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Trupanion Pet Insurance Review

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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.
 
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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. They are, however, the only company that can pay your veterinarian directly at the time of checkout.

Trupanion Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Trupanion offers comprehensive coverage that 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. While other pet insurance companies, for example, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance or Petplan Insurance, provide these services in their standard plans, they are only available through Trupanion at an 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 the period offered by other carriers, you must keep in mind that 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 because, unlike with many other plans, with Trupanion you can limit out-of-pocket expenses. They also claim to process 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

State Farm and the State Farm logo are registered trademarks of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, neither offer nor are financially responsible for pet insurance products. State Farm is a separate entity and is not affiliated with Trupanion or American Pet Insurance. Trupanion is a registered trademark owned by Trupanion, Inc. Underwritten in the United States by American Pet Insurance Company or ZPIC Insurance Company, 6100 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108. Sold and administered by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc. (CA license No. 0G22803, NPN 9588590). Coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions, waiting periods, does not include coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
http://trupanion.com/
Headquarters Address
6100 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98108
Mailing Address
6100 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98108
Year Founded
2000
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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C
christina m

11/20/2016
Much Better than I thought it would be for a pet insurance. My Girl Scoobey had a mass come up fast on her side and after looking at it, the doctor and I decided it needed to come off, even though all the tests came back that there was nothing wrong. The biopsy showed it was cancer once the lump was sent off. $2200 in medical bills and Trupanion paid for almost $1700 of that bill. I was so thankful that I had the insurance and that Trupanion was good to their word and paid what they did. I will get pet insurance with them again on my next Pet when that time comes. Thanks Trupanion for making a difficult stressful time for us a bit more bearable! - Christina
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Meryl G

11/20/2016
Always fast, fair service. Having Trupanion allows us to make health decisions for our baby (actually a senior Pomeranian) without regard to cost. We know the most we'll have to pay is the deductible and most health claims are related to previous ones so 90% is covered. We often hear back within just a day or two that our claim is being processed, and then just another day or two before we find out the amount of the check that is on the way. Literally, just a few days between the claim and the reimbursement, and the claim form couldn't be simpler. We highly recommend Trupanion!
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Debra

11/18/2016
Amazed a the speed in which Trupanion reimburses our cost to care four our diabetic dog. Usually the very next day after submitting a claim, our reimbursement is in our checking account. Thank you to the entire team.
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Mary S

11/17/2016
Very sad to say that my 14 month old Olde English Bulldogge was recently diagnosed with early stage kidney disease. Being as Trupanion is the one and only pet health insurance program I have ever signed up for, I must admit, I was hugely skeptical as to what to expect. They truly exceeded my expectations by a mile!! Not only were they fast and efficient, but throughout our correspondence necessary to complete the process, I felt they dealt with the situation we find ourselves in with a genuine sense compassion. Much appreciated.
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J
Jessica

11/17/2016
My Bulldog recently had to have emergency surgery after ingesting a number of objects that he could not pass. The procedure was near $4,000 total... who can afford that for a pet!?!? Trupanion is our life saver... the vet assistant put in the claim the day we picked up our dog and within 6 days we had a check in the mail covering 90% of our expenses. This insurance has saved us two times so far. If you are on the fence about insuring your dog... know you will be in very good hands with Trupanion. Sure it's a monthly expense you have to account for, but when it comes down to having to make a really tough decision about your pet... knowing you are covered takes away the financial... Read More
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Pacurn1

11/15/2016
Received the amount covered for My pet's illness quickly.
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charleen c

11/14/2016
I called with many questions and the person on the other line was awesome, sympathetic and helpful. could not ask for more than that.
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olive

11/14/2016
They were very quick in telling us what part of Cassie's treatments and surgery. We received our reimbursements very quickly.
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K
klarapecak

11/12/2016
This is the best pet insurance ever. There claim processing is out of this world. My vet submits the paperwork online and within that week I get a check for the portion of the bill that was covered. My vet clinic can even get a preapproval on large claims and then have the necessary treatment done. I think the only set back I've had was when my pup had a pre-existing denial when she was a pup had been treated by the breeder for ear infection and then when I got her that was a pre-existing treatment not covered. Other than that I feel very well covered with my two irish setter doggies.
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D
Dawn

11/12/2016
My claim was processed in a matter of a couple of hours. A detailed explanation of my claim/payment was emailed to me. I recommend Trupanion to everyone I know.
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Top Rated
  • 25% discount on all in-office medical care 
  • Pet wellness plans available
  • No age restrictions
  • Covers pre-existing and hereditary conditions
  • Discounts available immediately on sign-up
  • A+ BBB accredited company
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