.
- Alternative treatment.
- Blood tests.
- Cancer.
- Chronic conditions.
- Congenital conditions.
- Diagnostic treatment.
- Emergency care.
- Hereditary conditions.
- Hospitalization.
- Illnesses.
- Prescription medications.
- Specialty care.
- Surgery.
- Ultrasounds.
- X-rays.
Understand what’s included: What pet insurance covers
What Healthy Paws doesn’t cover
Healthy Paws won’t cover the following:
- Behavior issues.
- Boarding.
- Elective procedures.
- Examinations fees.
- Pre-existing conditions.
- Preventive and routine care.
- Training.
Healthy Paws also has a bilateral exclusion on cruciate ligament injuries that are pre-existing. If your dog or cat injures a cruciate ligament before enrollment or during the waiting period, Healthy Paws also excludes the cruciate ligament on the other leg.
Decide if you need coverage: Is pet insurance worth it?
Healthy Paws vs. competitors
| PET INSURANCE COMPANY | OUR RATING | AVERAGE MONTHLY DOG INSURANCE | AVERAGE MONTHLY CAT INSURANCE | Learn More | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44 | $25 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $59 | $32 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $52 | $23 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $46 | $27 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $76 | $47 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
| $47 | $43 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | ||||||||
| ||||||||||
 Paw Protect | $77 | $47 | See Plans Via Comparecoverage.com | |||||||
|
Source: PetInsurer.com. Average monthly pet insurance cost assumes unlimited reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage for a dog insurance accident and illness plan. These average pet insurance company rates are based on dogs and cats of various ages, breeds and ZIP codes.
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, we analyzed 15 pet insurance companies using data provided by PetInsurer.com.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
- Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs with the highest level of coverage available, a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage.
- Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an annual reimbursement level of $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
- 24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
- Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored full points. Wellness plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
- Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
- Multipet discount: 5 points. Pet insurance companies that offer a discount for insuring more than one pet received full points.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, a pet insurance company scored in this category.
Healthy Paws pet insurance FAQs
Healthy Paws may increase pet insurance premiums for several reasons, one of which is age. Rates can also increase as veterinary care costs increase or due to breed, gender, and other factors, though individual claims submissions will not affect premiums.
Time for a new policy? How to compare pet insurance quotes
Yes, Healthy Paws does have an annual deductible. You can choose from a $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium, but the more you’ll pay toward your pet’s covered veterinary care before Healthy Paws starts paying.
According to its website, Healthy Paws processes most claims in about 2 days. You can submit a claim online or through the mobile app by taking a picture of the vet bill and submitting it for reimbursement. The claims process can take longer if Healthy Paws requires more information or documentation for approval.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
