In a Nutshell
pros
- Enroll pets from birth
- Unlimited lifetime coverage
cons
- Waiting periods: 5 days for accidents; 30 days for illnesses
- $35 enrollment fee (in select states)
Highlights
- One simple plan
- Vet Direct Pay
- 90% coverage
- No penalties for filing claims
What Trupanion Covers
Coverage includes diagnosis, surgery, hospitalization and medication for virtually any accident or illness, as long as it isn’t pre-existing. This includes congenital conditions and even non-routine dental coverage. The policy is unique in that it also covers prosthetic devices and carts.
Where Trupanion shines best is the optional cover for breeding and working pets. This is unique in the pet insurance market. The breeding pet rider covers your pet in the event of injuries and illnesses related to breeding and birthing. Animals involved in law enforcement, search and rescue, herding, hunting and other working pets can also be covered at an additional fee. Pet insurance providers normally do not cover these pets because of the increased likelihood of accident or illness.
What Trupanion covers | What Trupanion doesn't cover |
|---|---|
Unexpected injuries, illnesses, accidents | Pre-existing conditions |
All hereditary/congenital conditions including hip dysplasia | Wellness, elective, cosmetic care |
Diagnostic tests, surgeries, medications, overnight hospitalization | Exam fees |
Prescription food, supplements | Sales tax |
Endodontics of molars |
Limits and Deductibles
Trupanion has a wide range of deductibles to choose from, including the option not to have a deductible at all.
Should you choose a deductible, however, it will be payable per condition and not per year. The advantage is that, if an incident is ongoing and spans more than one year (in the case of chronic conditions, for instance), you’ll only have to pay the deductible once. Reimbursement is 90% of actual costs across the board, after the deductible. There are no per incident or lifetime caps.
Trupanion's coverage is unlimited for the lifetime of your pet, with no payout caps or limits. Premiums do not increase based on pet's age or number of claims filed. Also, there is no waiting period and no age restrictions for pets with hip dysplasia, and claims are settled within an average of 4 days.
Price
The cost of a Trupanion policy depends on your pet’s age, breed, sex and the standard cost of care in your area. The cost will also be higher if your pet isn’t spayed or neutered.
The cost of insuring a 2-year-old mixed breed cat with a $200 deductible is $35.70. There is also a $35 enrollment fee per pet. This makes Trupanion one of the more expensive pet insurance providers on the market though their coverage is extremely comprehensive, which can make it well worth the additional cost.
Optional Coverage
Recovery & Complementary Care Rider | Pet Owner Assistance Package |
|---|---|
Rehab therapy | 3rd party property damage |
Acupuncture | Advertising and reward for lost pet |
Hydrotherapy | Boarding fees |
Chiropractic care | Holiday vacation cancellation fees |
Behavior modification/therapy | Burial fees |
Age Limits
Only the Trupanion policy allows you to enroll your pet from birth for true lifelong coverage.
All cats and dogs under 14 years of age are eligible to enroll for lifelong coverage, which means that if you enroll your pets before their 14th birthdays, they will be covered for their entire lives.
Conclusion
Trupanion is one of the more expensive providers, but offers a straightforward plan that covers 90% of the cost incurred due to any accident or illness, as long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition. It offers award winning custom service that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays. The vet direct pay is an industry first and allows customers to only pay their 10% + deductible instead of having to pay for the entire invoice and wait for reimbursement. The special cover for breeding and working pets is unique among pet insurance providers. Trupanion's A+ BBB rating combined with 24/7 phone support plus a 30-day money-back guarantee make it one of the best choices in the market.
