Embrace Pet Insurance Review 2026: Flexible Coverage With Wellness Perks
GetPetPros Score: 8.4/10
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Coverage Comprehensiveness | 8.5/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.5/10 |
| Claim Processing | 8.0/10 |
| Customization | 9.0/10 |
| Wellness Add-On | 9.0/10 |
| Customer Service | 8.5/10 |
Quick verdict: Embrace is one of the most flexible and feature-rich pet insurance options available. Their Diminishing Deductible benefit (your deductible drops $50 per year you don’t file a claim) rewards healthy pets and long-term policy holders. The Wellness Rewards add-on covers routine care, which most insurers exclude. Pricing is competitive and the claim reimbursement rate is high for an insurer with this breadth of coverage.
Best for: Owners who value maximum customization, those who want wellness/routine care coverage, multi-pet households (multi-pet discount available), owners planning for long-term coverage.
Not ideal for: Dogs with significant pre-existing conditions (standard exclusion applies), owners primarily seeking catastrophic-only coverage (may overpay for unused features).
Check Price“>Get an Embrace Quote →
Company Overview
Embrace Pet Insurance was founded in 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio by Laura Bennett and Alex Krooglik. The company positioned itself from the beginning as the more customer-focused alternative to the then-dominant VPI (now Nationwide) by offering more flexible deductibles, annual benefit limits, and reimbursement percentages. Embrace is a standalone pet insurance company (not a rider on homeowners insurance) and is underwritten by American Modern Insurance Group, a Munich Re company.
Key differentiators:
- Diminishing Deductible: $50/year reduction for claim-free years
- Wellness Rewards add-on ($250–$650/year for routine care)
- Flexible customization: choose deductible ($100–$1,000), reimbursement (70–90%), and annual limit ($5,000–unlimited)
- Covers exam fees (many insurers exclude these)
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Coverage Analysis
What’s Covered
- Accidents (injuries, emergencies)
- Illnesses (chronic, hereditary, congenital — after waiting periods)
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery)
- Dental illness (not just accidents — rare among pet insurers)
- Alternative therapy (acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic)
- Behavioral therapy
- Prescription medications
- Exam fees (office visit fees, specialist consultation)
- Orthopedic conditions (after 6-month waiting period for accidents/14-day illness)
What’s Not Covered
- Pre-existing conditions (standard exclusion)
- Cosmetic procedures
- Breeding costs
- Grooming
- Elective procedures
Wellness Rewards (Add-On)
Not insurance — a reimbursement allowance for routine care:
- Vaccinations, flea/tick prevention, heartworm testing
- Dental cleanings
- Annual wellness exams
- Spay/neuter
- Grooming (limited)
Tiers: $250, $450, or $650/year reimbursement
Pricing Breakdown
Sample monthly premiums (approximate, varies by location, breed, age):
| Dog Profile | $200 Ded / 90% / Unlimited | $500 Ded / 80% / $10K |
|————-|————————–|———————-|
| 2-year Labrador, CA | $58–$72 | $38–$48 |
| 2-year French Bulldog, TX | $72–$90 | $48–$62 |
| 5-year Golden Retriever, NY | $80–$100 | $52–$68 |
| 8-year mixed breed, FL | $95–$120 | $65–$85 |
Wellness Rewards add-on: +$19–$42/month depending on tier.
Pros
- Diminishing Deductible rewards healthy/claim-free pets
- Dental illness coverage (uncommon in pet insurance)
- Wellness Rewards covers routine care that other insurers exclude
- High customization of deductible, reimbursement, and limits
- Covers exam fees — often excluded elsewhere
Cons
- Not the cheapest option for catastrophic-only coverage
- 6-month orthopedic waiting period is among the longer in the industry
- Claim processing time averages 5–10 business days (slower than Trupanion’s direct-pay system)
- Pre-existing conditions are excluded (industry standard)
Who Is Embrace Best For?
Embrace is ideal for owners who want comprehensive coverage including wellness, dental illness, and behavioral therapy — and who plan to maintain coverage long-term (the Diminishing Deductible compounds over years). It’s also well-suited for breeds with high healthcare costs like French Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers, where comprehensive coverage is most valuable.
Alternatives
- Check Price“>Healthy Paws — Simpler structure, potentially lower premium
- Embrace Vs Healthy Paws
- Check Price“>Trupanion — Direct vet payment system; better for frequent claimers
- Embrace Vs Trupanion
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Embrace cover hereditary conditions?
A: Yes — Embrace covers hereditary and congenital conditions as long as they were not symptomatic or diagnosed before the policy started. This is important for breeds prone to hip dysplasia, heart disease, or eye conditions.
Q: What is the waiting period for Embrace?
A: 2-day waiting period for accidents; 14-day waiting period for illnesses; 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions (can be waived with a vet exam confirming no current issues).
Q: How does Embrace’s reimbursement work?
A: You pay your vet, submit the claim, and Embrace reimburses you the covered percentage after your deductible. Claims can be submitted online or via the app. Average reimbursement time is 5–10 business days.
Q: Does Embrace cover dental cleaning?
A: Wellness Rewards can cover dental cleaning as a routine care expense. The accident and illness policy covers dental illness (infections, tooth resorption) — which is not typical among pet insurers.
Q: Can I use any vet with Embrace?
A: Yes — Embrace works with any licensed veterinarian in the United States, including specialists and emergency clinics.
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