About the Company
Trupanion has over two decades of experience setting trends within the pet medical insurance industry. The company is made up of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and like-minded pet owners, so that you can entrust their expertise and understanding of pinnacle pet health.
Treatments for illnesses and injuries can cripple an unprepared budget, but purchasing a policy from Trupanion will help the pet owner ensure resolutions are affordable. In addition to basic medical needs, Trupanion also covers treatments like behavioral therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture necessities, and more.
Find out more about how the innovative insurance company operates and what you can expect regarding pricing, comprehensive coverage details, and customer service.
| Pros | Cons |
| 24/7/365 customer care specialists. | Wellness checks and examination fees are excluded from coverage. |
| Can pay veterinarians directly rather than reimbursing later. | |
| Unlimited lifetime insurance coverage. |
Best Option for:
- Pet parents who want to avoid payout limits.
- Cats or dogs who are at risk of hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions.
- Those who wish to avoid reimbursement and would rather their insurance pay the veterinarian directly, within seconds, at time of checkout.
Benefits of Choosing Trupanion
The most significant advantage of choosing Trupanion is revealed by a 2020 study that analyzed third-party hospital claims dates. The report showed that pets covered by Trupanion lived longer, happier lives when compared to animals without the policy 1.
Pet owners who purchase Trupanion get the best comprehensive coverage that cuts out confusion regarding what’s covered and excluded. Trupanion uniquely has the ability to pay veterinarians directly (if the veterinarian offers Vet Direct Pay) rather than reimbursing its customers after they pay the bill upfront.
Customers are merely required to pay any costs that are not eligible for reimbursement. Trupanion policies can cover up to 100 percent of eligible claims, leading to huge savings when treating illnesses, accidents, or requiring emergency services.
Trupanion is also one of the few insurance providers that doesn’t limit the number of claims you can submit or the amount they will payout over your pets lifetime. For comparison, the pet healthcare provider FIGO has an annual limit of up to $10,000. ASPCA prohibits payouts to $5,000 per contract. With Trupanion, your pet can receive medical care as often as needed, and eligible service is always covered.
Features and Services
Trupanion uses the slogan “from nose to toes, your pet is covered.” Coverage includes issues caused by hereditary and congenital conditions, and unidentified issues.
| Condition type | Examples |
| Hereditary conditions that specific breeds are prone to developing. |
|
| Unidentified issues are covered while medical professionals attempt to determine a diagnosis. |
|
| Congenital conditions are illnesses that have affected pets since birth. |
|
Trupanion will help pay for advertising and creating a reward for lost pets. The team also assists with boarding fees if you are hospitalized, liability coverage for third-party damage, cremation or burial for accidental deaths, and holiday vacation cancellation costs.
Accident and Illness Plan
Unfortunately, medical procedures for cats and dogs are sometimes unavoidable after they face an illness or injury. If these expensive treatments occur without a pet insurance policy, pet owners are forced to find the funds or face a heartbreaking decision regarding their cat or dog’s health.
With a Trupanion plan, you gain peace of mind that up to 100% of an eligible procedure or treatment cost is covered. The provider offers assistance for diagnostic tests, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, herbal therapy, prosthetic devices and carts, and more.
Here are several examples of illnesses and injuries covered under a Trupanion plan.
| Kidney disease | Allergy |
| Urinary tract infectious disease | Emesis |
| Vomiting and diarrhea | Lameness and limping |
| Pancreatitis | Cruciate rupture |
| Upper respiratory infection | Dermatitis |
| Asthma | Ingestion of foreign material |
| Inappropriate urination | Kidney disease |
| Heart murmur | Broken tooth |
| Conjunctivitis | Back pain |
| Lymphoma | Corneal ulcer |
| Allergy | Heart murmur |
| Mass | Mast cell neoplasm |
| Dental disease | Intervertebral disc disorder |
| Diabetes | Medical notation |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | Dental disease |
There are many other conditions covered that can be found via the Trupanion website.
Extended Accident and Illness Plan*
In addition to emergency services, Trupanion also offers a generous list of optional coverage, including:
| Acupuncture |
| Behavioral modification |
| Chiropractic |
| Homeopathy |
| Hydrotherapy |
| Naturopathy |
| Physical therapy |
| Rehabilitative therapy |
If not covered by your core plan in your state, customers can obtain coverage for these non-clinical issues for an additional cost.
Plan Exclusions
Trupanion covers an incredibly wide range of medical issues that can occur for cats and dogs. However, illnesses or injuries are not eligible for coverage if pets do not receive vaccinations or preventative treatment for a specific issue as directed by a veterinarian.
Pre-existing conditions are another exclusion. Issues that qualify as pre-existing can include illnesses or injuries that occur before the contract start date or discovered during the waiting period.
Other Exclusions
- Examination fees;
- Administrative charges, taxes, shipping costs;
- Illnesses or injuries that occur from an owner’s reckless activity;
- Breeding and conditions brought on during the breeding process;
- Anal gland expressions;
- Spaying or neutering; and
- Elective, cosmetic, or preventive procedures.
Claims Process
If your veterinarian offers Vet Direct Pay, Trupanion can pay the office directly before you even get your bill, so all you will have to pay is your portion. However, when dealing with a vet facility that does not offer this, you must pay the bill in full and submit your claim for reimbursement later. Fortunately, making a claim is simple, and the company generally processes the majority of claims within 2 days, and many within minutes.
Customers can access their online account to download a claims form to submit an invoice. The quickest way to send the completed form to Trupanion is via email at Claims@Trupanion.com. Otherwise, you can use regular mail or fax.
A specialist will review the claim and determine if coverage is eligible. Customers can track the status of their submission on the company’s website. After the claim is approved, Trupanion can pay you via direct deposit or your preferred payment method.
Insurance Cost
A Trupanion policy’s cost will vary depending on age, gender, breed, and location. Because of the numerous variables, Trupanion doesn’t reveal its pricing on its website.
If your plan requires a deductible, Trupanion allows its policyholders to choose their deductible amount between $50–$1,000, and even give them the choice to have no deductible at all. The total you choose can cause the monthly premium to increase or decrease.
Since your pet’s insurance should be customized to their exact needs, the best way to gain a pricing estimate is by contacting Trupanion with your information. You can get your quote on the company’s website, where you will be asked questions about your pet’s breed and medical history. After submitting your details, you will see your price and choose any add-ons to your core plan, if not included already.
Customer Service and Support
Trupanion is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Customer service can be reached at 888-733-2685 or email the team at info@trupanion.com. Another avenue is to use the chat now option on the provider’s website.
According to the Better Business Bureau, Trupanion was accredited in 2008 and currently shows an A+ rating from the agency. The provider is rated 1.5 of 5.0 stars based on actual customer reviews. After researching reviews, most negative feedback is due to misunderstanding the company’s terms and conditions. However, some customers had excellent things to say about Trupanion.
“In the eight years I have been using Trupanion, they have always been cheerfully helpful and quick to respond whenever I had to make a claim or simply ask a question. I am very happy with the services they provide.” —Sandra B.
“Trupanion has been there for my Prince Noel every time he’s been sick. I don’t know what I would have done without them. They are wonderful, and I highly recommend them to anyone who has a pet. Thank you, Trupanion, for always being there.” —Carol Johnson
Our Conclusion
The dedicated policies by Trupanion have covered over 800,000 furry friends and have already paid nearly $2 billion in claims to help cats and dogs receive medical treatment. Its unique ability to pay participating veterinarians rather than reimburse a customer later on is a significant advantage for pet owners on a budget.
The other benefit offered by the provider is the lack of payout limits. Policyholders are free to use their plan as their pet requires medical care without facing penalties or covering the costs of ineligible treatments.
If you have a cat or dog that is a part of the family, consider reaching out to Trupanion for a policy that covers various conditions they may face. Don’t try to meet the costs of expensive treatments that may be life-saving for your pet.
Based on a November 2020 internal study analyzing third party hospital claims data comparing pets insured with a Trupanion policy to pets without a Trupanion policy.
*Policies vary by state. Please review your states sample policy for full coverage details.