Embrace includes exam fees, dental illness and rehabilitation in its base plan, and its diminishing deductible rewards claim-free years. It is also one of the few insurers that will cover curable pre-existing conditions after a symptom-free period.
The short version
Embrace is the policy we would buy if we wanted one plan that covers nearly everything without studying an add-on menu. Exam fees, dental illness up to $1,000 a year, physical therapy, alternative therapies and behavioral treatment are all part of the standard accident and illness plan. It costs more than Lemonade at the entry level, but the gap narrows quickly once you price Lemonade with comparable add-ons.
What sets Embrace apart is its approach to health history. Most insurers treat any past condition as permanently excluded. Embrace separates curable conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or vomiting episode, from incurable ones, and will cover a curable condition again once your pet has been symptom-free for twelve months.
Coverage: built to be complete
The base policy covers diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization, cancer treatment, prescription drugs, hereditary and congenital conditions, and chronic illnesses. Annual limits range from $5,000 to $100,000. Because exam fees are included, every sick visit counts toward your deductible from the first dollar, which effectively makes the policy more generous than its headline numbers suggest.
Dental illness, including extractions and periodontal disease treatment, is covered up to $1,000 per year, which is unusual and particularly valuable for small breeds and cats. Routine cleanings are not covered by insurance, but Embrace's optional Wellness Rewards program can reimburse them alongside vaccines, grooming and training classes.
We would flag one structural detail: once a pet reaches fifteen, Embrace converts renewals to accident-only coverage. Illness coverage effectively ends for very senior pets, which makes the plan less attractive for owners enrolling a ten-year-old dog and expecting long-term protection.
Pricing and the diminishing deductible
Our sample dog quote started at $32 a month and our cat quote at $19. Embrace's annual deductible options run from $200 to $1,000, and its signature feature is the diminishing deductible: every year you do not receive a claim payout, your deductible falls by $50. Over a few healthy years a $500 deductible can drop meaningfully, which rewards owners who buy early and claim rarely.
A 10% multi-pet discount applies, and military households receive an additional discount. Premiums rise with age, and in our multi-year checks Embrace's increases were moderate.
Claims experience
Claims are submitted through the app or online portal. In our testing, routine claims were reimbursed in five to ten business days; complex claims requiring full medical history took longer. That is slower than Lemonade or Healthy Paws but entirely respectable for the industry. Embrace pays by direct deposit and reviewers note clear explanations of benefits on each claim.
Exclusions and waiting periods
Accidents are covered after two days and illnesses after fourteen. Orthopedic conditions, including cruciate ligament tears and hip dysplasia, carry a six-month waiting period, but Embrace will shorten it to fourteen days if your vet performs an orthopedic exam and finds no existing issue. That is a genuinely useful option for large breeds.
Incurable pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes diagnosed before enrollment, remain excluded permanently. Embrace also requires medical records from the past twelve months before paying a first claim, so request them from your vet when you enroll rather than in the middle of an emergency.
Who it suits
Embrace is the strongest choice for owners who value completeness over the lowest possible premium, for breeds prone to dental disease, and for pets with a minor, resolved health history that other insurers would exclude for life. It is a weaker fit for owners of older pets who will cross the age-fifteen threshold soon after enrolling.