TruPanion Dog Insurance Review

With so many options out there, finding the best pet insurance company for your pup can be a challenge. There are a lot of factors to consider, but the good news is that we’ve already researched for you—here’s everything you should know about what TruPanion has to offer:

Brand Overview

Operating since 2000, TruPanion is located in British Columbia and centers around providing the best care for your pet by employing veterinarians, vet techs, and pet owners. The CEO, Darryl Rawlings, strives to ensure that pets from all walks of life can live happier, healthier lives without the added stress of exorbitant medical bills.

Those who have used TruPanion can testify that the company has more than earned their A-Plus rating from the BBB. Beyond providing simple and affordable coverage for dogs, TruPanion focuses on cultivating a community of pet owners—their offices contain beds and play areas for pets to lounge around in during the workday.

What often separates TruPanion from similar companies out there is their dedication to providing coverage for any unexpected accidents and illnesses that occur. Instead of denying elderly dogs who suddenly develop hip dysplasia or hereditary conditions that suddenly pops up, TruPanion is willing to offer up to 90% reimbursement.

For this reason, TruPanion refers to their coverage as “medical insurance for cats and dogs” rather than “pet insurance.” Since pet insurance often includes excursions based on congenital and breed-specific conditions, TruPanion believes the term does not fully encompass the range of services they have to offer.

One another difference is how they tend to pay your vet bills. Rather than force customers to file complicated claims, TruPanion does include a simple claims process, but they also try and directly pay the vet clinic when they can.

2024 TruPanion Pet Insurance Review

Even the best insurance companies have their weaknesses. Before you pull out your wallet, it’s a good idea to see what other customers have liked and disliked about TruPanion:

Pros:

• TruPanion often works directly with your vet, so the claims process is a lot simpler
• Quick reimbursements
• The pre-approval process is fast

Cons:

• Monthly premiums are subject to change as your pet ages or when it comes time for renewal
• Does have a waiting period

What do customers like about TruPanion?

Here are some of the positive experiences that past customers have had with TruPanion:

“We received a 30 day trial through our vet. I normally don’t do much with these types of things. However, I did activate it and are we glad we did. We have a little 11 week, Frenchie Mix . We took him in last week because he wasn’t eating and was acting kind’a out of it. 

Our vet, who is amazing, did all the tests necessary and ended up keeping him and gave him some IV for the day. When discussing options we told them that we had activated our Trupanion Trial Policy. As it turned out, Trupanion paid for a portion of the bill and we met our deductible for the year. 

They pay our vet directly so we didn’t have to do a thing other than remind our vet we had it. We will certainly continue with the policy. We’ve not had pet insurance before so any help in the future will be appreciated.

 It’s a small price to pay monthly for the piece of mind and ease of use. Nothing will cover everything but in the past we’ve paid some pretty hefty bills for our animals. It’s nice to know that paying a little each month will help for those times we find ourselves in the vet dilemma. ($$)”  – Kim H on Better Business Bureau 

“Trupanion was amazing throughout the three months that my cat, *** was sick. Filing was quick, easy and hassle free. I received reimbursement within 3-4 days of submitting my claims. I highly recommend them for insuring your pet.”  – Karen V on Better Business Bureau

“Trupanion has been amazing through my pet’s (now terminal) illness and accidents over the past 7 years. Pre-approval is quick, they offer direct payment and the staff are always very helpful. The policy is the gold standard for pet insurance industry. My other pet is with another insurance company and there is no comparison.”  – Tanya L on Better Business Bureau

What do customers dislike about TruPanion?

Here are some of the negative experiences that past customers have had when dealing with TruPanion:

“Terrible. I signed up for Trupanion for my puggle in 2007, at $87 per month. We were told that it was best to do this young in order to keep the rates low. That rates wont go up as they age, or by the number of claims the dog has. The rates have gone up 20% per year regardless, the initial ‘sales’ pitch was not accurate. 

The policy document states that rates are set based on veterinary costs, but the rate just goes up by the 20% set out in the policy every year no matter what. This just seems like such a scam. We are now paying $200 a month which is $2400 a year. Vet visits, vaccinations, regular check ups are not covered. My pup had teeth removed and that was a very long process to have covered, and we paid the deductible. 

Everything else that has occurred we have paid out of pocket, even when my dog ate something he shouldn’t have we paid for the vet visit and the medications. We have invested over $10,000 in Trupanion to date plus the out of pocket amounts for regular vet visits. That is astronomical when you consider what the purpose of insurance is.

I would never do this again, and do not recommend pet insurance or Trupanion. It is better to put some money aside every month for emergencies. If I had set aside this $10,000 I would have earned interest on it and would get it back in the end. *******************, a 20% increase every year without substantiating the reason as well as misrepresentation should not be allowable in a contract arrangement, it should be considered an unfair exchange of goods for services and therefore void.”  – Eileen A on Better Business Bureau

“Terrible customer service and ********** upsell to the complementary care rider saying it will help with after care from a shoulder surgery which they then do not cover because they said it was for a surgery during the waiting period! They assured me that secondary stiffness and misalignment would be covered and it was NOT. I have appealed several times and have had to wait weeks for any response and none have been personalized.”  – Megan McDonald on Better Business Bureau

How Does TruPanion Pet Insurance Work?

Fortunately, signing up for TruPanion and filing a claim isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Once you’ve signed up through TruPanion’s website and enrolled, you’ll then enter into a short waiting period (this waiting period will begin immediately after the policy effective date).

For injuries, the waiting period is only five days, but for illnesses, you’ll need to wait thirty days before you can begin coverage. Any vet bills that your dog acquires during this waiting period won’t be eligible for reimbursement.

Once the waiting period is over, you can begin submitting claims. Luckily, TruPanion makes the submission process fairly simple: within 90 days of the appointment, surgery or exam, you can upload your pup’s itemized invoice online through TruPanion’s online tool.

However, if you would prefer not to submit your claim online, you can also download a claim form from TruPanion and fill it out. You can then email or fax the completed claim form to TruPanion. In some cases, TruPanion may reach out to the clinic or you to request more medical records involving the accident or illness. For this reason, first-time claim filers often submit medical records along with their claim to speed up the process.

Keep in mind that some hospitals or clinics may allow you to only pay your portion of the bill and let TruPanion directly pay the clinic (rather than offer a reimbursement). If you aren’t sure whether or not a clinic will do that, you can always call ahead of time to find out or contact the TruPanion support staff. It’s worth noting that TruPanion does have a support staff that you contact anytime—day or night.

Once you’ve filed your claim and it’s been approved, TruPanion will then send you a reimbursement check through the mail or, if you prefer, directly deposit the money into your account.

While some pet owners may not worry about filing claims if the bill is less than their deductible, TruPanion encourages you to do so. Even if you aren’t reimbursed, the amount you pay will go towards the annual deductible and decrease the amount you’re responsible for next time.

It’s worth noting that dogs older than fourteen cannot enroll with TruPanion.

TruPanion Pricing Details

Now that you understand how to sign up and file a claim, it’s time to talk about the specific costs you’ll face with TruPanion.

How much does it cost per month for their best plan?

When it comes to insurance, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all option. Your monthly premium and deductible are subject to change based on breed, age, and even gender.

Are there any coupons, deals or incentives to sign up?

If you call to get a quote for your dog, TruPanion offers a coupon for $25 off a Furbo dog camera and treat-tosser. Without even signing up, TruPanion also donates to pet charities when potential customers call for no-obligation quotes.

What’s the deductible? Is it annual or per visit?

TruPanion offers a per-visit deductible and allows pet owners flexibility when choosing an affordable deductible. Typically, per-visit deductibles range from $0-1,000.

Do you have to pay a co-pay or are claims covered 100%?

Although TruPanion may provide up to 90% reimbursement, pet owners are still usually responsible for a small portion of their bill.

Will the rates go up over time?

As your dog begins to get older, your monthly premium will likely rise. Keep in mind that rates are subject to change.

TruPanion Coverage Details

Now that we’ve covered prices, it’s time to talk about what you can expect out of a TruPanion plan.

Does it cover regular vet office visits and routine check-ups or only unexpected emergencies?

While emergency care is covered, regular check-ups, routine care, and vaccines are not. Keep in mind that routine costs and regular examinations are expected dog ownership costs and you can save up for routine check-ups or procedures over time. However, unexpected illnesses and accidents are not—as long as they aren’t pre-existing conditions, they fall under TruPanion’s umbrella of coverage.

Does it cover dental and teeth cleaning?

Although TruPanion plans do not cover regular teeth cleanings, they will cover dental work that’s the result of an unexpected illness or accident. For instance, if your pup must undergo dental surgery as a result of sudden disease, you can be reimbursed for the medical bills.

Does it cover hip dysplasia?

As long as hip dysplasia is not a pre-existing condition, your pup’s TruPanion plan will cover it. This includes dogs of all ages—younger or older.

Does it cover spaying and neutering?

Since spaying and neutering are both routine and an elective procedure, it’s not covered by TruPanion. Routine procedures like this are considered part of the expected cost of pet ownership and can be saved up for.

Does it cover pre-existing conditions?

TruPanion does not cover pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are any illnesses that your pup may develop before they’ve enrolled in a TruPanion plan. Even if you’ve already signed up, your pup’s condition will be considered pre-existing if they develop it during the waiting period.

Keep in mind that a diagnosis is not needed for TruPanion to consider your pup’s illness to be pre-existing. If your vet notes signs and symptoms of a condition before the coverage goes into effect, the condition is still pre-existing–even if the diagnosis isn’t given until afterward.

Does it cover cancer?

As long as the cancer is not pre-existing, TruPanion will cover it.

Does it cover prescription medications?

Yes, TruPanion will cover prescription medications.

What else does it cover?

Here’s what else TruPanion will reimburse you for:

• Diagnostic treatment
• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Prescription medications
• Herbal therapy
• Prosthetic and orthotic devices

TruPanion also allows you to add additional coverage onto your plan to cover costs related to pet ownership or alternative treatments.

What else does it NOT cover?

Here’s what TruPanion won’t pay for:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Wellness and preventative care
• Regular teeth cleanings
• Spaying and neutering
• Elective procedures such as nail clipping or micro-chipping

Are there any restrictions on breed-specific conditions or age?

TruPanion does not have any breed-specific conditions that they won’t cover but they do have an age limit. Dogs must be younger than fourteen to enroll in TruPanion’s coverage plan.

Is there a waiting period? How soon can I start using the insurance after I sign up?

TruPanion has a five-day waiting period of injuries and a thirty-day waiting period for illnesses. Any injuries or illnesses that occur during this waiting period will be considered pre-existing and not eligible for coverage.

Is it easy to cancel if I change my mind?

As long as you give TruPanion written notice, you’re allowed to cancel your insurance policy at any time you’d like.

How does TruPanion compare to other pet insurance companies?

In comparison to similar insurance companies, TruPanion ranks well. They differentiate themselves as “medical insurance for dogs” rather than just “pet insurance”. When it’s possible, TruPanion tries to pay your vet bills directly rather than offer reimbursement.

Unlike some companies, they also base their claims around the actual cost of your dog’s veterinary care—not just what they believe it should cost. Rather than ask customers to pay an annual deductible based upon their pet’s age and breed, there’s a lifetime, per-incident deductible based on the condition.

Perhaps TruPanion’s greatest advantage over other insurance companies is that they cover all unexpected illnesses or accidents without excluding specific conditions like hip dysplasia or dental work.

Would you recommend this pet insurance company for dogs?

Given the strides they’ve taken to ensure pet owners are covered for all unexpected illnesses and conditions, TruPanion is worth recommending to pet owners.

What about coverage for other animals?

Some pet owners may have multiple animals they’d like to put on the same policy—and it’s a good idea to know whether TruPanion will cover all your furry companions.

Do they offer coverage for cats?

TruPanion does offer coverage for cats. However, if you’d like to explore other insurance options for your feline, this article outlines what some of the best cat insurance companies have to offer.

Do they offer coverage for horses, birds, reptiles and other exotic animals?

At this time, TruPanion does not offer coverage for horses, birds, reptiles, or other exotic animals that you may have—you can only add a dog or cat onto your insurance policy.