In This Review
Not every pet owner considers investing in pet insurance, but it can be useful when your pets have health issues. Trupanion and Embrace are among the most popular pet insurance companies, but do they provide the right options for you and your pet’s needs?
The most significant difference between the two is that Embrace allows a fair amount of customization in its plans, while Trupanion only offers one plan. There are also several differences in what each company covers. For example, Trupanion includes prescription costs, while Embrace does not.
In this article, we’ll compare these two companies and discuss the similarities and differences between their plans, what types of pets are covered, and how the deductibles and reimbursements work.
Company Name | Embrace | Trupanion |
Pets Covered | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats |
Types of Plans | Many options | One comprehensive plan |
Deductibles | $200–$1,000 | $0–$1,000 |
Reimbursement | 70%–90% | 90% |
Additional Perks | Wellness plan, coverage outside the US | No claim limits, vet direct pay |
Brief Overview of Embrace
- 10% discount for multiple pets
- Optional Wellness Plan to cover basic vet fees
- No limits on individual claims
- Covers most conditions and care
- No lifetime limits
- Orthopedic coverage has a 6-month waiting period
- Enrollment fee of $25
- A few hidden fees
Embrace started in 2006 and has since grown to one of the largest and most popular pet insurance companies. It’s given over half a million dollars to charities and 100% matches its employees’ donations.
It offers different plans for dogs and cats that can be customized for your pet’s needs. You’ll receive coverage within 2 days for accidents and 14 days for illness, but it doesn’t cover wellness plans or prescriptions unless you pay extra.
When you opt for the wellness plan, it covers everything from annual exam fees and vaccinations to spaying and neutering, microchipping, grooming, and prescription food diet. But the Wellness Awards can only be purchased alongside an insurance policy.
You submit your claims through the website or a mobile app, which are processed depending on the claim. For illness or accident, they might take as long as 10 to 15 business days, and wellness claims take about 5 business days. There’s also a waiting period of 6 months for orthopedic coverage.
Brief Overview of Trupanion
- Vet direct pay
- No claim limits
- Fast claim reimbursement
- 90% reimbursement with no payout limits
- Enrollment fee of $35
- No coverage of basic vet fees
- No discount for multiple pets
- One of the most expensive pet insurance companies
Trupanion was started in 2000 and is one of the fastest-growing pet insurance companies. It continues to grow and is expected to enter the global market in Western Europe, South America, and Asia in the next few years.
Trupanion has vet direct pay, which gives you the convenience of paying the fees directly to participating clinics. You don’t have to pay and wait for the claim to go through, and there’s no paperwork to worry about. Trupanion covers 90% of the fees and doesn’t put any limits on the amount. It also doesn’t raise the rates as your pet ages.
It covers illnesses, accidents, dental issues, and congenital and hereditary conditions. This includes emergencies, behavioral therapy, prescriptions, clinic stays, and any necessary mobility aids. However, Trupanion doesn’t cover preventative care, spaying and neutering, or a wellness plan.
If you can’t take advantage of the vet direct pay option, you’re looking at reimbursement within 2 days, but it could take longer. Claims are made with an online form by sending an email with a claim form or through fax or snail mail.
Other Top-Rated Pet Insurance Companies
Embrace vs. Trupanion: Plans Available
Company | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Learn More |
Embrace | $44.09 | $25.92 | Click to Get Quote |
Trupanion | $44.09 | $25.92 | Click to Get Quote |
Embrace
Embrace offers customizable plans with five deductibles, five annual limits, and three reimbursement amounts. Only dogs and cats under 15 years of age are eligible, but any pets older than 15 can enroll in an accident-only plan. Services like the Wellness Plan are additional expenses.
Trupanion
Trupanion only offers one comprehensive plan that covers illness, accidents, and congenital and hereditary conditions. This plan includes surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, diagnostics, orthotic devices, and other fees. However, it does not cover exam fees or sales tax.
Embrace vs. Trupanion: Reimbursements and Deductibles
Embrace
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
- $200
- $300
- $500
- $750
- $1,000
- $5,000
- $8,000
- $10,000
- $15,000
- $30,000
Embrace’s reimbursement for the accident/illness plan covers 70%, 80%, or 90% of the veterinary fees. The accident-only plan offers 90%. Deductibles range from $200 to $1,000 annually for the accident/illness plan, whereas the accident-only plan has an annual deductible of $100. However, every year that no claim is filed, the deductible is reduced by $50 until it reaches $0.
When you file a claim, the reduced deductible is applied and will reset to the original amount the following year.
Trupanion
- 90%
- from $0 – $1,000
- Unlimited
Trupanion’s reimbursement is only 90%, and there are unlimited lifetime and annual benefits. The deductible can be $0 to $1,000, but the lower the deductible, the higher the premium. It also goes by a deductible based on the condition of the pet rather than an annual deductible.
If your pet has two unrelated health conditions, you’ll need to pay two deductibles. However, this could actually work if your pet has a chronic illness, as you only need to meet the deductible one time for that condition. So, this could be an advantage for a health issue that will last for years.
Embrace vs. Trupanion: Additional Perks
Embrace
Embrace offers a 10% discount if you own two or more pets and a 5% military discount if you or someone in your household is an active or former member of the Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, or Air Force. It also covers travel with your pet outside of the U.S.
The Wellness Plan is unique because many insurance companies don’t provide this kind of coverage, but it adds to your monthly costs.
Trupanion
One of Trupanion’s best features is vet direct pay (provided that your vet subscribes to it), which means you don’t have to worry about paying the bill out of pocket. It also provides 90% reimbursement without any payout limits and no limits on claims.
Company Verdict: Which One Has the Edge?
Customer Service
- Edge: Trupanion
Embrace and Trupanion have excellent customer service and mostly positive reviews online. However, Trupanion edges out Embrace because it’s reachable 24/7 by phone for assistance. Embrace follows more traditional hours of Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM.
Price of Plans
- Edge: Embrace
How much you pay depends on various factors, such as where you live, your deductible, your pet’s age, and breed (and dogs tend to be more expensive than cats). The cost depends on the deductible and animal, but Trupanion is probably the better option for those looking for higher payouts and for pets with chronic conditions. Embrace is best for preventative care, is less expensive, and is more customizable.
Areas of Coverage
- Edge: Embrace
Trupanion and Embrace offer fantastic coverage with their respective illness and accident plans, but Embrace edges out Trupanion for its Wellness Plan. It covers exam fees as long as you opt into it and other, more basic pet care.
Perks
- Edge: Trupanion
This is a tough choice because both companies have advantages. However, we gave it to Trupanion because it has the convenient vet direct pay option and no claim limits.
Final Thoughts
Embrace
Trupanion
Our Rating
Multi-Pet Discount
Dental Options
Spaying/Neutering
Alternative Therapies
Both Embrace and Trupanion offer affordable pet insurance that provides excellent coverage for many health conditions. Trupanion is a great option for those who can’t afford hefty vet bills out of pocket after a stint at the veterinary clinic. It is also particularly great for people who need to take their pets to the veterinarian to treat chronic conditions.
However, Embrace is recommended as the best overall pick for the customizable plan option and because it offers a discount for multiple pets. Its Wellness Plan and affordable fees give it the edge and might prove to be the best option for many pet owners.