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Trupanion Pet Insurance Review
By cassidy MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Trupanion is one of the leading pet insurance companies in the United States. Unlike other pet insurance providers, Trupanion offers a range of benefits designed to meet the needs of pet owners, including no payout limits, a standard 90% reimbursement rate, and the option to have Trupanion pay your vet bill upfront. Here’s a closer look at how Trupanion stacks up against the best pet insurance companies.
Table of contents
- Trupanion’s services
- Trupanion’s credentials
- Trupanion’s accessibility
- Trupanion’s customer satisfaction
- Trupanion vs. the competition
Trupanion pet insurance overview
Trupanion is a pet insurance company that was founded in 2000 under the name “Vetinsurance International, Inc.” Headquartered in Seattle, Trupanion offers pet insurance for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Puerto Rico. According to its website, Trupanion has helped insure over 700,000 pets and paid out over $1.5 billion in veterinary care claims.
Trupanion’s services
When it comes to accidents and illnesses, Trupanion’s services are as comprehensive as they come, going so far as to cover prescription food when prescribed by a doctor for a covered illness or injury. By comparison, companies like Pets Best don’t cover prescription foods at all, and companies like Pumpkin only cover them with an optional rider.
All that said, here’s a closer look at everything Trupanion covers, including its products, services, terms, and amounts.
What it offers
Unlike ASPCA, Embrace, and Lemonade, Trupanion doesn’t limit how much it will pay out per year or per condition. This means that you won’t have to worry about hitting a payout cap if your pet has a chronic condition or ongoing illness.
In addition, Trupanion offers these benefits:
- 90% reimbursement rate
- $0 to $1,000 deductible—you choose the specific amount
- No networks—go to any licensed vet in your area
- Coverage includes diagnostic tests, surgeries, hospital stays, prescription medications, veterinary supplements, and prosthetic devices and carts
- Covers hereditary conditions, including elbow and hip dysplasia, diabetes, thyroid disease, and upper respiratory infections
- Covers congenital conditions that developed before birth, including heart disease, nervous system issues, cataracts and liver disease
- Covers unidentified issues that haven’t been officially diagnosed, including vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and unexpected weight change
- No annual coverage limits or payout caps
Trupanion for Florida residents
Trupanion’s health insurance plan works a little bit differently for Florida residents. Under its regular plan (for non-Florida residents) there’s a flat reimbursement rate and customizable deductible. But in Florida, it’s the opposite—there’s a flat deductible and a customizable reimbursement rate.
- 75% to 90% reimbursement rate—you choose the specific amount
- $0 deductible
- No annual coverage limits or payout caps
Trupanion pet insurance coverage
This chart highlights what the company does and doesn’t cover for dogs and cats.
| What is covered | What is not covered | |
| Dogs and cats |
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Trupanion optional riders
Trupanion has three optional pet insurance riders you can add to your policy for additional coverage:
- Recovery and Complementary Care Rider: This helps cover costs associated with acupuncture, behavioral modification, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and rehabilitative therapy.
- Pet Owner Assistance Package: Life happens, and that’s why this rider steps in to help cover the cost of things like advertising for lost pets, boarding fees if you’re hospitalized, liability coverage if your pet damages third-party property, and cremation or burial for accidental deaths.
- Breeding Rider: This covers the cost of any injuries that arise from breeding, whelping, or queening. But know that if your pet has undergone any previous C-sections, all future ones count as pre-existing conditions. And you must enroll your pet before she is pregnant.
What it doesn’t offer
There are a few exclusions that aren’t covered by Trupanion. These include:
- Exam fees and applicable taxes
- Wellness and preventative care (e.g. vaccinations, spay/neutering, routine visit)
- Pre-existing conditions
- Some alternative therapies and treatments (unless you have a Recovery and Complementary Care Rider)
- Illnesses or injuries that occur during your waiting period
- Bilateral conditions presenting on one side of the body if that condition was a pre-existing condition on the other side of the body
- Dental work, including scaling, cleaning, and polishing
- Cosmetic changes, such as tail docking, ear cropping, or declawing
- Anal gland suppression
- Raw food diets
Most pet insurance companies don’t cover a lot of these items, including pre-existing conditions, vet visits during the waiting period, and cosmetic changes, so it’s no surprise that Trupanion doesn’t either.
But on the other hand, most pet insurance companies do have a wellness and preventive care package, so it’s a little disheartening that Trupanion doesn’t.
If you’re looking for a pet insurance company that offers routine wellness coverage, check out our Nationwide review. It offers two wellness plan options you can buy independently or as an add-on to an existing pet insurance plan.
Trupanion pet insurance costs
Pet insurance costs are based on several factors including your pet’s breed, age, zip code, and chosen annual deductible. In general, Trupanion’s premiums tend to be on the higher side when compared to other pet insurance companies.
However, unlike some other insurers, Trupanion has no payout limits per year or per condition deductible. There’s a standard 90% reimbursement rate, which is higher than provided by other companies like Nationwide (starts at 50%) and Pets Best (starts at 70%).
So even though premiums may be higher upfront with Trupanion, you won’t have to worry about hitting a ceiling on how much pet insurance coverage you receive. Here are a few quotes we received from Trupanion for a spayed/neutered pet in the Seattle area:
| Pet description | Trupanion monthly premium (with a $200 deductible option) |
| 3-year-old female mixed-breed dog weighing 20 to 55 pounds | $111.57 |
| 5-year-old male mixed-breed dog weighing 55 to 90 pounds | $147.62 |
| 3-year-old female mixed-breed cat | $64.98 |
| 5-year-old male mixed-breed cat | $81.49 |
Trupanion pet insurance waiting periods
Trupanion has a five-day waiting period for accidents and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses (unless you’re in Florida, in which case there is a flat 12-day waiting period for both). If any accidents or illnesses occur during these waiting periods, they won’t be eligible for reimbursement from Trupanion.
These waiting periods are slightly longer than other pet insurance companies, as you can see from the list below.
- Accident: 5 days
- Illness: 30 days
- Florida residents: 12 days
ASPCA –
- Accidents & illnesses: 14 days
Embrace –
- Accident: 48 hours
- Illness: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions (dogs): 180 days; 14 days with orthopedic exam
Figo –
- Accident: 1 day
- Illness: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions (dogs): 6 months; 30-days with waiver
- Accidents & illnesses: 15 days
Lemonade –
- Accident: 48 hours
- Illness: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions (dogs): 6 months
- Accidents & illnesses: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions (dogs): 365 days
- Accident: 3 days
- Illness: 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions (dogs): 6 months
Pumpkin –
- Accidents & illnesses: 14 days
Spot –
- Accidents & illnesses: 14 days
NOTE: Trupanion will waive its standard waiting periods if you receive an Exam Day Offer from an eligible vet, breeder, or adoption agency. This is essentially a certification of good health.
Trupanion’s credentials
Now that you know what types of coverage Trupanion delivers to customers, let’s discuss its licenses, registrations, awards, and any regulatory actions that have been taken against it.
Licenses and registrations
Trupanion is underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company in the United States and Omega General Insurance Company in Canada. It’s licensed in all 50 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. You can find its individual state licenses below:
- AK – License #67821
- AL – License #0440036
- AZ – License #898682
- AR – License #357277c
- CA – License #0G22803
- CO – License #306244
- CT – License #002299539
- DE – License #1339609
- DC – License #2883196v
- FL – License #P175229
- GA – License #124214
- HI – License #355166
- ID – License #275256
- IL – License #100305686
- IN – License #662618
- IA – License #1002034086
- KS – License #383756263-000
- KY – License #671232
- LA – License #493493
- ME – License #AGN204657
- MD – License #NPF 99989791
- MA – License #1888090
- MI – License #0085946
- MO – License #8025440
- MN – License #40077808
- MS – License #15017340
- MT – License #717191
- NE – License #0100185833
- NV – License #640828
- NH – License #2267181
- NJ – License #1152629
- NM – License #100007986
- NY – License #PC-1079417
- NC – License #0010036859
- ND – License #0020295386
- OH – License #37232
- OK – License #10008708
- OR – License #0100169523
- PA – License #511210
- PR – License #000062788
- SC – License #171035
- SD – License #10008501
- TN – License #00004998
- TX – License #1488662
- UT – License #275939
- VA – License #38-3756263
- VT – License #119044
- WA – License #718030
- WY – License #208773
- WI – License #2546086
- WV – License #0100108178
Awards and certifications
Trupanion has won a few awards in recent years, mostly for its proprietary software that can make direct payments to vet clinics when a customer checks out, rather than forcing customers to pay for their entire bill up front and get reimbursed by insurance later on.
- Innovation in Insurance Award
- 2014 Interactive Media Award for Best in Class Website
- Voted #1 pet health insurance in America by veterinarians
Regulatory or legal actions
The most recent regulatory action we could find against Trupanion dates back to 2019. According to Washington state officials, Trupanion was fined $100,000 for violating Washington state laws (where it’s headquartered). More specifically, Kreidler claimed that Trupanion:
- Gave gifts in excess of $100 in exchange for referrals
- Paid a third-party company to generate leads on its behalf
- Contracted with unlicensed partners to promote its pet insurance to veterinary clinics and shelters.
Trupanion’s accessibility
Trupanion is available in several countries and U.S. territories, has 24/7 customer service, delivers free online quotes, and operates an easy-to-navigate website. But its mobile app could use some help.
Availability
At this time, Trupanion offers coverage in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia. Likewise, over 2,000 vet clinics nationwide use Trupanion’s direct pay feature, so you only have to pay what you owe at check-out—rather than having to foot your entire bill upfront and then wait for a reimbursement. You can search for a direct pay vet using the Vet Direct Pay hospital directory on the Trupanion website.
Contact information
Trupanion customer support is available 24/7. There are five ways to reach them.
- Call 888-733-2685 or 855-210-8749.
- Fax 866-405-4536.
- Email info@trupanion.com.
- Start a live chat on the Trupanion website.
- Submit a question online.
User experience
Trupanion makes it easy to grab a free quote and file claims online. When you sign up, you’ll get access to a member portal where you can update your pet’s information, make your monthly payment, adjust coverage, and track claims. It also has plenty of resources to help you learn how to keep your pet healthy.
But based on our research, Trupanion’s mobile app needs an upgrade. It currently has a 3.5 out of 5-star rating in the Google Play Store and a 3.1 out of 5-star rating in the Apple App store. Not terrible, but it could be a lot better.
Of the reviews we read online, a lot of customers complain that the app’s basic functionality is sometimes unusable. One user even went so far as to say she’s thinking of dropping Trupanion altogether just based on her mobile app experience.
While having a mobile app is nice, you might want to stick with Trupanion’s website until the app developers perform a major overhaul.
Limitations
If you’re thinking about getting a pet insurance policy through Trupanion, there are a few limitations to keep in mind.
- Longer-than-usual waiting periods. Unless you qualify for an Exam Day Offer, you’ll have to wait five days for accident coverage to kick in and 30 days for illness coverage. By comparison, Lemonade and Embrace both have 2-day waiting periods for accidents and 14-day waiting periods for illnesses.
- Relatively high premiums. While premium costs vary depending on factors such as your pet’s age and location, in general, Trupanion’s premiums tend to be on the higher side when compared to other pet insurance companies. But it also covers more, so this is a trade-off.
- Limited coverage options. Unlike most pet insurance companies, there’s only one type of Trupanion plan that covers both accidental injuries and illnesses (excluding pre-existing conditions). This means that if you’re looking for specialized coverage (e.g., accident-only or routine wellness care), you’ll need to look elsewhere.
- No discounts. Most companies give discounts when buying pet insurance for multiple pets, but Trupanion isn’t one of them. The company doesn’t offer any discounts.
Trupanion’s customer satisfaction
Overall, customers seem to love Trupanion. It has a helpful customer service team, comprehensive coverage, and quick response times. Many customers go so far as to say Trupanion is “impressive,” “outstanding,” and “one of the best investments I’ve ever made.” But just because the majority loves Trupanion doesn’t mean it’s won the hearts of everyone.
Customer complaints
Trupanion has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot based on over 4,350 reviews. While most people love the service, the number one complaint was among pet parents who didn’t get reimbursed for a pre-existing condition.
Truthfully, I’ve been in this situation myself with pet insurance. My cat had a string of vet bills that I had to pay out of pocket because they were all deemed pre-existing conditions. It was quite frustrating—especially because I was banking on getting reimbursed. And when that doesn’t happen, it can feel like pet insurance is a total waste of money.
At the time of this review, Trupanion’s BBB page was being updated, so we couldn’t read or access any existing reviews.
Third-party ratings
We couldn’t find any third-party ratings for Trupanion’s customer service on sites like J.D. Power.
Trupanion vs. the competition
Choosing the right pet insurance company is an important decision for any pet owner. When it comes to base coverage, Trupanion outperforms most of its competitors. There are no annual coverage limits, and the reimbursement rate is a high 90% compared to other companies where reimbursement rates can be as low as 50%.
In addition, Trupanion’s deductible is more flexible than with other companies—you can set your own deductible anywhere from $0 to $1,000—instead of having to choose from pre-selected tiers. And if you’re in Florida, there’s never a deductible, ever. This makes Trupanion an excellent choice for anyone who wants the peace of mind that comes with knowing their pet is covered.
| Trupanion | Healthy Paws | Pets Best | Nationwide | |
| Annual coverage limits | Unlimited | Unlimited | $5k, Unlimited | $10k, Unlimited |
| Deductible amount | $0 to $1K—you choose. | $100, $250, $500 | $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1K | $250 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% | 50%, 70% |
Trupanion FAQs
Still wondering how to get pet insurance with Trupanion? Maybe these frequently asked questions will help.
How we evaluated Trupanion pet insurance
When evaluating Trupanion pet insurance, we looked at how its services and features compared to other popular pet insurance companies. This meant digging into factors such as premiums, coverage options, waiting periods, deductibles, maximums, claims processes, customer reviews, and customer service options to see how it stacks up against the competition.
Summary of Miami Herald’s Trupanion review
Overall, Trupanion is a solid choice for pet insurance if you’re looking for comprehensive accident and illness coverage without any payout limits.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that Trupanion’s coverage options are relatively limited compared to other insurers. So if you’re looking for anything beyond basic accident and illness protection—like say wellness care reimbursements—you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Additionally, premiums tend to be on the higher side, although this is offset by the fact that there are no annual or per-condition payout limits. To get the best insurance for your needs, consider comparing Trupanion to other top pet insurance companies before making your decision.
