Paw Protect Pet Insurance Review & Prices October 2024
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Paw Protect Pet Insurance Review 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 up-front with no money out-of-pocket.
  • Paw Protect Pet Insurance offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan.
  • A wellness plan add-on is available to cover veterinarian visits for checkups, preventative care, and other non-life-threatening treatments.
  • 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 quote comparison tool.
SUMMARY

Paw Protect pet insurance offers a new way for pet owners to handle vet care by covering costs without needing to pay upfront.

That’s right — with this plan, you can take your dog or cat to the vet today and use a line of credit to cover the bill. No need to pay out of pocket, submit a claim, and wait for reimbursement.

So, how much does Paw Protect cost, and what coverage do you get? Whether you’re curious about customer service or want to understand how the policy works, this Paw Protect review will guide you through everything from coverage limits to average reimbursements.
Best for Paying Vet Bills Up-front
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via Petinsurer.com's secure website
5.0
Maximum annual coverage 
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$100, $250, $500

About Paw Protect Pet Insurance

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

The key difference is that Paw Protect offers a line of credit to cover vet bills. This means you don’t have to pay upfront and wait to get reimbursed. They pay the vet directly for you.

Let’s see how this pet insurance works.

Paw Protect & Paytient partnership

Most pet insurance companies work on a reimbursement-only basis, meaning you have to pay the vet and then wait to get your money back. Paw Protect changes this by offering a line of credit, up to $2,000, through a virtual Visa® card from Paytient. With this, you can cover your pet’s vet bills without upfront costs, making it one of the best pet insurance options for avoiding large out-of-pocket expenses.

Here’s a quick look at how Paw Protect pet insurance works:

Paw Protect pros & cons

There are both positives and negatives to Paw Protect coverage. Review Paw Protect’s benefits and drawbacks to see if it’s the insurer for you.

  • No upfront payments: Paw Protect offers a line of credit through Paytient, so you don’t have to pay vet bills upfront while waiting for reimbursement.
  • Quick accident coverage: Coverage for accidents begins just one day after you purchase the policy, offering fast protection for your pet
  • Comprehensive coverage: The policy includes coverage for end-of-life expenses and behavioral therapy, providing broader support for your pet’s needs
  • Higher premiums: Paw Protect tends to have higher monthly premiums compared to similar pet insurance providers.
  • No mobile app: There’s no dedicated app for processing claims, making it less convenient for tech-savvy users.
  • Waiting period for orthopedic conditions: There’s a 6-month waiting period for coverage of orthopedic issues, which may be a drawback for pets prone to joint or bone problems.

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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. It only covers accidents, such as broken bones. It won’t cover any expenses if your pet goes to the vet because it is sick.

Accident-only policies are only available to pets that are 15 years old or older.

Wellness rewards

Paw Protect offers an optional wellness plan. This can’t be purchased by itself and must be an add-on to an accident and illness policy (or an accident-only policy for senior pets).

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 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 know that your monthly premium and annual coverage don’t cover pre-existing conditions. This means any illness, injury, or symptom your vet noticed before you bought coverage won’t be covered. Any issues noticed during the policy waiting periods won’t be covered either.

However, Paw Protect is one of the few pet insurance companies that looks at whether a pre-existing condition is curable or incurable. Some curable conditions, like respiratory infections or certain stomach issues, may be covered if your pet has been symptom- and treatment-free for 12 months.

Here’s a list of what Paw Protect pet insurance does not cover:

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

Accidents: 2 days Illnesses: 14 days Orthopedic conditions: 6 months*

Age restrictions

Accident & illness policy age limit: 14 years Accident-only policy: Only available to pets age 15+ years

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*.

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 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:

Multi-pet discount

Paw Protect Insurance offers discounts for pet insurance purchases for multi-pet households. If you’re looking for multi-pet coverage, you may be eligible for a maximum 10% discount (5% in New York).

Military discount

Pet owners who are in the military or who qualify as veterans are also eligible for a 5% discount (excluding residents of New York and Tennessee).

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 Plan
Available
Available
Accident-Only Plan
Not Available
Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
test-product-property-111
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.

About the Author

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. To accomplish this, Alana’s writing holds strong three principles – content that educates, engages and entertains.

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