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A class action lawsuit has been filed against Healthy Paws Pet Insurance by a consumer claiming the company charges excessive monthly premiums.
Plaintiff Steven Benanav says that Healthy Paws is contractually obligated to increase their insurance premiums only to the extent of the costs associated with an increase in the amount spent on veterinary medicine.
Benanav reportedly purchased a Healthy Paws insurance policy for his dog Mali in March 2012. This insurance company has reportedly been underwritten by numerous companies such as Markel American Insurance Company, Ace American and Westchester Fire Insurance Company.
When the plaintiff first purchased the insurance for Mali, the monthly premiums were $33.85 per month, Benanav claims. However, as the dog aged, the monthly premiums reportedly increased.
The plaintiff states that in 2016, the monthly premiums increased from $39.03 to $44.80. Thereafter, the premiums increased to $55.61 in 2018, to $69.67 in 2019, and finally to $104.50 in 2020, according to the Healthy Paws class action lawsuit.
Benanav claims his pet insurance policy increased more than 300 percent over the course of seven years. The plaintiff alleges this amount is well above the overall average costs of veterinary medicine for that time period.
A Nationwide Purdue Veterinary Price Index from 2019 notes that from 2014 to 2018, the cost of veterinary medicine increased only 21 percent, which is less than the cost of the premium set by Healthy Paws.
Benanav says Mali is now 13-years-old and he is unable to switch insurance companies, because the dog has aged out of most policies.
The plaintiff claims that he expected his insurance premiums to rise according to inflation. He says if he knew that Healthy Paws would be taking Mali’s age and other factors into consideration to increase their rates, he would not have signed up for this particular insurance policy.
Benanav alleges that the age of his pet is not a factor related to veterinary medicine, and therefore Healthy Paws should not have used that information to increase insurance policies.
The Healthy Paws class action lawsuit argues that the insurance company has earned millions of dollars in extra profits by unrightfully increasing the costs of the monthly premiums.
“More and more, Americans regard their pets as members of their family and more and more, Americans are demanding similar services for their pets as they do for their family members—and that includes health insurance,” claims the Healthy Paws class action lawsuit.
The plaintiff cites statistics by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, which states that more than 2 million pets were insured at the end of 2017.
In addition, the director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America has recently stated that the purchase of pet insurance is “often motivated by a combination of love and fear,” which puts the purchaser in a vulnerable situation, according to the class action lawsuit.
Also, the plaintiff maintains that the cost-benefit analysis of whether an individual should choose pet insurance is based on the cost of monthly premiums.
“Many consumers, when presented with the possibility of securing the most advanced veterinary care for their pet in the event of a future illness for only $30 or $40 per month, believe that pet insurance is a good deal,” argues Benanav.
The Healthy Pets class action lawsuit states that pet insurance companies drastically increase the cost of monthly premiums when the consumers need the insurance the most: as their pets age.
The plaintiff argues that suddenly, monthly premiums for pet insurance may skyrocket to hundreds of dollars per month, which drastically affects the cost-benefit calculation.
“While some pet insurance policies may explicitly allow monthly premiums to increase based on a pet’s age—thus warning consumers from the outset of the potential for a spike down the road—Healthy Paws’ policies do not,” according to the Healthy Paws class action lawsuit.
There are two prospective Classes in the Healthy Paws class action lawsuit. First, a nationwide Class which consists of “All persons who, within the applicable statute of limitations, had their monthly premiums increase on a Healthy Paws pet insurance policy.” The second Class is a California subclass which includes “All persons in the state of California who, within the applicable statute of limitations, had their monthly premiums increase on a Healthy Paws pet insurance policy.”
Do you have insurance for your pet and have experienced premium costs increasing? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Samuel J. Strauss of Turke & Strauss.
The Healthy Paws Insurance Class Action Lawsuit is Steven Benanav v. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, Case No. 2:20-cv-00421, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
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844 thoughts onHealthy Paws Class Action Says Pet Insurance Premiums Skyrocketed
Please add me as well. My premium increases significantly each year and it’s gone up every year. They’re asking $100/month for a four year old dog and I only get 80% reimbursed after the deductible. At this rate, I’ll be paying well over $200 in a few years. I need to keep my dog safe, but I’m paying more for his insurance with less returns than I pay for most of my utilities and own health insurance.
Started my pup in 2016 at $47.59 a month and am now paying $220.64 a month! Just got notice this morning that it will increase yet AGAIN in 63 days to $255.77. This is wayyy tooo much money PLUS having to pay deductibles when needed on a claim AND not getting 100% back…it’s just ridiculous to have to pay that much a month! Please add me to HP class action law suit
Our healthy paws have increased 150 dollars per year the past 4 years. Now I pay close to 500 for 2 pets.
Plus they are giving me hard time with reimbursements for conditions they covered in the past.
Please add me to the class action
I signed my pup up for healthy paws in 2016 starting at $47.59/month in 2017 it actually went down to $45.04, in 2018 it went up to $49.41/ month, 2019 went up to $59.58, 2020 went up to $89.37, 2021 went up to $135.05, now in 2022 i am paying $220.64 a month and just received notice today that in September it will go up once AGAIN to $255 a month. It’s crazy the amount it has gone up and how it rises every single year. Unfortunately I cannot change his insurance at this point due to his age but the amount of money it cost monthly for his insurance with healthy laws PLUS the deductible is way out of hand.
I have three pets insured for more than ten years. The last four years healthy paws has increased my pet insurance a hundred and fifty a year for my two remaining pets. Our insurance for my two senior pet costs me close to 500 a month now. It’s outrageous. Plus they are tying to find loop holes as not to reimburse one of my pups. Saying her condition is pre existing after three years of covering it!!! Now I’m having to file appeals and go through he’ll. This is the time I need the insurance the most when they are old and in need,not when they are young and healthy..what is going on with this robbery!!!
Please add my name to the lawsuit. My monthly bill has continued to climb without any claims on my part. What really irks me are the drastically increasing rates without any notice before hand. The only way I can see that my rate has changed is by logging in or checking my bank statement. There’s never been an option to opt in or out or any explanation as to why the price keeps increasing. Thieves!
Please add my name to the class action suit regarding Healthy Paw Pet Insurance.
My premium began rising shortly after my pet received lung cancer surgery. I did not have a chance to ask why, because the first initial letter stated it was not because of yhe cancer, which lead me to believe that was exactly why. I hadn’t asked.
My Premium is currently $209.00 and will increase to $256.00 in 63 days, “Happy Anniversary” to me.
From what I understand this increase will continue each anniversary. I am retired and my previous employer purchased the top tier fir it’s employees and retiree, my portion is 50% more than my cat. That is ridiculous! In short, if I continue with HP’ I will eventually pay more for pet insurance than my owe insurance. I looked into other pet insurances, but due to my cat’s age (13 years) and
Pre-existing condition he does not qualify.
I understand the cost of living requires increase like everything else, but their method and reasoning is unreasonable.
Yes, I would like to be added to any healthy paws claim.. I have two cats on the policy.. my premiums have gone through the roof.. and they refuse to pay claims.. and when they do.. they sometimes end up in lost mail..( meaning they sent to the wrong address) .. I was told by Heathy Paws I had to try and get my claim payment back from the post office dead mail office and they told me that they could not reissue the check.. this was months after I filed the claim. After over a year had past and calling and emailing and still getting no where. ( Oh, keep in mind they keep taking my monthly payments) I sent them an email that said.. you either send me the payment for the claim that is over a year past due in the next 10 business days or I am placing a formal complaint with the state attorney and the insurance commissioner……. I received payment 4 days later.
My policy when I joined in 2018 was 35$ each for my two dogs. Totaling 75$ a month. Since then, as of 2023 I am now paying a total premium of $146. Also I would like to add that my premium goes up twice a year! And it says “The premium adjustment includes removal of a policy discount.” AND
“The premium was adjusted due to the anniversary adjustment.”
Removal of a policy discount? TWICE A YEAR?!!! My two dogs have been with HP since 2018. And the increase is unfair. Especially since I never would have signed if it had not said “policy will not go up as your pet ages or due to illnesses. I got the run around about COVID being to blame, and cost of vets raising prices to be treated. But that is NOT the case. I have documents from my vet on prices prior to COVID and the current prices. Nothing has changed. Does anyone know how to join this lawsuit???
Yes, my dogs insurance goes up every year. We started when she was a puppy in California. It went down when moving to PA but now it is higher than when it was in California. We have only filed 2 claims. Only one if which, we received partial reimbursement, the other just overdue our deductible. No reason for increased premiums
Yuki, our Akita’s healthy paws insurance was 60.00, 9 years ago. Currently we pay 228.68! Just go notice in the mail that we will pay 283.05 in 63 days!!