TRUPANION VS. EMBRACE

When looking into medical insurance for your pet, it’s very important to get the facts and read the fine print. Be sure to do your research before making your decision. To make life a little easier, we’ve done some of that for you—read on to learn some of the differences between Trupanion and Embrace.

Are these features important to you?

We don’t restrict coverage with long waiting periods

Like most companies, Embrace has waiting periods for injuries and illnesses following enrollment. This is completely normal, and Trupanion has a 12-day delayed effective date.*

However, what most pet owners may not know is that for dogs insured under an Embrace policy, there is a six-month waiting period for any treatment associated with orthopedic issues, which can include hip dysplasia, cruciate ruptures, and luxating patellas.

Six months may not seem like a long time to wait, but we’ve found that cruciate ruptures and luxating patellas are two of Trupanion’s most commonly claimed conditions—and some of the most costly to treat. According to Trupanion claims data, a Labrador Retriever that is between the ages of 2 and 7 years old, for instance, is 70% more likely than the average dog to experience a cruciate rupture, and treatment will likely cost the pet owner nearly $4,100.00.

And hip dysplasia can be extremely costly to treat once diagnosed and is most often diagnosed at a young age. When we look at Trupanion data, we see that a Golden Retriever, for instance, is 3.1 times more likely than the average dog to be diagnosed with hip dysplasia before they are a year old, with treatment likely to cost around $1,900.00. If hip dysplasia is not diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, it can lead to the need for total hip replacement, which on average can cost over $5,000.00.

You can have the six-month waiting period reduced, but in order to do so you must visit your veterinarian after enrollment and get a special examination (determined by Embrace) that provides documentation showing that your pet doesn’t have any pre-existing conditions related to orthopedic issues. This is just one more restriction that costs you time and money. And if you miss the opportunity to waive this restriction, or if your dog has had any limping or knee issues in the past—even unrelated to these conditions—you could find yourself in a tough spot.

Trupanion has one short 12-day delayed effective date. That’s it. And then you have the complete coverage of The Trupanion Plan.*

We have no limits on the amount of care your pet can receive

No one wants their beloved cat or dog to get sick or injured, but sometimes unexpected things happen. That’s where medical insurance can help. But if your coverage is limited, you may find yourself in a tough situation. Other companies often have annual limits, so if your pet is unlucky and has a few really big bills, you may find yourself paying out of pocket pretty quickly. And if your pet is experiencing a health issue, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your pet’s medical insurance policy will actually pay the bill.

With Trupanion, there’s no limit on the amount of care your pet can receive. Meaning, no matter how high the veterinary invoice or how many claims we’ve paid for your pet, you never have to worry about running out of coverage.

At most, Embrace will cover 90% of the veterinary bill up to $30,000 a year. That might seem like enough, but when we look at Trupanion claims data, we have paid multiple claims in excess of $30,000.

And what seems like a reasonable limit today may be very limiting in a few years’ time. When purchasing medical insurance, consider what your coverage needs may be like 3, 5, or 10 years from now. You just never know what might happen. Which is why getting medical insurance for your pet is a smart choice. And when you don’t have to worry about keeping a tally of your veterinary invoices, you can stay focused on the health of your pet.

We’re here for you 24/7/365

Our call center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year—even on holidays. Trupanion remains committed to our members whenever they need us. We know that those midnight calls can make a difference when your veterinarian is treating a life-threatening situation. That’s why we make sure we’re there for you whenever you might need us.

Embrace is only available for coverage questions Monday through Friday, 9:00am–8pm, and Saturday 9am–2pm EST. That means they’re open less than 37% of the week—as opposed to Trupanion—which has pet-passionate experts available to answer questions 100% of the week. Pets can get sick or injured any time, so we make ourselves available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Whether it’s the middle of the night or Thanksgiving Day, we’re here for you.

We believe that veterinarians should manage wellness—not insurance companies

We strongly believe that insurance companies shouldn’t manage or dictate the pet owner’s relationship with their veterinarian. Your veterinarian is the expert on your pet’s health. They can—and should—choose the preventive care treatments that are most ideal for your pet. Trupanion believes that the best treatment plan for your pet is the one decided upon by you and your veterinarian, not an insurance company.

We can pay your veterinarian directly

Rather than having the traditional insurance reimbursement model, Trupanion has changed the game and created a process that, once again, puts our members first. We can pay your veterinarian directly, before you even leave the hospital. We don’t want you to pay out of pocket, and we think you probably don’t either. We don’t want you to have to worry about what’s going to get covered. In many cases, our direct pay option requires no paperwork and no phone calls from the pet owner.

Ask your hospital if they have the ability to accept direct payment from Trupanion. If they don’t, ask them to contact us so we can work with them to help ensure you’ll have the best experience possible.

We offer financial flexibility with no deductible

Embrace does have several deductible options: $200, $300, $500, $750, and $1,000. But even with five choices, you’re limited to just a few cost options that need to fit into your monthly budget. With The Trupanion Plan, you get to pick what we pay. This means you have maximum control over your monthly costs by choosing a payout percentage that works for you.

And let’s talk about deductibles for a minute. With The Trupanion Plan, you never have a deductible to meet. That’s right, we don’t have a set amount you have to pay before your coverage kicks in. Instead, you pick the payout percentage, and if something happens to your pet, The Trupanion Plan starts paying out immediately.

Have questions? Call 844.583.1534.
We're available 24/7/365.

* Maine residents: If your pet has received a full physical vet exam within the last 24 hours, our complete coverage starts with your first payment. We will start completing a Medical Record Summary for your pet immediately after enrollment, with no waiting periods or delayed effective date.