USAA Pet Insurance Review 2023 – Pros, Cons, & Verdict

In this Review: Our Review | Pricing & Plans | Coverage | Deductibles & Claims | FAQ | Conclusion

USAA Pet Insurance is an excellent option if you’re a current or former member of the military. The company has your pet’s back. Making this investment is worthwhile given the costs of veterinary care. You can expect to pay up to $150 or more just walking in the door with your cat or dog for an emergency room visit. That figure doesn’t include any tests, bloodwork, or other procedures.

USAA is unique in this industry because of its limited availability. However, it still must meet the basic demands for prompt claim processing, coverage, and affordable premiums to make it a viable choice. Our guide will discuss everything you need to know if it’s a suitable carrier for your pet.

USAA Pet Insurance Review

Other Top-Rated Pet Insurance Companies

About USAA

USAA is all about veterans and military personnel and their families. For many, the latter also includes their pets. They provide affordable insurance using third-party administration with Embrace. USAA offers many options for setting up your pet’s plan with varying deductibles and payouts like other carriers do. It stands out for its coverage of veterinary costs related to law enforcement. Most companies will not include them.

USAA provides some coverage for breed-specific and congenital conditions. However, it’s not comprehensive, given the nature of the business. It offers perks we see with other carriers, such as virtual vet visits. It also provides rewards for claim-free years. On the downside, illnesses in pets over 14 years old aren’t covered. Many point to its limited availability, but we can’t fault them for taking care of our military.

Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2023)

Pet Insurance Cost Comparison

Base Policy

You can opt for an accident-only or accident-illness plan. USAA only covers dogs and cats, with no exotic animal offerings. The former doesn’t cover prescription diets, while the latter does. Both handle many of the expenses associated with these events, including surgery and rehab. Accident-illness coverage provides coverage for behavioral issues, orthopedic conditions, and genetic disorders.

Many carriers have a mandatory medical review. USAA does not. While that may seem like a good thing, it’s a missed opportunity for noting pre-existing conditions. That area is often a subject of complaints customers have with insurance companies.

Customizations

Like other providers, USAA has several add-ons to customize your pet’s plan to fit your needs and budget. The base plan is an excellent value. However, you can take it to the next level with these offerings.

Embrace’s Wellness Rewards

Embrace’s Wellness Rewards focuses on preventive care, an essential part of pet ownership. You can get reimbursed for several routine services, such as flea and tick prevention, vaccinations, and microchipping. You can see any vet with no preferred networks. The insurer offers coverage as annual payouts of $250, $450, or $650. Your quote is based on which you choose.

USAA Price Comparison for Dogs

*Note: Figures are from the Embrace Insurance site. USAA offers current and former military members a 15% discount and a 25% discount for current and former active-duty personnel or for multiple pets.

Deductibles & Claims

Available deductibles are $200, $300, $500, $750, and $1,000, which are fairly generous given the average cost for veterinary services. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), dog owners pay about $700 a year for these expenses. You can also choose a reimbursement percentage that goes from 70% to 90%. You can make changes to your account using the MyEmbrace smartphone app.

The claim process is straightforward. You can submit your information through the app or online. The average claim turnaround is 2–5 days. It may take longer if you opt for a mailed check.

What Does USAA Cover?

USAA is transparent about what it covers. It includes diagnostic testing and imaging, surgeries, hospitalization, emergency visits, specialty care, and cancer treatment. Coverage extends to chronic conditions, congenital issues, and breed-specific conditions. It also provides reimbursement for exams.

Wellness coverage is not by the specific item. Instead, USAA offers a flexible reimbursement plan that you can use to cover up to 100% of your expenses, based on the amount you choose. It offers reimbursement for $250, $450, and $650.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Most pet insurance companies make a distinction between curable and incurable conditions. USAA is no exception. The carrier considers ear infections and similar issues curable and will cover them if your pet doesn’t show symptoms of a recurrence for 12 months. Incurable illnesses include things like diabetes. USAA also won’t cover conditions that develop within the waiting periods.

Waiting Periods

USAA has two defined waiting periods for accidents and illnesses. The former is 48 hours, which is generous by industry standards. The latter is 14 days, which, again, is not out of line. As we mentioned earlier, you can opt for a medical review to get a documented history of your pet for any future claims.

Reviews from Customers

All companies get the occasional customer complaint. Pet insurance is no different, particularly when dealing with such an emotional subject. A scan of the Better Business Bureau website found that USAA has an A- and a 100-percent response rate to complaints. The majority involved processing issues. Remember that the company offers several types of insurance and banking services.

The addition of its smartphone app has streamlined the claim procedure for many customers. Overall, pet owners were pleased with USAA, often citing how it paid for itself quickly. Many cons we saw involved the USAA membership requirement and not a reflection of its offerings.

FAQ

Does USAA Offer Coverage for Older Pets?

USAA provides coverage for pets of any age. However, it is limited to accident-only coverage after 14 years.

How Does PawSupport Work?

USSA has Pet Pros available 24/7 to answer your pet-related questions. While they are not a substitute for veterinary care, they can help you make informed decisions about your pet’s care. They can also provide sound advice about taking your pet to the vet for further evaluation.

What Are Wellness Rewards?

For each claim-free year, USAA will reward you with $50 off of your deductible. Its optional wellness add-on makes keeping your pet healthy and affordable with routine care.

Our Verdict

USAA’s mission has been to serve the military community, which it has done successfully since 1922. It offers affordable pet insurance with many of the perks other companies provide. The transparency of its coverage, wellness add-on, and hassle-free claim process make it an excellent value for qualified individuals and their families. We can wholeheartedly recommend its services.