Embrace vs Pets Best: dog insurance compared

Plan features side by side, estimated prices for the same dog, and who each plan suits. Embrace and Pets Best are listed alphabetically; neither pays us to rank it.

Estimates are for the median breed on BreedSure, 2 years old, national average, 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. They are BreedSure model estimates, not quotes.

Side by side

Embrace vs Pets Best dog insurance plan features
FeatureEmbracePets Best
Estimated monthly$49/mo est.$47/mo est. (advantage)
Reimbursement70% / 80% / 90%70% / 80% / 90%
Deductibles$200 to $1,000$100 to $1,000
Annual limit$2,000 to unlimited$5,000 to unlimited
Waiting, accidents0 days (advantage)3 days
Waiting, illness14 days14 days
Hereditary conditionsCoveredCovered
Exam feesAdd-on or excludedIncluded (advantage)
Wellness add-onAvailableAvailable
UnderwriterAmerican Modern Insurance GroupAmerican Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company, Independence Pet Insurance Company, or MS Transverse Insurance Company (varies by state/plan)

Highlighted cells mark a measurable advantage (lower estimate, shorter wait, exam fees included). Plan facts as published by each insurer; the policy documents always control.

Reimbursement. The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays back after your deductible. At 80%, a $1,000 covered bill returns $800. More in the glossaryDeductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryAnnual limit. The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. More in the glossaryWaiting period. How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. More in the glossaryHereditary and congenital. Conditions a dog inherits or is born with, like hip dysplasia. Covered only if they were not diagnosed or showing signs before you enrolled. More in the glossaryExam fees. The vet's charge for the visit itself, usually $50 to $150, separate from tests and treatment. Some insurers include it; others sell it as an add-on. More in the glossaryWellness add-on. An optional extra that pays for routine care such as vaccines, check-ups and dental cleanings, which accident-and-illness plans do not cover. More in the glossaryUnderwriter. The licensed insurance company that carries the risk and pays claims. It can differ from the brand you buy from. More in the glossary

Which one suits you

Embrace may suit you if…

  • you want accident coverage to start sooner (0 vs 3 days)

Also worth knowing: Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12 symptom-free months. Exam fees are an optional add-on.

Pets Best may suit you if…

  • you want the lower estimated premium (about $47 vs $49 a month in our model)
  • you want vet exam fees included, not sold as an add-on
  • you want a deductible as low as $100

Also worth knowing: Offers Essential, Plus and Elite plan tiers. Direct vet pay available.

Estimated price by breed

Estimated Embrace and Pets Best monthly premium by breed: 2 years, 80% reimbursement, $250 deductible, national average
BreedEmbracePets Best
French Bulldog$68/mo est.$65/mo est.
Labrador Retriever$52/mo est.$49/mo est.
Golden Retriever$58/mo est.$55/mo est.
German Shepherd$60/mo est.$57/mo est.
Poodle$45/mo est.$43/mo est.
Bulldog$75/mo est.$71/mo est.
Rottweiler$64/mo est.$61/mo est.
Beagle$42/mo est.$40/mo est.
Dachshund$46/mo est.$44/mo est.
German Shorthaired Pointer$48/mo est.$46/mo est.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi$47/mo est.$45/mo est.
Australian Shepherd$44/mo est.$42/mo est.

See every breed for all 8 insurers, by state.

Embrace vs Pets Best: common questions

Is Embrace cheaper than Pets Best?

In our model, Pets Best's estimate is about 4% lower for the same dog ($47 vs $49 a month for a typical breed). Real prices depend on your dog's breed, age and ZIP code, so get a quote from both.

Which has the shorter waiting period?

Both make you wait 14 days for illness coverage. For accidents, Embrace waits 0 days and Pets Best 3. How waiting periods work.

Do both cover hereditary conditions?

Yes. Both cover hereditary and congenital conditions, as long as they are not pre-existing. What counts as pre-existing.

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