While you may be doing your absolute best to ensure the healthiness and happiness of your pet, accidents do sometimes happen. Nonetheless, being prepared means that you will be able to have time to land on your feet.

With multiple different choices available for pet insurance these days, you are able to opt for a plan that fits your needs and budget. Among those options, I found Trupanion – a company that tries to set itself apart from the competition through their plethora of benefits.

The goal of this business is to provide four-legged family members with the care and attention they need, lifting the weight off medical costs. In this case, a policy will take away the financial burden, so that you will be able to concentrate on other important aspects of your pet’s recovery.

That’s why in this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the Trupanion insurance company, its features, coverage, grounds and eligibility as well as other relevant aspects.

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Correct as of April 2018

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About Trupanion Insurance

Like many other insurance companies available on the market, Trupanion offers pet insurance that helps us in covering our dog’s vet bills. With over a decade of experience and commitment to taking care of animals, Trupanion is quite straightforward, fair and pleasantly affordable.

While most businesses advertise that they are committed to offering you peace of mind, few genuinely work and mirror their on-paper passions and goals. By contrast, with Trupanion, you have the advantage of being able to cover nearly all of your vet bills.

The, American Pet Insurance Co. (APIC), a subsidiary, has undertaken the underwriting for Trupanion.

Features

 

No Fine Prints or Hidden Exclusions

A significant disadvantage of many insurance plans is that you are able to get sidetracked by fine prints or hidden exclusions that can take your breath away.

In contrast, with Trupanion, what you see is what you get, which is excellent for families who respect and value transparency.  

Increased Flexibility

Another incredible characteristic of the company is that you are able to pick a plan that can then be adjusted to your needs and wants. In other words, you may feel free to either remove or add different aspects of it to make it tailored to your pet’s health issues and future.

Excellent Coverage

Trupanion covers everything needed for a healthy and full-rounded routine. In fact, I’m referring to everything – from testing and hospitalization, to medications, surgeries and homeopathic therapies.

The company doesn’t shy away from providing supplements, non-routine dental check-ups and prosthetic devices – all essential criteria that would improve your pet’s quality of life.

Ability to Make Simple Claims

Out of pocket expenses can be daunting to some families, mainly before and after each holiday. To help you out, should you need it, Trupanion is capable of directly paying your vet. In other words, you won’t need to count the pennies hidden behind your sofa.

The company seems to take great pride in never punishing its customers for filing claims and wanting more for their pet’s well-being.

Stable and Unchanged Rates

As a rule of thumb, pet insurance companies tend to significantly raise their plan’s rate as pets get older. This has to do, more than often, with the idea that your pet will require an increased and on-going number of visits to maintain their health level.

Not daunted by the prospect, Trupanion offers the same unchanged rates, regardless if time is kind or cruel to your pet. Because they boast their love for helping animals, they are dedicated to ensuring high-quality treats for both pets and their humans.

More Coverage

Out of a wide range of other companies, Trupanion offers the highest level of coverage. In fact, the firm is renowned for making statements about how they’d cover any condition that isn’t pre-existing.

They even cover the conditions that your pet may not currently have but will be prone to as they advance in age.

Eligibility

According to their website, there are two standard requirements that you’ll need to meet to be eligible for lifelong pet insurance coverage. First and foremost, you will need to ensure that you enroll your cat or dog between the ages of 8 weeks and 14 years.

Second of all, your geographical position will also play a role. To be eligible, you’ll need to live in Canada, the United States, or Puerto Rice – and that includes the US and Canadian military bases.

After all, according to their website, Trupanion is proud to welcome all cats and dogs, regardless of their breed, size, or shape. Since I’ve mentioned that, it’s also noteworthy to know that you are able to benefit from the insurance as soon as you adopt or purchase a pet.

Meaning to say that you don’t need to wait and verify your pet’s age or sex. However, if your pet is sick before you take out a policy, that will count as a pre-existing condition.

In other words, you won’t be covered for the health issues prior to the plan, but you will be able to get a cover for future health-related concerns.

What They Cover

Even after the exam fees and other deductibles – and this applies to the most standard package as well – Trupanion seems determined to pay a whopping 90% of all veterinary bills.

When talking about this exciting factor, I’m referring to all approved illnesses and accident claims, whether from the veterinary hospital, emergency care center, or even specialty animal hospitals.

However, I would be lying if I didn’t mention that other insurance companies are able to offer even more flexible policies that provide an even higher reimbursement level. To better put things into perspective, this could mean a lower monthly premium.

But before jumping the gun, there are some things that Trupanion does cover. The primary covered part is injuries and illnesses and that includes any and all conditions that your breed may be prone to (i.e., be it hereditary or congenital).

The policies also consist of the cost of surgeries, veterinary supplement, vitamins and other small odds and ends. When discussing invasive surgeries, it’s critical to know that Trupanion’s policies will cover the following:

• Diagnostic tests
• Prosthetics
• Ingenious and unique devices or carts
• Hospital and recovery stay

Reimbursement

Trupanion plans are not that flexible when it comes to their reimbursement options. As mentioned, they offer only 90% reimbursement, which is great if the costs of the pet’s treatment are quite formidable.

However, this high and fixed reimbursement percentage also means a fixed monthly premium, regardless of your pet’s actual needs. Understandably, not everyone will be happy with such an arrangement.

For those owners who would like a bit more of a customizable policy payments-wise, maybe Trupanion isn’t the best choice. On the other hand, this company has quite an attractive offer when it comes to deductibles.

Once you’ve paid the deductibles at the beginning of your contract, you never have to pay them again. This means that, unlike the other insurance companies, Trupanion renews your policy every year without charging you that year’s deductibles.

In addition, the company keeps renewing it this way throughout your pet’s life. I think this is an okay compensation for the inflexible reimbursement offer.

Pros

Fixed Premiums

Trupanion has a policy not to increase monthly premiums, regardless of the animal’s age or health condition. As mentioned, many other companies gradually add to the premium’s amount as your pet gets older, or chronically ill.

Unlike those companies, Trupanion doesn’t do that. I believe this is one of the proofs that they really stand by their word and their proclaimed love for animals.

Limitless Per-Incident Coverage

Another reason why I find Trupanion great is the limitless coverage for each incident. In other words, if your pet is dealing with a serious condition that requires a number of vet visits or treatments, you don’t have to worry about a limited budget.

This is because the insurance will cover whatever your pet’s health care requires.

Customizable Deductibles

In addition to the one-time deductibles payment, you are also able to choose the amount of these costs. Trupanion is quite flexible when it comes to deductibles and this is why they stand out from other companies.

Most of them won’t let you pick the amount of deductibles yourself, let alone allow for the option of not paying deductibles at all. With Trupanion, you are able to choose whichever deductibles scheme suits your budget and your pet’s needs best.

Fast Turnarounds

This company offers quick turnarounds which are made possible by their payments being made directly to the vet.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions Coverage

Unlike majority of insurance companies, Trupanion will accept even those animals that have a hereditary or congenital condition. I’d say this is a more than humane company policy, since all the animals deserve a chance to be treated.

Necessary Supplements and Medications Coverage

After you’ve paid the deductibles, you are able to relax knowing your pet’s medication and necessary supplements are also covered by the Trupanion health insurance policy. I think this is a significant relief, since these can sometimes be quite costly.

Complete Health Coverage

On top of everything else included in the policy, the expenses of all dental treatments are covered as well as some conditions that other insurance companies won’t accept, such as hip dysplasia.

This – and any other unusual or complicated condition – falls under their limitless per-incident coverage.

 

Working Pets Coverage

Many of the insurance providers don’t offer this kind of coverage and you would have to pay these expenses yourself. The way I see it, it is only natural that the health insurance policy should cover all the costs of the pet’s health care.  

Trupanion does this for an additional monthly fee, which you should pay if you want peace of mind knowing your pet’s treatment expenses are covered, no matter what should happen to him or her.

Owner Transfer Available

If it happens that you give your pet up for adoption, the new owner won’t have to buy another policy or pay a higher monthly premium due to the pet’s age. Trupanion lets them keep the same policy under the same conditions, with only the owner name changed.

Travel Insurance Available

If there are times when you take your pet with you on a trip, Trupanion will cover the health care expenses. Even if you go to Canada or Puerto Rico, you’ll receive the full coverage just like in the USA.

Cons

Pricey Monthly Premiums

All the coverage plans come at a certain price and that price is quite higher compared to what the other companies require.

Enrolment Expenses

For every pet you want to have insured, you would have to pay an enrolment fee, regardless of the number of pets you want to insure.

No Discount for More Than One Pet

If you would like to insure more than one animal, you wouldn’t be offered any discount, as opposed to a number of other companies that will give you such reduction of costs.

Health Coverage Waiting Period

If your pet falls ill, you won’t receive the health coverage until 30 days have passed since your vet visit. I think this seems a bit unnecessarily long. However, when it comes to accidents expense coverage, it is significantly shorter – 5 days.

Limited Routine Check-ups Coverage

This company doesn’t offer coverage for routine check-ups and similar vet visits, which is an important part of pet care.

Limited Eligibility

Unspayed or unneutered pets as well as ones over 14 years of age are not eligible for Trupanion insurance.

Limited Customization When Transferring Between Plans

In other words, if you transfer from one plan to another, you may lose some of the features you’ve previously had.

​​​​Conclusion

Although not all the reviews out there of this insurance company are great, many people are satisfied with Trupanion. Mostly because it covers many of the conditions which other companies don’t. However, flexible deductibles are also an attractive feature for many clients.

On the other hand, they lack coverage options in the field of routine check-ups. Also, if you are on a limited budget like many people, the high monthly premiums that Trupanion charges won’t be your cup of tea.

If that is the case, then it would probably be better for you to look for another insurance option for your pet.