USAA Pet Insurance Review 2025: Pros, Cons & Coverage
Our expert's opinion on USAA
USAA offers pet insurance through a partnership with Embrace Pet Insurance, with policies underwritten by American Modern Home Insurance Company; the product is an accident and illness plan with administration handled by Embrace and distribution via the USAA Insurance Agency.
The program is presented in three sample plan tiers—High Deductible, Balanced, and Recommended—allowing customization of coverage levels, reimbursement percentages, annual limits, and deductible choices that drive the quoted premiums; preventive and routine care are excluded, but emergency ambulance, specialist consultations, imaging, surgery, lab tests, and many alternative therapies are covered, with short accident and illness waiting periods. Compared with major competitors, USAA (via Embrace) follows a tiered, flexible pricing strategy—ranging from lower-cost high-deductible options to higher-cost comprehensive plans—and stands out for Embrace administration, 24/7 PawSupport access, and explicit emergency and specialist coverage.
Best suited for owners who want flexible accident-and-illness protection with 24/7 veterinary advice and who can choose deductible/reimbursement trade-offs for young to middle-aged dogs and cats.
The insurer relationship pairs Embrace administration with underwriting by American Modern Home Insurance Company; USAA as a brand carries a Trustpilot score of 1.2/5 from 3,498 reviews (company-wide), and claims can be submitted via Embrace’s portal, email, fax, or mail with appeals handled through the same channels.
- ✅Customizable Accident & Illness plans
- ✅Three clear plan tiers for different budgets
- ✅24/7 PawSupport veterinary hotline included
- ✅Covers emergency ambulance and specialist care
- ✅Administration by Embrace with online claims portal
- ✅Short accident and illness waiting periods
- ✅Alternative medicine coverage for many therapies
- ❌Preventive care and wellness excluded
- ❌Dental cleanings and vaccinations not covered
- ❌Sample recommended plans show high monthly premiums
- ❌Company-wide Trustpilot score is very low
- ❌Some therapies explicitly excluded despite alternative coverage
Score- ✅Customizable Accident & Illness plans
- ✅Three clear plan tiers for different budgets
- ✅24/7 PawSupport veterinary hotline included
- ✅Covers emergency ambulance and specialist care
- ✅Administration by Embrace with online claims portal
- ✅Short accident and illness waiting periods
- ✅Alternative medicine coverage for many therapies
Our expert's opinion on USAA
- ✅Customizable Accident & Illness plans
- ✅Three clear plan tiers for different budgets
- ✅24/7 PawSupport veterinary hotline included
- ✅Covers emergency ambulance and specialist care
- ✅Administration by Embrace with online claims portal
- ✅Short accident and illness waiting periods
- ✅Alternative medicine coverage for many therapies
- ❌Preventive care and wellness excluded
- ❌Dental cleanings and vaccinations not covered
- ❌Sample recommended plans show high monthly premiums
- ❌Company-wide Trustpilot score is very low
- ❌Some therapies explicitly excluded despite alternative coverage
Score- ✅Customizable Accident & Illness plans
- ✅Three clear plan tiers for different budgets
- ✅24/7 PawSupport veterinary hotline included
- ✅Covers emergency ambulance and specialist care
- ✅Administration by Embrace with online claims portal
- ✅Short accident and illness waiting periods
- ✅Alternative medicine coverage for many therapies
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At HelloSafe, our pet insurance experts review the terms and pricing of insurance policies available in the Canadian market each year, providing you with trustworthy and unbiased analysis.
Thanks to our careful approach, hundreds of thousands of Canadians rely on us every month to help guide their most important financial decisions.
USAA Guarantees
USAA distributes pet insurance plans that are positioned across three sample configurations: a high deductible entry option, a balanced mid‑tier plan, and a recommended/higher coverage plan. The product is offered as an Accident & Illness policy with customizable elements for deductible, reimbursement logic, and annual limits. Plans include core coverage for emergency care, surgery, imaging and lab diagnostics, with optional or rider‑based extensions for services such as consultations and certain preventive items. The insurance is administered through Embrace Pet Insurance and underwritten by American Modern Home Insurance Company, with 24/7 telehealth access available via the insurer’s support services.
Waiting periods are short for many events, with a brief accident waiting period and a standard illness waiting period applied across plan options. Some therapies classified outside mainstream North American veterinary practice are excluded unless covered by specific riders; similarly, routine wellness and preventive services are available only through optional add‑ons. The product design emphasizes modularity (selectable deductible, reimbursement and limits) while retaining standard exclusions for pre‑existing conditions and other contractually listed limitations. Strengths include broad accident and illness cover for clinical diagnostics and specialist consultations (when included), and emergency transport coverage; weaknesses include routine care being rider‑dependent, several therapy types explicitly excluded, and specific operational exclusions such as limits on repeated incidents.
| High Deductible Plan | Balanced Plan | Recommended Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan positioning | High deductible / entry-level | Mid / balanced | Recommended / higher coverage |
| Type of coverage (accident, illness, both, etc.) | Accident & Illness | Accident & Illness | Accident & Illness |
| Animals covered (dogs, cats, other) | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats | Dogs, cats |
| Reimbursement rate | NC | NC | NC |
| Annual reimbursement limit | NC | NC | NC |
| Deductible (annual or per claim) | Customizable | Customizable | Customizable |
| Age limits for enrollment | NC | NC | NC |
| Pre-enrollment health questionnaire | NC | NC | NC |
| Waiting periods (accident / illness) | 2 days / 14 days | 2 days / 14 days | 2 days / 14 days |
| Lifetime coverage | NC | NC | NC |
| Consultations | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Medications | NC | NC | NC |
| Hospitalization | NC | NC | NC |
| Surgery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Diagnostic tests (imaging, lab) | Yes (imaging, lab tests) | Yes (imaging, lab tests) | Yes (imaging, lab tests) |
| Dental care | No (dental cleaning not included) | No (dental cleaning not included) | No (dental cleaning not included) |
| Preventive care (vaccinations, parasite prevention) | No (available via rider) | No (available via rider) | No (available via rider) |
| Alternative medicine | Yes (coverage available) | Yes (coverage available) | Yes (coverage available) |
| Travel coverage | NC | NC | NC |
| Civil liability | NC | NC | NC |
| Euthanasia | Yes (euthanasia covered) | Yes (euthanasia covered) | Yes (euthanasia covered) |
| Death & cremation coverage | Death: Yes (euthanasia); Cremation: NC | Death: Yes (euthanasia); Cremation: NC | Death: Yes (euthanasia); Cremation: NC |
| Theft or loss + search expenses | NC | NC | NC |
| Boarding fees | No | No | No |
Exclusions are centered on pre‑existing conditions and a broad set of services outside standard veterinary practice. Conditions that showed signs or received treatment before coverage or during applicable waiting periods are excluded; bilateral conditions and specified orthopedic conditions follow conservative pre‑existing rules. Preventive and routine care—wellness exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and parasite prevention—are excluded from the core plan and require optional riders to be covered. Dental prophylaxis and many dental conditions are excluded unless separate coverage is purchased.
Other notable limitations include exclusions for breeding and cosmetic procedures, behavioral issues tied to pre‑existing conditions, food and supplements, and specific alternative therapies that are not routinely taught in North American veterinary programs. The policy also limits coverage for repetitive incidents in some cases (for example, limits on repeated foreign‑body ingestions) and excludes certain high‑cost or non‑standard items such as organ transplants, medical boarding, and costs related to professional use or major events (pandemics, war, nuclear incidents). Buyers should verify chosen deductible, reimbursement, and annual limit settings and review rider availability for preventive, exam, dental, or other optional coverages.
USAA Exclusions
Exclusions center on pre‑existing and bilateral conditions (for example, cruciate injuries and IVDD), undiagnosed masses, and congenital defects that showed signs before coverage, with specific knee/cruciate rules that can limit eligibility for related claims.
Notable limits include a cap on multiple anesthetic removals of ingested foreign bodies (typically only one per policy term), a general exclusion for organ transplants, and a clear ban on foods and supplements—though a single therapeutic diet exception applies for feline hyperthyroidism.
Many complementary or non‑standard therapies are excluded (Reiki, magnet therapy, prolo‑/ozone/hyperbaric treatments), and owner‑related, professional‑use, cosmetic, and breeding‑related incidents are not covered.
Pandemic, war, and nuclear‑related losses and various administrative or boarding fees are also excluded.
| Exclusions | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical exclusions |
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| Treatment limits & procedural exclusions |
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| Alternative & complementary therapies |
|
| Behavioral & owner‑related exclusions |
|
| Cosmetic, breeding & elective exclusions |
|
| Food, supplements & nutrition |
|
| Activities & professional use exclusions |
|
| Financial & administrative exclusions |
|
| Major events & geographic exclusions |
|
- Pre‑existing conditions (conditions with signs before coverage or waiting periods)
- Bilateral conditions (e.g., cruciate on one side affects the other)
- IVDD and other spinal disorders if signs pre‑date coverage
- Undiagnosed masses and congenital defects showing prior signs
- Organ transplants excluded
- Experimental procedures and certain advanced genetic/chromosome testing excluded
- Limit of one anesthetic removal of an ingested foreign body per policy term
- Reiki, Magnet Therapy, Prolotherapy, Ozone Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen and similar non‑standard treatments excluded unless specifically covered by policy terms
- Conditions arising from pre‑existing behavioral issues (e.g., habitual foreign object ingestion) excluded
- Injuries caused deliberately or through gross neglect by the owner excluded
- Injuries from organized fighting or aggression with prior signs excluded
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping, nursing and routine reproductive costs excluded
- Cosmetic procedures (tail docking, ear cropping, de‑clawing, elective dentistry) excluded
- All foods and supplements excluded, with a specific therapeutic diet exception noted for feline hyperthyroidism (Hill’s y/d)
- Injuries or conditions resulting from racing, commercial guarding, law enforcement duties, or professional use excluded
- Administrative fees, medical boarding (except specified circumstances), medical waste and postage fees excluded
- Costs arising from pandemics, acts of war, or nuclear incidents excluded
USAA Prices
USAA’s pet insurance is positioned as a tiered offering that spans entry‑level to premium segments through distinct plan configurations, allowing policyholders to choose lower‑cost, higher‑deductible options or higher‑coverage, higher‑premium options depending on needs; sample monthly estimates illustrate this range from lower price points for cats to substantially higher premiums for brachycephalic breeds on premium plans.
Reimbursement rates, deductible choices, and annual coverage limits are the primary levers that determine competitiveness across those tiers, while digital distribution and partnership efficiencies help keep administrative costs down. Added‑value features such as 24/7 vet access via PawSupport, telemedicine options when selected, ambulance reimbursement, and flexible optional coverages support pricing differentiation compared with more traditional, less digitally focused providers without making direct recommendations.
To help you find the best match between your needs and budget, compare the monthly estimated prices below.
| Profile of the animal | High Deductible Plan | Balanced Plan | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Labrador 1 year | $36.55 | $93.90 | $193.48 |
| Dog Labrador 3 years | $31.92 | $82.02 | $171.65 |
| Dog Labrador 7 years | $45.36 | $116.56 | $243.91 |
| Dog Australian Shepherd 1 year | $29.61 | $76.09 | $159.22 |
| Dog Australian Shepherd 3 years | $25.87 | $66.47 | $139.09 |
| Dog Australian Shepherd 7 years | $36.76 | $94.45 | $197.65 |
| Dog French Bulldog 1 year | $56.07 | $144.08 | $301.50 |
| Dog French Bulldog 3 years | $48.98 | $125.86 | $263.38 |
| Dog French Bulldog 7 years | $69.61 | $178.85 | $374.27 |
| Cat European Shorthair 1 year | $12.71 | $32.66 | $68.34 |
| Cat European Shorthair 3 years | $13.81 | $35.48 | $74.24 |
| Cat European Shorthair 7 years | $17.89 | $45.97 | $96.18 |
| Cat Maine Coon 1 year | $20.53 | $52.75 | $110.38 |
| Cat Maine Coon 3 years | $22.30 | $57.30 | $119.93 |
| Cat Maine Coon 7 years | $28.90 | $74.24 | $155.37 |
| Cat British Shorthair 1 year | $20.53 | $52.75 | $110.38 |
| Cat British Shorthair 3 years | $22.30 | $57.30 | $119.93 |
| Cat British Shorthair 7 years | $28.90 | $74.24 | $155.37 |
USAA Promo Codes
| USAA 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.
Your USAA Reimbursement Amount
✅ Example 1: Consultation for allergic dermatitis
Total vet costs: $200 (consultation + medication)
Deductible amount to subtract: $100 (this is the first expense of the year)
Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Recommended Plan: $200 – $100 = $100
90% of that amount reimbursed: $100 × 90% = $90
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $90.
ℹ️ *The deductible applies once per policy year; future claims that year are not reduced by the deductible again unless it resets.*
✅ Example 2: Cruciate ligament repair surgery
Total vet costs: $5,200 (surgery, hospitalization, imaging, medication)
Deductible amount to subtract: $0 (deductible already met earlier in the policy year)
Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Recommended Plan: $5,200 – $0 = $5,200
90% of that amount reimbursed: $5,200 × 90% = $4,680
👉 You receive $4,680, which will be deducted from the annual coverage cap.
ℹ️ *After this reimbursement, the remaining annual limit is $10,000 – $4,680 = $5,320 until the end of the policy year.*
✅ Example 3: Emergency hospitalization and complex surgery
Total vet costs: $12,000 (emergency stabilization, surgery, ICU, advanced imaging)
Deductible amount to subtract: $0 (deductible already met earlier in the policy year)
Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Recommended Plan: $12,000 × 90% = $10,800
Annual limit cap: reimbursement limited to the annual maximum of $10,000
Reimbursed amount after applying annual limit: $10,000
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $10,000.
ℹ️ *The annual reimbursement limit caps the amount paid by insurance; any excess costs remain the owner's responsibility ($12,000 – $10,000 = $2,000 in this example).*
USAA Assistance
USAA policyholders receive 24/7 access to PawSupport telehealth for immediate veterinary advice, which helps triage emergencies and avoid unnecessary clinic visits. Telemedicine consultations are available when the optional Physical Examination coverage is selected, enabling remote diagnosis and guidance before committing to in‑person care. The plan reimburses emergency ambulance transport and covers specialist consultations, reducing financial exposure for high-cost urgent care. Claims are handled digitally through Embrace’s online portal, allowing electronic submission, tracking, and appeals for faster processing. However, there is no clearly advertised direct advance-payment or consumer financing program tied to claims, so owners should be prepared to cover vet invoices upfront.
| Assistance USAA | Available? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Advance payment | ❌ | N.C. |
| Payment facilities | ❌ | N.C. |
| Mobile app | ❌ | N.C. |
| Paperless claims process | ✅ | Electronic claim submission via my.embracepetinsurance.com. Online appeals and digital documentation. |
| Emergency vet service | ✅ | 24/7 PawSupport vet hotline for urgent advice. Telemedicine consultations covered with optional Physical Examination endorsement. Reimbursement for emergency ambulance transport. |
| Vet/clinic partner network | ❌ | N.C. |
| Coverage abroad | ❌ | N.C. |
Online appeals and digital documentation.
Telemedicine consultations covered with optional Physical Examination endorsement.
Reimbursement for emergency ambulance transport.
USAA Customer Reviews
| Review platform | Rating and number of reviews |
|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 1.2 / 5 (3,498 reviews) |
There is very limited feedback that specifically addresses USAA’s pet insurance, and available commentary on Trustpilot largely reflects experiences with USAA’s broader financial and insurance services rather than detailed appraisals of pet coverage; as a result, consistent positive themes for the pet product itself are not identifiable. The most salient signal from available reviews is the low overall Trustpilot score, which indicates notable customer dissatisfaction at the company level; however, that rating does not translate into clear, product‑specific criticisms or endorsements for pet insurance, so conclusions about claim handling, pricing, and policy clarity for pet owners remain uncertain.
No pet‑insurance‑specific customer reviews are available on Trustpilot or Google Reviews for USAA; therefore, illustrative review excerpts focused on pet insurance cannot be provided.
Contact USAA
| USAA 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. Online subscription channels: N.C. |
| To request and track a reimbursement | Submit claims via the claims portal at my.embracepetinsurance.com, by email to claims@embracepetinsurance.com, by fax to (800) 238-1042, or by mail to Embrace Pet Insurance Claims Department, P.O. Box 22188, Beachwood, OH 44122-0188. Required documents: N.C. Deadlines for submission: N.C. Reimbursement method (direct deposit/check): N.C. |
| To obtain a certificate of insurance | Contact Embrace Pet Insurance Agency (administrator) by phone at 1-800-511-9172 or in writing to 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128 to request a certificate. Channels to request a certificate (portal/email/fax/mail): N.C. Information required to issue the certificate: N.C. |
| To contact assistance | General service phone: 1-800-511-9172. Claims portal: my.embracepetinsurance.com. Claims email: claims@embracepetinsurance.com. Claims fax: (800) 238-1042. Claims mail: Embrace Pet Insurance Claims Department, P.O. Box 22188, Beachwood, OH 44122-0188. Appeals can be submitted via the customer portal, email, fax, or mail to the Embrace Claim Appeal Department. |
| To cancel my policy | You can cancel by contacting the administrator via telephone, email, or in writing. Cancellation contact: 1-800-511-9172 or Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128. Information to provide for cancellation: N.C. Cancellation deadlines and refund conditions: N.C. |
Online subscription channels: N.C.
Required documents: N.C.
Deadlines for submission: N.C.
Reimbursement method (direct deposit/check): N.C.
Channels to request a certificate (portal/email/fax/mail): N.C.
Information required to issue the certificate: N.C.
Claims portal: my.embracepetinsurance.com.
Claims email: claims@embracepetinsurance.com.
Claims fax: (800) 238-1042.
Claims mail: Embrace Pet Insurance Claims Department, P.O. Box 22188, Beachwood, OH 44122-0188.
Appeals can be submitted via the customer portal, email, fax, or mail to the Embrace Claim Appeal Department.
Cancellation contact: 1-800-511-9172 or Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, 4530 Richmond Rd., Cleveland, OH 44128.
Information to provide for cancellation: N.C.
Cancellation deadlines and refund conditions: N.C.
FAQ
Do I have to pay upfront for veterinary fees with USAA?
Advance payment or third‑party direct pay is N.C. for USAA/Embrace in the provided information.
You should prepare to submit a claim after treatment using Embrace’s claims portal, claims@embracepetinsurance.com, fax, or mail.
Reimbursement is issued after claim review and processing; timing and method are determined by the insurer.
Contact Embrace at 1‑800‑511‑9172 to confirm whether your clinic can arrange direct billing for a specific visit.
How do I cancel my pet insurance policy with USAA?
To cancel, contact Embrace Pet Insurance Agency via the general service phone number or your online customer portal.
Provide identifying policy information (policy number, pet name, and account holder details) as requested by the administrator.
Required documents and any formal written request are N.C. in the available details.
Notice period and refund conditions are N.C.; ask customer service for confirmation at cancellation.
What waiting periods apply before coverage starts?
USAA/Embrace sample plans list a 2‑day waiting period for accidents and a 14‑day waiting period for illnesses.
Some specific conditions or procedures may have longer waiting periods or additional restrictions.
Waiting periods start from the policy effective date and must be met before related claims are eligible.
Check your policy documents for any plan‑specific waiting period exceptions.
What are the reimbursement rates and annual limits?
Reimbursement rates and annual coverage limits are listed as N.C. for the sample USAA/Embrace configurations.
These financial parameters typically vary by the plan you choose and appear on your policy declarations page.
Your chosen deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit determine your out‑of‑pocket exposure and claim payouts.
Review your policy documents or contact Embrace to obtain the exact figures for your selected plan.
What are the age limits to enroll a pet with USAA?
Minimum and maximum enrollment ages for dogs and cats are N.C. in the provided information.
Age eligibility often depends on the plan and underwriter rules and can affect premiums and acceptance.
If you are enrolling an older pet, verify eligibility and any age‑related restrictions directly with Embrace before purchasing.
Ask customer service for confirmation of precise age limits for the pet you want to insure.
What common exclusions should I know about?
Major exclusions include pre‑existing conditions, wellness/preventive care (vaccines, routine exams, parasite prevention), and many alternative therapies.
Food, supplements, and most prescription diets are excluded except Hill’s y/d for feline hyperthyroidism as a specific exception.
Breeding, cosmetic procedures, behavioral conditions tied to pre‑existing issues, and owner‑caused injuries are excluded.
Other exclusions include organ transplants, medical boarding limits, and certain repeat procedures per policy term; consult your policy for full details.
Do I have to pay upfront for veterinary fees with USAA?
Advance payment or third‑party direct pay is N.C. for USAA/Embrace in the provided information.
You should prepare to submit a claim after treatment using Embrace’s claims portal, claims@embracepetinsurance.com, fax, or mail.
Reimbursement is issued after claim review and processing; timing and method are determined by the insurer.
Contact Embrace at 1‑800‑511‑9172 to confirm whether your clinic can arrange direct billing for a specific visit.
How do I cancel my pet insurance policy with USAA?
To cancel, contact Embrace Pet Insurance Agency via the general service phone number or your online customer portal.
Provide identifying policy information (policy number, pet name, and account holder details) as requested by the administrator.
Required documents and any formal written request are N.C. in the available details.
Notice period and refund conditions are N.C.; ask customer service for confirmation at cancellation.
What waiting periods apply before coverage starts?
USAA/Embrace sample plans list a 2‑day waiting period for accidents and a 14‑day waiting period for illnesses.
Some specific conditions or procedures may have longer waiting periods or additional restrictions.
Waiting periods start from the policy effective date and must be met before related claims are eligible.
Check your policy documents for any plan‑specific waiting period exceptions.
What are the reimbursement rates and annual limits?
Reimbursement rates and annual coverage limits are listed as N.C. for the sample USAA/Embrace configurations.
These financial parameters typically vary by the plan you choose and appear on your policy declarations page.
Your chosen deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit determine your out‑of‑pocket exposure and claim payouts.
Review your policy documents or contact Embrace to obtain the exact figures for your selected plan.
What are the age limits to enroll a pet with USAA?
Minimum and maximum enrollment ages for dogs and cats are N.C. in the provided information.
Age eligibility often depends on the plan and underwriter rules and can affect premiums and acceptance.
If you are enrolling an older pet, verify eligibility and any age‑related restrictions directly with Embrace before purchasing.
Ask customer service for confirmation of precise age limits for the pet you want to insure.
What common exclusions should I know about?
Major exclusions include pre‑existing conditions, wellness/preventive care (vaccines, routine exams, parasite prevention), and many alternative therapies.
Food, supplements, and most prescription diets are excluded except Hill’s y/d for feline hyperthyroidism as a specific exception.
Breeding, cosmetic procedures, behavioral conditions tied to pre‑existing issues, and owner‑caused injuries are excluded.
Other exclusions include organ transplants, medical boarding limits, and certain repeat procedures per policy term; consult your policy for full details.
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