Paw Protect Pet Insurance Review 2024
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Paw Protect
4.5
/5Annual max coverage
Reimbursement rates
Deductibles
Policy highlight
About Paw Protect pet insurance
Paw Protect earned 4.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. It stands out for having comprehensive accident and illness coverage that includes congenital and hereditary conditions, dental illnesses, behavioral issues and alternative therapies.
Paw Protect is owned by Embrace Pet Insurance.
Strengths: Paw Protect’s vet telehealth service is free for all policyholders. Available by phone, live chat or video call, it offers round-the-clock support if you have any health concerns about your pet.
Weaknesses: Paw Protect doesn’t have a mobile app to manage your policy, and it’s slower than some other pet insurers in handling claims.
» MORE: The best pet insurance companies
Paw Protect pet insurance plans and coverage
Paw Protect has a few plans to choose from.
Note: Coverage options and availability may vary depending on where you live and the age and breed of your pet.
Accident and illness
Paw Protect’s accident and illness plan is a comprehensive plan that covers:
Sick vet exam fees and medical waste disposal.
Emergency and specialist care.
Surgery.
Prescription medication.
X-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic tests.
Hospitalization and overnight stays.
Dental injuries.
Dental illnesses, up to $1,000 per policy term.
Congenital and genetic conditions, including hip dysplasia, ACL injuries, allergies and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Cancer and chronic conditions.
Acupuncture, chiropractic treatment and laser therapy.
Behavioral therapy.
Euthanasia.
Accident only
Paw Protect’s accident-only plan is generally for older pets. It covers treatment for accidents like broken bones, bite wounds, ingested objects and car accidents. It doesn’t cover any claims related to illnesses.
Wellness Rewards
Paw Protect’s Wellness Rewards is an extra package you can add to your insurance plan. It’s offered through Embrace pet insurance and pays for routine care up to $250, $450 or $650 per year. You can get reimbursed for:
Wellness exam fees.
Vaccines.
Flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
Microchipping.
Grooming.
Nutritional supplements and prescription food.
Training.
Fecal and blood tests.
Pet activity monitors.
Hip dysplasia exams.
Routine chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and reiki care.
Routine anal gland expression.
Cremation and burial expenses.
» MORE: What does pet insurance cover?
What’s not covered
Paw Protect pet insurance doesn’t cover:
Pre-existing conditions, unless your pet is cured and symptom-free for at least 12 months.
Breeding, pregnancy or giving birth.
DNA testing or cloning.
Intentional injuries by you or someone in your household.
Injuries or illnesses from racing, fighting, cruelty or neglect.
Cosmetic procedures like tail docking or ear-cropping.
Routine veterinary care, unless you have a wellness plan.
Avian flu or nuclear war.
If you have an accident-only plan, Paw Protect also won’t cover any illness-related claims.
» MORE: Is pet insurance worth it?
Paw Protect coverage options
Deductibles: A pet insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay before your plan reimburses you for vet expenses. Paw Protect’s annual deductible options are typically $100, $250 and $500.
Reimbursement amounts: Pet owners have the option to get reimbursed for 70%, 80% or 90% of vet expenses.
Paw Protect applies your reimbursement percentage to the vet bill first, before subtracting your deductible. Say you have a $2,000 vet bill, an 80% reimbursement rate and a $500 deductible. To determine your eligible expenses, Paw Protect calculates 80% of $2,000, which is $1,600. Then, it subtracts your $500 deductible, so your reimbursement amount is $1,100.
Some pet insurers subtract your deductible from the vet bill before applying the reimbursement rate. Using the same figures, that method would result in a slightly higher $1,200 payout ($2,000 bill - $500 deductible = $1,500. 80% of $1,500 is $1,200).
Coverage limits: You can choose an annual coverage limit of $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited.
Restrictions and waiting periods
Age restrictions: At Paw Protect, pets must be at least 2 months old to get a policy. The company’s website states that the maximum age of enrollment is 5 years for an accident and illness plan, with accident-only coverage available for older pets. However, in certain states, we were able to get online quotes for accident and illness plans for pets older than 5. We’ve reached out to Paw Protect for clarification.
Waiting periods: A waiting period is the time between when you buy your policy and when your coverage starts. Paw Protect has a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. Dogs also have a 12-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia. Paw Protect may waive the orthopedic waiting period if your vet performs an examination after enrollment and verifies that your dog has no orthopedic issues.
Paw Protect pet insurance rates
The cost of Paw Protect pet insurance will depend on where you live and your pet’s age and breed. Below are sample monthly rates from Paw Protect for six common dog breeds at ages 2 and 8. Our sample dogs lived in Katy, Texas, and had accident and illness coverage with a $250 deductible, $5,000 of annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. Your own price will vary.
Breed | Age 2 | Age 8 |
|---|---|---|
French bulldog | $111 | $204 |
German shepherd | $72 | $133 |
Golden retriever | $72 | $133 |
Labrador retriever | $72 | $133 |
Medium mixed-breed dog | $45 | $81 |
Poodle | $90 | $166 |
We also gathered rates for a variety of cat breeds with the same coverage limits as above. Rates below are sample monthly premiums for cats living in Katy, Texas.
Breed | Age 2 | Age 8 |
|---|---|---|
Devon rex | $31 | $53 |
Domestic shorthair | $25 | $43 |
Exotic longhair | $31 | $53 |
Maine coon | $31 | $53 |
Persian | $31 | $53 |
Ragdoll | $31 | $53 |
Discounts
Paw Protect offers a 10% multipet discount and a 5% military discount.
State availability
Paw Protect is licensed to sell policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Wellness plans aren’t available in Rhode Island.
Availability may change at any time. Coverage may not be available to all pets in a given state.
Consumer experience
Website: Paw Protect’s website is easy to navigate and has an education center with information about pet insurance. You can also get a quote, view sample policies and see how Paw Protect compares with other insurance companies.
App: Paw Protect doesn’t have a mobile app.
Claims: The fastest way to submit a claim is by logging into your account on Paw Protect’s website. But you can also email, fax or mail your claim forms. It takes about 10 to 15 business days to process an accident or illness claim and about five business days to process a wellness claim. You have your entire policy term to file a claim, plus an extra 60 days after renewal.
Customer service: You can call Paw Protect customer service at 888-812-6704 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. You can also email customer support.
Other pet insurance companies to consider
Not ready to make a decision? You may be interested in these other pet insurance companies:
How we review pet insurance
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines that ensure fairness and accuracy to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. In our pet insurance reviews, we consider coverage, discounts, financial strength ratings from AM Best and more to determine our star ratings.
Our rating system rewards companies that cover a wide range of potential expenses, offer many ways to customize your plan and have a strong financial rating. Within the consumer experience category, we looked at features such as mobile app ratings and whether the company offers direct vet payments. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale.
Dive deeper with our criteria for evaluating pet insurance companies.
Pet insurance star ratings
NerdWallet’s pet insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, scope of coverage, the ability to customize your plan and more. Our “consumer experience” category looks at factors such as website transparency and mobile app ratings. To calculate each insurer’s star rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. See our full pet insurance methodology.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Pet insurance sample rates
To find sample pet insurance rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and do not include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons. Each plan for a given company had the same deductible, coverage limit and reimbursement rate for all sample pets.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets living in Katy, Texas. Your own rates will be different.
