With a big name like the ASPCA associated with it, ASPCA Pet Insurance has to be the best right? Actually, pet insurance isn’t a one size fits all solution, and each pet’s needs are different. Further, licensing a brand name does not make the new product or service equal to the brand itself since it is managed by another entity. Find out how Embrace and ASPCA Pet Insurance differ and which may be the best option for you.
We compare coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, pricing, and customization and explain which company we think is better in most cases. However, remember that each pet, budget, and policy is different, so we suggest getting quotes from multiple companies to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.
Policy Coverage
Policy Coverage Tie
The table below shows what Embrace and ASPCA Pet Insurance cover.
Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications.
Neither covers pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
*Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
Both Embrace and ASPCA Pet Insurance have some of the best coverage in the pet insurance industry. As you can see, both companies cover all of the items in the table above and have reasonable waiting periods. ASPCA Pet Insurance’s 14-day waiting period for accidents is considered longer compared to other providers, but it also has much shorter waiting periods for hip dysplasia and CCL surgery.
Both companies have underwriters that are highly rated by A.M. Best (a measurement of financial stability), which means they’re considered by most in the insurance industry to be lower risk than an unrated or lower-rated company.
For Embrace, the biggest concern is that it doesn’t cover illnesses for pets enrolled after their 15th birthday (however, if the pet is enrolled before turning 15, full coverage will continue as long as you continue to pay your premium). ASPCA Pet Insurance has no upper age restrictions for new enrollment.
As you can see, there are many factors to consider, and what you deem most important may differ from others, which is why we’ve classified this category as a tie.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer Service & Reputation Winner
Most of Embrace’s complaints from customers involve unpaid claims. However, most concerns we have found involve pet parents who didn’t read their policy in full and, as a result, were unaware of waiting periods or other exclusions. This is why you should read your pet insurance policy entirely, so you understand what is and isn’t covered, ideally before you buy it.
As for ASPCA Pet Insurance, there are many complaints from customers regarding low reimbursements, slow claim processing, conditions flagged as pre-existing, and more. This is frustrating for customers because they purchase a policy expecting certain things to be covered and reimbursed but feel disappointed by what they actually get when they need ASPCA Pet Insurance the most.
Claim Processing
Claim Processing Winner
Embrace averages five days for claim processing for accidents and illnesses. This is shorter than many pet insurance competitors, including ASPCA Pet Insurance which averages 15-30 days for claim processing.
One perk you may wish to explore for ASPCA Pet Insurance is to have them pay your vet directly. If your vet office allows this, it would mean the insurance company pays the vet directly for the covered portion of your bill, and you are not left paying a hefty vet bill in advance while you wait for reimbursement. But this isn’t available everywhere, so check with your vet to see if this is an option for you. No matter which veterinarian you use, Embrace doesn’t offer a direct payment option.
Because Embrace has a much shorter claim processing period and is more consistent with its processing times, it’s the winner of this category. However, you may be able to avoid claim processing altogether if your vet is willing to receive direct payments from ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Price Of Policy
Price Of Policy Winner
Embrace has a one-time fee of $25 and a $1 per month transaction fee if you pay monthly. ASPCA Pet Insurance has no enrollment fees but a $2 per month transaction fee. It is common for providers to allow customers the option to pay their full annual premium at once each year, saving you monthly transaction fees.
Pricing is based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from each company for your specific pet. You can also visit our pet insurance comparison quotes to see a few sample prices we’ve gathered.
Embrace is common among the most expensive options. Meanwhile, ASPCA Pet Insurance is often priced in the middle but sometimes among the most expensive as well. However, remember that it’s always best to get quotes for your specific dog to compare what pet insurance could cost you. You can use our pet insurance quote form to get multiple company quotes when you complete this one quick form.
Coupons
Embrace
Embrace offers the following discounts:
- 10% off (5% off in NY) for multiple pets
- 5% off for military and veterans (NY and TN excluded)
- 10% off if your company or clinic offers Embrace as an employee benefit (FL, ND, NY, and TN excluded)
- 5% off in NY if you pay annually
- Up to 25% off for eligible USAA customers
- Your deductible automatically goes down $50 each year you don’t receive a claim payment
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
ASPCA Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers the following discount:
- 10% off for multiple pets
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
Plan Customization
Plan Customization Winner
Finding a company that has the coverage you need and fits within your budget is a necessity. See what plan options you have below from each provider.
| Embrace | ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible Options | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $100, $250, $500 |
| Payout Options | $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, unlimited | $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 |
| Reimbursement Options | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
Both companies offer multiple plan customizations to help you find the best option for your budget. And although ASPCA Pet Insurance provides numerous payout choices, it’s disappointing there’s no unlimited option for customers who prefer no limit on their annual coverage amount.
Embrace offers more customization options, which is why ASPCA Pet Insurance isn’t the winner of this category.
What’s The Verdict?
Overall Winner
Overall, Embrace wins this comparison against ASPCA Pet Insurance due to its excellent customer service and reputation, speedy claim processing, and plan customization options. However, if you want a company with equally extensive coverage at a potentially lower price, you may want to consider ASPCA Pet Insurance.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for, our experts dig even deeper into each company in our individual reviews of Embrace and ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Our experts have spent thousands of hours researching to bring you our comprehensive and frequently updated pet insurance reviews, including our top picks, along with details on each of the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.
Tagged With: Reviewed By Insurance Agent, Vs
