Contributor, Benzinga
October 25, 2022
Trupanion
Overall Rating:
securely through Trupanion's website

Trupanion offers comprehensive pet insurance policies for cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages. The cost of your cat or dog’s policy will depend on its age, breed, gender and the cost of veterinary care where you live. You can expect a 5-day waiting period for injuries and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.

Best For
  • Cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages
  • Hereditary conditions
  • Illnesses and injuries
Pros
  • Available in all states
  • Covers diagnostic testing
  • Easy claims process
  • Can pay veterinarians directly at checkout
Cons
  • More expensive than most other providers

Trupanion Ratings at a Glance

Pet Insurance Coverage
Pet Insurance Rates
Pet Insurance Claims
Pet Insurance Customer Service

Your pet’s your BFF. So we understand how you might want the best pet insurance that exists. Check out Benzinga’s Trupanion review so you understand more about what this company can offer you and your furry companions.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Coverage

Trupanion policies over extensive coverage for cats and dogs. A single plan will cover all unexpected injuries and illnesses that your pet encounters while they are covered by the policy.

A Trupanion plan covers:

  • Congenital conditions: A congenital condition is a condition that is present when your pet is born. A congenital condition may include heart disease, nervous system issues, cataracts, liver disease or another condition that is diagnosed by your veterinarian. 
  • Diagnostic tests: If your pet visits the vet and your veterinarian decides that he needs to run diagnostic tests, Trupanion covers them. Diagnostic tests may include blood tests, X-rays, MRIs and other tests as prescribed by your veterinarian.
  • Hereditary conditions: Some breeds are prone to inheriting certain conditions, or hereditary conditions. For example, some breeds such as German shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia. Other hereditary conditions can include diabetes, upper respiratory infections and thyroid disease. Your veterinarian should be familiar with the hereditary conditions that your pet may be prone to. Talk to your veterinarian about these hereditary conditions and what symptoms you should keep an eye out for.
  • Illnesses: Your pet will be fully covered for any new illnesses they may experience. This coverage extends to both major and minor illnesses. For example, you can expect the same level of coverage for a simple urinary tract infection and for a more serious illness such as cancer. 
  • Injuries: Let’s say your pet is injured due to an unforeseen circumstance — you can expect Trupanion to cover it.
  • Medicine and supplements: Your vet may prescribe medication or supplements if your pet is experiencing a condition that requires ongoing treatment. Trupanion will cover these prescriptions if these items are being used to treat a covered condition.
  • Unidentified issues: Trupanion will also cover your pet if your furry companion experiences an unidentified issue. This means that your pet will be covered for veterinary visits for these issues even if there isn’t an official diagnosis. Unidentified issues may include digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, coughing and a change in your pet’s weight.

Trupanion also offers additional coverage to complement its base policies, including:

  • Pet Owner Assistance Package: This package may help you cover some of your pet’s expenses outside of medical services. It gives you coverage for the costs of advertising and rewards fees if your pet goes missing. It can also offer liability coverage if your pet causes 3rd-party property damage. Let’s say you’re hospitalized — it will also cover boarding fees for your pet until you’re out of the hospital. This package also includes coverage for cremation or burial costs if your pet dies due to an accident.
  • Recovery and Complementary Care Rider: This rider offers additional coverage to your pet for services that may fall outside of the scope of Trupanion’s base policy plans. It covers other procedures such as acupuncture, behavioral modification, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and rehabilitative therapy. Let’s say your pet experiences a condition such as anxiety or joint issues — this rider may be a good option for you. 

What States Can You Get Trupanion Pet Insurance in?

Trupanion pet insurance is available in all 50 states.

What Pets Does Trupanion Cover? 

Trupanion offers pet insurance policies for the 2 types of pets most common in American households — cats and dogs.

Trupanion offers comprehensive pet insurance policies for cats and dogs of all sizes, breeds and ages. The cost of your cat or dog’s policy will depend on its age, breed, gender and the cost of veterinary care where you live. You can expect a 5-day waiting period for injuries and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Rates

The premium you can expect to pay for your pet’s insurance policy will vary depending on factors such as their age, breed and the deductible you choose. Here are some examples of monthly premiums for pets of different species, breeds and ages.

These rates only cover one zip code in Dallas, Texas, but they give you an idea of what you might pay when you choose Trupanion. Keep in mind that you can choose deductibles in $5 increments and your pet is priced perpetually at the age they were when you purchased the coverage.

PetPlanPrice
Cat: Domestic Long Hair — 1 year old$200 deductible plan$45.38 per month
Cat: Domestic Long Hair — 5 years old$200 deductible plan$65.82 per month
Cat: Domestic Short Hair — 1 year old$200 deductible plan$45.38 per month
Cat: Domestic Short Hair — 5 years old$200 deductible plan$65.82 per month
Dog: Labrador retriever — 1 year old$200 deductible plan$128.65 per month
Dog: Labrador retriever — 5 year old$200 deductible plan$201.02 per month
Dog: German shepherd — 1 year old$200 deductible plan$130.60 per month
Rates are shown for zip code 75001

Trupanion Pet Insurance Claims

Unlike your health insurance, pet insurance operates on a claims and reimbursement process. Each time you visit the vet or receive an invoice for another covered expense, you should start the claims process. 

Trupanion’s claims process includes:

  • Submission: Submit your claim via online form to Trupanion or email your invoice and claim form to Claims@Trupanion.com. You’ll need to submit your pet’s name, your name, your phone number and your email address, along with an itemized invoice from your veterinarian. Include the name of your veterinarian, the name of the vet who treated your pet and a summary of why your pet needed to visit the vet.

Some veterinary practices partner with Trupanion to offer Vet Direct Pay. If your vet participates in this, they will be able to submit your claim for you.

  • Review: After you’ve submitted your claim, Trupanion will work with your veterinary practice to collect your pet’s medical records. Your claim will then be reviewed by a Trupanion claims specialist. The claims specialist will review your pet’s medical records, your policy notes and the claim information to determine whether your claim is eligible. 
  • Closing: Once the claims specialist has determined the eligibility of your claim, it will be marked as closed. You will receive an email explaining the decision and an itemized breakdown of your claim. If your claim is eligible and you have already met your deductible, you will be reimbursed for the veterinary expenses. If your vet accepts Vet Direct Pay, Trupanion will pay it directly. Otherwise, the money will be deposited into your bank account or you will be mailed a check.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Customer Service

Here are a few different ways to get a hold of Trupanion:

  • Trupanion’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
  • You can call Trupanion toll free at 1-888-733-2685.
  • You can also email the customer service team at customercare@trupanion.com

Is Trupanion Right for You?

There are a couple of things that set Trupanion apart from other companies, just in case you’re wondering whether you’ve discovered the best: 

  • Vet Direct Pay allows you to visit the vet without paying out of pocket for covered services.
  • Trupanion’s additional coverage options can offer more comprehensive coverage for your pet.

This Trupanion review explains how the platform works, but if you have specific questions, you may want to reach out to Trupanion for further assistance.

Q

How do you file claims with Trupanion?

A

Trupanion pet insurance asks that you pay at the vet and submit your receipts. You will be reimbursed based on the parameters of your policy.

Q

Does Trupanion cover pre-existing conditions?

A

Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Q

What is the waiting period for Trupanion?

A

Trupanion has a 5 day waiting period for injuries and it has a 30-day wiating period for illnesses in your pet.

 

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About Ashley Hart

Ashley Hart is a personal finance writer passionate about helping people feel empowered to take control of their finances. She has more than eight years of writing experience, focused on insurance.