Trupanion offers coverage for accidents, injuries, and congenital and hereditary conditions, as well as optional add-on coverage. Trupanion pays veterinarians directly and offers 24/7 customer support.
Trupanion is a pet health insurance service that can “approve and pay bills directly to select veterinary hospitals within minutes.” The Trupanion plan is a condition-based deductible plan that covers 90% of the actual cost of the veterinary visit once the deductible is met. Only one plan is offered that covers illness, injury, hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostic tests, surgeries and hospital stays, and prescription medications. While exam fees and wellness and preventive care are not reimbursed, customers can add various optional add-on packages for a fee.
Price Monthly cost | $12-100+ |
Reimbursement Amount reimbursed? | 90 percent of covered vet bills, minus exam fees |
Deductible Type of deductible? | Per incident (illness or injury) |
Illness waiting period Delay before coverage? | 30 days |
Accident waiting period Delay before coverage? | 5 days |
Warranty Risk-free period? | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Age limits Age limits for enrollment? | Yes, up to 14 years of age for enrolling |
Eligibility Are all pets eligible? | Yes |
Accident coverage Is it available? | Yes |
Preventive coverage Is it available? | Yes |
Multiple pet discount Is it available? | No |
Trupanion provides health coverage for a pet, so the age of the senior has no impact on the service as long as the senior can take the pet to veterinarian appointments. Because claims can be filed by fax, email or regular mail, and because payments can be made by direct deposit, Trupanion is particularly friendly to aging seniors.
The senior’s health has little to no impact on Trupanion Health Insurance to the extent that the senior can still care for the pet. Decreased mobility and increased hospitalizations can prevent seniors from adequately caring for a pet, including taking the pet to vet appointments. This may become another role for a caretaker. The critical importance of a loved pet as a senior’s health declines cannot be measured. Trupanion allows the policy to be transferred with the pet within 30 days of the transfer of ownership, should that become necessary.
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Bottom Line:
For a senior who is looking for a simple health insurance with a low deductible, Trupanion could be a good choice. Trupanion offers a variety of services comparable to other health insurance plans but, unlike most other companies, does not cover veterinarian exams. However, Trupanion does pay 90% of covered vet fees. Trupanion was the first pet health care company to be awarded a seal of excellence from the American Animal Hospital Association Seal, in 2008. Trupanion may be a good choice for a senior who is looking for a basic health insurance but does not seek much preventive medical care for his or her pets.
Frequently Asked Questions:
More Information:
Overview: Trupanion offers one basic plan with several optional add-on packages.
Package Details:
Customers may choose any deductible from $0 to $1000. The deductible is an incident deductible, which means that it can only be applied once for a given condition with which the pet is dealing. Once the deductible is paid, all future medical costs related to that condition will be eligible for reimbursement by Trupanion. Unlike some insurance companies, Trupanion issues reimbursements based on the actual cost of the health bill rather than a national average of the cost of a given procedure.
Trupanion insurance covers illnesses, injuries, hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostic tests, surgeries and hospital stays, and prescription medications. Trupanion does not reimburse exam fees, sales tax, wellness and preventive care, or pre-existing conditions.
Optional Add-on Services:
Recovery and complementary care can be added to the insurance policy for a fee. Recovery and complementary care includes rehabilitation, acupuncture and behavioral therapy; pet owner assistance add-on includes boarding fees, funeral-related expenses, and liability coverage for third-party property damage; breeding add-on includes illnesses and injuries related to breeding.
Contract Details: The Trupanion plan must be canceled in writing.
Warranty: Trupanion offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Accreditations: Trupanion is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has earned an A+ rating.
Company Details: Trupanion was started in 2000 as the company VetInsurance. In 2004, Trupanion became the first profitable pet insurance provider in North America. Trupanion’s goal is for pets to live longer, healthier lives. Trupanion is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating.
Trupanion
6100 4th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98108
Phone: (888) 733-2685
Website: http://www.trupanion.com
Email: customercare@trupanion.com