Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance


Is Spot or Embrace Pet Insurance Better?

Overall, Spot is better than Embrace for pet insurance, outperforming across affordability, customer experience and coverage. It's cheaper than Embrace for both dogs and cats, with average savings between 2% and 25% depending on your pet's age. Spot also offers more streamlined buying and claims processes, so it's easier to buy policies and submit claims. Moreover, the company has shorter waiting periods for orthopedic conditions and curable conditions, as well as broader base inclusions that won't require you to purchase add-ons for exam fees and prescription medications like Embrace does.

Overall Score

4.32 out of 5

3.96 out of 5

Average Monthly Rate
  • Dogs: $63
  • Cats: $34
  • Dogs: $72
  • Cats: $44
Customer Experience Score

4.86 out of 5

4.64 out of 5

Coverage Score

4.14 out of 5

3.84 out of 5

Best Fit for

Pet owners looking for top-tier customer experience, a shorter waiting period for orthopedic conditions and broad base coverage that won't necessitate multiple add-ons

Owners who want a policy with no waiting period for accidents or higher annual limits outside of the unlimited option

Not an Ideal Fit for

Those looking for the lowest rates possible or immediate coverage for accidents after enrollment

Senior pet owners looking for comprehensive coverage or those focused on cost savings or exceptional customer service

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Coverage

Spot ranks higher for pet insurance coverage at sixth overall versus Embrace’s 11th. Both companies offer broad base plans, including behavioral conditions and alternative therapy, but Spot has a few more inclusions that Embrace only offers through optional add-ons, specifically, exam fees and prescription medications. This makes Spot a better choice for owners of pets with high risks for chronic conditions, such as French Bulldogs with allergies, Labrador Retrievers with arthritis and senior cats with kidney disease, since veterinary visits and prescriptions are automatically covered at no extra cost.

Where Spot Pet Insurance Is Better
Where Embrace Pet Insurance Is Better

Shorter waiting period for orthopedic conditions at 14 days

Immediate coverage for accidents

Shorter waiting period for curable pre-existing conditions at 180 symptom-free days

Higher annual limits beyond the unlimited option

Coverage for prescription medications and exam fees in the base plan

Grooming costs in the coverage for optional wellness plans

No upper age limits for pets during enrollment

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Coverage Terms

While Spot and Embrace offer comprehensive accident and illness coverage, their policy terms differ in ways that can affect when coverage begins, what is included by default and which pets are eligible to enroll.

  • Prescription medications: Spot includes prescription medications in its standard accident and illness policy, while Embrace requires an optional add-on, making Spot the better fit for pets that need ongoing medication, such as those with diabetes, allergies or epilepsy.
  • Waiting period for accidents: Embrace offers immediate accident coverage, whereas Spot has a 14-day waiting period, so Embrace is more ideal for high-energy or curious pets that have high risks for unexpected injuries.
  • Waiting period for orthopedic conditions: Spot applies a 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions, compared with Embrace's waiting period of 30 days to six months based on the state. As such, Spot provides faster coverage for breeds predisposed to joint problems, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
  • Pre-existing conditions: Spot covers curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days, which is shorter than Embrace's 12 months symptom- and treatment-free requirement. This makes Spot the preferable option for pets that have recovered from temporary conditions.
  • Enrollment restrictions: Spot has no upper age limit for enrolling dogs or cats, while Embrace limits pets 15 years and older to accident-only coverage, so those enrolling senior pets who want comprehensive coverage will find Spot a better option than Embrace.

The table below further breaks down Spot's and Embrace's coverage options and terms:

$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
$2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited
$2,000, $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited
70%, 80%, 90%
70%, 80%, 90%
14 days for accidents, illnesses and knee or ligament conditions

0 day for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 30 days to 6 months for orthopedic conditions based on state

Enrollment restrictions
No upper age limit
Limits 15-year-old pets and older to accident-only plans
Pre-existing conditions
Curable conditions may qualify for coverage after 180 symptom-free days
Curable conditions may be covered after 12 months of being symptom-free
Diagnostics

Covered through an add-on

Fractures and broken bones
Foreign body ingestion
Lacerations and bite wounds
Parasite treatment
Digestive illnesses
Hereditary and congenital conditions
Chronic conditions
Behavioral conditions
Physical therapy
Alternative therapy

Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Coverage Add-Ons

Embrace offers more add-ons than Spot, though its optional coverages for exam fees and prescription medications already come standard in Spot's base plan. As for wellness add-ons, Embrace offers more tiers and higher annual limits than Spot, and it also covers grooming costs, which Spot doesn't. This makes Embrace the better choice for pet owners who want greater coverage for preventive care.

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Affordability

According to my pet insurance cost analysis, neither Spot nor Embrace has high ratings for affordability, with Spot placing ninth and Embrace ranking 13th. However, Spot offers lower rates for dogs and cats than Embrace across most life stages, with savings up to 25%, depending on your pet's age. Meanwhile, Embrace is 6% cheaper than Spot for senior dogs.

Spot offers the cheapest pet insurance for Doberman Pinschers and is competitive for Devon Rexes and Norwegian Forest cats, offering savings between 23% and 28% against the national breed averages. On the other hand, Embrace provides affordable pricing for certain medium-sized dog breeds, specifically Corgis, Groodles and Lurchers, with rates up to 26% lower than the national breed benchmarks.

Kittens (Under 1)

$21

$26

Spot

19%

Puppies (Under 1)

$43

$47

Spot

9%

Young Cats (1-2 years)

$21

$28

Spot

25%

Young Dogs (1-2 years)

$43

$48

Spot

10%

Middle-Aged Cats (3-6 years)

$34

$44

Spot

23%

Middle-Aged Dogs (3-6 years)

$63

$72

Spot

13%

Senior Cats (7 and older)

$80

$82

Spot

2%

Senior Dogs (7 and older)

$120

$113

Embrace

6%

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance Discounts

Spot offers more pet insurance discounts than Embrace, with three available savings opportunities compared to Embrace's two. Both providers offer a 10% multi-pet discount, but Spot pulls ahead with exclusive savings for AAA members, Blue Cross Blue Shield members and employees of participating employer group plans. Embrace counters with a 5% military discount that Spot doesn't have, making it the better choice for those with a military background.

Multiple pets
Save 10% when you enroll multiple pets under separate policies.
Get 10% when you insure more than one pet under separate policies.
Employer group plan
Get 10% off for joining a participating employer's group plan.
None.
Association
Receive 10% off if you’re a member of American Automobile Association (AAA) or Blue Cross Blue Shield.
None.
Military
None.
Save 5% if you're an active or former member of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy or Coast Guard.

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Customer Experience

Spot offers the third-best customer experience overall, whereas Embrace ranks in the middle tier at seventh place. Spot offers better tools, as well as faster and more streamlined processes than Embrace, making it much easier to purchase a policy and submit claims online. Meanwhile, Embrace’s customer support is dependable, but it doesn’t offer any standout features that put its service at the top.

Overall customer experience score

4.86 out of 5

4.64 out of 5

Buying experience score

4.89 out of 5

4.59 out of 5

Policy management experience score

4.68 out of 5

4.66 out of 5

Claims experience score

4.91 out of 5

4.66 out of 5

Customer experience strengths

Offers smooth processes for buying coverage, submitting claims and managing policies, particularly excelling in reliable pre-sale support, competitive claim processing times and straightforward appeals process

Has straightforward policy management and claims processes, so pet owners can manage their policies and submit claims without running to major issues

Customer experience weaknesses

Its mobile app is reliable for everyday policy management but doesn't have any noteworthy features, plus more complex account servicing requests tend to need additional follow-up to reach a resolution

Its buying process could provide more guidance around underwriting and how medical history affects future coverage, while renewal communications and pricing explanations often leave policyholders needing to contact support for clarification.

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Bottom Line

Between Spot and Embrace, Spot is the better choice for pet insurance overall, with lower rates, better service and more comprehensive coverage. Embrace may be worth considering if you're looking for immediate accident coverage or more comprehensive wellness add-on benefits.

Before choosing a provider, ask yourself:

  • Do I want the lowest monthly premium or am I willing to pay more for specific policy features?
  • Does the base plan include the benefits my pet is most likely to need or will I have to purchase add-ons?
  • How important are waiting periods, especially if my pet is prone to orthopedic conditions or has a history of curable illnesses?
  • Will the provider accept my pet based on its age, breed and medical history?
  • Am I more concerned about the claims experience or maximizing coverage for the price?

Answering these questions helps you identify the provider whose coverage, cost and service best match your pet's profile and your budget, whether that's Spot, Embrace or another pet insurer.

Compare Spot and Embrace with other major pet insurance companies to determine the best choice for your pet:

Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance: Our Process

To build our Spot and Embrace rankings, my team and I analyzed more than 67,000 pet profiles across breeds, ages and states, collecting quotes, testing the buying and claims experience firsthand and reviewing policy documents line by line. Our national scores are based on a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and a 7-year-old Ragdoll, each with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate

For a full breakdown of how we score each category, visit our methodology page.

About Ritchel Mendiola


Ritchel Mendiola, Pet Insurance Writer

Ritchel Mendiola is a Pet Insurance Content Writer at MoneyGeek. She produces coverage guides, provider comparisons and cost analyses so pet owners can understand their options and avoid overpaying.

Ritchel spent over four years as a News and Feature Writer at Asian Journal Publications, where she reported for the Asian Journal newspaper and Balikbayan Magazine, conducted interviews and covered media events. At MoneyGeek, she covers policy terms, exclusions, waiting periods and reimbursement structures the way she treated news facts. They're sourced, verified and reported accurately rather than summarized from marketing copy.

She joined MoneyGeek in late 2021 in the loans vertical and moved to pet insurance content, which she now leads. Her published work includes provider comparisons, breed-specific cost guides, age-specific coverage analyses and state-level pricing studies, all from the vertical's 5 million pet insurance profiles across 18 major providers and all U.S. states.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rianmendi/

Contact Email: ritchel.mendiola@moneygeek.com