USAA Pet Insurance Review – Help For Pet Parents Who Are Veterans And Their Families
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Paying for medical care for your cat or dog isn’t inexpensive. Those surprise trips to the animal hospital and vet bills can add up. Fortunately, pet insurance companies can help. Pet insurance policies pay out to help pet parents cover the cost of everything from hospitalizations and cancer treatment to vaccines and the expenses involved when you spay or neuter your cat. And in good news, you have plenty of pet insurance companies from which to choose when looking to protect your furry fiend, adding to your peace of mind.
One of those options? USAA, which provides its own pet insurance coverage through its relationship with Embrace Pet Insurance. This coverage is comprehensive, providing illness coverage, accident protection and other add-ons. The only catch? You’ll need USAA membership to sign up for a USAA pet insurance policy. Our USAA pet insurance review will help you decide whether it is worth it.
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What is USAA pet insurance?
The United Services Automobile Association, better known as USAA, is a financial services company offering insurance and banking products to members of the U.S. Military, veterans of the Armed Forces and their family members. One of these products? Pet insurance.
You can't sign up for a USAA pet insurance policy, though, if you are not first a member of the association. And you can't become a member if you don't have a military connection or a family member who is or was a member of the military. This means that only USAA members can protect their pets with the company’s insurance.
If you can sign up for a USAA pet health insurance policy, you will receive solid protection for your pet. Policies cover congenital, genetic and breed-specific conditions; chronic conditions; cancer treatment; emergency room and specialist care; surgery, hospitalization and nursing care; complementary therapies and rehabilitation; and diagnostic testing and imaging.
You can also tweak the annual deductible that you pay – the amount that you must pay out of pocket each year before USAA insurance coverage kicks in – and the reimbursement rate of your policy. If you spend more for, say, a reimbursement rate of 90%, USAA will cover 90% of the costs of your pet's treatments minus your deductible if you haven’t yet met that for the year.
On the negative side, there are certain treatments that a USAA pet insurance policy won't cover, including those for treating pre-existing conditions; the costs of breeding, whelping and pregnancy; cosmetic procedures; DNA testing; or stem cell therapy not deemed medically necessary.
Though you can sign up for your pet insurance policy through USAA, the company doesn’t actually underwrite or service this coverage. Instead, USAA has partnered with Embrace Pet Insurance, a national provider of pet insurance, to offer its pet insurance coverage. This means that your pet insurance policy is coming from Embrace, not USAA.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
How USAA pet insurance works
Getting insurance quotes and signing up for a USAA pet insurance policy is simple … if you are a member or veteran of the military or a family member of one. First, visit USAA’s online home for pet insurance here.
You’ll see a box on this page that says “Get a quote.” Click on it. That will take you to this page:
If you are already a USAA member, you can enter your online ID in the “Log On” box on the right side of the page and click “Next.” If you are not a member, you can click on the “Join USAA” box on the lefthand side of the page. Remember, you can’t sign up for a pet insurance policy with this company if you do not first have a USAA membership. I am not a member of USAA, so I’m not able to proceed through the “get a quote” process through the association.
However, like many other insurance companies, USAA offers its pet insurance plan through a different company that specializes in this protection, in this case Embrace, a national provider of pet insurance. We can move through the quoting process at Embrace to get an idea of what coverage limits might look like for your dog or cat if you sign up for a pet insurance policy from USAA.
At Embrace, you’ll be asked to input key information about your pet, such as its name, sex, whether it is a dog or cat, breed and age. You'll also have to provide your zip code, email address and phone number, though entering your number is optional. You can then click the orange "Start Quote" button on the bottom of the page.
This then brings you to a page in which you'll see your pet's accident and illness plan coverage options.
You'll have the option to set your annual limit, choosing from $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited. This is the maximum amount that your USAA pet insurance policy will pay out each year. You can also tweak your annual deductible, the amount that you'll pay out of pocket for your pet's covered care each year before your pet insurance policy will cover the rest of your costs.
You can choose from an annual deductible of $100, $250 or $500. Finally, you can choose your reimbursement percentage, the amount that your USAA pet insurance policy will cover for each covered treatment, test or medical care after you pay your deductible.
You can choose from 70%, 80% or 90%. Be careful when choosing these coverage options. Your annual deductible and reimbursement percentage will determine how much you pay for emergency vet visits, hospitalizations or other care.
Say you choose a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement. If you need $2,000 worth of care for your pet and you haven’t yet met your deductible, you'll pay the first $250 of your bill. USAA pet insurance will then cover 90% of the remaining $1,750, or $1,575. This means that you will cover a total of $425 for this emergency while your insurer will cover the remaining $1,575. If you had already met your deductible, you would have only paid $175 for this treatment.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
How much does USAA pet insurance cost?
The pricing of your USAA pet insurance policy varies depending on your pet’s age, location and breed. You can also tweak your policy price by increasing or lowering your deductible, annual reimbursement options and reimbursement percentage.
For my 2-year-old Chihuahua living in the Chicago area, Embrace -- USAA's pet insurance partner -- quoted me a monthly rate of $46.65 for accident and illness protection. I also had the option to qualify for a multi-pet discount of 10% if I added another pet.
That policy came with a reimbursement percentage of 90%, annual deductible of $250 and annual reimbursement limit of $10,000. If I change my reimbursement limit to $5,000, my deductible to $500 and my reimbursement percentage to 80%, though, my monthly quote drops to $30.52 a month.
For a 4-year-old domestic long hair cat living in the Kansas City area, Embrace quoted me a monthly policy price of $22.76 a month for accident and illness coverage. That policy came with a $250 deductible, $10,000 annual reimbursement limit and 90% reimbursement percentage.
By purchasing your Embrace pet insurance policy through a USAA insurance agency, you'll qualify for a discount of up to 15% off your policy pricing. Those insuring multiple pets might also qualify for an additional 10% off, meaning that USAA members might receive up to a 25% discount on their pet insurance policy.
USAA Pet Insurance features
Comprehensive coverage
USAA Pet Insurance, offered through USAA’s partnership with Embrace, covers a host of illnesses and emergency care. This includes payouts to help cover the costs of congenital, genetic and breed-specific conditions; chronic conditions; cancer treatment; emergency room and specialist care; surgery, hospitalization and nursing care; complementary therapies and rehabilitation; and diagnostic testing and imaging.
What it doesn't cover
There are some exclusions, though. A big one? USAA won't cover pre-existing conditions. If your dog or cat suffers pre-existing conditions that require costly medical care? You might consider exploring other pet insurance companies.
USAA also doesn't cover any costs related to breeding, whelping and pregnancy. If you are a breeder, you might again consider another pet insurance company that does offer breeding coverage.
Other treatments that USAA pet insurance won't cover include those relating to deliberate injury caused by any person or pet living in your home; injuries or illnesses resulting from fighting, racing, cruelty or neglect; cosmetic procedures that are not considered medically necessary; DNA testing or cloning; and stem cell therapy not considered medically necessary.
You can add wellness coverage
You can add coverage for routine care by purchasing an add-on policy, Wellness Rewards plan from Embrace. This policy will provide coverage for preventive and routine care including spay and neuter surgery; prescription diet food; wellness exam fees; flea, tick and heartworm medications; dental cleaning and care; microchipping; grooming; and other treatments.
This add-on isn't free. You can choose from three Wellness Rewards options: plans that payout a maximum of $250 a policy year, $450 or $650 for preventive and wellness care. Embrace says that the monthly cost of a $250 plan is $18.75, or $225 a year.
Who is USAA Pet Insurance best for?
- Veterans and members of the U.S. Military and their families. USAA pet insurance is only available to members and veterans of the U.S. Military and their family members. Military members can receive discounts of up to 25% off on their pet insurance.
- Those who want to insure multiple pets. USAA provides a multi-pet discount of 10% off pet insurance policies if you insure more than one pet.
- Pet parents who plan to spend a lot on their furry friends’ care each year. You can purchase a USAA pet insurance policy that comes with an unlimited annual reimbursement amount. This means that you can spend as much as you’d like each year on your pet’s care without worrying about your policy no longer paying out. Remember, you’ll need to pay extra for unlimited annual reimbursements.
- Those who’d rather not spend a lot upfront. You can choose a lower annual deductible, one as low as $100. If you choose a lower deductible, you won’t have to pay as much out-of-pocket before your pet insurance coverage kicks in. The lower your deductible, though, the higher your monthly premium will be.
Who shouldn’t use USAA Pet Insurance?
- Pet owners whose cats and dogs have pre-existing conditions. USAA Pet Insurance doesn’t provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your pets have such conditions that require costly medical care, you might consider a different pet insurer.
- Breeders. USAA Pet Insurance offers no coverage for the costs of breeding. Breeders, then, will do better with a different insurance policy.
- Pet parents who aren’t affiliated with the U.S. military. You must have USAA membership to apply for a pet insurance policy through the company. If you aren’t in the U.S. military, aren’t a veteran or don’t have any family members who are serving or who have served, you aren’t eligible to join USAA.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
Pros and cons of USAA Pet Insurance
Pros
- You can visit any vet at any time. USAA Pet Insurance has no network of veterinarians. This means that you can visit any vet, even if you are visiting another city or you are stationed abroad.
- MyEmbrace Account. When you sign up for a USAA Pet Insurance Policy, you’ll get a MyEmbrace account. You can log into that account whenever you’d like to ask questions to pet experts who can help you decide if your cat or dog needs medical attention. You can also file claims, check the status of claims, add a pet to your coverage or change your policy details.
- Quick reimbursement. Once your claim is approved, Embrace says that it can deposit your reimbursement in your account within two business days.
Cons
- Not available to everyone. A USAA Pet Insurance policy is only available to USAA members. To join USAA, you must be in the U.S. Military, veterans of the Armed Forces or family members of veterans or active-duty Military members.
- No coverage for pre-existing conditions. USAA policies will not cover the costs of caring for or treating your pet’s pre-existing conditions.
- No coverage for pets other than dogs or cats. Own a parrot or iguana? USAA won’t cover these animals. This pet insurance is only available for pooches and felines.
USAA Pet Insurance versus competitors
Insurer | Reimbursement levels | Annual coverage caps | Optional coverages offered |
USAA | Up to 90% | $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited | Wellness coverage, |
State Farm | Up to 90% | Unlimited | Pet owner assistance, recovery and complementary care |
AKC Pet Insurance | Up to 90% | Limits start at $2,500 and go up to $20,000. You can also choose an unlimited coverage plan. | Exam, wellness, accident-only, final respects, breeding and hereditary coverage. |
Lemonade Pet Insurance | Up to 90% | $5,000 to $100,000 | Vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, cremation services, euthanasia coverage and behavioral treatments. |
State Farm Pet Insurance
Much like with USAA, State Farm partners with another provider for its pet insurance coverage. State Farm's pet insurance is provided by Trupanion, a national pet insurance provider based in Seattle. The company offers pet insurance policies for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico.
Trupanion provides coverage for a wide range of medical costs for your furry friends, including hereditary conditions, unexpected injuries, diagnostic tests, advanced dentistry, hospital stays, medications, veterinary supplements and prescription food.
A Trupanion pet insurance policy through State Farm provides coverage for any hereditary issues that your breed is more likely to inherit. A policy will also cover the costs of caring for any congenital conditions for your pets. Congenital conditions are any inherited medical conditions that occur before or at birth.
A State Farm pet insurance policy will also help cover the costs of medical services such as x-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans; surgeries and hospital stays; medications; veterinary supplements; physical therapy; advanced dentistry; and prosthetic devices and carts.
AKC Pet Insurance
The American Kennel Club, or AKC, offers its own version of pet insurance. A policy with the club gives you the chance for plenty of customization.
Add-ons include exam coverage; coverage for hereditary conditions; wellness coverage, which covers routine and preventative care; breeding coverage, which pays out for emergency C-sections, liver failures and other medical issues associated with breeding; and final respects coverage, which helps cover the cost of burials, cremation and memorials.
AKC's basic coverage includes payouts for broken bones, cancer treatments, the ingestion of toxins, digestive issues, hypothyroidism, allergies and urinary tract infections. AKC also offers a 24/7 vet helpline, covers physical therapy costs, pays out to help cover the costs of microchipping your pets and helps cover the expenses of needed vaccinations.
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade is a national provider of pet insurance that focuses on its app and online service. The company says that you can use its app or website to sign up for pet insurance in seconds and submit claims and receive approval for them in minutes.
The company's pet insurance policies, available for dogs and cats, provides coverage for blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, lab work, CT scans and ultrasounds. It also pays out to help cover the costs of outpatient procedures, specialty and emergency care, hospitalizations and surgery. You'll also receive coverage for your pet's injections and prescription medications.
Lemonade also provides coverage for wellness exams, heartworm screenings, bloodwork, vaccines, routine dental cleaning and fecal or internal parasite tests. You can also qualify for discounts on your pet insurance. You'll save 10% when you bundle your policy with one of Lemonade's other insurance products, such as renters insurance,homeowners, insurance, car insurance or life insurance.
You'll get 5% off your policy's premium if you insure two or more pets and 5% off if you pay for a full year's worth of coverage at one time.
FAQs
Does USAA Pet Insurance cover dental costs?
Yes. Through its partnership with Embrace Pet Insurance, USAA offers dental coverage as part of its wellness coverage add-on for dogs and cats. Embrace says that its pet insurance covers up to $1,000 of dental work during a policy term.
How do I submit a claim?
You can submit claims through the MyEmbrace account you’ll set up when signing up for Embrace Pet Insurance through USAA. When making a claim, you’ll need to provide an itemized invoice from your vet and a diagnosis or reason for your vet visit.
How fast will I receive my reimbursement after filing a claim?
This depends on the type of care your pet receives. For accident or illness care, Embrace asks for 10 to 15 business days to process claims, though it might send your reimbursement faster than that. For wellness care, Embrace usually processes claims in five business days or less.
- Sign up in seconds
- Get paid in minutes
- Get 5% Off for 2 or more pets
- Get 10% off when you bundle
- Get 5% off by paying annually
- Award-winning service
The bottom line
Like many major insurers, USAA doesn’t offer a pet insurance plan on its own. Instead, it partners with national pet insurance company Embrace to offer this form of insurance. That shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. If you are a USAA member, you can qualify for discounts, including a military discount and multi-pet discount, when signing up for an Embrace pet insurance policy. And you’ll receive comprehensive care for your furry friends.
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Writer
Dan Rafter is a freelance writer who has more than 20 years experience covering personal finance. He's written for the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Rocket Mortgage, NortonLifeLock and several others.
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