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Paw Protect Pet Insurance Review: Prices & Plans 2024

Paw Protect review
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Unlike other pet insurance companies, Paw Protect offers a Paytient-backed, interest-free $2,000 line of credit, so you can pay vet bills without dipping into your personal emergency fund.
  • Paw Protect Pet Insurance offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan.
  • To cover wellness-related veterinarian visits, like checkups and other non-life-threatening treatments, you’ll need to get a wellness plan as an add-on.
  • Coverage maxes out when animals reach 14 years of age, but there is an accident-only policy that covers older pets.
  • To see how Paw Protect compares to other pet insurance providers, try using our online comparison tool. This way, you can easily compare coverages and prices at once.
SUMMARY

Paw Protect pet insurance is changing the way pet owners approach veterinary care by offering clients the ability to pay for annual coverage and an illness plan without paying a single penny to their veterinarian upfront.

That’s right — with this pet insurance plan, you could get your dog or cat seen today and use a line of credit to pay vet bills while you’re waiting on reimbursement.

So, how much does Paw Protect pet insurance cost and what are your coverage options? Whether you’re concerned about customer service or just want to know how this whole policy approach works, this Paw Protect review will help you understand everything from coverage limits to the average reimbursement percentage.
Best for Paying Vet Bills Up-front
COMPARE PLANS via Petinsurer.com's secure website
5.0
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
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About Paw Protect Pet Insurance

Paw Protect is a Cleveland-based pet insurance company. Its policies are administered by Embrace Pet Insurance, meaning they have the same features and rates as Embrace.

The difference between Paw Protect and Embrace is that Paw Protect offers a line of credit to cover your vet bills. This means you don’t have to pay these costs upfront and wait to be reimbursed by the provider.

Let’s take a closer look at how this pet insurance works.

Paw Protect & Paytient partnership: How it works

Most pet insurance policies operate on a reimbursement-only model. That means you have to come up with the money to pay your vet directly before asking your pet insurance company for reimbursement.

Paw Protect has taken a different approach so that you don’t have to pay your vet bills upfront. You get a line of credit — up to $2,000! — that you can use to help your best buddy get better. This advance comes courtesy of a virtual Visa® card from Paytient.

Here’s a quick look at how this pet insurance plan works:

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What does Paw Protect Insurance cover?

Paw Protect offers three types of policies:

We break down what these plans include below.

Accident and illness coverage

An accident and illness plan from Paw Protect covers a huge array of conditions, care types, and medication-related expenses to help you give your animal the care it deserves.

It includes the following types of coverage.

Paw Protect accident and illness policy

  • Accidents like broken bones, swallowed objects, poisoning, bites or getting hit by a car
  • Illnesses like upper respiratory infections or stomach bugs
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions like hip dysplasia, allergies, or ACL injuries
  • Chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes
  • Cancer treatment
  • Preventable illnesses like Lyme disease and parvo
  • Dental disease
  • Orthopedic conditions like disc disease or cruciate ligament tears
  • Emergency care
  • Complementary treatments and rehabilitation like acupuncture, physical therapy, hydrotherapy or laser treatment
  • Behavior treatments
  • Surgery and hospitalization
  • Specialty veterinary care
  • Diagnostic testing (e.g., X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs)
  • Lab testing
  • 24/7 Paw Support
  • Prescription drugs (and some over-the-counter drugs, if dispensed by your veterinarian)
  • Pet ambulance transport costs
  • Euthanasia

Accident-only coverage

The accident-only plan from Paw Protect is less comprehensive. As the name suggests, it only covers accidents, such as broken bones.

To qualify for accident-only coverage, your dog or cat must be 15 years old or older.

Wellness rewards

Paw Protect also offers an optional wellness plan. This must be purchased as an add-on to a comprehensive policy.

Think of your wellness plan as non-emergency coverage for all the routine visits and other protective veterinary care that helps keep your animals in tip-top shape and prevent disease.

Paw Protect’s wellness-oriented pet insurance covers all kinds of important products, exam fees, and treatments.

  • Optional add-on

Paw Protect wellness policy

  • Wellness exam fees
  • Grooming
  • Nail clipping
  • Spay/neuter surgery
  • Wearable pet activity monitors
  • Vaccinations and titers
  • Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
  • Preventive dental cleanings
  • Medicated shampoos
  • Nutritional supplements
  • Prescription diet food
  • Training
  • Microchipping
  • Routine fecal testing
  • Routine blood tests
  • Chiropractic care
  • Reiki, massage therapy and acupuncture
  • Routine anal gland expression
  • End-of-life expenses, such as cremation and burial

What doesn’t Paw Protect Pet Insurance cover?

It’s important to note that your monthly cost and annual coverage do not cover pre-existing conditions, which means any illness, injury, or irregular symptom noticed by your vet before you bought coverage or your new policy waiting period is complete.

However, Paw Protect is one of the only pet insurance providers that considers whether a pre-existing condition is curable or incurable before extending coverage. Some curable conditions, such as respiratory infections and certain gastrointestinal disorders, may be eligible for coverage if your pet is symptom and treatment-free for 12 months.

Below is a more comprehensive list of Paw Protect exclusions.

What’s not covered

  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Routine veterinary care, like wellness checks
  • Pregnancy and breeding-related care
  • Avian flu
  • DNA testing and cloning
  • Cosmetic procedures like tail docking and dewclaw removal
  • Injuries and illnesses resulting from illegal acts like fighting, neglect, or abuse
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Paw Protect waiting periods and age restrictions

Before taking out a policy with Paw Protect, it’s important to understand the waiting periods and age restrictions.

Waiting periods: The waiting period is two days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. For orthopedic conditions in dogs, there is a six-month waiting period. However, you can reduce this waiting period to just 14 days by following the Orthopedic Exam and Waiver Process.

Age restrictions: Paw Protect has a generous upper age limit of 14 years for policies dealing strictly with accident and illness coverage. There is also an accident-only plan available that offers coverage for dogs and cats over 15 years of age, so you can always properly address a life-threatening emergency.

Paw Protect plans & pricing

The cost of pet insurance with Paw Protect depends on a variety of factors, including:

As with many other providers, Paw Protect charges a $25 enrollment fee.

The rest of your fees follow the deductible options, payout limits, and reimbursement schedules shown in the chart below.

Deductible Payout Limit Reimbursement
$100 $5,000 70%
$250 $10,000 80%
$500 Unlimited 90%

For the wellness plan, you may pay the following fees according to your annual coverage limit:

Does Paw Protect offer any discounts?

Paw Protect offers two types of discounts.

How does Paw Protect compare to other pet insurance providers?

Use this tool to compare Paw Protect to other top pet insurance providers like CarePlus by Chewy, Fetch by the Dodo, Figo Pet Insurance, and many more. Select a competitor to see how Paw Protect compares.
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Paw Protect CarePlus by Chewy
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Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Coverage
Available
Available
Accident-Only Coverage
Not Available
Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Add On
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Not covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Not covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Add On
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Add On
Covered
Microchipping
Add On
Not covered
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
14 years
No Max
Accident Waiting Period
2 days
2-5 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
6 months
14 days / 30 days / 6 months

How to file a claim

To file a claim for reimbursement through Paw Protect, follow these steps:

1

Ask your vet for an itemized invoice that shows treatments, exam fees, the reason for the visit, and the final diagnosis.

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2

If you’re submitting a claim via email, fax, or mail, download the proper form from your Paw Protect customer account.

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3

If you’re submitting your claim online, you can do it using your Paw Protect customer account without downloading or filling out any additional forms. Simply log into your account, select Submit a Claim, and follow the easy-to-understand directions.

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4

When submitting a claim online, be sure to select your vet, enter the correct diagnosis, and attach your invoice.

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5

Next, your claim goes under review. This typically takes 10-15 business days, but we may reach out for additional information during that time.

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6

If your claim is approved, you should receive funds via mail in about 10 business days. Or if you’ve selected direct deposit, you should get your money in just 3 business days.

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Paw Protect FAQs

How does Paw Protect work?

Paw Protect combines comprehensive accident and illness insurance with a Paytient-backed line of credit. This allows you to get your pet the protection they need without paying for vet visits and treatments up front. You can also opt in to a complementary wellness plan and pay a bit extra per month to cover things like acupuncture for hip dysplasia or teeth cleanings.

Does Paw Protect cover pre-existing conditions?

Paw Protect only covers pre-existing conditions that are considered curable and then only if the animal has had no symptoms or treatments for 12 months. Most pre-existing conditions are considered incurable and will not be covered by your new policy.

How much does Paw Protect cost?

The exact cost of your Paw Protect policy depends on an array of factors, including how much coverage you want, how much you want to pay in deductibles, and the size and type of animal you want to get coverage for. All policies include a $25 enrollment fee.

What deductible and reimbursement level should I choose?

You should choose the deductible and reimbursement level that makes the most sense for your budget and your pet’s needs. The more coverage you have, the less you’ll pay out of pocket eventually. Hopefully, your pet will never need tens of thousands of dollars in care, but when accidents happen or devastating illnesses strike, it’s good to know you won’t have to choose between rent or your pet’s health and comfort.

Alana Luna (Musselman)
Alana Luna (Musselman) Writer & Content Strategist

Alana Luna (Musselman) is a versatile storyteller with over a decade of writing experience. She is passionate about helping people build their business through unique and engaging content. Some examples of her current freelance projects include building content strategies for small businesses, completing industry research to build case studies, crafting buyer guides and more.

She has a passion and keen ability to simplify complex ideas through storytelling to make it easier for readers to understand hard-to-digest information. As such, Alana’s writing holds strong three principles – content that educates, engages and entertains.

Apart from her contributions to LA Times Compare, Alana has freelanced and ghostwritten for large publications and prestigious brands such as Orbitz, Groupon, Amazon, JCPenney, Walmart and more.

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