Overview
Trupanion is one of the nation’s leading pet insurance providers, offering comprehensive policies that give you and your pet the coverage you need, when you need it most. Through their unique approach, Trupanion has managed to create policies that forgo annual caps, costly deductibles, and limited coverage in favor of more accessible and budget-friendly plans for you to depend on. Perfect for owners who are looking to prioritize their pet’s health and well-being, Trupanion is a simple way to access affordable vet care for both cats and dogs.
What makes Trupanion stand out from other pet insurance providers is their commitment to simplicity, which can be seen through their lack of limits and per incident deductible. In addition, they offer outstanding customer support and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions, process claims, and help you organize vet care for your sick or injured animal. Featuring no per visit deductibles, and with the ability to customize your policy further with add-on benefits, Trupanion is a great choice for owners seeking reliable coverage that will grow alongside your pet and open the door to high-quality care when necessary.
pros | |
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PROS | CONS |
No Annual Caps or Payout Limits | Pets Must Enroll Before Their 14th Birthday |
Deductibles as Low as $0 | |
Optional Add-On Coverage Available | |
Up to 90% in Eligible Reimbursements | |
Option to Pay the Vet Directly | |
Visit Any Licensed Vet in the USA, Canada, or Mexico |
Coverage
Trupanion offers nose to tail coverage that gives your cat or dog access to high-quality vet care whenever they require it. Cat ate something they shouldn’t and now they won’t stop vomiting? Dog got a bit too crazy at the park and is now limping? Trupanion has your back and will help you to afford those costly bills so that Fluffy or Fido can get back to enjoying life and eating treats. With Trupanion, every plan includes comprehensive coverage that extends to:
- Unexpected Illnesses & Accidents
- Hereditary Conditions
- Unidentified Issues
- Congenital Conditions
- Diagnostic Tests
- Surgeries
- Hospital Stays
- Medications
- Veterinary Supplements
- Herbal Therapy
- Prosthetic Devices & Carts
Everything is covered under one simple plan and there are no complicated policy options or confusing pricing options to worry about. Instead, your cat or dog can visit any licensed vet for their unexplained accident or illness and so long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition you are eligible for reimbursement. As for exclusions, Trupanion keeps their list short and simple, with the only things not eligible for reimbursement being:
- Pre-Existing Conditions
- Wellness & Preventive Care
- Exam Fees
- Any Applicable Taxes
Benefits
When enrolling in pet insurance one of the most complicated components can be trying to understand how your benefits work and what you are actually eligible for. From annual limits to lifetime caps, reimbursement percentages to deductibles, understanding and navigating the world of pet insurance is overwhelming - which is why Trupanion decided to simplify the process.
Eliminating annual limits, lifetime caps, and multiple reimbursement percentages, Trupanion makes pet insurance simple and easy to understand. When you enroll, you won’t have to worry about trying to figure out how much you think you might need to spend in a year, or try and weigh out if you want a lower reimbursement percentage in favor of a cheaper policy, instead, you will get unlimited access to 90% reimbursement for all eligible expenses covered by your plan.
Not only is Trupanion unique with their 90% coverage for everyone, they also are one of the only insurance providers who offer a $0 deductible, that is based on incidents, not on visits. Owners can choose a deductible between $0 - $1,000 at the time of enrollment and this amount will be how much you need to spend out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. With most providers, these deductibles reset every year so you are constantly needing to satisfy your deductible early on before enjoying reimbursement from your plan. Trupanion takes a different approach, requiring your deductible be satisfied only when your pet develops a new condition. From there, your pet is then covered for the remainder of their life and any subsequent visits for the same issue are deductible-free and simply reimbursed when eligible.
Reimbursement
Setting the standard with their 90% reimbursement percentage for everyone, Trupanion truly stands out in an area where other insurance providers are lacking. An ideal amount that ensures you aren’t faced with high out-of-pocket expenses, a 90% reimbursement will mean you are only responsible for paying the exam fees, taxes, and remaining 10% of all eligible vet bills. For most owners, this is ideal and since it is the same for all policies, you don’t have to worry about increasing premiums in exchange for a better reimbursement amount.
When it does come time to use your policy and pay your vet bills, Trupanion offers you the choice between paying upfront and being reimbursed later, or having your plan pay the vet directly on your behalf. Traditionally, most insurance providers require upfront payment at the office, but for some owners who may not have the financial freedom to do so, this can ultimately be a barrier to care even with a policy. Trupanion wants to make sure all potential barriers are eliminated so that your cat or dog gets the care they need immediately, which is why they will pay your vet directly and immediately.
If your veterinarian office isn’t able to accept payment from Trupanion directly, you are still able to use your policy. Simply pay the total amount owed, retain your receipt, and submit everything needed to have your claim processed quickly by the claims team. Over 60% of all claims are accepted and approved in only 24 hours, so you will have your money back in your account in no time at all. Since Trupanion is open and available 24/7, you can also reach out for updates regarding your claim whenever you’d like, and speak to a representative who can answer any questions and help guide you through the process.
Prices
When it comes to insurance, cost is extremely subjective as it's based on a number of factors unique to you. Whether you own a dog or a cat, how big or small they are, their age, and where you are located will all help determine exactly what your monthly premiums are. In addition, customizable options such as your pre-set deductible or add-on coverage will all play a role in how much you spend, making it impossible to give a blanket answer on what the total price will be.
Since it is so individualized, Trupanion offers anyone who is interested a free quote where you can answer a couple of quick questions in order to see how much you would pay every month for a policy. The free quote is a perfect opportunity to explore the cost and see if it aligns with your budget, and you can click on various deductible amounts to see how that changes the price. If you’re happy with your quote you are welcome to lock it in and enroll, however there is absolutely no pressure to commit and you are free to close out the window if you aren’t satisfied.
Enrollment
Getting started with Trupanion is easy and the entire process has been completely digitized so you complete it online from the comfort of your home. With that said, Trupanion representatives are always on hand to assist with enrollment if necessary, and they can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, chat, or email. Thankfully, the process itself is incredibly simple and most individuals are able to complete it in only a few short minutes from start to finish.
Starting with a free quote, Trupanion will ask you some important questions regarding your pet, such as their age, breed, and whether or not they’ve been spayed or neutered. You will also need to put down where you live, and provide an email address to save your quote. Once you have answered everything you will then be shown a breakdown of premiums based on how much you would like your deductible to be. Premiums will increase the smaller your deductible amount is, so for those choosing the $0 option, pricing will be higher. However, you are encouraged to play around with the numbers and select any amount between $0 and $1,000, ensuring you get the perfect premium for your needs and budget.
Once you have created your quote and are happy with the amount you are then welcome to proceed to the checkout and finalize your enrollment. There is no pressure to continue with a purchase unless you want to, but if you do your quote amount will be locked in and that’s how much you will pay for the duration of your policy. Following enrollment, there will be an eligibility waiting period before your insurance kicks in and this will all be explained in detail during enrollment.
Extras
Trupanion has some of the most impressive and comprehensive coverage in the industry, but they have taken that even further by offering additional benefits that are optional to include with your plan. Perfect for owners who are looking for just a bit more in terms of what is eligible for reimbursement, you will be able to opt for two unique packages that enhance your policy and go beyond just the veterinarian's office.
Helping to support your pet following an accident or illness, the Recovery & Complementary Care package allows for reimbursement for non-clinical procedures and will expand your policy to include:
- Acupuncture
- Behavioral Modification
- Chiropractic
- Homeopathy
- Hydrotherapy
- Naturopathy
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitative therapy
As for the Pet Owner Assistance rider, this optional add-on helps you and your pet with non-medical expenses that may come up throughout your pet’s lifetime. Those who opt into this package will enjoy added coverage and reimbursement for things such as:
- Advertising & Rewards for Lost Pets
- Boarding Fees if an Owner is Hospitalized
- Liability Coverage for Third-Party Property Damage
- Cremation or Burial for Accident-Related Deaths
- Vacation cancellation costs
Bottom Line
Thanks to their comprehensive policies and unique deductible procedure, Trupanion is one of the top pet insurance providers in the industry and is a company that many owners have come to trust. All of their policies are simple, straightforward, and easy-to-understand so you always know what you’re getting, and how much you are paying every time you seek out a vet. With Trupanion you never have to worry about hidden costs or surprises and instead will enjoy outstanding support and care from a team who is truly passionate about what they do. Perfect for pet parents who never want to worry about being able to afford proper care, Trupanion is an affordable option that empowers you to do what’s best for your furry friend year after year. To find out more, or to obtain your free quote, head on over to the Trupanion website and see why so many owners recommended their services.