Embrace vs. Trupanion Pet Insurance: Pick the Best Option [2024]
Updated November 16, 2023.
Embrace and Trupanion are two popular pet insurance companies that can help you ensure your pets get the veterinary care they need, no matter the cost. Given that the average annual pet insurance premium costs $584 for dogs and $343 for cats, but the cost to treat expensive conditions like cancer runs as high as $10,000 or more, you want to make sure you're balancing the right amount of coverage for the right costs.
Trupanion benefits may be better for your pet if they have a chronic illness since the company only charges a single lifetime deductible per condition. Embrace pet insurance may cover pre-existing conditions in some cases, but it requires an annual deductible that may cost more in the long run.
To help you figure out if Embrace pet insurance is good for your pet or if Trupanion would be a better choice, we've compared the two companies on the following points:
- What they cover
- Deductibles
- Reimbursement
Embrace vs. Trupanion Overview
| Plan Feature | Embrace | Trupanion |
|---|---|---|
| Accidents and illnesses coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing condition coverage | No* | No |
| Congenital and hereditary coverage | Yes | No |
| Wellness plan | Yes | No |
| Deductibles | $100 to $1,000 | $0–$1,000 |
| Reimbursement | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 90% |
*If your pet doesn't show symptoms or needs treatment for at least 12 consecutive months, Embrace will reevaluate coverage for curable pre-existing conditions.
What They Cover
Trupanion and Embrace offer very different coverage options. Trupanion caters more to pet owners who just want accidents and illnesses covered, while Embrace is a better choice if you're looking for a total coverage plan, including regular exams and wellness visits.
Trupanion Coverage
Pros
- Extensive coverage, including accidents and illnesses
- Covers new symptoms or illnesses
- Covers hereditary and congenital conditions (if not pre-existing)
- Additional coverage options are available
Cons
- Does not cover pre-existing conditions
- Excludes routine veterinary care expenses
Trupanion covers most accidents and illnesses, with the exception of pre-existing conditions. This includes hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or von Willebrand disease, and congenital conditions like heart disease (assuming your pet wasn't diagnosed with it before you purchased the policy, that is). Trupanion also covers the cost of diagnosing and treating any new symptoms or illnesses that pop up, such as lethargy or abnormal blood test results.
You can also purchase additional coverage if you want, such as Trupanion's pet owner assistance package that covers cremation or burial for deaths due to an accident. An important difference between the companies is that Trupanion does not cover the cost of routine veterinary care like exams or wellness dental cleanings.
Does Trupanion pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Trupanion pet insurance does not cover spaying because it is considered wellness care rather than a medical necessity. They focus on providing coverage for unexpected illnesses and injuries, not routine care that can be planned in advance.
FAQ
Does Trupanion cover pre-existing conditions?
No, pre-existing illnesses or conditions are not covered.
Does Trupanion cover dental cleaning?
No. Trupanion provides coverage for veterinary treatment required due to dental illness and injury, but they do not cover routine dental care.
Does Trupanion pet insurance cover medications and vaccines?
If you fail to provide preventive care for your pets, such as vaccinations or preventive medication, Trupanion will not cover claims for illnesses (including treatment or diagnostics) that could have been prevented.
Embrace Coverage
Pros
- Extensive coverage, including congenital and hereditary conditions, accidents, and acute or chronic illnesses
- Possibility of coverage for previously excluded conditions
- Offers Wellness Rewards plan
Cons
- Does not cover pre-existing conditions unless symptom-free for at least a year
Embrace offers more wide-ranging coverage than Trupanion. It also covers congenital and hereditary conditions as well as accidents and acute or chronic illnesses such as cancer, just like Trupanion.
However, Embrace also offers an optional Wellness Rewards plan that reimburses you for regular ongoing veterinary care like annual exams and dental cleaning. And while Embrace doesn't normally cover pre-existing conditions, your pet is eligible to have these covered again if they've been symptom-free for at least a year.
Does Embrace pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Embrace's accident and illness coverage does not include spaying or neutering, but if you opt for Wellness Rewards, you can receive up to $650 for routine procedures including this one.
FAQ
Does Embrace pet insurance cover euthanasia?
Yes. Embrace Accident and Illness plan covers euthanasia if your veterinarian recommends it for a covered condition.
Does Embrace pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?
Yes. Embrace provides coverage for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and there are no per-incident coverage caps.
Does Embrace pet insurance cover medications and vaccines?
- Embrace Accident and Illness plan does not cover vaccines–however, you can receive reimbursement for vaccines by utilizing Embrace Wellness Rewards. - Embrace covers prescribed medications.
» Want more options? Check out our list of best pet insurance providers in the US
Deductibles
Trupanion and Embrace also have very different deductible options, which you'll need to pay before your coverage starts. If your pet has an expensive and lifelong condition, Trupanion may be the better option. But if you're looking to have a wide range of things covered, Embrace may be a better choice.
Trupanion Deductibles
Pros
- Offers a range of deductible options
- No annual deductible
Cons
- Higher cost for multiple different conditions developed over time
One of the main Trupanion costs is the deductible. You'll get a choice of deductible options ranging from $0 to $1,000. Generally speaking, the higher the deductible, the lower your premium.
How does Trupanion deductible work?
Trupanion's deductibles are lifetime-based for each condition type, indicating that you'll only need to pay the deductible once per condition.
Trupanion is unique among pet insurers because it doesn't charge an annual deductible. Instead, your deductible applies to each covered condition. For example, if your cat develops kidney disease, you'll pay your deductible once for this condition and then never have to pay it again for the rest of their life. If they need to see a vet for other conditions, the same is also true, so you'll have a running tally of expenses for each covered condition.
That can be more expensive over the long run if they get sick or hurt with lots of different conditions. But if your pet only goes on to need expensive treatment for one or two things, it'll be much cheaper than a traditional insurer where the deductible clock starts fresh at the beginning of each year.
Embrace Deductibles
Pros
- Offers a range of deductible options
- Predictable annual deductibles
Cons
- Higher cost for treatment of chronic conditions
Embrace offers deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000. These are annual deductibles, so you'll need to pay them again at the start of each year, similar to how most pet insurance policies work.
This makes it easier to predict and fit into your budget but can be more expensive if your pet has chronic conditions. For example, if your cat has diabetes and requires expensive prescriptions and ongoing vet visits to monitor their condition, you could end up paying that deductible many times over versus Trupanion's one-deductible-per-condition arrangement.
What is Embrace's Healthy Pet deductible?
Embrace provides the "Healthy Pet Deductible" feature, which reduces your deductible by $50 for every year you don't file a pet insurance claim.
Reimbursement
Both Trupanion and Embrace work on a reimbursement basis, where you pay for the vet care and then file with your insurer to get money back for the covered amounts. However, Embrace might be the better option if you're looking to lower your premium costs a bit.
Trupanion Reimbursement
Pros
- Offers a "Vet Direct Pay" feature
Cons
- Fixed reimbursement rate of 90%
Trupanion doesn't offer a choice in reimbursement levels: once you pay your deductible, all vet care for that covered condition is reimbursed by 90%.
How long does Trupanion take to reimburse?
Trupanion pays claims directly to your hospital's bank account within minutes. They pay their portion of the bill first, so pet owners don't have to wait for reimbursement.
While Trupanion allows you to file for reimbursement in the traditional way, it also offers a unique "Vet Direct Pay" feature that works with certain vet offices to pay your covered amount right there, while you're still in the office. You'd then only pay your deductible or your 10% share. This is a great option for people who can't afford to pay the entire vet cost upfront in the hopes it'll be reimbursed later.
Embrace Reimbursement
Pros
- Offers three reimbursement options
- Lower reimbursement level can result in more affordable long-term premiums
Cons
- Must pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement
- Claim submission is required, increasing paperwork and waiting time
Embrace offers a choice of three reimbursement levels: 70%, 80%, or 90%. Choosing a lower reimbursement option means that your premium costs may be lower too, making it more affordable over the long term but potentially more expensive when you need to file a claim. Unlike Trupanion, you'll need to pay all costs out-of-pocket and then submit a claim for reimbursement.
How long does Embrace take to reimburse?
Embrace typically takes 10 to 15 business days to process claims after receiving all the required information. However, on average, it takes only 2 to 3 days for Embrace to provide reimbursement via direct deposit, and 5 to 7 days via check.
Make the Right Choice for Your Pet
Embrace pet insurance is a better choice for more comprehensive coverage, as long as you don't think your pet is likely to develop expensive and chronic health conditions later on. In that case, Trupanion would be the better choice since you'll only pay your deductible once for that condition, instead of every year.
Embrace also offers a shorter 14-day waiting period before coverage starts, compared with 30 days for a Trupanion waiting period. Finally, Embrace features more discounts, such as if you buy coverage for multiple pets.
