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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
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Customer Comments

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bosapollo

5/20/2020
Trupanion Pet Insurance - Everything is deemed pre-existing. I have a pug. Pugs are one of those brachycephalic breeds of which there are many. One of the abnormalities of being brachycephalic is stenotic nares (their nostrils are really small and close together). When I got my dog at 8 weeks I immediately took him to the vet for a checkup and to start that relationship going. The doctor noted that being a pug he could develop stenotic nares. The vet recommended Trupanion. Didn't know at the time that Vets get money for customers that they get to sign up for Trupanion.w He was 100% healthy. A week later I signed up for pet insurance through Trupanion. Fast forward two years and my dog... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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C
Christi H

5/13/2020
I was a customer wit Trupanion for years for my old English Bulldog. The price you have listed on your site is in accurate. Every year they would increase their monthly premium to the point that I was near $100. You also have to pay out of pocket costs first before you are reimbursed and that can take up to 3-6 months. My dog was on Trupanion from the time he was a puppy and I terminated his insurance two years ago...he is 9 years old. I decided I was better off just putting the monthly premium away in an account on the chance that my dog got ill and needed medical attention. I would not recommend this insurance company. The only reason they received one star is because I was not... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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Nick C

4/14/2020
Trupanion is a SCAM insurance company. when I signed up they told me that my policy would remain the same price every month and not increase every year. today they send me an email saying they would increase it because of my zip code and other claims they had by other people. I never even had one claim. What a joke they are. Make sure you Do not waste your time with them.
2 People found this helpful.
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jennayholt

4/12/2020
Wish I had better things to say. Their customer service team is incompetent, unhelpful, and currently unresponsive to my appeal. When a claim takes six weeks (3 weeks more than what they advertise) and fits all the criteria to be reimbursed — and the exact same issue has been "approved" before — and then out of the blue they find some new excuse to exclude this claim, you can't help but pull your hair out in frustration. I could not be more unhappy with this company. Wish someone would respond to me and get this sorted out.
2 People found this helpful.
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brad.burnett

1/22/2020
A COMPLETE RIP-OFF! I would think twice before giving this company even a penny because they do not honor and follow their own policies and will lie to make sure they don't have to cover a claim. My dog injured her ear a little over a week after we enrolled in Trupanion. We kennelled her and came home after going out for a bit. When we came back she had (what we learned) a hematoma forming under her ear. It got worse over the next couple of days because she began scratching at it because it was obviously bothering her. We took her to the vet and learned it was a hematoma from hitting her ear on the kennel wire. She was thoroughly checked for any underlying causes like an infection or... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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S
S.E.Thompson

11/27/2019
I am a Trupanion customer ready to quit. I have a claim from March 2019 that has been under review for 8 months. Even though we made sure all vets had provided their records months ago, I am being asked to provide the same records again. Trupanion denied 2 claims based on "preexisting condition", despite the doctor's letter specifically explaining that the illness was not preexisting. Their reviewers are not diligent. I can't believe how long this is taking. Trupanion CEO Daryll Rawlings says "his one and only goal has been to help pets live longer, healthier, happier lives". I am not happy, nor is my cat! I could buy some fresh chicken for her if they would straighten up, fly... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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M
Muriel H

1/20/2017
The person with whom I worked (Brian) was extremely helpful and could not have been nicer. My checks arrived immediately. I highly recommend this company and am very pleased that I have insurance with them.
2 People found this helpful.
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Lisa O

1/20/2017
One of the best thing I every did for myself and my puppy was to get Trupanion Pet insurance. Whenever my puppy goes to the vet, a bill is submitted to Trupanion, and if anything such as tests, medications, etc, is related to her medical condition, I receive a reimbursement check within days. Wellness visits and regular immunizations are not covered. Prior to the puppy I have now, I had a rescue dog that lived to be 16 1/2 yrs old. In all those years, she only went to the vet once a year for her annual shots & check-ups. But when I got my puppy, the vet discussed the insurance and despite reservations, I took out the policy. The best thing I ever did and I tell everyone I know who has a... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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R
Robin W

1/20/2017
My eight month old puppy needed surgery and my veterinarian's front desk took care of my claim and deducted what Trupanion was paying. It was the easiest claim process I've ever experienced with any insurance company! I highly recommend Trupanion!
2 People found this helpful.
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Ellie V

11/20/2015
The policy is written in such a way that any symptom or behavior can be manipulated into a pre-existing condition. Look at this sentence: pre-existing conditions per Trupanion are "9.B.i Illnesses or injuries for which signs or evidence of their potential manifestation existed within the 18 months prior to the policy enrollment date." Did you get that? "Potential manifestations" gets them out of paying anything unless your dog was insured the day you got him and before he ever visited a vet's office. My schnauzer had been insured for a little over 3 years when he started having severe rashes on his abdomen. He couldn't sleep they were so bad. He just cried. So multiple vet visits... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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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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