In our rankings of the best pet insurance providers for 2023, Trupanion is tied for third place. Accidents, diseases, injuries, and breed-specific problems are covered, making this insurance a good choice for your pet.
Trupanion, which began in 2000, bought American Pet Insurance Company in 2007 to serve as its underwriter. Trupanion offers Recovery and Complementary Care plans for cats and dogs that pay for chiropractic care, acupuncture, and behavior modification.
Potential Strategies
Just one accident and sickness plan is available for dogs and cats with Trupanion. The programs pay for everything from hospital stays and diagnostic procedures to surgery and medicines in case of an unforeseen sickness or injury. Its insurance reimburses 90% of qualified expenditures when a deductible is met, with no annual cap on reimbursement.
Estimate Costs
We discovered that Trupanion's premiums were consistently higher than other insurers. Its premiums were among the highest we found among the businesses we researched. No reductions are available to lower your premium like with certain other companies. Multiple-pet discounts are usual in this field, but Trupanion doesn't give them.
Similarly, Trupanion does not provide a choice of benefit caps or reimbursement percentages. Its insurance offer unlimited annual and lifetime benefits and reimbursement at a rate of 90%. The deductible is the only customizable feature, and it may be set anywhere from $0 to $1,000. The premium is often proportional to the deductible amount.
Claims
Submit claims by 90 days from the date of treatment. 12 Trupanion offers two options for handling claims:
Cash Payments:
If your veterinarian is a Trupanion partner using the company's software, Trupanion may make instant payments for your pet's treatment.
Reimbursement:
If your veterinarian is not a Trupanion network provider, you will be responsible for paying for your pet's treatment when rendered.
Assisting Clients
While most firms' customer care departments are only accessible during regular business hours, Trupanion's is open daily around the clock.
External Evaluations
Trupanion does not insure the insurance it sells. American Pet Insurance Corporation (APIC) is the insurer that backs its policies instead. Demotech, yet another credit rating firm, reviewed and ordered it. APIC received an "A" from Demotech that year (2022).
Demotech's confidence in APIC's ability to meet its current and future policy duties led to its A+ grade. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has not received any reports of problems with Trupanion from its customers.
Nonetheless, thousands of satisfied customers have given Trupanion 5-star ratings on Trustpilot. Based on more than 4,600 reviews, it has earned an "Excellent" rating of 4.2 out of 5. 16
Alternate Options
There is no shortage of insurers willing to cover your cat. Roughly 25 firms in North America offer pet health insurance, per the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). 17 When comparing insurers and policies, it can take time to determine which is best for you.
Kind of Coverage:
Pet insurance has three significant categories: accident-only, accident-and-illness, and wellness. Plans that cover both accidents and illnesses are the norm, but accident coverage alone may be purchased for far less. When compared to traditional health coverage, wellness programs for pets are unique.
Lifetime, Annual, and Condition Limits
Depending on the insurance, there may be yearly, lifetime, or per-condition limitations. Your insurance company will pay up to these maximum amounts for covered claims. You'll be responsible for paying the difference if your pet's medical expenses exceed that amount.
Limits On Age Or Breed
There are age and breed limits placed on pets by certain insurance providers. If you have an older pet or a breed of dog or cat prone to health problems, you may have trouble acquiring coverage or be required to pay a higher premium.
Exclusions
It's essential to check with your insurance to learn about any exclusions. Chiropractic care is one example of holistic or alternative medical practices covered by certain insurance providers but not others. Carefully read your policy to ensure your pet's medical expenses are covered.
The Verdict
Trupanion might be a good option for pet owners who would instead not come out of pocket for costly emergency procedures. If your veterinarian is a partner of Trupanion's, the firm will pay the veterinarian directly, which is a massive advantage over organizations that merely offer reimbursement.
Because there is no minimum age requirement for Trupanion coverage, it is also a viable choice for pet breeders and adopters of very young animals. Preexisting problems are less likely to arise if pets are enrolled from birth.
Trupanion's plans can be pricey, and policyholders need more flexibility to reduce their premiums by modifying reimbursement percentages or yearly benefit maximums.
