At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
Performance Overview
Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis
About Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet Insurance, founded in 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio, has built a solid name by combining accident and illness coverage with one of the most generous wellness add-on programs in pet insurance. The company covers over 400,000 pets and has paid more than $500 million in claims since inception. Embrace policies are underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, an AM Best A+ rated subsidiary of Munich Re, which provides substantial financial backing and claims-paying ability. What distinguishes Embrace from the crowded pet insurance field is its focus on cost optimization through customization — policyholders can fine-tune deductibles ($200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000), reimbursement percentages (70%, 80%, or 90%), and annual coverage limits ($5,000 to $30,000) to build a plan that matches both their budget and their pet's risk profile. Embrace's signature feature is its diminishing deductible, branded as the Healthy Pet Deductible. Each year that you do not file a claim, your annual deductible decreases by $50. Start with a $500 deductible, go claim-free for 4 years, and your deductible drops to $300. After 10 claim-free years, it reaches $0. This is unique in the industry — no other major pet insurer offers a deductible that automatically decreases over time. The financial implication is significant: for pet owners who use insurance primarily as catastrophic protection (keeping their pet healthy through preventive care while insuring against major accidents or illnesses), the diminishing deductible means that when you finally do need to file a large claim, your out-of-pocket is dramatically lower than where you started. However, filing even one claim in a year resets the reduction for that year, so the feature rewards consistently healthy pets more than chronically ill ones. The optional Wellness Rewards program is Embrace's other differentiator, and it works differently from competitors' wellness add-ons. Rather than covering specific items (vaccines, dental cleanings), Wellness Rewards provides an annual allowance ($250 or $450 depending on the tier) that you can apply to any routine or preventive care expense — including grooming, training classes, supplements, prescription food, and even microchipping. This flexibility makes it one of the most generous wellness programs in pet insurance. The caveat is cost: the Wellness Rewards add-on runs $15-$52/month depending on the tier, which means you are paying $180-$624/year for $250-$450 in reimbursable expenses. For the lower tier, the math only works if you value the convenience of spreading routine care costs across monthly payments.
Key Features
Diminishing Deductible (Healthy Pet Deductible)
Your annual deductible decreases by $50 each claim-free year, potentially reaching $0 over time. Starting at $500, four claim-free years brings it to $300; ten claim-free years reaches $0. No other major pet insurer offers this. The catch: filing even one claim in a year resets the reduction for that year, so the feature disproportionately rewards pets who stay healthy for extended periods.
Flexible Wellness Rewards Program
Unlike competitors whose wellness add-ons cover only specific items, Embrace's Wellness Rewards provides a flat annual allowance ($250 or $450 depending on tier) usable for any routine care — vaccines, dental cleanings, grooming, training, supplements, prescription food, and microchipping. The flexibility is unmatched, but the $15-$52/month cost means you may pay more in premiums than you receive in reimbursements on the lower tier.
Granular Coverage Customization
Choose from 5 deductible levels ($200-$1,000), 3 reimbursement rates (70%, 80%, 90%), and annual limits from $5,000 to $30,000. This creates over 75 possible plan configurations, allowing you to precisely balance premium cost against coverage depth. A young, healthy pet might justify a $1,000 deductible with 70% reimbursement for the lowest premium; a breed-prone-to-illness pet warrants $200 deductible with 90% reimbursement.
Behavioral Therapy and Dental Illness Coverage
Embrace covers behavioral therapy (separation anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders) and dental illness (gingivitis, tooth extractions, root canals) on standard accident and illness plans — not as add-ons. Many competitors exclude behavioral conditions entirely or charge extra for dental illness coverage. This makes Embrace particularly valuable for breeds prone to anxiety (German Shepherds, Border Collies) or dental problems (small breeds, Greyhounds).
How It Works
Get a Free Quote
Enter your pet's breed, age, and zip code online for an instant premium estimate with multiple coverage options.
Customize Your Plan
Select your deductible, reimbursement level, annual maximum, and whether to add Wellness Rewards.
Enroll Your Pet
Complete enrollment online or by phone. Accident coverage begins after 2 days; illness coverage after 14 days.
Submit Claims Easily
Upload vet invoices through the Embrace app or online portal. Most claims are processed within 5-10 business days.
What They Do
- Dog Insurance
- Cat Insurance
- Wellness Rewards
- Accident-Only Plans
Debt Types They Take On
- Dog Medical
- Cat Medical
- Wellness/Preventive
- Accident-Only
- Hereditary Conditions
- Dental Illness
- Behavioral Therapy
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Chronic Hip Dysplasia with Diminishing Deductible Benefit
Golden Retriever in Portland, OR, enrolled at 8 weeks old with a $500 deductible, 85% reimbursement, and $15,000 annual limit. The dog was claim-free for the first 2 years, reducing the deductible to $400 through the Healthy Pet Deductible feature. At age 3, diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia requiring ongoing physical therapy and two FHO (femoral head ostectomy) surgeries over 4 years.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage for Separation Anxiety
Rescue Border Collie mix in Austin, TX, developed severe separation anxiety after adoption, exhibiting destructive behavior (destroyed furniture, door frames) and self-harm (excessive licking causing hot spots). The veterinary behaviorist recommended a 6-month treatment program including behavioral modification sessions ($150/session, 2x monthly), an SSRI medication ($45/month), and a follow-up assessment.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Healthy Pet Deductible has no real competitor — no other major pet insurer offers a deductible that automatically decreases by $50 per claim-free year, potentially reaching $0, which rewards responsible pet ownership and significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs when a major claim eventually occurs
- Wellness Rewards program is the most flexible in the industry, covering not just vaccines and checkups but grooming, training, supplements, prescription food, and microchipping with a flat annual allowance — no other pet insurer offers this breadth of routine care coverage
- Behavioral therapy and dental illness are included in the standard accident and illness policy without additional cost — competitors charge extra or exclude these entirely, making Embrace particularly valuable for breeds prone to anxiety, aggression, or dental disease
- Over 75 possible plan configurations through granular deductible ($200-$1,000), reimbursement (70%-90%), and annual limit ($5K-$30K) selections allow precise budget-to-coverage matching that most competitors cannot replicate with their simplified 2-3 tier structures
- Underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group (AM Best A+, subsidiary of Munich Re), providing institutional financial backing that pure-play pet insurers like Spot and Lemonade cannot match — your claims-paying ability is backstopped by one of the world's largest reinsurers
Cons
- Annual payout limits of $5,000-$30,000 cap your coverage in a given year — if your pet needs $40,000 in emergency surgery and ongoing treatment, you absorb everything above the limit, whereas Trupanion and Spot offer unlimited annual payouts that would cover the full amount
- Wellness Rewards add-on costs $15-$52/month ($180-$624/year) for $250-$450 in annual reimbursements — on the lower tier, the math is negative (you pay more in premiums than you receive back), making it a convenience product rather than a money-saving benefit
- Claim processing averages 5-10 business days with no direct vet payment option — you must pay the full bill at the veterinary office and wait for reimbursement, which can be a financial hardship for unexpected bills exceeding $5,000
- Filing even one claim in a year resets the Healthy Pet Deductible reduction for that year, meaning the diminishing deductible feature primarily benefits pets who stay healthy for extended periods and is less valuable for pets with chronic conditions requiring annual claims
User Reviews (10)
not the cheapest, not the most expensive -- good value overall
My 3-year-old mixed breed: $45/month for $15K annual limit, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement. Add wellness rider: $72/month total. Trupanion would be $55/month for unlimited coverage but NO wellness. Spot would be $38/month but with lower coverage quality. Embrace sits in the middle on price but offers the most complete coverage when you add the wellness rider. For the total package (illness + accident + wellness + alternative therapy), Embrace offers the best value per dollar.
they cover acupuncture and hydrotherapy for my senior dog
My 11-year-old Lab has arthritis. Embrace covers acupuncture ($75/session, twice monthly) and hydrotherapy ($60/session, weekly). Most pet insurers consider these alternative therapies and exclude them. Embrace covers them as part of their standard illness coverage. The acupuncture and hydro have made a visible difference in my dog's mobility. Not having to choose between effective treatment and cost because insurance covers it is exactly why I pay premiums.
TPLO surgery fully covered (minus deductible) -- $5,800 claim
My dog tore his CCL (dog version of ACL). TPLO surgery: $5,800. Embrace covered $5,300 (after my $500 deductible, 100% reimbursement plan). Trupanion would have covered 90% ($5,220) so Embrace actually paid MORE because I chose the 100% reimbursement option. If you're willing to pay a higher monthly premium for 100% reimbursement instead of 90%, Embrace offers that option. For major surgeries, the 100% plan pays for itself quickly.
claims are reimbursement-based, not direct pay
Unlike Trupanion's direct vet pay, Embrace requires you to pay the vet upfront and submit claims for reimbursement. Reimbursement typically takes 5-10 business days. For a $300 vet visit, no big deal. For a $5,000 emergency surgery, fronting the money and waiting 10 days is stressful. Embrace is working on a direct-pay option but it's not widely available yet. If direct vet pay is important to you, Trupanion is the better choice. If you can float the cost, Embrace's other benefits are superior.
called about a coverage question, rep spent 25 minutes explaining options
Called to ask about coverage for a specific procedure my vet recommended. The Embrace rep spent 25 minutes explaining what would and wouldn't be covered, walking through my deductible status, and even helping me understand the vet's treatment plan. She wasn't rushing me off the phone or reading from a script. For pet insurance specifically, Embrace's customer service is the best I've experienced. They seem to actually care about pets, not just policies.
wellness rider covered vaccines, dental, and flea meds -- saves me $400/year
Added Embrace's Wellness Rewards rider for $27/month extra. Covers annual vaccines ($200), dental cleaning ($350), flea/tick prevention ($180), and a wellness exam ($75). Total annual wellness costs: $805. Rider cost: $324/year. Net savings: $481/year. Trupanion and most competitors DON'T cover wellness. Embrace's wellness add-on makes it a true all-in-one pet insurance plan. If you're going to insure your pet, cover everything.
annual limit options are $5K to $30K -- choose wisely
Embrace offers annual limits from $5,000 to $30,000. Choose the $30K option if you can afford the premium -- a single emergency surgery can hit $8K-$12K. The $5K limit seems cheap but one major illness and you've burned through it by March. I started with $10K and upgraded to $30K after my friend's dog hit the $10K cap during cancer treatment. The premium difference between $10K and $30K was only $18/month. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.
exam fee coverage add-on is worth the $2/month
Most pet insurance policies exclude exam fees ($50-$75 per vet visit). Embrace offers an exam fee coverage add-on for about $2/month that covers the exam portion of sick visits. Over a year with 3-4 vet visits, that's $150-$300 in covered exam fees for $24 in premium. Small savings but it removes another out-of-pocket cost. The more of the vet bill that insurance covers, the less I hesitate to take my dog in when something seems off.
healthy pet discount reduced my deductible by $200 over 4 years
Embrace has a Healthy Pet Deductible that reduces your deductible by $50 for each claim-free year. Started with a $500 deductible, now at $300 after 4 years of no major claims. If my dog stays healthy for 6 more years, the deductible hits $0. No other pet insurer rewards healthy pets this way. It incentivizes preventive care and rewards responsible pet ownership. The diminishing deductible is my favorite feature.
clear about what counts as pre-existing -- better than most
Embrace defines pre-existing conditions clearly in their policy documents. Conditions that are CURED for 12+ months can be reconsidered for coverage (unlike Trupanion where pre-existing conditions are excluded forever). My dog had a skin infection before signing up. After 12 months of no recurrence, Embrace reclassified it and now covers future skin issues. The 12-month cure period for previously excluded conditions is more generous than most pet insurers.
Write a Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Embed This Badge on Your Website
Embrace Pet Insurance has earned a Best for Wellness Add-On designation from Zogby. Display this badge on your website to showcase your rating.
Paste this code anywhere in your website's HTML. The badge links back to your full Zogby review.
Related Companies
Important Insurance Disclaimers
- Insurance premiums, coverage limits, and deductibles vary based on your location, driving record, claims history, credit score, and other underwriting factors. The quotes and rates referenced on this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of coverage or pricing.
- Not all insurance products are available in all states. Coverage options, policy terms, and eligibility requirements differ by state due to varying regulatory frameworks. Check with each insurer directly for availability in your area.
- Filing an insurance claim may affect your future premiums. Insurers may increase rates after claims, accidents, or changes in risk profile. Review your policy terms carefully before filing a claim.
- Insurance ratings and financial strength grades (AM Best, S&P, Moody's) reflect the insurer's ability to pay claims and are not a recommendation to purchase a specific policy. Past financial performance does not guarantee future stability.
- Zogby does not sell insurance policies or act as an insurance broker. We are an independent comparison service providing editorial reviews and general information. Always consult a licensed insurance agent or broker for personalized advice.
This page is informational, not financial or legal advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making any big money decisions.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.