|
A Vet's Review of Trupanion Pet Insurance
by Frances Wilkerson, DVM
This review discusses coverage and payout structure
To get the most from this review, please read
the Guide to Pet Insurance
first.
For a detailed look at Trupanion, see Trupanion's Comparison Sheet.
Trupanion has offered pet insurance since 2008 in the USA.
|
In general, Trupanion Pet Insurance covers diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization and
prescription medications for accidents/injuries and illnesses.
Trupanion does not cover the exam fee for accidents/injuries and illnesses.
Non-routine dental coverage is more comprehensive than others.
|
Trupanion Pet Insurance offers chronic
diseases coverage and continual coverage for chronic conditions
as part of the base policy, as long as the condition is not pre-existing
and has not occurred during the waiting period.
|
Trupanion covers hereditary and congenital conditions as long as the condition is not
pre-existing and has not occurred during the waiting period.
|
Trupanion covers cancer conditions as long as the condition is not
pre-existing and has not occurred during the waiting period.
|
Trupanion covers breed specific medical conditions as long as the
condition is not pre-existing and has not occurred during the waiting
period.
|
Trupanion has an unlimited lifetime
maximum payout structure. This maximum payout structure will
meet everyone's calculated "Worst Case Scenario Costs". (See: Picking
the Right Maximum Payout)
|
Summary of Coverage and Payout Structure
Gotchas
- Does not cover exam fee for accidents/injuries and illnesses
- Is its own underwriter - Does not have a large financial party overseeing
underwriting decisions
Good Points
- Is its own underwriter - Able to make its own decisions about its
underwriting terms and conditions
- Coverage when travel out of state, to Puerto Rico, or to Canada
- Generous unlimited lifetime maximum payout structure
- Provides comprehensive coverage in the 5 important areas as part of the base plan:
- Chronic disease
- Continual coverage for chronic disease
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Cancer
- Breed specific conditions
Additional Comments Regarding All Pet Insurance Companies:
- Make sure you research what customers are saying about the company.
A company may have the 5 components that should be part of a pet insurance
plan, but the company may not be a hit with customers. Sites to check
include but are not limited to, Yelp.com and PetInsuranceReview.com.
Things to look for include but are not limited to: How fast are payments
paid?, What are customers saying about the pre-existing conditions policy?,
How often are claims denied and for what reason?, What is the customer
service experience like?
- Make sure you understand what the waiting periods are.
- Make sure you understand their bilateral conditions policy.
- Make sure you understand any requirements that you must adhere to
to maintain coverage.
- Make sure you read the terms and conditions to get a thorough understanding
of all exclusions.
- Make sure you understand how and when your premium
can increase.
- If you change plan levels, there is a possibility that all medical
conditions present under the old plan will be considered pre-existing
in the new plan. Make sure you ask the company if this is the case.
- For some companies, pre-existing conditions can be based on symptoms
alone, a diagnosis is not needed. For example, if your pet had a cough
before you applied for pet insurance and this cough was discussed and
written in the pet's medical record, there is the possibility that all
future cough conditions, no matter what the cause, would be considered
pre-existing - even if there was no treatment given. Make sure you ask
the company if this is the case.
- Pet insurance companies are businesses. The top priority of any business
is to make a profit for their stakeholders. Pet insurance companies
can and may change your rates and terms to meet that top priority. A
change of business ownership or underwriters can also be a catalyst
for changes in your rates and terms.
When you purchase pet insurance make sure you have a realistic understanding
of this and how it can affect you.
Additional Reviews:
AKC | ASPCA
| Embrace | Figo | Healthy Paws | PetFirst
| PetPlan | Pets Best
| Trupanion | VPI
| 24 Pet Watch
**Disclaimer:This review is meant to supplement not replace your
own due diligence. Please read all terms and conditions of the pet insurance plan before you buy.
**Copyright:
You are more than welcome to link to this website, in fact, it is greatly
appreciated. However, a lot of time, energy and effort went into the production
of this material so please do not copy and paste the contents of this website
into your website or written material.
If you use data from this website as a research point for your own website or
written material, you must cite Pet-Insurance-University.com as the source.
All names, logos and trademarks in this site are the property of their respective owner(s).
|