Trupanion Pet Insurance Review

Trupanion offers comprehensive coverage across all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Their single plan makes them a strong option for pet owners seeking a simple pet insurance option.

ProsCons
Offers 90% reimbursement for all policies
Available in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, and Canada
Offers optional add-ons for additional coverage
No payout limit
Doesn’t allow policyholders to customize their reimbursement level
Doesn’t offer wellness coverage
Doesn’t allow pets to enroll after their 14th birthday

Bottom Line: Trupanion is a good pet insurance option for pet owners looking for comprehensive coverage, a high reimbursement level, and no payout limit.

Pet Insurance Plans Offered by Trupanion

Trupanion offers one pet insurance plan that covers all unexpected injuries and illnesses. The plan comes with a 90% reimbursement level and unlimited payout. 

This standard policy covers expenses such as:

  • Hereditary conditions (e.g. elbow and hip dysplasia, diabetes, and thyroid disease)
  • Congenital conditions (e.g.. liver disease, cataracts, and heart disease)
  • Medical expenses related to an unexpected accident or illness (e.g. surgery, hospital stays, herbal therapy, and prosthetic devices)
  • Unidentified issues without a diagnosis (e.g. vomiting, cough, change in weight)
  • Supplements prescribed by and purchased through a veterinarian for the treatment of a illness or injury
  • Prescription pet foods for up to two months of normal feeding

Trupanion also offers two additional add-ons for more comprehensive coverage:

Recovery and Complementary Care Rider: Covers non-clinical procedures and care such as acupuncture, behavioral therapy, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.

Pet Owner Assistance Package: Covers care outside the vet, including advertising and reward costs for finding a lost pet, boarding fees if you become hospitalized, cremation and burial, and liability coverage for third-party property damage.

All coverage is available in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Does Trupanion Offer Wellness Plans?

Trupanion does not offer wellness coverage. In fact, they deliberately choose not to offer this coverage because they believe pet owners shouldn’t have to pay for something they may never need or that they can afford themselves. Instead, they encourage pet owners to financially prepare for these infrequent expenses.

What Isn’t Covered With Trupanion Pet Insurance?

Like other pet insurance companies, Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions. Their standard policy also doesn’t cover:

  • Dental cleaning
  • The cost to spay/neuter your pet
  • Wellness exam fees
  • Vaccinations
  • Routine lab work
  • Microchipping 

While their optional add-ons cover other expenses, Trupanion does not offer add-on coverage for the items listed above. It should also be noted that Trupanion does not allow pets to enroll after their 14th birthday.

Coverage Levels and Reimbursement Options

When you purchase a Trupanion pet insurance policy, you’ll be able to choose a deductible between $0 and $1,000. Your deductible is the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before your insurance will reimburse you for anything. 

Trupanion’s deductible is a lifetime per incident deductible. This means that the deductible is applied once per condition for your pet’s lifetime. For example, if your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, all treatment related to their diabetes will be eligible for coverage after you’ve spent your deductible amount on the related treatment.

If your pet is diagnosed with an additional illness, you’ll need to hit your deductible amount for that illness specifically before expenses related to it are eligible for coverage.

Trupanion’s pet insurance plan comes with a 90% reimbursement level. Let’s say you experience the following scenario:

  • Your dog ingests a sock and needs surgery to remove it. The bill comes to $4,000.
  • You chose a deductible of $500, and you’ve yet to incur an expense, so the entire $500 of your deductible hasn’t been touched.

Here’s how your payment would be calculated:

($4,000 bill * 90% reimbursement) – $500 deductible = $3,100

$4,000 bill – $500 deductible = $3,500

$3,500 * 90% reimbursement = $3,150

To fix Fido’s sock mishap, Trupanion could cover $3,150, and you’d be responsible for the remaining $850. Now, if you had chosen a different deductible amount, your portion of the bill could look quite different:

  • $100 deductible: Trupanion covers $3,510; you pay $490
  • $250 deductible: Trupanion covers $3,375; you pay $625
  • $750 deductible: Trupanion covers $2,925; you pay $1,075
  • $1,000 deductible: Trupanion covers $2,700; you pay $1,300

Trupanion’s Coverage Levels

Unlike some other pet insurance companies, you’re unable to choose your reimbursement level with Trupanion. Instead, you’ll have a 90% reimbursement level, regardless of the coverage or or deductible you choose. That said, most competitors only offer up to 90% reimbursement, so you aren’t missing out on coverage by choosing Trupanion. 

Trupanion’s Deductible Options

You can choose a deductible amount between $0 and $1,000. You can also opt to have no deductible at all. Trupanion’s deductible is applied once per condition throughout your pet’s life.

If you’d like to lower your deductible, you’ll need to do so within 30 days of enrolling. If you’d like to raise your deductible, you can do so at any time. Note, however, that any conditions your pet is showing signs of or is diagnosed with  before your switch will need to meet the initial deductible you had.

How Much Does Trupanion Pet Insurance Cost?

Trupanion pet insurance tends to be more expensive than its competitors simply due to its comprehensive coverage. However, here are a few sample rates for a Trupanion pet insurance policy with a $200 deductible for a male pet in Dallas, Texas:

BreedAge of PetCost for the Standard PlanCost for the Standard Plan + Add-Ons
Labrador Retriever8-week old$102.60$120.65
 5-year-old$190.24$220.29
 Senior$225.22$260.07
French Bulldog8-week old$142.61$166.14
 5-year-old$266.90$307.46
 Senior$316.51$363.87
Golden Retriever8-week old$96.71$113.96
 5-year-old$178.95$207.47
 Senior$228.88$264.23
German Shepherd8-week old$107.27$125.96
 5-year-old$199.18$230.47
 Senior$235.87$272.18
Poodle8-week old$60.10$72.33
 5-year-old$108.79$127.69
 Senior$138.35$161.30
Exotic Shorthair Cats8-week old$40.71$50.28
 5-year-old$79.55$94.44
 Senior$183.89$213.08

What Are The Waiting Periods For Coverage?

Trupanion has the following waiting periods:

  • 5 days for injuries
  • 30 days for illnesses

Any injuries and illnesses that occur during these waiting periods will be considered pre-existing conditions and, therefore, are not eligible for coverage.

FAQs About Trupanion Pet Insurance

The following are some of the most common questions about Trupanion pet insurance.

Does Trupanion Offer A Wellness Plan?

No. Trupanion does not offer a standard wellness plan. However, they do offer two optional add-ons that provide additional coverage.

Does Trupanion Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

No. Like many pet insurers, Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions.

Does Trupanion Cover Dental Cleaning?

No. Trupanion does not cover dental cleaning.

Does Trupanion Cover Spaying Or Neutering?

No. Trupanion does not cover the cost to spay or neuter your pet.

Does Trupanion Cover Hip Dysplasia?

Yes. Trupanion covers hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia.

Does Trupanion Cover Euthanasia?

Yes. If euthanasia is recommended by your vet, Trupanion will cover it.

Does Trupanion Have Any Coverage Limits?

Trupanion covers 90% of eligible expenses.

Is Trupanion Accepted By Every Vet?

With Trupanion, you can visit any vet within the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. You are not limited to a list of veterinarians.

Does Trupanion Pay The Vet Directly?

Yes. With Trupanion, you won’t have to wait for reimbursement checks — they pay the vet directly.

How Do I File A Claim With Trupanion?

To file a claim with Trupanion, use their online tool. The tool will walk you through the process of uploading your pet’s itemized receipt, explaining what happened, and submitting.

If you prefer to file claims on paper, you can print out their claim form and send it via email or fax. You can also send it via the mail, although Trupanion does state that this route will take longer to process.

How Long Does It Trupanion Take To Pay Out?

Trupanion doesn’t explicitly state how long it takes to receive reimbursement. However, some policyholders report an average of 24 hours to 2 days for payment.

How Do I Cancel A Policy From Trupanion?

You can cancel a policy at any time by providing written notice.

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Grace Lemire

Grace is a lover of pups and personal finance. She’s passionate about helping people navigate the financial side of life decisions — from budgeting for a furry friend to making decisions about pet insurance.