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Trupanion Pet Insurance Review

313 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Trupanion is a Seattle-based pet insurance company that sells medical insurance for dogs and cats. Trupanion policies are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company. Founded in Canada, the company expanded into the US and Puerto Rico in 2005. Trupanion offers policies that cover your pets if they get sick or injured, and also cover prescription pet foods, orthotic devices, and carts.

How is Trupanion rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
4.5/5
Cost
4.5/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5 (Excellent)

Trupanion has comprehensive coverage and a great reputation, scoring an excellent rating on Trust Pilot. However, although unlimited per-condition lifetime coverage is a great perk, it can be far more coverage--and consequently far more expensive--than some pet owners need. And that highlights the main issue with Trupanion, inflexibility. They have only one plan*, one benefit limit, and one high reimbursement percentage. This does not give consumers the opportunity to "adjust the knobs" and change the cost of their monthly premium. Although they are the only company that can pay you veterinarian directly at the time of checkout.

Trupanion Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Trupanion offers quite comprehensive coverage that even covers prescriptions and prescription foods. As with most plans, the company will not cover preventative care, taxes, exam fees, or pre-existing conditions. Trupanion also offers additional "owner assistance" coverage. This package includes third-party damage, trip cancellation, advertising and reward, alternative therapies, and breeding dog protection. Though some of our better featured pet insurance companies, for example, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance or Petplan Insurance, provide these services standard, they are only available through Trupanion at extra cost.

With Trupanion, you have the option to get a recovery and complementary care rider that pays for non-clinical procedures such as behavior modification therapy, hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, and chiropractic care for an additional cost.*
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Coverage Types
Medical
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Prosthetics & Mobility Aids

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 5 / 5

Trupanion offers no limits on benefits of any kind, per-incident, annual, or lifetime. While this is indeed a great feature for peace of mind, again, it might suit a particular customer's situation to not have unlimited coverage. For example, someone might know from past experience or the vets in their area that there will be a rock solid limit to what they will possibly spend in a year. Other companies might offer a benefit limit in line with this, and as a result a much lower monthly premium. Having the option is always a good thing.
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Unlike other companies, Trupanion does not allow you to choose a reimbursement percentage. They only offer 90%*. While this is a generous reimbursement, it limits the client's flexibility in customizing their premium. For some pet owners, a lower reimbursement percentage and lower monthly premium might be preferable to Trupanion's single reimbursement model.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 5 / 5

Trupanion sets itself apart from the pack by offering a per-incident lifetime deductible*. This means that your deductible will not reset annually. For a given condition, once you pay your deductible, you can receive unlimited benefits for the rest of the pet's life. Among Trupanion's deductible choices is a $0 deductible, which most plans do not offer.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$0
Maximum Deductible Offered
$0

Pricing: How much does Trupanion cost?

Cost - 4.5 / 5

Trupanion's premiums are definitely on the high end of the spectrum. Although the coverage is quite comprehensive, similar coverages are available for up to $20 less a month.

Trupanion earns 4.3 out of 5 stars from Trust Pilot. It's extremely important to read any policy you're considering carefully and to pay particular attention to the limits placed around pre-existing conditions.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$59.21
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$32.41
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $700, Benefit Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: 90% of Actual Cost

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 4.5 / 5

Pets are eligible to enroll from birth to 13.9 years old. Trupanion has a 5-day waiting period for accidents and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses. As opposed to other plans, Trupanion does not have any malady-specific waiting periods for things like dysplasia and cruciate ligaments.

Min Enrollment Age
0 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
5 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
30 days
Free Look Period
30 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4.5 / 5

Trupanion says claims will be fulfilled within 60 days. Although, this is twice as long as some of our other carriers you must keep in mind Trupanion is one of the few pet insurance providers that have the capacity and technology to pay your vet or hospital directly. This is a huge deal as, unlike with many other plans, with Trupanion you can limit out-of-pocket expenses. They also claim to processes about 60% of claims in just 24 hours. If you do file your own claims, the company requires you to download the claim form via online portal, then submit it by email, mail, or fax.
Advertised Response Time
7 days
Claim Form
Online Portal

Company Disclaimers

*Terms and conditions apply. This plan not available for new enrollments in Florida. See policy for details. Trupanion is a registered trademark owned by Trupanion, Inc. Underwritten in the United States by American Pet Insurance Company.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
Headquarters Address
6100 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98108
Mailing Address
6100 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98108
Year Founded
2000

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Customer Comments

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R
Ruth P

3/21/2017
I have found that Trupanion can be a helpful provider, but when they make a mistake--as they did once with me--it took me several months of repeated calls and emails to have them redo their paperwork, despite the fact that a clerical at Trupanion had miscoded some paperwork. Had I not persisted, I would have paid hundreds of dollars. Just last month they raised my premium 35%--when I telephoned to inquire, I was told this was based on my dog--an English Springer Spaniel, age [she's 8] and the cost of vets in my area, New York. In fact, office visits at my vet have not gone up. I have yet to be given an honest and credible explanation for this significant increase. When they're good,... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


D
Dianna U

1/20/2017
I'm grateful to the helpful staff of Trupanion for making such a stressful time, for my dog Mattie and, I much easier. Prompt service is awesome. Mattie is my best buddy and am glad that with Trupanion I could afford to get him the vet services he needs. Thank you!
1 People found this helpful.


Patty M

1/20/2017
I have had a great experience with Trupanion. My dog has been sick for about two months. It took over a month to diagnose his cancer after many diagnostic scans and surgery. Its very easy to scan the receipts and submit the bills to Trupanion for payment. They have acknowledged receipt of the claims within 24 hours, and I have received payment within a week or so. Their prompt response has taken worry over the large cost of my dog's treatment out of the equation, so I can concentrate on caring for him. I highly recommend Trupanion.
1 People found this helpful.


Lamara M

1/20/2017
At the worst time in my life, Trupanion was there for me! They took care of everything. When people tell me how crazy I am to have insurance for my pets, all I have to say is you have no clue how truly wrong you can be. Me experience with my suddenly deathly ill boy and all the support and help I got through Trupanion has made me a client for life. The Ease of mind and support you get is worth every penny. Thank you is not enough!
1 People found this helpful.


R
Rick C

1/20/2017
Trupanion does what they say they will do. They do it quickly with no hassles!!. Never had a bad experience.
1 People found this helpful.


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Michelle

1/10/2017
I have been with this insurance since I got my cats and they have always been great. However,consumer be aware,that if you use it for your pet once its sick/injured,and the bills are a lot,your premiums go up a lot,despite that the insurance claims owners will never be punished by increasing their premiums.Thats a false statement .They do go up. I enrolled one of my cats when he was a kitten. I paid $ 19.00 and was assured it would never go up. I am paying now $83.98 a month .Just want people to know.This insurance is great but comes with a huge price tag
1 People found this helpful.


Kimberly M

12/29/2016
Here I am sad on Xmas as TRUPANION has denied my puppy an MRI to diagnose him with a potential illness. Merry Xmas All! I have, as well as a family lawyer reviewed our TRUPANION contract signed and went thoroughly over TRUPANIONs wording and compared it to my dogs history and it does not add up to a denial claim. TRUPANION requested all notes from our vet. As my puppy has very limited history, Trupanion had to find anything- anything at all to deny his important MRI. TRUPANION found a note from my vet stating that the owner (me) asked about a behavior I was concerned about. THAT WAS IT!! Absolutely Nothing was ever diagnosed by my vet. That behavior is NOT even the reason I'm getting... Read More
1 People found this helpful.


C
Carson

10/30/2015
Sadly, like so many others I was taken in by their promises ably to be left high and dry when I actually needed their help. Any symptom that is even remotely related to the claimed condition will be considered pre-existing and your claim will be denied. It doesn't matter that there was no actual diagnosis or treatment; anything in your pet's medical records that could be possibly be construed as somewhat associated to the actual diagnosis your pet receives while covered will be used against you. Unless you cover your pet from birth your claims will almost certainly be denied.
1 People found this helpful.


D
Debin

12/7/2016
After paying the premium for almost 5 years. Pretty much thrown away, as cat is health. Got checkups. I am financial aid mess now. Needed to end my auto payment. Was told they can't do that. Should be laws against it I said I would cancel hoping they would be able to help. Seems a simple request. Didn't even make a attempt to keep me as a customer. Shame on Trupanion!
1 People found this helpful.


Karen S

11/23/2016
I want to give a 1-star for honesty, but they do fulfill claims very fast, so that made it higher. My biggest issue is that they lie about "never raising rates due to your pet's age." But the fact is rates raise every year, and not a little, like 20%! They claim it's not because of the pet's age or use of the insurance, but on the "overall veterinary costs in your area." Or maybe it's because we use it (for little items, like UTI infections, etc., nothing major, but rates still go up.) What they don't know is I'm in that field across our whole state, and veterinary rates have not increased much, certainly not to more than double my original price I had started with about 6-7 years ago.... Read More
1 People found this helpful.



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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options