Same Diagnosis, Dramatically Different Bill: Embrace Pet Insurance Q2 Report Shows How Unpredictable Veterinary Costs Can Be

Embrace's Q2 claims data shows that common pet health concerns can come with vastly different price tags. For instance, claims for vomiting, one of the most common diagnoses among Embrace claims, ranged from a few hundred dollars to more than $11,000.

CLEVELAND, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From allergies and upset stomachs to emergency surgeries and chronic illnesses, pet health can be unpredictable, and so can the cost of care. Among claims involving a single diagnosis, claims for lameness, or limping, averaged $453 but reached more than $13,000, while claims for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, a common knee injury in dogs, averaged $1,436 and reached nearly $15,000. Vomiting claims averaged $587 but ranged from a few hundred dollars to as much as $11,310. Diarrhea claims averaged $222, while the highest claim reached $5,846.

"Something as common as vomiting or a limp can have many different causes, and you often don't know what you're dealing with until a veterinarian examines the pet and starts the diagnostic process," said Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinary consultant at Embrace Pet Insurance. "For one pet, treatment may be relatively simple. For another, that same initial symptom can lead to advanced diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery or specialty care. Having a plan in place for unexpected veterinary expenses can give pet owners more options when their pet needs care."

Beyond the wide range of costs associated with common conditions, overall claim amounts continued to trend upward as well. Between April 1 and June 30, the average claim submitted to Embrace reached $432, up nearly 7% from $404 during the same period last year. The median claim increased 5% to $183, while Embrace reimbursed policyholders $62.9 million during the second quarter.

Embrace's Q2 data comes amid rising veterinary prices nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for veterinary services were 5.1% higher in June 2026 than in June 2025.

Q2 2026 by the Numbers

From April 1 through June 30:

• $62.9 million reimbursed to Embrace policyholders
• $432 average claim amount, up 6.9% year over year 
• Embrace reached 7.5 million claims submitted since its founding

Q2's Largest Veterinary Claims

The quarter's largest claim involved a small mixed-breed dog treated for a heart condition involving the mitral valve. Embrace reimbursed $40,517 for the claim, the largest individual claim payment in company history.

Other high-dollar claims during Q2 included a $30,739 claim for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel treated for injuries from a dog bite and a $29,897 claim for a Rottweiler treated for heat stroke.

Breed Snapshot

Mixed-breed dogs and cats accounted for the highest claim volume during Q2, consistent with their larger representation among Embrace-insured pets. Average claim amounts for both groups were $511.

Among the purebred dog breeds with the most claims, French Bulldogs had the highest average claim amount at $575, followed by Golden Retrievers at $530 and Labrador Retrievers at $527.

Among the purebred cat breeds with the most claims, Maine Coons had the highest average claim amount at $727, followed by Siamese cats at $553 and Ragdolls at $532.

What Changed From Q2 2025

Several common diagnoses carried higher average claim amounts than they did during the same period last year.

Among the 20 most frequently claimed single diagnoses, CCL tears had the largest increase in average claim amount, up $54 from Q2 2025. Average vomiting claims increased $43, diabetes claims increased $41, skin mass claims increased $40 and Cushing's disease, a hormonal disorder, increased $33.

"This quarter's numbers represent real pets and real families trying to do what's best for them," said Scott Stice, president of Embrace Pet Insurance. "What stands out in this data is just how different the financial impact of a health issue can be from one pet to the next. A condition that seems routine can turn into something that requires much more extensive care, and the financial impact isn't always easy to anticipate. Helping families feel more prepared for that uncertainty is a big part of why we're here."

To learn more about Embrace Pet Insurance, visit embracepetinsurance.com or call (800) EMBRACE.

About Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance, a highly rated pet health insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States, offers flexible accident and illness insurance plans. In addition to insurance, Embrace offers Wellness Rewards, a non-regulated, non-insurance, optional preventative care product that is unique to the industry. Embrace is a proud member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) and continues to innovate and improve the pet insurance experience for pet parents across the country. Embrace Pet Insurance is a privately held organization, backed by Doubtless Pet Care Group.

Pet Health Insurance is administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC (Lic#0G89328, Cleveland, OH) and underwritten by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company (NAIC #0361-23469, Amelia, OH) d/b/a in CA as American Modern Insurance Company (NAIC #0361-23469) and American Southern Home Insurance Company (NAIC #0361-41998, Atlanta, GA). Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Discounts may vary and are subject to change. For full terms and conditions, visit www.embracepetinsurance.com/coverage/embrace-terms.

Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. City Average, by Detailed Expenditure Category, June 2026." July 14, 2026. BLS Table 2

All statistics and claims data are based on internal data from Embrace Pet Insurance as of August 2026.

SOURCE Embrace Pet Insurance