Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review: Coverage, Costs, and More (2025)
Healthy Paws offers one simple plan with broad coverage, fast claims, and no payout limits — but is it the best fit for you and your pet?
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Edited byNick Versaw
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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John LeachLicensed Insurance Agent
John Leach is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. John has several years of experience reviewing and editing various insurance topics, and he also holds a valid personal lines producer license from the California Department of Insurance (NPN #20461358).
He’s also an alumnus of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.
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Table of contents
Healthy Paws offers comprehensive pet insurance that covers everything from emergency visits to specialist care. If your pet gets sick or injured, you won’t have to worry about hitting a limit — the plan doesn’t cap payouts, no matter how many claims you file.
Healthy Paws stands out for its fast claims processing — the insurer says it processes most claims within two days.
The average monthly cost of a Healthy Paws plan is $44 for dogs and $21 for cats, according to our data.
Healthy Paws: An Overview
Pros
Unlimited annual and lifetime payouts
Quick claims processing
Covers hereditary and congenital conditions
Cons
Doesn’t issue new policies to pets older than 13
Doesn’t offer optional wellness plan
No coverage for exam fees
Healthy Paws keeps things simple, with just one comprehensive plan that covers accidents and illnesses and has no annual or lifetime limits on payouts. The insurer says it processes most claims within two days.
But if you’re looking for preventive care, you’ll need to find that elsewhere. Healthy Paws doesn’t have any optional add-ons like a wellness plan.
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Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Costs by Dog Breed
Healthy Paws offers coverage for nearly every dog breed, but your monthly premium can vary depending on your dog’s size, age, and common health conditions associated with the breed.
To help you get a sense of what to expect, here’s a breakdown of the average monthly cost of Healthy Paws pet insurance for some of the most popular dog breeds.
Dog Breed  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Poodle | $89 |
| Pit bull | $79 |
| Chihuahua | $28 |
| French bulldog | $90 |
| German shepherd | $61 |
| Golden retriever | $59 |
| Goldendoodle | $34 |
| Labrador retriever | $73 |
| Shih tzu | $28 |
| Yorkshire terrier | $31 |
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Costs by Cat Breed
Healthy Paws also insures cats of all breeds, with monthly premiums that vary based on age and breed-specific health risks.
The table below highlights the average cost of coverage for several popular cat breeds to give you a better idea of what you might pay.
Cat Breed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Persian | $26 |
| Maine Coon | $37 |
| Ragdoll | $19 |
| Siamese | $30 |
| Mixed | $26 |
Pet Insurance Policies Healthy Paws Offers
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Healthy Paws keeps things simple by having one comprehensive plan for dogs and cats. Some pet insurers offer multiple tiers and add-on packages. Healthy Paws instead offers a single plan that covers a wide range of unexpected health issues.
But if you want coverage for routine care, you’ll need to look elsewhere — Healthy Paws doesn’t offer wellness plans.
What Healthy Paws’ Pet Insurance Policy Covers
Healthy Paws’ pet insurance plan covers:
Accidents and injuries (including poisonings and broken bones)
Illnesses (including hereditary and congenital conditions and cancer)
Emergency care
Specialty care
Alternative treatments
Diagnostic testing (including X-rays and blood tests)
Hospitalization and surgery
Certain pre-existing conditions if a pet remains symptom-free for 12 months
Common health issues Healthy Paws covers
Specific coverages and waiting periods can vary from one pet insurance provider to the next.
The table below highlights several common health conditions Healthy Paws policies cover and the waiting period for each, according to our research.
Condition | Covered? | Waiting Period |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign body ingestion | Yes | 15 days |
| Ear infections | Yes | 15 days |
| Arthritis | Yes | 15 days |
| Cancer | Yes | 15 days |
| Respiratory conditions | Yes | 15 days |
| Gastrointestinal problems | Yes | 15 days |
| Soft tissue injuries | Yes | 15 days |
| Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) | Yes | 15 days |
| Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) | Yes | 15 days |
| Upper respiratory infections | Yes | 15 days |
| Feline lower urinary tract disease | Yes | 15 days |
| Ear mites | Yes | 15 days |
| Fading kitten syndrome | Yes | 15 days |
| Intestinal parasites | Yes | 15 days |
Every condition in the table is subject to a 15-day waiting period, so you’ll need to wait before your coverage kicks in.
What Healthy Paws doesn’t cover
Like most pet insurers, Healthy Paws doesn’t cover everything. Here are issues and treatments the plan excludes:
Pre-existing conditions
Preventive and routine care (such as annual exams, vaccinations, and flea/tick prevention)
Spaying and neutering
Office visit fees or exam fees
Behavioral treatments
Dental care (unless related to an accident)
Pre-existing conditions: Healthy Paws defines pre-existing conditions as any illness or injury that occurred or showed clinical signs before the coverage effective date, including waiting periods. A Healthy Paws policy doesn’t cover these.
Preventive care: Preventive care includes routine checkups, vaccinations, and flea/tick prevention. Healthy Paws doesn’t cover these services, as its plan is focused on unexpected veterinary care rather than routine wellness visits.
Routine dental care: Healthy Paws won’t pay for preventive dental care, like tooth cleaning. But if an injury damages your pet’s teeth, Healthy Paws can cover the cost of removing or repairing the damaged teeth.
How Does Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Work?
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To get reimbursed for your vet bills, you’ll pay your vet up front, then submit a claim through the Healthy Paws app or website by uploading a photo of your invoice. The insurer says it usually processes claims in about two days. You’ll receive your reimbursement through direct deposit or check — whichever you prefer.
Real-life example: How a claim works
Let’s say your dog swallows something it shouldn’t and needs emergency surgery. The total vet bill comes to $3,000. Here’s how that would play out with Healthy Paws:
Annual deductible: You pay your deductible first — let’s say it’s $250.
Remaining balance: That leaves $2,750 eligible for reimbursement.
Reimbursement rate: If your plan reimburses 80%, Healthy Paws would send you $2,200.
Healthy Paws doesn’t cap payouts, so you won’t hit a limit on how much your policy will reimburse over your pet’s lifetime.
Deductibles and payout limits explained
Although Healthy Paws has no payout limits, it still has deductibles and reimbursement limits.
Annual deductible: Healthy Paws uses an annual deductible, not a per-condition one. That means once you meet your deductible for the year, you won’t pay it again until your next policy term.
You can choose the deductible amount when you sign up — lower deductibles generally mean higher premiums, and vice versa.
Reimbursement limit: This is the percentage of your vet expenses that Healthy Paws will reimburse you for. Typically, you have a choice of reimbursement amounts when you first enroll in a policy.
No payout caps: One of the biggest benefits of a Healthy Paws policy is that it doesn’t have annual, per-incident, or lifetime payout limits. If your pet needs ongoing treatment or multiple surgeries, you’re still covered.
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Healthy Paws vs. Lemonade and Figo
It’s a good idea to get pet insurance quotes from multiple companies before choosing the one that best fits your needs. To get you started, here’s how Healthy Paws compares to competitors like Lemonade and Figo, according to our research.
Pet Insurance Company | Average Monthly Price for Cats | Average Monthly Price for Dogs | Available Payout Limits | Waiting Periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Paws | $21 | $44 | Unlimited | 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses and a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia |
| Lemonade | $15 | $26 | $5,000–$100,000 | 14 days for illnesses, 30 days for orthopedic conditions |
| Figo | $25 | $57 | $5,000 to Unlimited | 1 day for injuries, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions in dogs |
Lemonade
Pros
Premiums start as low as $10 per month
Discount available if you bundle pet and home insurance
File claims through Lemonade’s mobile app
Cons
Behavioral treatment only covered with an add-on
Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
Not available in every state
Lemonade offers some of the lowest premiums of any pet insurance company, according to our data. It also offers a good range of plan types with varying coverage, including add-ons for preventive and wellness care.
Reimbursement options range from 70% to 90%, and annual coverage limits can be as high as $100,000.
Figo
Pros
No upper age limit for new policies
Multiple reimbursement and deductible options
24/7 virtual vet visits included
Cons
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Many negative customer reviews about claims
No coverage for prescription food
Figo is a great option if you’re looking for a customized pet insurance policy. The insurer has no upper age limit for enrollment and offers reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%. You can choose unlimited coverage, and deductibles range from $100 to $750. Add-ons include coverage for vet exam fees and wellness plans.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about Healthy Paws, here’s what you need to know before signing up.
Does Healthy Paws pet insurance have age restrictions?
Yes. Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old to enroll, and the cutoff for new policies is 14 years old — for both cats and dogs. Once enrolled, coverage can continue for life, as long as you keep the policy active.
Does Healthy Paws pet insurance have waiting periods?
Yes, Healthy Paws has a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, starting from your policy’s effective date. That means your policy won’t cover any health issues that show up during that time.
Do you have to visit a vet before you enroll in a Healthy Paws policy?
Not always, but if your pet is 6 years or older, you’ll need to show proof of a full physical exam either 30 days before or 15 days after your policy starts. This helps establish a baseline for your pet’s health.
How long does Healthy Paws take to reimburse a claim?
Healthy Paws usually processes claims within two business days. Direct deposits may take up to 10 days to hit your bank account, and mailed checks can take up to 15 days depending on where you live.
This article used AI-assisted insights and analysis of our own proprietary data and content prior to reaching our editorial team. All published content is human-edited and reviewed by a licensed insurance agent.
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