Embrace vs Pets Best for French Bulldogs
Embrace and Pets Best are both value-focused insurers that combine solid coverage with optional wellness plans — making them natural choices for French Bulldog owners who want more than bare-bones accident/illness coverage without paying Trupanion prices. The question is whether Embrace's diminishing deductible and superior wellness tiers outweigh Pets Best's lower starting price and faster claims. This comparison covers every metric that matters for Frenchie owners.
Quick Verdict
Embrace wins for French Bulldog owners thanks to its diminishing deductible (which rewards healthy years), superior wellness plan tiers, and stronger customer service. Pets Best is the better choice if absolute lowest cost is your primary concern.
Side-by-Side Comparison
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| Feature | Embrace | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Starting Price | $30/mo | $35/mo |
| Annual Maximum | Up to Unlimited | Up to Unlimited |
| Deductible Type | Annual (diminishing) | Annual |
| Reimbursement | 70-90% | 70-90% |
| Claims Speed | 5-10 days | 5 days |
| Wellness Available | ||
| Direct Vet Pay | ||
| Waiting Period | 14 days illness, 2 days accident, 6 months orthopedic | 14 days illness, 0 days accident, cruciate ligament varies (verify with Pets Best) |
Rating Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Embrace
Pros
- Comprehensive Wellness Options: Three levels of wellness coverage help manage routine French Bulldog care costs including regular allergy medications, special diets, and preventive treatments.
- Unlimited Coverage Available: Option for unlimited annual coverage eliminates concerns about hitting caps during expensive treatment years.
- Diminishing Deductible: Unique feature that rewards claim-free years by reducing your deductible, potentially saving hundreds over time.
- Personalized Customer Service: Work with knowledgeable representatives who understand French Bulldog health issues rather than automated systems.
Cons
- Longer Orthopedic Waiting Period: 6-month waiting period for hip dysplasia is longer than some competitors, potentially problematic for older adoptions.
- Wellness Plan Limitations: Annual limits on wellness plans may not cover all routine costs for French Bulldogs with extensive preventive care needs.
- Claims Processing Speed: 5-10 day processing is slower than tech-forward competitors offering instant approvals.
Pets Best
Pros
- Affordable Premiums starting around $35-45/month for French Bulldogs
- Zero-Day Accident Waiting Period provides immediate injury protection
- Unlimited Coverage Option eliminates annual caps
- Optional Wellness Plans for routine care coverage
Cons
- Cruciate Ligament Waiting Period may delay coverage (verify current terms with Pets Best)
- Customer Service Reviews are mixed compared to competitors
- No Direct Vet Payment requires upfront costs
Pricing Comparison
Embrace Plans
- <strong>Annual Coverage: </strong>$8,000
- <strong>Deductible: </strong>$500
- <strong>Reimbursement: </strong>70%
- <strong>Annual Coverage: </strong>$15,000
- <strong>Deductible: </strong>$300
- <strong>Reimbursement: </strong>80%
- <strong>Annual Coverage: </strong>Unlimited
- <strong>Deductible: </strong>$200
- <strong>Reimbursement: </strong>90%
Pets Best Plans
- $5,000 Annual Coverage
- $500 Annual Deductible
- 70% Reimbursement
- $15,000 Annual Coverage
- $250 Annual Deductible
- 80% Reimbursement
- Unlimited Annual Coverage
- $100 Annual Deductible
- 90% Reimbursement
Category Breakdown
Pricing
Pets BestPets Best starts at $35/month vs Embrace's $30/month at entry level, but Pets Best's mid-tier ($55) offers better value than Embrace's mid-tier ($48) on a features-per-dollar basis.
Wellness Plans
EmbraceEmbrace offers three wellness tiers covering routine care, vaccinations, dental, and even prescription food. Pets Best's wellness options are more limited in scope and reimbursement amounts.
Deductible Structure
EmbraceEmbrace's diminishing deductible drops $50 each claim-free year, potentially reaching $0. Pets Best uses a standard annual deductible with no reward mechanism.
Claims Speed
Pets BestPets Best processes most claims in about 5 days. Embrace takes 5-10 days. Neither is fast by industry standards, but Pets Best has a consistent edge.
Customer Service
EmbraceEmbrace earns consistently higher customer service ratings with personalized support. Pets Best reviews are more mixed on service quality.
Coverage Limits
TieBoth offer plans ranging from capped to unlimited annual coverage, with similar reimbursement options (70-90%).
Our Recommendation
Choose Embrace if...
- Comprehensive wellness coverage for routine Frenchie care is a priority
- You want a deductible that decreases over time
- Customer service quality matters to you
- Your Frenchie is young and healthy (maximize diminishing deductible benefit)
Choose Pets Best if...
- Lowest possible premium is your top concern
- You want a zero-day accident waiting period
- Faster claims processing is important to you
- You prefer a simpler plan structure without the complexity of diminishing deductibles
Frequently Asked Questions
Each policy year your French Bulldog goes without a claim, your deductible drops by $50. Starting with a $500 deductible, it could reach $0 after 10 claim-free years. Realistically, most Frenchies will file claims, but even a few healthy years can save you $100-$200 on your deductible.
Embrace offers significantly better wellness plans with three tiers covering vaccinations, dental cleanings, prescription food, and even behavioral therapy. Pets Best's wellness add-on covers basics like exams and vaccinations but with lower reimbursement limits. For a breed with high routine care costs, Embrace's wellness plans provide more value.
Yes, both Embrace and Pets Best cover hereditary and breed-specific conditions including BOAS, hip dysplasia, IVDD, and allergies. Embrace has a 6-month orthopedic waiting period; Pets Best has a variable cruciate ligament waiting period. Enroll early to minimize waiting period concerns.
At entry level, both start around $30-$35/month for a young Frenchie. For mid-tier coverage with wellness, expect $48-$70/month with Embrace or $55-$80/month with Pets Best. Embrace's diminishing deductible can reduce out-of-pocket costs over time, potentially making it cheaper in the long run despite similar premiums.