Check out our review of Trupanion pet insurance to learn more about its plans, pricing and additional coverage options.
Trupanion Pet Insurance Review and Costs (2024)
Trupanion is a leading pet insurance company that has been providing coverage nationwide since 2008. The company offers a standard 90% reimbursement and unlimited annual and lifetime payouts.
The MarketWatch Guides team analyzed Trupanion’s policy details, cost and customer reviews to learn about the coverage it offers and how the company performs in real-life situations. We rated Trupanion 4.2 out of 5 stars based on our methodology and recommend it to pet owners looking for a comprehensive pet insurance policy with unlimited lifetime payouts.
Our Thoughts on Trupanion Pet Insurance
Trupanion scored 4.2 out of 5 stars based on our objective rating scale, which considers pricing, plan types, coverage, customer experience and customer reviews. We named it our top pick for unlimited lifetime payouts because the company will not cap your pet’s coverage for any reason.
We like that Trupanion’s policies provide 90% reimbursement and the company’s commitment to price transparency — claiming it will never raise rates solely based on your pet’s age or claim history. However, Trustpilot reviewers have noted that despite this promise, rates increased each year as their pets aged, sometimes so much that the policy became unaffordable.
One of the main advantages of a Trupanion plan is its vet direct pay option, which can provide instant claim approval and payment at checkout. It is the only pet insurance company we’ve reviewed to partner with a large network of veterinarians in 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico to provide this service, eliminating the sometimes cumbersome reimbursement process.
However, Trupanion’s pricing is the highest of other providers we’ve reviewed and many customers mention increasing annual premiums, which the company states are necessary to continue providing unlimited payouts. We also wish Trupanion offered more options for plan choices and customizations, which could help lower pet owner costs.
Pros and Cons
How Trupanion Scored in Our Methodology
After analyzing Trupanion using our pet insurance methodology, the company scored 4.2 out of 5 stars. Trupanion performed well in the covered treatments and customer experience categories but scored lower when it came to cost and custom coverage levels.
How Much Does Trupanion Pet Insurance Cost?
The average cost of a Trupanion pet insurance plan is $88 per month. This breaks down to $123 per month for dogs and $53 for cats. Trupanion’s pricing is likely higher than average because all plans include unlimited coverage and a 90% reimbursement rate. Your plan cost will vary depending on where you live and your pet’s breed, age and species. Premiums may also increase incrementally each year as your pet ages.
We determined average monthly costs by obtaining quotes for four sample pets in each state — two for dogs and two for cats. We then averaged the overall and species-specific costs in each state to determine a national average. We used the following sample pets: a 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed cat and a 2-year-old Siamese cat.
Trupanion is among the most expensive pet insurance providers we have reviewed nationwide. The company likely charges higher costs because it features a standard 90% reimbursement rate and an unlimited coverage model. Pet owners on a budget may find cheaper plans, such as Lemonade, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance or Healthy Paws, a better fit for their budget.
What Does Trupanion Pet Insurance Cover?
Signing up for a Trupanion plan is simple based on our experience because the provider offers only one type of pet insurance. Based on our experience, the website quote tool is fast and lays out options clearly on the screen. During sign-up, Trupanion prominently displays what is covered and offers a link to study coverage in greater detail.
Although Trupanion allows cancellations at any time, it charges a one-time administration fee at sign-up. To avoid losing money on this fee if you need to cancel, we recommend pet owners carefully study a sample plan and familiarize themselves with options and pricing before finalizing their purchase.
Trupanion offers one basic accident and illness plan and two optional riders to broaden coverage. Each rider increases overall monthly costs.
Accident and Illness Plan Details
The accident and illness plan covers many common conditions, diagnostics and procedures. However, Trupanion has some notable exclusions. The plan does not pay for exam fees, pre-existing conditions, preventable conditions, or wellness and routine care. You must follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for routine care — such as annual dental cleanings, parasite prevention and specific vaccines — to maximize future coverage.
Trupanion’s base plan covers diagnostics and treatments related to the following conditions:
- Chronic conditions such as allergies, diabetes and arthritis
- Congenital conditions such as heart, brain and liver defects
- Hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, respiratory defects and eye disorders
- Illnesses such as infections, cancer and gastrointestinal issues
- Injuries such as broken bones, dental trauma and lacerations
- Pregnancy and whelping
Covered treatments include:
- Advanced dentistry
- Cancer treatments
- Hospitalization
- Imaging tests
- Lab work
- Prescription food (for up to two months)
- Prescription medication
- Prescription supplements
- Prosthetics and carts
- Surgery
Recovery and Complementary Care Add-on
Trupanion does not provide rehabilitation or alternative care coverage in its base plan. To opt into this coverage, you must choose the rider during sign-up or call to add it within 30 days. The cost runs between $10 and $60 per month, depending on your pet’s base plan cost and your chosen deductible. Coverage includes:
- Acupuncture
- Behavior treatments
- Chiropractic treatments
- Homeopathy
- Hydrotherapy
- Naturopathy
- Rehabilitation therapy
Pet Owner Assistance Add-On
The Pet Owner Assistance rider includes the following non-veterinary coverages for $5 per month:
- Boarding fees if a pet’s caregiver is hospitalized
- Cremation or burial
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Third-party property damage liability
- Vacation cancellation caused by a pet’s illness
Customizable Coverage Levels
Trupanion’s single plan offers few customization options compared to other companies. Because Trupanion sets fixed prices for the reimbursement rate and annual limit on all policies, customers can only change the deductible to adjust their plan’s price. While you can raise your deductible at any time, you can only lower it within the first 30 days after purchasing a policy.
Deductible Options
Trupanion’s deductible options are unique because you can choose any number in $5 increments on a sliding scale from $0 to $1,000. The deductible applies per condition rather than annually, unlike some other companies. This means if your pet develops a chronic or relapsing condition, you only have to pay the deductible for that condition once.
Reimbursement Rates
Trupanion’s set reimbursement rate is 90% for all policies. This means Trupanion will pay 90% of each covered veterinary bill after you meet your per-condition deductible, and you must pay the remaining 10%.
Annual Limit Options
One primary feature of Trupanion policies is unlimited coverage on all policies. The company will not limit payouts for covered services over the lifetime of your pet.
Sign-Up, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
You can use Trupanion’s website to sign up for a plan or call the customer service line to have a representative walk you through the process. You may also have the option to sign up for coverage through your car or home insurance provider if you adopt or purchase a pet from a partnering facility or visit a participating veterinarian.
When we used the website quote tool, we found the sign-up process was fast and easy. You must enter your pet’s basic information, including age, gender and breed, and your ZIP code to see pricing. If you have an unspayed female pet, Trupanion will ask if you want breeding costs covered and include this coverage in your base plan.
On the pricing page, you will see a sliding deductible tool that allows you to customize your cost. When choosing a deductible, remember that while you can raise the amount at any time, you can only lower it in the first 30 days. Below the deductible, you will see checkboxes to add recovery care, complementary care and pet-owner-assistance riders.
After you enroll, the company will reach out to your pet’s veterinarian to obtain medical records. This medical record review determines if your pet has any pre-existing conditions, which Trupanion excludes from coverage. You may be able to speed up this process by sending Trupanion any records you already have at home.
Claims and Reimbursement
Trupanion’s claims and reimbursement process depends on whether you visit a participating veterinarian. Veterinary offices that contract with Trupanion can submit your claim immediately during checkout and get paid right away, leaving you to cover only your applicable deductible and 10% co-insurance. In some Trustpilot reviews, the customers who took advantage of this process found it seamless and fast.
If you visit a veterinarian that does not offer direct vet payment with Trupanion, you can still get reimbursed for your pet’s care. Trupanion says it pays more than 70% of claims within 24 hours, but Trustpilot reviewers noted that claims processing could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. To file a claim, you must log on to your account, submit your invoice and describe the reason for the vet visit. You can also download a claims form, fill it out by hand, snap a photo of your invoice, and email or fax it to the company. Trupanion reimburses customers by check or direct deposit.
Trupanion Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Trupanion has waiting periods of five days for accidents and 30 days for illnesses. The company considers any injuries and illnesses occurring during waiting periods as pre-existing, and it will exclude related services from future coverage. Unlike many other providers, Trupanion does not require separate waiting periods for orthopedic conditions — it treats these conditions like any other illness.
Pets up to 14 years old are eligible to enroll with Trupanion. Once you enroll your pet, Trupanion promises never to reduce coverage or increase premiums based on your pet’s age. However, plan premiums can increase for other reasons.
Trupanion does not have a minimum age requirement for enrollment. You can insure your puppy or kitten before you pick it up from the breeder or adoption facility. The sooner you insure your pet, the less of a chance a provider will exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage in the future.
Provider | Trupanion | Lemonade | Spot | Embrace |
---|---|---|---|---|
Claim Turnaround | 5-7 days | 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 4-7 days |
Accident Waiting Period | 5 days | 2 days | 14 days | 2 days |
Illness Waiting Period | 30 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
Cruciate Ligament Waiting Period | 30 days | 6 months | 14 days | 6 months |
Age Limit | 14 years old | 14 years old | None | 14-15 years old |
What Customers Think About Trupanion Pet Insurance
We analyzed reviews on Trustpilot and Reddit to get a sense of how real customers feel about Trupanion’s policies. Overall, the verdict on Trupanion is positive, with 79% of reviewers leaving 5-star ratings. However, many customers pointed out recent changes in pricing and claims processing times that made them second guess their policy’s value.
To better assess the customer experience, we identified major themes in what customers like and dislike about Trupanion.
What Customers Like
- Above-average customer service: Most customers who spoke with an agent felt they were compassionate and helpful. Customers also appreciated the company’s 24/7 customer service availability.
- Easy sign-up: Many of Trupanion’s 5-star reviews are from customers who recently signed up, stating the purchase process was fast and pricing adjustments were easy with the sliding deductible.
- Per-condition deductible: Customers liked that they only had to pay a deductible once for conditions requiring long-term care.
- Vet direct payments: Customers who used the vet-direct pay feature gave Trupanion a higher score than those who submitted claims after receiving care, saying the company approved the vet direct claims without any fuss. The pre-approval process gave many customers peace of mind as they made medical decisions for their pets.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Claim denials: Many of Trupanion’s 1-star reviews mentioned how customers experienced difficulty appealing decisions based on pre-existing conditions coverage, even with their veterinarian’s help.
- Claims processing: Customers noted that claims processing speeds slowed in 2023, leaving them waiting for reimbursement for several weeks, rather than the usual several days.
- Misleading advertising: Some customers took Trupanion’s “pricing promise,” in which it promises never to raise rates because of a pet’s age or claims history, to mean their pet’s quoted rate was locked in for life.
- Price increases: Although most customers expected annual price increases, an unpredictable nature and increases of 100% or more in some cases had them questioning their plan’s affordability and value.
- Pushy sales tactics: Some customers who were awarded special offers when they adopted a pet from a Trupanion partner felt pressured into buying insurance because the offer expired in 24 hours.
We reached out to Trupanion for comment on the negative customer reviews mentioned in this article but did not receive a response.
Compare Trupanion Pet Insurance To The Competition
Use our comparison table below to see how Trupanion stacks up against other pet insurance providers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trupanion
Veterinarians frequently recommend Trupanion pet insurance because it offers instant vet direct pay at checkout. The company also does not limit payouts and covers 90% of veterinary bills, making it a competitive pet insurance provider.
Trupanion is one of the only pet insurance companies offering instant vet direct pay. Participating veterinarians can log in to Trupanion’s software, submit a pet owner’s bill, and receive approval and payout in minutes.
Trupanion has no wellness or routine care coverage options. It does not cover vaccines, spaying and neutering procedures, wellness visits or parasiticides.
Trupanion claims it will not raise your monthly premiums based on your pet’s age or claim history. However, it may increase rates to adjust for inflation or because of the increased cost of veterinary care. Some customers have complained on Trustpilot about high premium increases with Trupanion over time.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance Companies
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.