Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review 2026

By the Real Pet Cost editorial team · Prices reviewed October 2026 · How we estimate costs

Healthy Paws has sold pet insurance since 2009 and built its name on one simple accident and illness plan, fast claims and no payout caps. It now belongs to Chubb, and its 2026 plan menu includes capped annual limits as well as the unlimited option it’s known for, so older reviews don’t always match what a new quote shows.

Who Owns and Underwrites Healthy Paws?

• Owner: Chubb. Chubb announced an agreement to buy Healthy Paws from Aon in April 2024, and the company now calls itself “Healthy Paws, a Chubb Company.” Chubb had already been its exclusive underwriter since 2013.
• Underwriters: Chubb companies, namely ACE American Insurance Company, Westchester Fire Insurance Company, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company and Atlantic Employers Insurance Company, plus other US Chubb affiliates.
• Sold through: Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency, Inc.

Which Chubb company issues your policy depends on your state; your declarations page names it.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance at a Glance

Figures come from Healthy Paws’ home, FAQ, coverage and comparison pages (checked October 2026), cross-checked with NerdWallet’s May 2026 review and ConsumerAffairs. Healthy Paws doesn’t list its deductible and reimbursement menus on its site; they appear in your quote. Coverage is subject to each policy’s terms, exclusions and state availability.

State differences

In California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, the terms are amended: accidents have no waiting period, illnesses and non-accident orthopedic conditions have a 15-day wait, and hip dysplasia has a 30-day wait, with the illness and hip waits waivable after a complete exam.

How Much Does Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Cost?

Healthy Paws doesn’t publish average premiums. Its site says rates depend on breed, sex, age, treatment costs and regional claims, and that increases aren’t based on your own claims. Published samples:

Two things stand out. First, older pets and some breeds may only be offered a higher deductible and lower reimbursement, so the quote isn’t always for the settings you asked for. Second, premiums for 8-year-old pets were more than double the 2-year-old prices in NerdWallet’s samples. For national context, NAPHIA puts average accident and illness premiums at about $62 a month for dogs and $32 for cats; our pet insurance cost guide explains the main price drivers.

Discounts

Healthy Paws doesn’t list a multi-pet or bundle discount on the pages we reviewed; it does run a refer-a-friend program. NerdWallet reports a 10% discount for members of PetSmart’s Treats Rewards program.

What’s Covered and Not Covered

Covered

• Accidents and sudden illnesses, emergency care, surgery and hospital stays
• Chronic, hereditary and congenital conditions, including breed-specific conditions such as hip dysplasia (with the age rule)
• Cancer care, diagnostics, lab work and X-rays
• Prescription medications
• Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, rehab and physical therapy
• Accident-related tooth damage (extraction or reconstruction), and dental illness if there were no prior signs

Not covered

• Exam fees for any visit, including accident and illness visits
• Pre-existing conditions; curable ones may qualify after 365 days without symptoms or treatment
• Wellness and preventive care: vaccines, spay/neuter, parasite control, heartworm medication, routine tests, grooming
• Routine dental cleanings
• Behavioral modification, training, therapy and behavioral medications
• Prescription diets (per NerdWallet), elective procedures and boarding
• Hip dysplasia for pets enrolled at age 6 or older

The cruciate ligament rule

If one knee’s cruciate ligament is injured before enrollment or during the 15-day wait, the other knee is excluded too. Healthy Paws says this is the only bilateral exclusion in its policy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unlimited annual payout option, with no per-incident or lifetime caps
• Fast reimbursement: Healthy Paws says approved claims are paid in about 2 business days on average
• Can pay your vet directly if you request it before treatment
• Alternative therapies included
• Unlimited 24/7 virtual vet visits
• Rate increases aren’t tied to your own claim history, according to Healthy Paws

Cons

• Exam fees are never covered
• No wellness add-on and no accident-only plan
• 15-day accident waiting period in most states, longer than many competitors
• Hip dysplasia excluded for pets enrolled at 6 or older, with a 12-month wait for younger pets in most states
• Older pets may only get higher deductibles and 70% reimbursement
• Steep premium increases with age are the top complaint in customer reviews

How Claims Work

1. Pay your vet, or ask Healthy Paws for Direct Pay before treatment (approval of Direct Pay doesn’t guarantee coverage).
2. Upload a photo of the invoice in the Healthy Paws app or Customer Center, or send it by email, fax or mail, within 90 days of the invoice date.
3. Healthy Paws applies your reimbursement rate first and then subtracts any remaining deductible. Its own example: a $1,200 covered bill at 80% with a $250 deductible pays $710.
4. Payment arrives by check or direct deposit.

Healthy Paws says most claims are processed and paid within 2 days. NerdWallet notes that payment can take up to 15 days after approval. Because the deductible comes off after the percentage, the payout is a little lower than with insurers that subtract the deductible first.

Healthy Paws Reviews and Ratings

ConsumerAffairs’ reviews are split almost evenly between 1 star (47%) and 5 stars (45%). Several reviewers describe renewals where the deductible went up or reimbursement dropped, so it’s worth reading renewal notices carefully.

Who It May Suit / Who Might Look Elsewhere

Healthy Paws may suit owners who:

• Have a young pet and want an unlimited annual limit
• Value fast reimbursement or the option of direct vet payment
• Want alternative therapies such as rehab and acupuncture included
• Have a large-breed puppy and can enroll well before age 6

Owners might compare other options if they:

• Want exam fees covered
• Want a wellness add-on or an accident-only plan
• Are enrolling a pet near age 14, or a pet 6 or older at risk of hip problems
• Are on a tight budget as the pet ages, given reported premium increases

Questions to Ask Before You Enroll

• Which limit, deductible and reimbursement can your pet get? Check whether the quote matches what you selected, especially for pets over 6.
• Unlimited or capped? The $5,000 and $7,000 limits lower the price but can’t be raised later.
• What are your state’s waiting periods? Standard states use 15 days for accidents; amended states have none for accidents.
• When was your pet’s last exam? Schedule the required exam so it fits the enrollment window.
• How will exam fees affect claims? Each sick visit’s exam fee stays with you, which adds up for chronic conditions.
• How have premiums changed for older pets? Ask how rates are set as pets age in your state.

How It Compares

Our MetLife pet insurance review covers that plan in detail. If you’re weighing whether coverage pays off at all, see is pet insurance worth it?

Real Vet Bills It Could Help With

Typical US costs from our price guides, with an illustrative Healthy Paws payout at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible, using its published method: (covered bill × 80%) − deductible. Exam fees are removed first because they aren’t covered. Each row assumes the deductible hasn’t been met yet that year, the condition is covered and not pre-existing, and the waiting period is over.

These are simple illustrations, not a promise of payment. The cruciate rule above applies to the knee surgery, and a $5,000 limit would be used up quickly if both a TPLO and another surgery happened in the same year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not veterinary advice. Prices are estimates for budgeting, not quotes. Ask your veterinarian for a written, itemized estimate. If your pet is injured, in pain or acting unwell, contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.