What Embrace Pet Insurance Covers
Embrace is a pet insurance company that reimburses you for veterinary bills after you pay them out of pocket. You choose a plan, pay a monthly premium, take your pet to any licensed veterinarian you want, and then submit the bill to Embrace for reimbursement. The company sends you money back based on what your plan covers and your chosen deductible and reimbursement percentage.
Embrace covers accidents and illnesses — things like broken bones, ear infections, cancer treatment, and emergency surgery. The company also offers a wellness add-on that covers routine care: annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, and flea prevention. What Embrace does not cover includes pre-existing conditions (conditions your pet had before the policy started), breed-specific conditions in some cases, and routine care unless you add the wellness rider.
Unlike some pet insurance companies, Embrace does not have a network of preferred veterinarians. You can take your pet to any vet, emergency clinic, or specialist, and Embrace will still reimburse you. This matters if you have a vet you already trust or if you live somewhere with limited veterinary options.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace reimburses you after you pay your vet bill, so you need cash or a credit card at the appointment.
- You pick your deductible (usually $250 to $750 per year) and your reimbursement percentage (70%, 80%, or 90%), which changes your monthly premium.
- Accidents and illnesses are covered, but pre-existing conditions are not, and routine care requires an optional wellness add-on.
- You can use any licensed veterinarian in the United States, including emergency clinics and specialists.
- Embrace has a mobile app where you can submit photos of your vet bill and track reimbursement status.
How to Choose Your Deductible and Reimbursement Level
When you sign up for Embrace, you decide two things that directly affect your monthly cost: your deductible and your reimbursement percentage. The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before Embrace starts reimbursing you each year. Embrace offers deductibles of $250, $500, and $750 per year. A higher deductible means a lower monthly premium, but you pay more before coverage kicks in.
The reimbursement percentage is how much of the bill Embrace pays back after you meet your deductible. You can choose 70%, 80%, or 90%. If your vet bill is $1,000 and you have a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement, you pay $500, and Embrace reimburses you $400 (80% of the remaining $500). Again, higher reimbursement means a higher monthly premium.
There is no annual or lifetime maximum benefit cap with Embrace, which means the company will keep reimbursing you throughout the year and throughout your pet's life, as long as you keep paying premiums. This matters for pets with chronic conditions or multiple health issues.
The Wellness Add-On and What It Includes
Embrace's wellness add-on is an optional rider you can add to your policy for an extra monthly fee. It covers preventive and routine care that the base plan does not: annual wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing, dental cleanings, and microchipping. The wellness add-on has its own annual limit — typically $650 to $1,050 per year depending on your pet's age — so you can use it until that limit is reached.
The wellness add-on does not have a deductible. You submit your receipt, and Embrace reimburses you up to the annual limit. This is useful if your pet needs regular preventive care or if you want to budget for annual vet visits without worrying about the base plan's deductible.
How to Submit a Claim and Get Reimbursed
After your vet visit, you have 90 days to submit your bill to Embrace. You can do this three ways: through the Embrace mobile app (by taking photos of your receipt and vet invoice), through the website, or by mailing paper copies to Embrace's claims address. The app is the fastest method because Embrace can process it when ready.
When you submit a claim, include your invoice from the vet showing the date of service, what was treated, and the total cost. Embrace reviews the claim and sends you a check or deposits money into your bank account, depending on how you set it up. Reimbursement typically takes 5 to 10 business days after Embrace receives your claim, though this can vary.
If Embrace denies a claim or reimburses less than you expected, you can contact the company to ask why. Common reasons for partial reimbursement include the condition being listed as pre-existing, the service not being covered under your plan, or the bill exceeding what Embrace considers reasonable for that service in your area.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Coverage Limits
Embrace will not cover any condition your pet had before your policy's start date, even if it was not diagnosed until after you signed up. This is called a pre-existing condition exclusion, and it is standard across the pet insurance industry. If your pet had a knee injury, diabetes, or allergies before you bought the policy, Embrace will not reimburse treatment for those issues.
Some conditions are also excluded based on breed. Embrace may not cover certain orthopedic or genetic conditions in specific breeds if the company considers them breed-typical. When you get a quote, Embrace will tell you if any breed-specific exclusions explore to your pet.
Embrace does not have an annual or lifetime cap on how much it will reimburse, which sets it apart from some competitors. As long as you pay your premiums, the company will continue reimbursing you year after year for new accidents and illnesses.
What Affects Your Monthly Premium
Your Embrace premium depends on several factors: your pet's age, breed, size, and the state where you live. Older pets cost more to insure than younger ones because they are more likely to have health issues. Some breeds have higher premiums due to breed-specific health risks. Larger dogs typically cost more than smaller dogs because their vet bills tend to be higher.
Your location matters because veterinary costs vary by region. A vet visit in a major city may cost more than the same visit in a rural area, so Embrace adjusts premiums accordingly. You can get a quote from Embrace by entering your pet's information on their website — the company will show you the monthly cost before you commit.
Once you buy a policy, Embrace can raise your premium when you renew each year, but the company cannot cancel you or exclude conditions based on claims you have made. Your premium may increase if your pet ages or if Embrace raises rates in your area, but you will not be penalized for using your insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Embrace if my pet has a pre-existing condition?
No. Embrace will not cover any condition your pet had before the policy started, even if it was not diagnosed until later. However, if your pet develops a new condition after the policy is in place, that condition is covered. Some pet owners buy insurance for young, healthy pets specifically to avoid this limitation.
How long does it take to get reimbursed after I submit a claim?
Embrace typically processes claims within 5 to 10 business days of receiving them. If you submit through the mobile app, the company can process it faster than if you mail paper documents. You can check the status of your claim in the app or on the website.
What happens if my vet bill is higher than what Embrace thinks is reasonable?
Embrace compares your bill to what it considers the average cost for that service in your area. If your bill is significantly higher, Embrace may reimburse based on the average rather than the full amount. You can contact Embrace to ask how they calculated the reimbursement and request a review if you believe the bill was reasonable.
Does Embrace cover dental cleanings?
Dental cleanings are not covered under the base accident and illness plan. You need to add the wellness rider to your policy to get reimbursement for dental work. The wellness add-on covers routine cleanings but not extractions or other dental procedures related to disease, which would fall under the base plan if they are necessary due to illness.
Can I switch vets or use an emergency clinic with Embrace?
Yes. Embrace has no network restrictions, so you can use any licensed veterinarian, emergency clinic, or specialist in the United States. You are not locked into specific providers, and you can change vets whenever you want without affecting your coverage.