Geico Pet Insurance: Our In-Depth Review 2025
Our Expert's Take on Geico
Geico pet insurance, administered by Embrace and underwritten by American Modern, offers one of the most customizable pet policies in the US, with adjustable annual limits, reimbursement rates (typically 70–90%), and annual deductibles for both cats and dogs. Geico’s partnership with Embrace means plans can be tailored for budget-conscious owners or those seeking higher reimbursements, and the optional wellness plan (Wellness Rewards) adds coverage for routine care in most states. Compared to standalone competitors, Geico/Embrace stands out for its flexibility, inclusion of chronic and hereditary condition coverage (after waiting periods), and mid-tier pricing, though it is not the absolute cheapest. Its structure is especially well-suited for young and healthy pets, multi-pet households, and owners who want control over coverage limits and deductibles. Financial reliability is strong, with American Modern rated A+ (A.M. Best), and Embrace managing hundreds of millions in written premium; claims are generally processed online with an observed average reimbursement time of 5–15 business days. On Trustpilot, Embrace maintains a solid reputation with a score of 4.2/5 from over 3,600 reviews, and Geico’s digital-first approach allows for a largely paperless enrollment and claims experience.
- ✅Highly customizable plans: limits, reimbursement %, deductible
- ✅Coverage for accidents, illness, and hereditary conditions
- ✅Optional wellness plan for routine care
- ✅Coverage with any licensed US vet
- ✅Online enrollment and digital claims process
- ✅Strong financial strength (A+ carrier)
- ✅Multi-pet discount available
- ❌No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- ❌6-month orthopedic waiting period for dogs (unless waived)
- ❌Some plans exclude exam fees or meds by default
- ❌Wellness plan not available in all states
- ❌Premiums increase with pet age at renewal
Score- ✅Highly customizable plans: limits, reimbursement %, deductible
- ✅Coverage for accidents, illness, and hereditary conditions
- ✅Optional wellness plan for routine care
- ✅Coverage with any licensed US vet
- ✅Online enrollment and digital claims process
- ✅Strong financial strength (A+ carrier)
- ✅Multi-pet discount available
Our Expert's Take on Geico
- ✅Highly customizable plans: limits, reimbursement %, deductible
- ✅Coverage for accidents, illness, and hereditary conditions
- ✅Optional wellness plan for routine care
- ✅Coverage with any licensed US vet
- ✅Online enrollment and digital claims process
- ✅Strong financial strength (A+ carrier)
- ✅Multi-pet discount available
- ❌No coverage for pre-existing conditions
- ❌6-month orthopedic waiting period for dogs (unless waived)
- ❌Some plans exclude exam fees or meds by default
- ❌Wellness plan not available in all states
- ❌Premiums increase with pet age at renewal
Score- ✅Highly customizable plans: limits, reimbursement %, deductible
- ✅Coverage for accidents, illness, and hereditary conditions
- ✅Optional wellness plan for routine care
- ✅Coverage with any licensed US vet
- ✅Online enrollment and digital claims process
- ✅Strong financial strength (A+ carrier)
- ✅Multi-pet discount available
Why Trust HelloSafe?
At HelloSafe, our pet insurance experts review the terms and pricing of insurance policies available in the market every year to provide you with reliable and unbiased analysis. Thanks to this thorough approach, hundreds of thousands of users across the United States trust us each month to help guide them through their most important financial decisions.
Geico Guarantees
Geico pet insurance, administered by Embrace, offers a single customizable plan covering both accidents and illnesses for dogs and cats, with reimbursement rates typically ranging from 70% to 90% and annual deductibles starting as low as $100. Coverage includes major medical events such as cancer, hereditary conditions, surgeries, diagnostics, hospitalization, and dental care (illness, extractions, up to a set limit), with an optional Wellness Rewards package for routine care in most states.
A key strength is flexibility: pet owners can fine-tune reimbursement rates, annual coverage limits, and deductibles to balance premium with out-of-pocket costs, and there are no per-incident sublimits for most core treatments. However, policies exclude pre-existing conditions, require an initial health exam for full illness coverage, and do not provide civil liability; cosmetic procedures and behavioral treatments are also excluded unless medically necessary.
Geico’s offering is best suited for those seeking robust, major-medical pet insurance with a flexible wellness option, but limited if you need coverage for behavioral, liability, or advanced alternative therapies.
GEICO GEICO Pet Insurance powered by Embrace | |
|---|---|
Coverage Type | Accident & Illness |
Covered Pets | Dogs & Cats |
Reimbursement Rate | Variable % |
Annual Coverage Limit | Custom |
Annual Deductible | Custom |
Enrollment Age (Dog) | N/A |
Enrollment Age (Cat) | N.C. |
Health Questionnaire | N.C. |
Claim Reimbursement Time | N.C. |
Emergency Visits | Covered |
Regular Vet Visits | Covered |
Specialist Consultations | Covered |
Medication | Covered if added |
Hospitalization | Covered |
Ambulance Services | Covered |
Surgery | Covered |
Imaging | Covered |
Lab Tests | Covered |
Radiotherapy | Covered |
Dental Care | Covered with limits |
Teeth Cleaning | Not Covered |
Vaccinations | Not Covered |
Anti-Parasitics | Not Covered |
Neutering (Dog) | Not Covered |
Neutering (Cat) | Not Covered |
Identification | N.C. |
Lifetime Coverage | Yes |
Waiting Period (Accident) | N.C. |
Waiting Period (Illness) | N.C. |
Hygiene | Not Covered |
Alternative Therapies | Covered if medically necessary |
Foreign Care | N.C. |
Death | Not Covered |
Cremation | N.C. |
Euthanasia | Covered |
Loss/Theft | Not Covered |
Boarding Fees | N.C. |
Important Policy Details
Dental illness coverage has a $1,000 annual sub-limit.
Preventive care (vaccinations, microchipping, wellness exams) and behavioral treatments are only reimbursed under the Wellness Rewards option, which is non-insurance and available in most states.
6-month waiting period for orthopedic claims in dogs (may be reduced by orthopedic exam/waiver).
Geico Exclusions
The GEICO pet insurance policy, administered by Embrace, features several standard exclusions such as pre-existing conditions, injuries or illnesses resulting from abuse, neglect, cruelty, or intentional harm, and cosmetic or elective procedures like tail docking and ear cropping unless medically necessary.
Additionally, the policy excludes treatments associated with fighting, racing, or commercial exploitation, as well as expenses caused by owner disregard for required vaccines.
Unlike some competitors, GEICO does not cover non-prescribed alternative therapies, nutrition or supplements (except for specific prescribed diets), or procedures performed by the policyholder on their own animals.
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Breeding-related treatments, organ transplants, and injuries resulting from government action, war, pandemic, or nuclear/chemical/biological events are also systematically excluded.
| Exclusions | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical exclusions |
|
| Behavioral exclusions |
|
| Alternative/complementary |
|
| Incident/Procedural |
|
| Administrative/legal |
|
| Geographic/pandemic |
|
- Pre-existing conditions (including bilateral and chronic)
- Preventable illnesses (requiring declined vaccines)
- Illness or injury due to abuse, neglect, or intentional acts
- Cosmetic/elective procedures (tail docking, ear cropping, dew removal unless medically required)
- Breeding, pregnancy, or birth-related treatments
- Organ transplants
- Behavioral conditions existing before the policy start
- Treatment for aggression shown prior to coverage
- Non-prescribed alternative therapies (Reiki, TENS, magnet therapy, etc.)
- Nutritional counseling, over-the-counter supplements
- Complementary therapies for prevention/maintenance, or not part of initial treatment
- Injuries/illnesses due to fighting, racing, or commercial use
- Non-approved veterinary treatments
- Multiple anesthetic removals for ingested foreign bodies in the same year
- Owner-performed procedures on their own pets
- Administrative/provider fees (dispensing, setup, etc.)
- Treatments not following provider recommendations
- Claims for government-mandated euthanasia
- Policyholder fraud or misrepresentation
- Claims not submitted within the specified timeframe
- Injuries or illnesses due to war, government order, pandemics/epidemics, nuclear, chemical or biological incidents
- No notable limitation for routine international travel, but coverage subject to policy compliance and may vary by state
Geico Prices
| Standard Plan | |
|---|---|
| Young cat (2–4 years) | $23–$26/month |
| Senior cat (7–8 years) | $33–$38/month |
| Small breed dog (2–4 years) | $32–$36/month |
| Senior dog (7–8 years) | $48–$56/month |
| Large breed dog (2–4 years) | $42–$47/month |
| Senior large breed dog (7–8 years) | $61–$70/month |
Geico Promo Codes
| Geico Promo Codes | Details |
|---|---|
| HelloSafe Promo Code | -5% on your quote |
Note: Promo codes are subject to change. For the latest offers, check our comparison of the best pet insurance providers.
Geico reimbursement amounts: What to expect
With Geico’s highest-tier pet insurance plan (administered by Embrace), once you meet your annual deductible, your eligible veterinary expenses are typically reimbursed at 90% up to your annual coverage limit—significantly reducing your out-of-pocket costs compared to paying for veterinary care yourself.
Good to know
✅ Example 1: Consultation for allergic dermatitis
Total veterinary cost: $150 (exam and medication)
Deductible to subtract: $100 (first claim of the year)
Amount eligible after deductible: $150 – $100 = $50 90% reimbursement: $50 × 90% = $45
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $45.
ℹ️ After you pay your annual deductible once, future reimbursements apply without further deductible until renewal.
✅ Example 2: Cruciate Ligament Surgery Reimbursement
Total veterinary cost: $2,000
Deductible already met earlier in the policy year 90% reimbursement: $2,000 × 90% = $1,800
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $1,800. Your out-of-pocket cost for this claim: $200
ℹ️ Surgery and aftercare are subject to the reimbursement rate and annual policy limit. Pre-existing conditions are excluded.
✅ Example 3: Emergency hospitalization for pancreatitis - Reimbursement Details
Total veterinary cost: $3,500
Deductible already paid during the same insurance year
90% reimbursement: $3,500 × 90% = $3,150
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $3,150.
Your out-of-pocket cost for this claim: $350
ℹ️ The annual limit applies—if you have a policy with unlimited annual payout, the full amount is covered up to the reimbursement rate.
Geico Assistance
Geico, through its partnership with Embrace, provides a user-friendly paperless claims process via a dedicated web portal, which streamlines claim submissions but lacks a standalone mobile app for policy management.
There is no advance payment or direct pay service at the veterinarian, so policyholders must pay up front and wait for reimbursement—a disadvantage for those with high or urgent expenses.
Emergency veterinary hotline and telehealth options are not included, meaning owners must rely on their own vet or external services for after-hours advice.
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No installment payment facility is advertised, and the Geico product does not offer a curated partner network of clinics—members can access any licensed U.S. veterinarian but don't benefit from negotiated rates or cashless experiences.
Coverage outside the U.S. is technically possible for short-term travel but restricts claims to emergency medical care and excludes sustained or long-term stays abroad.
| Assistance Geico | Available? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Advance payment | ❌ | No direct pay/advance payment at vet clinics. Owners must pay bills up front. |
| Payment facilities | ❌ | No information about installment plans or deferred/fee-free payment options. |
| Mobile app | ❌ | No dedicated mobile app. Claims and policy management by web portal only. N.C. |
| Paperless claims process | ✅ | Reimbursements handled online through web portal. Paperless; fast claim submission. |
| Emergency vet service | ❌ | No 24/7 emergency vet line or teleconsultation included. |
| Vet/clinic partner network | ❌ | No clinic or vet network. Use any licensed U.S. veterinarian; no preferred-rate clinics. |
| Coverage abroad | ✅ | Covered for emergencies on short U.S. trips, Puerto Rico, Canada; excludes long stays. |
Customer Reviews of Geico
| Review platform | Rating and number of reviews |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.4/5 (1,600 reviews) |
| ConsumerAffairs | 3.6/5 (660 reviews) |
We analyzed reviews from the sites listed above. On the positive side, customers who subscribed to Geico pet insurance often mention:
- An affordable premium structure compared to some traditional pet insurers.
- The convenience of managing claims online and the ability to visit any licensed vet.
- Clear and responsive customer support, with helpful agents for policy questions.
- Efficient reimbursement for eligible claims when documentation is complete.
On the negative side:
- A high number of claims denied due to pre-existing condition and waiting period exclusions.
- Some dissatisfaction with slow reimbursement speeds during busy periods.
- Annual increases in premiums as pets age, which can be significant for older animals.
- The absence of wellness or preventive care in basic plans, leading to out-of-pocket costs for routine check-ups.
- Reports of difficulties canceling policies or getting pro-rated refunds in certain cases.
- Frustration with coverage limits and strict definitions around eligible treatments and chronic issues.
How to contact Geico?
| Geico Customer Service | Details |
|---|---|
| To get a quote or subscribe online | You can use the HelloSafe pet insurance comparison tool, choose the plan that suits you, and click to get a quote. |
| To request and track a reimbursement | File a claim online via the Embrace portal (my.embracepetinsurance.com). You may also submit by email: claims@embracepetinsurance.com, by fax: (800) 238-1042, or by mail: Embrace Pet Insurance Claims Department, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128. Required documents: completed claim form, itemized invoice, and veterinary records if requested. Reimbursement is typically made by direct deposit or mailed check; average processing time is 10–15 business days. |
| To obtain a certificate of insurance | Call Embrace Customer Care at 1-800-511-9172. You can also email hello@embracepetinsurance.com. Request the certificate and provide your policy number or other verification as needed. |
| To contact assistance | For any inquiries or support, call 1-800-511-9172 (Embrace Customer Care). You may email hello@embracepetinsurance.com. Regular business hours apply; no 24/7 emergency vet assistance included. |
| To cancel my policy | Call 1-800-511-9172 to request cancellation. A written request by email (hello@embracepetinsurance.com) or by mail to Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128 is also accepted. Provide your policy number and effective cancellation date. No special documents required for standard cancellation. Cancellation is effective upon request; pro-rata premium refunds apply if eligible. |
You may also submit by email: claims@embracepetinsurance.com, by fax: (800) 238-1042, or by mail: Embrace Pet Insurance Claims Department, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128.
Required documents: completed claim form, itemized invoice, and veterinary records if requested.
Reimbursement is typically made by direct deposit or mailed check; average processing time is 10–15 business days.
You can also email hello@embracepetinsurance.com.
Request the certificate and provide your policy number or other verification as needed.
You may email hello@embracepetinsurance.com.
Regular business hours apply; no 24/7 emergency vet assistance included.
A written request by email (hello@embracepetinsurance.com) or by mail to Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128 is also accepted.
Provide your policy number and effective cancellation date.
No special documents required for standard cancellation.
Cancellation is effective upon request; pro-rata premium refunds apply if eligible.
FAQ
Do I have to pay upfront for veterinary fees with Geico?
Yes, with Geico pet insurance you must pay your veterinarian directly at the time of service. Geico does not offer an advance payment or direct third-party payment system. After your visit, you can submit a claim for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
How do I cancel my pet insurance policy with Geico?
To cancel your Geico pet insurance policy, contact Embrace Customer Care by phone or email. There’s no required notice period for standard cancellation; simply provide your policy number and the effective cancellation date. A written request by email or mail is accepted, and eligible premium refunds will be processed on a pro-rata basis.
What animals can be covered by Geico pet insurance?
Geico pet insurance covers dogs and cats that are owned by you and reside at your primary address. Other animals, such as birds, reptiles, or exotic pets, are not eligible for coverage under the standard policy. All pets must pass a veterinary exam within 12 months of your policy start date to qualify for full coverage.
Are pre-existing conditions covered by Geico?
No, Geico pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Any injury or illness, or related symptoms, that occurred or showed signs before your policy’s start date or within applicable waiting periods will be excluded from coverage. Each new policy is subject to a detailed review of your pet’s recent veterinary records.
Does Geico cover preventive care, such as annual exams or vaccinations?
Preventive care like annual wellness exams, vaccines, or routine dental cleanings is not included in standard Geico pet insurance plans. However, you can add a separate Wellness Rewards or preventive care option in select states for an additional fee, which reimburses some routine care costs up to a set amount annually. Check availability in your state before enrolling in this optional coverage.
Do I have to pay upfront for veterinary fees with Geico?
Yes, with Geico pet insurance you must pay your veterinarian directly at the time of service. Geico does not offer an advance payment or direct third-party payment system. After your visit, you can submit a claim for reimbursement of eligible expenses.
How do I cancel my pet insurance policy with Geico?
To cancel your Geico pet insurance policy, contact Embrace Customer Care by phone or email. There’s no required notice period for standard cancellation; simply provide your policy number and the effective cancellation date. A written request by email or mail is accepted, and eligible premium refunds will be processed on a pro-rata basis.
What animals can be covered by Geico pet insurance?
Geico pet insurance covers dogs and cats that are owned by you and reside at your primary address. Other animals, such as birds, reptiles, or exotic pets, are not eligible for coverage under the standard policy. All pets must pass a veterinary exam within 12 months of your policy start date to qualify for full coverage.
Are pre-existing conditions covered by Geico?
No, Geico pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Any injury or illness, or related symptoms, that occurred or showed signs before your policy’s start date or within applicable waiting periods will be excluded from coverage. Each new policy is subject to a detailed review of your pet’s recent veterinary records.
Does Geico cover preventive care, such as annual exams or vaccinations?
Preventive care like annual wellness exams, vaccines, or routine dental cleanings is not included in standard Geico pet insurance plans. However, you can add a separate Wellness Rewards or preventive care option in select states for an additional fee, which reimburses some routine care costs up to a set amount annually. Check availability in your state before enrolling in this optional coverage.
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