Why We Chose Embrace Pet Insurance — And Why We’re Still With Them

How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance for Your Dog or Cat

When I adopted my dog Eddie, I knew I wanted pet insurance from day one. Not because I expected major health problems, but because unexpected emergencies happen—and I never wanted finances to be the reason he didn’t get the care he needed. With so many pet insurance companies out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one.

I chose Embrace Pet Insurance because I qualified for a USAA member discount (auto + renters insurance) and the policy benefits aligned with Eddie’s needs. Five years later, we’re still with Embrace—and this is why.

Understanding How Pet Insurance Works

Pet insurance doesn’t work like human health insurance. It’s reimbursement-based and can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, so timing matters. You have to pay the vet first, and then submit the invoice for reimbursement. You need to understand what you can afford while waiting for payment.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Policy

• Breed: Some breeds are more prone to hereditary issues.

• Age: The younger the pet, the better the coverage options and pricing.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Anything diagnosed or documented before coverage begins may not be covered forever.

• Location: Prices vary by state and city due to vet care costs.

• Annual Limits & Deductibles: Know how much you can realistically afford out of pocket.

  
  

Ideally, insurance is purchased when a pet is young—but not everyone adopts puppies or kittens. Eddie was 6 years old when I adopted him, and his situation is a great example of how timing impacts coverage.

Eddie’s Pre-Existing Conditions & What Was Covered

When coverage started, Embrace required an initial vet exam to document his health history. Eddie had:

• Severe dental disease (11 teeth needed to be removed )

• Kennel cough

• Itchiness/allergies (but not chronic at the time)

  
  

  These issues expired after 12 months without clinical signs or treatment and then were no longer considered pre-existing. Issues become eligible for coverage.

  
  

Because his dental issues were considered pre-existing, that first surgery cost $1,400 out-of- pocket. However, once resolved and after 12 months with no symptoms, later dental issues became eligible for coverage. Three years later, he needed 3 more teeth removed—and that procedure was covered.

Accident coverage

Embrace has no waiting period for accident coverage. It is effective on your policy's effective date.

Illness Waiting Period

Embrace has a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage from policy's effective date.

Orthopedic Waiting Period (Important!)

Embrace has a 180-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions. Anything that appears during that window is treated as pre-existing. Waiting periods vary by state.

Conditions excluded during the first 180 days:

1. Cruciate Ligament Disease (like ACL tears)

2. IVDD

3. Patellar Luxation

4. Hip Dysplasia

   
   

Thankfully, Eddie had none of these.

Why We Added Wellness Rewards

Routine care isn’t covered under standard insurance. That’s where Embrace Wellness Rewards comes in—it works like a pet version of an HSA/FSA.

We pay $225/year ($18.75/month) and receive $250 in reimbursable credit — basically $25 free.

What Wellness Rewards Covered for Eddie

• Vaccines

• Prescription diet food

• Flea/tick/heartworm prevention

• Nail trims, microchipping, spay/neuter

• Holistic care like acupuncture, massage, and Reiki

  
  

For us, this program pays for itself.

What We Pay & What Changed Over Time

Pet insurance pricing increases as pets age and by location.

Year	Location	Age	Coverage	Monthly Cost	Notes
2020-2024	Los Angeles, CA	6-10	$10,000 limit	~$119 (2020) $158 (2024) +$18.75 wellness	First and fourth year with Embrace
2025 (6 months)	Las Vegas, NV	11	$10,000 limit	Decrease to $104.65 + $18.75 wellness	Vet care cheaper than LA
2025	Texas	11	Reduced to $5,000	$187 + $18.75 wellness	Chose to lower coverage limit to save $ on monthly payment at policy renewal

We lowered our coverage from $10,000 to $5,000 because:

• Eddie’s annual expenses rarely exceeded $2,000

• Increasing premiums didn’t match our usage

• We know we could cover the other $5,000 if an emergency happened

We have a $200 deductible, 80% reimbursement, Prescription Drug Coverage (vary beneficial when he was put on fluoxetine and gabapentin), and we also have exam fee coverage.

Why We’re Staying With Embrace

✔ Fast reimbursements (1–3 days) via app upload

✔ Clear policies and coverage explanations

✔ Great customer service willing to review options to save money

✔ Wellness Rewards actually gives value

✔ Consistent experience in multiple states

Embrace covered Eddie's veterinary behaviorist appointment and treatment.

When our policy renewed this year, an agent walked me through every scenario to save money on our monthly payments:

• Increase deductible (we said no)

• Lower reimbursement rate below 80% (we said no)

• Lower yearly limit to $5,000 (this is what helped)

  
  

That transparency mattered.

How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance

Before enrolling, make sure you fully understand:

• Your deductible

• Reimbursement percentage

• Annual or lifetime coverage cap

• Exclusions by breed

• Waiting periods

• What counts as pre-existing

  
  

Questions to Ask Before Choosing

• Does my employer or auto insurance offer discounts?

• Does this company cover hereditary conditions?

• Are dental issues included after treatment?

• How long are the waiting periods?

• Does wellness care matter to me?

  
  

If you own a breed prone to issues (bulldogs, dachshunds, retrievers, giant breeds), read customer reviews from owners with the same breed. Their experiences matter, and will help you decide what insurance company is best for your situation.

Final Thoughts

We chose Embrace because it balanced coverage, transparency, and cost—and we’ve stayed because the experience has matched the promise. Eddie is 11 years old now, on prescription food and behavioral medication, needs cytopoint a few times a year, and Embrace continues to help us manage his care affordably and realistically.

Pet insurance isn’t just about saving money—it’s about having a safety net when it matters most.

If you’re on the fence, start by asking:“How much could I handle financially in an emergency?” Your answer will tell you what plan you need.

FAQs

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance helps cover eligible veterinary expenses for accidents, illnesses, injuries, diagnostics, medications, surgeries, and sometimes alternative therapies depending on the plan. Pet parents typically pay the veterinarian upfront and are reimbursed after submitting claims.

Is pet insurance worth it for senior dogs?

It can be. Senior dogs are often more likely to develop chronic conditions, require medications, specialist visits, emergency care, imaging, or surgeries. Pet insurance may help reduce the financial burden of unexpected veterinary expenses.

What does pet insurance usually cover?

Coverage varies by provider and plan, but many policies may help cover:

• Emergency visits

• Surgeries

• Hospitalization

• Diagnostics and imaging

• Cancer treatment

• Prescription medications

• Specialist visits

• Chronic conditions

• Behavioral treatment (with some plans)

Routine wellness care is often optional or separate.

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions. That’s one reason many pet parents choose to enroll their pets before major health issues develop.

Can pet insurance help with behavioral treatment or anxiety medications?

Some pet insurance plans may help cover veterinary behaviorist visits, anxiety medications, or behavioral therapy if behavioral conditions are included in coverage. Coverage varies widely between providers and policies.

How does reimbursement work with pet insurance?

Most pet insurance works on a reimbursement model:

1. You pay the veterinarian directly

2. Submit a claim and invoice

3. The insurance company reviews the claim

4. Eligible expenses are reimbursed based on your plan’s deductible and reimbursement percentage

   
   

What should I look for when choosing pet insurance?

Important things to compare include:

• Coverage for chronic conditions

• Reimbursement percentage

• Deductibles

• Waiting periods

• Annual limits

• Prescription coverage

• Specialist and emergency coverage

• Customer service and claim experience

  
  

Does pet insurance cover prescription medications?

Many accident and illness plans include prescription medications related to covered conditions, but coverage details vary by provider.

Can I use any veterinarian with pet insurance?

Most pet insurance plans allow you to visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist rather than limiting you to a provider network.

Is pet insurance better than a wellness plan?

They serve different purposes. Wellness plans generally help cover routine preventative care like vaccines and exams, while pet insurance is designed for unexpected accidents, illnesses, emergencies, and larger medical expenses.

Does pet insurance get more expensive as dogs age?

Usually, yes. Premiums often increase as pets get older because senior pets tend to require more medical care.

What are common reasons pet parents file insurance claims?

Common claims include:

• Allergies

• Ear infections

• Gastrointestinal illness

• Injuries

• Cancer

• Arthritis

• Surgeries

• Emergency visits

• Diagnostic imaging

• Chronic disease management

  
  

Can pet insurance help with emergency surgery costs?

Yes. One of the biggest reasons many pet parents purchase insurance is protection against unexpected emergency surgeries or hospitalization costs that can total thousands of dollars.

Should I get pet insurance for a rescue dog?

Many pet parents choose insurance for rescue dogs because a dog’s full medical history may be unknown, and unexpected health issues can arise over time.

What happens if I wait too long to get pet insurance?

If your pet develops a condition before enrollment, it may later be considered pre-existing and excluded from coverage. Enrolling earlier often provides broader long-term protection.

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Disclosure

We did not receive any form of payment, sponsorship, affiliate commission, or product incentive for writing this review. This post is based solely on our personal experience as policyholders and reflects our honest opinions about Embrace Pet Insurance.