Embrace vs Pets Best Pet Insurance
A factual, side-by-side look at coverage, deductibles, reimbursement, limits and waiting periods. We do not declare a universal winner.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | Embrace’s primary pet insurance provides accident and illness coverage. Customers can customize their policy by selecting an annual deductible, reimbursement percentage and annual maximum. Embrace also offers accident-only coverage for eligible pets, including pets that are 15 years or older. Optional coverage is available for items such as veterinary exam fees. Wellness Rewards is a separate optional wellness membership rather than insurance and is designed to help reimburse eligible routine and preventative expenses. | Pets Best offers Accident Only (coverage for eligible unexpected injuries), Accident & Illness (broader coverage for eligible accidents, illnesses, cancer, hereditary and congenital conditions, emergency care, surgeries and prescription medications), and optional Wellness / Routine Care that can be added to eligible plans for routine and preventive expenses. Pets Best also offers different levels of Accident & Illness coverage, with options that can include exam-fee coverage and rehabilitative, acupuncture and chiropractic care depending on the plan selected. |
| Coverage | Embrace accident and illness coverage can include eligible diagnostics and imaging, hospitalization, surgery, emergency veterinary care, specialty care, dental illness, behavioral therapy, rehabilitation, and treatment for hereditary, genetic and breed-specific conditions. Dental illnesses are covered up to $1,000 per policy year, while dental accidents are covered subject to the policy’s annual limit. Embrace generally excludes pre-existing conditions, but certain curable pre-existing conditions may become eligible after the pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for the applicable period. | Accident & Illness plans can cover eligible veterinary expenses related to accidents and illnesses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic testing, cancer treatment, hereditary and congenital conditions, and prescription medications. Pets Best allows visits to licensed veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada, including specialists and emergency clinics. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, although certain curable conditions may no longer be considered pre-existing after they have healed and remained free of symptoms and treatment for the required period. |
| Deductibles | Embrace uses an annual deductible. Current published materials state that customers can choose an annual deductible from $100 to $1,000. Once the annual deductible has been met, it does not need to be paid again until the next policy year. | Pets Best uses annual deductibles. Current options range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the plan and location. The deductible applies during each annual policy term. |
| Reimbursement | Embrace offers reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90% for eligible covered expenses. The reimbursement percentage is selected when customizing the policy and works together with the annual deductible and annual coverage limit. | Pets Best offers reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90% for eligible veterinary expenses, depending on the plan and location. Reimbursement is based on the eligible veterinary bill after the applicable deductible, rather than a fixed benefit schedule. |
| Annual limits | Embrace allows customers to customize their annual coverage maximum. The selected annual maximum determines the maximum amount available for eligible covered expenses during the policy term. The available limits can vary by state and policy. | Pets Best offers annual coverage limits ranging from $5,000 to unlimited for its customizable Accident & Illness plans. Available options can vary by location and policy. |
| Waiting periods | Embrace’s published policy terms state: accidents 2 days, illnesses 14 days, orthopedic conditions for dogs 6 months. The orthopedic waiting period may be reduced for some dogs after an eligible orthopedic examination and review by Embrace. Waiting-period requirements can vary depending on the policy and state. | Standard Pets Best waiting periods include 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament events and related conditions. Waiting periods can vary by state and policy, and certain requirements may allow applicable waiting periods to be reduced or waived. |
| Dental | Embrace covers dental accidents under the policy’s annual coverage limit. Dental illness coverage is available up to $1,000 per policy year. Embrace states that an annual dental exam is not required for dental illness coverage. Routine dental care is handled separately through the optional Wellness Rewards program. | Pets Best Accident & Illness plans include coverage for eligible dental conditions, including periodontal disease, dental fractures and certain extractions. Dental eligibility can depend on the pet’s age, prior dental history, policy terms, and whether the pet had signs or symptoms before coverage began. For pets age 3 and older, certain periodontal-disease coverage requires a dental cleaning and examination under anesthesia within the previous 13 months. Routine dental cleanings are available through optional wellness coverage, with the BestWellness plan providing up to $150 toward teeth cleaning. |
| Prescription coverage | Prescription medications can be covered when they are prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for an eligible covered condition. Embrace also offers additional options related to prescription medications and prescription diet coverage depending on the policy and selected benefits. | Eligible prescription medications can be covered under Pets Best Accident & Illness plans, subject to the selected plan, applicable formulary and policy terms. |
| Wellness | Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, an optional wellness membership designed to reimburse eligible routine and preventative expenses. It can help cover expenses such as routine veterinary care, preventative services, training and grooming, depending on the selected annual allowance. Wellness Rewards is not insurance and is separate from Embrace’s accident and illness insurance coverage. It is not available in Rhode Island. | Pets Best offers optional EssentialWellness and BestWellness plans for routine and preventive care. Covered items can include wellness exams, vaccinations, diagnostic testing, parasite-prevention medications, microchipping and other routine services. BestWellness also includes a benefit for spay/neuter or teeth cleaning. Wellness benefits have no deductible and begin the day after enrollment. Available benefits and pricing vary by state and pet. |
| Exam fees | Optional coverage is available for veterinary exam fees. | Exam-fee coverage depends on the Accident & Illness plan level selected. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded, but certain curable pre-existing conditions may become eligible after the pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for the applicable period. | Pre-existing conditions are not covered, although certain curable conditions may no longer be considered pre-existing after they have healed and remained free of symptoms and treatment for the required period. |
| Claims | Embrace uses a reimbursement model. Pet owners can visit any licensed veterinarian, clinic, specialist or emergency practice in the U.S. There are no provider networks. After paying the veterinarian, customers can upload their invoice through the Embrace app or website and track the claim. Embrace currently states that 90% or more of claims are paid within 10 business days, with approved reimbursement deposited directly into the policyholder’s bank account. | Claims can be submitted online, through the Pets Best mobile app, or through the Customer Center. Pets Best generally reimburses eligible expenses after the claim is processed. Pets Best also offers Direct Vet Pay, which can send eligible claim reimbursements directly to the veterinarian instead of requiring the policyholder to receive the reimbursement first. |
Coverage
How to compare: Read the covered and excluded lists in each sample policy.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Embrace accident and illness coverage can include eligible diagnostics and imaging, hospitalization, surgery, emergency veterinary care, specialty care, dental illness, behavioral therapy, rehabilitation, and treatment for hereditary, genetic and breed-specific conditions. Dental illnesses are covered up to $1,000 per policy year, while dental accidents are covered subject to the policy’s annual limit. Embrace generally excludes pre-existing conditions, but certain curable pre-existing conditions may become eligible after the pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for the applicable period. | Accident & Illness plans can cover eligible veterinary expenses related to accidents and illnesses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic testing, cancer treatment, hereditary and congenital conditions, and prescription medications. Pets Best allows visits to licensed veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada, including specialists and emergency clinics. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, although certain curable conditions may no longer be considered pre-existing after they have healed and remained free of symptoms and treatment for the required period. |
Price
Prices depend on your pet’s species, breed, age and ZIP code and on the deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit chosen. Compare estimates for your own pet at identical settings rather than relying on a single average.
Deductibles
How to compare: Annual, per-condition or lifetime, and the amounts offered.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Deductibles | Embrace uses an annual deductible. Current published materials state that customers can choose an annual deductible from $100 to $1,000. Once the annual deductible has been met, it does not need to be paid again until the next policy year. | Pets Best uses annual deductibles. Current options range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the plan and location. The deductible applies during each annual policy term. |
Reimbursement
How to compare: The percentages offered and how payouts are calculated.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement | Embrace offers reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90% for eligible covered expenses. The reimbursement percentage is selected when customizing the policy and works together with the annual deductible and annual coverage limit. | Pets Best offers reimbursement options of 70%, 80% or 90% for eligible veterinary expenses, depending on the plan and location. Reimbursement is based on the eligible veterinary bill after the applicable deductible, rather than a fixed benefit schedule. |
Annual limits
How to compare: Fixed or unlimited, and any per-condition or lifetime caps.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Annual limits | Embrace allows customers to customize their annual coverage maximum. The selected annual maximum determines the maximum amount available for eligible covered expenses during the policy term. The available limits can vary by state and policy. | Pets Best offers annual coverage limits ranging from $5,000 to unlimited for its customizable Accident & Illness plans. Available options can vary by location and policy. |
Waiting periods
How to compare: Accident, illness and orthopedic waiting periods.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting periods | Embrace’s published policy terms state: accidents 2 days, illnesses 14 days, orthopedic conditions for dogs 6 months. The orthopedic waiting period may be reduced for some dogs after an eligible orthopedic examination and review by Embrace. Waiting-period requirements can vary depending on the policy and state. | Standard Pets Best waiting periods include 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament events and related conditions. Waiting periods can vary by state and policy, and certain requirements may allow applicable waiting periods to be reduced or waived. |
Dental
How to compare: Injury, illness and routine dental coverage.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Dental | Embrace covers dental accidents under the policy’s annual coverage limit. Dental illness coverage is available up to $1,000 per policy year. Embrace states that an annual dental exam is not required for dental illness coverage. Routine dental care is handled separately through the optional Wellness Rewards program. | Pets Best Accident & Illness plans include coverage for eligible dental conditions, including periodontal disease, dental fractures and certain extractions. Dental eligibility can depend on the pet’s age, prior dental history, policy terms, and whether the pet had signs or symptoms before coverage began. For pets age 3 and older, certain periodontal-disease coverage requires a dental cleaning and examination under anesthesia within the previous 13 months. Routine dental cleanings are available through optional wellness coverage, with the BestWellness plan providing up to $150 toward teeth cleaning. |
Claims
How to compare: How to file, how long it takes, and payment methods.
| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Claims | Embrace uses a reimbursement model. Pet owners can visit any licensed veterinarian, clinic, specialist or emergency practice in the U.S. There are no provider networks. After paying the veterinarian, customers can upload their invoice through the Embrace app or website and track the claim. Embrace currently states that 90% or more of claims are paid within 10 business days, with approved reimbursement deposited directly into the policyholder’s bank account. | Claims can be submitted online, through the Pets Best mobile app, or through the Customer Center. Pets Best generally reimburses eligible expenses after the claim is processed. Pets Best also offers Direct Vet Pay, which can send eligible claim reimbursements directly to the veterinarian instead of requiring the policyholder to receive the reimbursement first. |
Pros and limitations
Embrace
Customizable 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement. Annual deductible from $100 to $1,000. Customizable annual coverage maximum. Accident-only coverage available for pets 15 and older. Dental illness coverage up to $1,000 per policy year. Hereditary, genetic and breed-specific conditions covered. Optional veterinary exam-fee coverage. Optional Wellness Rewards program. No provider network. Any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. can be used. Mobile and online claim submission. 24/7 pet telehealth support. 90%+ of claims reportedly paid within 10 business days.
Coverage, pricing, limits and options can vary by state. Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded. Dogs have a standard six-month orthopedic waiting period, subject to the applicable waiver process. Wellness Rewards is a separate membership and is not insurance. Dental illness coverage is limited to $1,000 per policy year. Customers must pay the veterinarian first and then seek reimbursement. Accident and illness enrollment has an upper age limit of 15 years.
Pets Best
Customizable annual deductible, reimbursement percentage and annual limit. Reimbursement options up to 90%. Unlimited annual coverage is available on eligible plans. No upper age limit for enrollment. Accident Only and Accident & Illness options. Dental coverage is available through Accident & Illness plans. Optional wellness coverage for routine care. Direct Vet Pay is available.
Pre-existing conditions are not covered. Coverage, pricing and available options can vary by state and policy. Some benefits, including exam fees and certain rehabilitation services, depend on the plan selected. Orthopedic coverage can have a six-month waiting period. Routine and preventive care is not included in the standard Accident & Illness coverage unless wellness coverage is added. Dental coverage has specific eligibility requirements and exclusions. Wellness benefits have fixed reimbursement limits rather than covering all routine-care expenses.
Who each option may suit
Embrace
Pet owners who want customizable accident and illness coverage, multiple deductible and reimbursement options, dental illness coverage, and the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian without a provider network. It may also appeal to owners who want optional wellness benefits and exam-fee coverage. As with any pet insurance policy, review the policy documents available in your state before purchasing, because coverage, pricing, eligibility, waiting periods and available options can vary.
Pets Best
Pet owners who want customizable Accident & Illness coverage, multiple reimbursement and deductible options, and the ability to choose an unlimited annual coverage limit. It may also appeal to owners who value dental coverage, optional wellness benefits, no upper age limit for enrollment, and the option to have eligible claim reimbursements sent directly to their veterinarian. As with any pet insurance policy, review the policy documents available for your state before purchasing, because coverage, pricing, eligibility, waiting periods and available options can vary.
Whichever you compare, hold the deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit constant so differences reflect the plans and not the settings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Embrace or Pets Best better?
Neither is better for everyone. The right choice depends on your pet’s age and breed, your budget, and which benefits you care about most. Compare the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit for both, then review exclusions and waiting periods.
Which is cheaper, Embrace or Pets Best?
Price depends on your pet and the plan settings you choose, so it can differ from one pet to the next. Compare personalized estimates for your pet on identical settings.
Are Embrace and Pets Best both available in every state?
Not necessarily. Both Embrace and Pets Best state that availability and policy terms vary by state, so check the quote and policy for your state.
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