Who's behind Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws is a marketing name of "Healthy Paws, a Chubb Company." Policies are underwritten by Chubb Group insurers: ACE American Insurance Company, Westchester Fire Insurance Company, Indemnity Insurance Company of North America, ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company and Atlantic Employers Insurance Company. They're sold through Chubb Insurance Solutions Agency. Healthy Paws is licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., though coverage may not be available for every pet in every state.
What changed: annual limits are now a choice
For years the main selling point was "no caps": no per-incident, annual or lifetime limit. Healthy Paws' FAQ now says it "offers both unlimited annual reimbursement and annual policy limit choices." On its site, the options are $5,000, $7,000 or unlimited. Money's October 2026 review lists a wider menu, from $2,500 up to $10,000 or unlimited, so what you see may depend on your state and pet.
Three rules matter if you're tempted by a capped plan:
- You can't raise a limit later. A limit you choose at enrollment can't be increased for the life of that pet's policy.
- You can only move down. You can switch from unlimited to a limit, or lower a limit, once per 12-month term and only before filing a claim.
- Other settings lock too. Before any claim you can lower your deductible or raise reimbursement. After a claim, you can only raise the deductible or lower reimbursement.
So choose carefully the first time. A $5,000 limit can be used up by one major illness. Healthy Paws' own example of a dog spinal surgery (laminectomy) showed about $4,061 in covered charges, before excluded fees.
Deductibles, reimbursement and how claims are calculated
| Setting | Published options |
|---|---|
| Annual deductible | $250, $500, $750 or $1,000 (Money); NerdWallet saw options from $100 to $5,000 depending on location, age and breed |
| Reimbursement | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Annual limit | $5,000, $7,000 or unlimited (Healthy Paws FAQ); some quotes show $2,500–$10,000 |
| Deductible timing | Once per policy term; resets on your enrollment anniversary |
Source: Healthy Paws FAQ; Money (October 2, 2026); NerdWallet (May 1, 2026).
The order of the math is unusual. Healthy Paws applies your reimbursement rate first, then subtracts the deductible. Some insurers, including ASPCA, subtract the deductible first.
Take a $2,000 bill, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement:
- Healthy Paws method: $2,000 × 0.8 = $1,600, minus $250 = $1,350 paid to you.
- Deductible-first method: ($2,000 − $250) × 0.8 = $1,400.
The gap equals your deductible times your coinsurance share (here, $250 × 20% = $50). It only happens on the claim that meets your deductible, so it's small, but it's worth knowing when comparing quotes. Healthy Paws' own cat example works the same way: about $699 of covered urinary-blockage charges at 80% gave $559, minus the $250 deductible, for a $309.32 payout.
Waiting periods and enrollment age
- Accidents and illnesses: 15 days in most states. Coverage starts at 12:01 a.m. the day after you enroll. In 16 states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington, accidents have no wait and the 15-day illness wait can be waived with a clinical exam.
- Hip dysplasia: 12-month wait in most states, and only for pets enrolled before age 6. Enroll at 6 or older and hip dysplasia isn't covered.
- Age: at least 8 weeks old, and generally before the 14th birthday (Insurify notes new policies to age 13).
- Exam requirement: pets 5 and under need a vet exam within 12 months before enrolling or 15 days after. Pets 6 and up need one within 30 days before or 15 days after.
The hip rule is the reason large-breed dog owners often enroll puppies early. See our dog insurance guide for breed risks.
What it covers and what it doesn't
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Accidents and illnesses, including cancer | Exam (office visit) fees |
| Diagnostics such as X-rays, hospitalization, surgery | Wellness and preventive care, including spay/neuter |
| Hereditary and congenital conditions that show up after enrollment | Routine dental care and periodontal disease |
| Prescription medications | Prescription diets |
| Alternative therapies: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, laser therapy | Behavioral therapies |
| Virtual vet visits through Airvet (no waiting period) | Pre-existing conditions; bilateral cruciate injuries; preventable diseases such as heartworm; breeding, burial |
Source: NerdWallet Healthy Paws review (May 2026); Healthy Paws FAQ.
Pre-existing rules. A condition counts as pre-existing if it developed or recurred before your policy started. Healthy Paws may treat a condition as cured once your pet has gone 365 straight days with no clinical signs and no treatment. That's longer than ASPCA's 180-day standard. The bilateral rule means that if one knee's cruciate ligament was hurt before enrollment, the other knee is excluded too.
Exam fees add up. Healthy Paws' own claim examples excluded $70 of exam and food charges on a cat visit and $395 of emergency, consultation and therapy fees on a dog surgery. If you see the vet often, that's real money.
What Healthy Paws costs: sourced sample quotes
NerdWallet's quotes for Katy, Texas. Younger pets were mostly quoted at a $250 deductible, unlimited limit and 80% reimbursement; older dogs, all 8-year-old cats and the 2-year-old French bulldog at a $500 deductible and 70%.
| Pet | Age 2 (per month) | Age 8 (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Medium mixed-breed dog | $57 | $136 |
| Poodle | $69 | $166 |
| Labrador or golden retriever | $84 | $201 |
| French bulldog | $101 | $320 |
| Domestic shorthair cat | $24 | $58 |
| Persian cat | $37 | $89 |
| Maine coon cat | $45 | $108 |
Source: NerdWallet Healthy Paws review, May 1, 2026. Your quote will differ.
Prices roughly 2.4 times higher at age 8 than age 2 are typical here, even though older pets were quoted with less generous settings. Insurify's nationwide medians were $53 a month for dogs and $41 for cats. NAPHIA's 2025 industry averages for accident-and-illness plans were $836 a year for dogs (about $70 a month) and $435 for cats (about $36). Our pet insurance cost guide explains what drives these numbers.
Healthy Paws says increases are based on state-approved rates, treatment cost trends, age and regional claims, not on your individual claims. NerdWallet notes many anonymous Reddit comments complaining of steep increases for older pets. Ways to save: 10% off through PetSmart's free Treats Rewards program, a lower limit, and paying by bank account (ACH), which avoids card processing fees.
Claims experience
You must file within 90 days of the invoice date, online, by app, email, fax or mail. Healthy Paws says approved claims are paid on average within two business days, by check or direct deposit. NerdWallet says most claims are processed within two days and payment can take up to 15 days after approval. Direct payment to your vet may be possible.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited annual limit still available; no lifetime cap | Exam fees never covered |
| Fast claim payments (about two business days after approval) | No wellness, accident-only or behavioral coverage |
| Hereditary, congenital and alternative therapies covered | Hip dysplasia excluded if enrolled at age 6+; 12-month wait |
| Premiums not raised because of your own claims | Reimbursement applied before deductible |
| New capped-limit options can cut the premium | Limits can't be raised later; settings lock after claims |
Who it suits
Healthy Paws is a good fit if you want large-bill protection for a young dog or cat, don't need routine-care coverage, and value fast reimbursement. It fits less well for an older pet, a large breed enrolled after age 5, or anyone who visits the vet often for minor issues and wants exam fees covered. Compare quotes at the same settings with ASPCA and the other insurers in our best pet insurance comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does Healthy Paws still have unlimited coverage?
Yes, unlimited is still an option, but Healthy Paws now also offers annual limits, listed on its site as $5,000 or $7,000. A limit you choose can't be increased later, and you can only lower it before filing a claim.
Does Healthy Paws cover exam fees?
No. The office visit fee is excluded on every claim. Diagnostics, treatment, hospitalization, surgery and medications for covered conditions are reimbursed.
How long is the Healthy Paws waiting period?
15 days for accidents and illnesses in most states. Hip dysplasia has a 12-month wait and is only covered if your pet enrolls before age 6. Some states have no accident waiting period.
How does Healthy Paws calculate reimbursement?
It applies your reimbursement percentage to the covered bill first and then subtracts the deductible. On a $2,000 bill with a $250 deductible at 80%, you'd receive $1,350, versus $1,400 under a deductible-first method.
Does Healthy Paws cover pre-existing conditions?
No. A condition may be treated as cured, and eligible again, once your pet has had no clinical signs and no treatment for 365 consecutive days. Bilateral cruciate injuries stay excluded if one side was affected before enrollment.
Is there an age limit for Healthy Paws?
Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and generally enrolled before age 14. Hip dysplasia coverage requires enrollment before age 6.
How much does Healthy Paws cost?
NerdWallet's Katy, Texas quotes ranged from $24 a month for a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat to $320 for an 8-year-old French bulldog. Insurify's national medians were $53 for dogs and $41 for cats.
Sources
- Healthy Paws – Frequently asked questions
- Healthy Paws – Claim reimbursement examples
- NerdWallet – Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
- Money – Best Pet Insurance Companies of October 2026
- Insurify – Cheapest pet insurance
- Insurify – Best pet insurance 2026
- NerdWallet – ASPCA Pet Insurance Review 2026
- NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights
Rates, fees and terms change often. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm current details with the provider before you apply.