Embrace Pet Insurance is widely regarded as one of the most balanced and "fair" insurers in the market. Its "killer feature" is the Healthy Pet Deductible, which automatically lowers your deductible by $50 for every year you don't file a claim. Combined with one of the shortest accident waiting periods in the industry (just 2 days) and coverage for vet exam fees, it is a top-tier choice for puppy owners who want comprehensive protection that rewards them for keeping their pet healthy.

At a Glance

Policy Types: Accident & Illness OR Accident-Only
Annual Coverage Limits: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, or $30,000 (Unlimited available in select states)
Reimbursement Rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%
Deductibles: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000 (Annual)
Waiting Periods: 2 days for Accidents; 14 days for Illnesses; 6 months for Orthopedic conditions (can be reduced to 14 days with an exam)
Age Limits: Enroll up to age 14 (Accident & Illness); No limit for Accident-Only
Underwriter: American Modern Insurance Group (A+ Rated)

Pros & Cons

Pros

Healthy Pet Deductible: This is Embrace's unique selling point. For every year you do not receive a claim payment, your deductible drops by $50 the following year. If your pet stays healthy for a few years, your deductible could drop to $0.
2-Day Accident Wait: Most competitors make you wait 14 or 15 days before covering accidents. Embrace covers broken legs and swallowed socks starting just 48 hours after enrollment.
Exam Fees Included: Unlike Spot or Lemonade (where exam fees are often an extra rider or excluded), Embrace covers the cost of the vet visit/exam fee for covered conditions in its standard plan.
Curable Pre-Existing Conditions: Like Spot, Embrace distinguishes between "curable" and "incurable" conditions. If a pet is symptom-free from a curable condition (like a UTI or kennel cough) for 12 months, it is covered again.

Cons

Dental Illness Cap: Embrace limits dental illness coverage (periodontal disease, extractions) to $1,000 per year in most states. If your dog needs a $3,000 root canal/extraction surgery, you might be out of pocket.
Orthopedic Waiting Period: There is a strict 6-month waiting period for dog orthopedic issues (like cruciate ligaments). You can waive this by getting an "orthopedic report card" (exam) from your vet right after enrolling, but it adds a hurdle.
Wellness Rewards is Not Insurance: Their wellness plan is essentially a non-insurance savings account. You pay $25/month to get $300/year allowance. It’s a budgeting tool, not a discount plan.

Overview

Embrace is a veteran in the pet insurance space (founded 2003) and is notably the preferred partner of USAA. It is known for having very few "gotchas" in its fine print. While it may not always be the cheapest option on a monthly basis, its inclusion of exam fees and diminishing deductible often makes it cheaper when you actually use it.

Coverage Details

Accident & Illness Plan: Covers surgery, hospitalization, genetic conditions, chronic conditions, cancer, and dental illness (up to $1k cap). Crucially, it covers the exam fee, the $50-$100 charge just for walking into the vet's office, which many budget insurers exclude.
Wellness Rewards: This is a flexible allowance. Unlike competitors who cap individual items (e.g., "$15 for a vaccine"), Embrace gives you a pot of money (e.g., $250, $450, or $650) to spend on any preventative care, including grooming, training, or flea meds.
- Note: It is not an insurance product; it is a budgeting product.

Fees & Requirements

Premiums: Generally mid-range. More expensive than Lemonade, but often cheaper than Trupanion.
Transaction Fee: Often charges a $1 monthly installment fee.
Review: Claims are handled relatively quickly, and pre-certification (asking if something is covered before treatment) is available and encouraged.

Customer Experience

The App: The mobile app is highly rated for uploading claims (just snap a photo of the invoice).
PawSupport: 24/7 access to pet pros for questions (similar to Telehealth).

Who It’s Best For

Puppy Owners: The 2-day accident waiting period is vital for puppies who are prone to eating things they shouldn't immediately after coming home.
Healthy Pets: If your pet is generally healthy, the Healthy Pet Deductible rewards you. A healthy 3-year stretch saves you $150 on your future deductible.
USAA Members: Embrace offers a discount (usually ~15%) for USAA members, making it extremely price-competitive.

Who Should Skip It

Senior Pets (14+): If your dog is over 14, you can only get Accident-Only coverage. Spot has no upper age limit for full coverage.
Dental-Prone Breeds: If you have a Greyhound or Yorkie prone to severe dental rot, the $1,000 annual dental cap is a dealbreaker. Look at Trupanion or Fetch instead.
Those Wanting "True" Unlimited: While Embrace offers high limits ($30k is effectively unlimited for most), if you absolutely want "Unlimited" on paper, Spot or Figo might be easier to find in your state.

Bottom Line Verdict

Embrace Pet Insurance is the "Fair Deal" insurer. It doesn't trick you with excluded exam fees or lifetime pre-existing bans for curable issues. While the dental cap is a weak point, the combination of the Healthy Pet Deductible and the 2-day accident waiting period makes it one of the smartest buys for young, healthy animals.