Trupanion vs. Healthy Paws (2024 Guide)
Choosing the right pet insurance plan can be tough. There are countless providers on the market and various plans and add-ons to choose from. In this article, we’ll compare two leading providers, Healthy Paws and Trupanion, to help you discover which has the best pet insurance plan for your pet and budget.
Before we continue with our Trupanion vs. Healthy Paws review, here are some pros and cons of each provider:
Trupanion Pros and Cons
Healthy Paws Pros and Cons
Trupanion vs. Healthy Paws: What Are the Main Coverage Differences?
| Plan Features | Trupanion | Healthy Paws |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Average Monthly Cost | $70 per month for dogs $40 per month for cats | $40 per month for dogs $20 per month for cats |
| Annual Limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductible | $0-$1,000 | $100, $250, $500 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Preventative/Wellness Option | No | No |
| Pre-existing Condition Coverage | No | No |
| Multi-pet Discount | No | No |
Trupanion Coverage Overview
What Does Trupanion Cover?
Trupanion offers a base accident/illness plan to cover any medical procedures and treatment costs associated with your pet’s unexpected illnesses and injuries. Covered items include:
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Diagnostic testing
- X-rays, blood tests, and ultrasounds
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescription medications
- Veterinary supplements
- Herbal therapy
- Prosthetic devices and carts
Under its accident/illness plan, Trupanion covers a wide range of conditions for dogs and cats. The plan covers hereditary conditions your pet’s breed is at risk of inheriting. It also covers congenital disabilities your pet developed before birth, such as heart disease, cataracts, or nervous system defects. Trupanion offers dental illness coverage, but only if your pet has had a dental exam in the past 12 months.
Trupanion will reimburse you for the costs of any medical testing or treatment associated with your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses.
Unlike Healthy Paws, Trupanion offers a couple of add-on packages for extended coverage. Trupanion’s Recovery and Complementary Care add-on covers your pet’s rehabilitative and non-clinical treatments such as:
- Acupuncture
- Behavioral modification
- Chiropractic
- Homeopathy
- Hydrotherapy
- Naturopathy
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitative therapy
Trupanion also offers a Pet Owner Assistance add-on. This package provides coverage on non-veterinary expenses like:
- Advertising and reward for a lost/stolen pet
- Boarding fees in the event you’re hospitalized
- Liability coverage for third-party property damage
- Cremation or burial for deaths due to accident
- Holiday vacation cancellation costs
What Does Trupanion Not Cover?
Trupanion does not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Costs incurred during waiting periods
- Wellness/preventive care items
- Exam fees
No pet insurance provider covers pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is an illness or injury your pet got before your policy began or during the waiting period. Trupanion’s waiting periods are 30 days for illnesses and five days for accidents.
According to the Trupanion website, “Trupanion was founded to help pets get the emergency care they need, not to help pet owners with routine payments.” For this reason, Trupanion doesn’t offer exam or wellness coverage.
Wellness and preventative care costs are those you can expect to pay each year for your pet. Examples of such items are flea/tick preventatives, vaccinations, routine dental cleanings, and annual checkups.
Exam fees are the administrative costs you’ll pay each time you take your pet to the vet clinic. Trupanion considers these costs to be expected, so it doesn’t cover them.
It’s safe to assume that Trupanion – and most pet insurance providers – won’t cover expenses you can expect or prevent.
How Much Does Trupanion Cost?
On average, Trupanion costs $70 per month for dogs and $40 per month for cats. If you’ve researched other pet insurance companies, you’ll probably notice these premiums are on the higher end of the price range.
Trupanion’s monthly premiums are higher because it provides a 90% reimbursement rate and unlimited annual payout on all plans. The only customizable aspect of a Trupanion policy is a lifetime per condition deductible rate, ranging from $0-$1,000.
The per-condition deductible means that you’ll pay a deductible only when your pet develops a new condition. This feature keeps you from paying a deductible on a condition your pet was diagnosed with during a past Trupanion policy period.
According to Trupanion’s website, it offers only one comprehensive plan with no breed, gender, or age restrictions to ensure that every pet gets an optimum level of care. But, keep in mind that you must enroll your pet before it reaches its 14th birthday.
In all, If plan customization is your top priority, Trupanion may not be the best option for you.
Discounts Available
Trupanion doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount when you enroll multiple pets. Trupanion offers a discount for working animals that help manage the symptoms of their owners’ disabilities. This discount doesn’t apply to emotional support animals or animals in Washington state.
Trupanion’s referral rewards program allows you to earn $25 for every person you refer. You can make up to $100 a year when your friends and family use your unique referral link to purchase a Trupanion pet insurance policy.
Sample Monthly Pricing
Here are sample quotes for a 3-year-old pet. This pet owner chose Trupanion’s Most Popular Choice plan with a $200 deductible, 90% reimbursement rate, and unlimited annual payout.
| Species/Breed | Sample Price for Medium Mixed Breed Dog | Sample Price for Golden Retriever (Dog) | Sample Price for Domestic Shorthair Cat | Sample Price for Domestic Mediumhair Cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident and Illness Plan | $76.23 | $94.86 | $41.56 | $41.56 |
| Accident and Illness Plan With Pet Owner Assistance | $81.18 | $99.81 | $46.51 | $46.51 |
| Accident and Illness Plan With Physical Therapy Coverage | $85.71 | $109.90 | $46.30 | $46.30 |
| Accident and Illness Plan With Pet Owner Assistance and Physical Therapy Coverage | $90.66 | $111.85 | $51.25 | $51.25 |
Healthy Paws Coverage Overview
What Does Healthy Paws Cover?
Healthy Paws covers veterinary costs associated with your pet’s unexpected accidents and illnesses. Covered items include:
- Hereditary/congenital conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Cancer
- Diagnostic testing and treatment
- X-rays, blood tests, and ultrasounds
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Prescription medications
- Emergency care
- Specialty care
- Alternative therapies
Healthy Paws doesn’t offer any add-on packages. Instead, it covers items like alternative treatments and specialty care under its accident/illness plan. Specialty clinics provide extensive care for your pet’s specific medical needs. Specialty care includes orthopedic care, oncology, neurology, radiology, cardiology, and more. Healthy Paws’ alternative treatment coverage includes services like physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy.
What Does Healthy Paws Not Cover?
Healthy Paws pet insurance protects your pet and wallet in the event of unexpected medical needs. However, the provider doesn’t offer coverage on:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Preventative/wellness care
- Spay/neuter procedures
- Exam/office fees
- Costs incurred during waiting periods
Like all providers, Healthy Paws doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or conditions that occur during the waiting period. Healthy Paws’ waiting periods are 15 days for accidents and illnesses and 12 months for illnesses related to hip dysplasia.
Healthy Paws doesn’t cover costs resulting from your pet’s dental illness. It will only cover costs associated with unexpected dental injuries.
Like Trupanion, Healthy Paws doesn’t offer add-ons for wellness plans or exam fees, which are costs you can anticipate each year.
Healthy Paws limits coverage and plan customization based on your pet’s age at enrollment, so it’s not the best option for older pets. Here is how Healthy Paws’ coverage options change by age:
| Age at Enrollment | Deductible Options | Reimbursement Rate Options |
| 3 and under | $100, $250, $500 | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| 4-5 | $250 or $500 | 70% or 80% |
| 6 | $500 | 70% |
| 7 | $750 | 70% |
| 8-13 | $1,000 | 70% |
| 14 and older | Healthy Paws doesn’t allow pets 14 and up to enroll. |
Healthy Paws and Trupanion have age limits for coverage. You cannot enroll your pet with either provider if it’s over 14 years old. Trupanion doesn’t limit coverage as your insured pet ages, but initial enrollment must take place before its 14th birthday. Premiums for both providers will vary depending on your pet’s age at the time of enrollment.
How Much Does Healthy Paws Cost?
Healthy Paws coverage has no maximum payout limits or annual caps. On average, Healthy Paws pet insurance costs $40 per month for dogs and $20 per month for cats. Unlike Trupanion, Healthy Paws allows plan customization for reimbursement rates.
For example, monthly premiums for a 1-year-old mixed breed dog in Raleigh, N.C. range from $26-$56, depending on the annual reimbursement and deductible options you choose.
Discounts Available
Healthy Paws doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount when you enroll multiple pets. If you’re eligible for a member discount through organizations like AAA, your maximum available discount is 5%.
Sample Monthly Pricing
Here are sample quotes for a 3-year-old pet in Raleigh, N.C. This pet owner chose the Most Popular plan with an 80% reimbursement rate, $250 deductible, and unlimited annual payout option.
| Species/Breed | Sample Price for Medium Mixed Breed Dog | Sample Price for Golden Retriever (Dog) | Sample Price for Domestic Shorthair Cat | Sample Price for Domestic Mediumhair Cat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident and Illness Plan | $40.36 | $59.64 | $18.85 | $18.85 |
Why Choose Trupanion?
Customers reported pleasant experiences with the Trupanion customer service team, calling the staff “knowledgeable, honest, and reliable.” Customers also said Trupanion’s claims process was simple, and reimbursements came back quickly.
Trupanion’s team processes most claims submissions in about 24 hours. If you don’t want to wait on reimbursement, Trupanion can help you pay your vet bill at the time of checkout. This feature is exclusive to Trupanion and enables you to avoid paying out of pocket for expensive services. If your vet is connected to Trupanion’s software, the provider can cover the copay before you leave the vet’s office.
Some customers expressed frustration with Trupanion rejecting their claims. Generally, you can avoid many misunderstandings about coverage by carefully reading the fine print – and top-notch pet insurance reviews – ahead of time.
Don’t just take it from us. We’ve compiled some reviews from actual Trupanion policyholders to show you how Trupanion outshines competitors and how it falls short.
“They are simply the best! I have no regrets choosing them as my pet’s insurance. Quick replies and friendly customer service. They definitely care about our pets when we need it most. I highly recommend them.” –Samy G., TrustPilot.
“Trupanion is not only affordable, but they also hire extremely competent staff to walk you through the claim process, which is so important during a time of distress. I recently used my insurance for the first time and was so impressed with the ease of the process and that I heard within hours that the claim was approved and processed! Trupanion is the best!” –Shelley H., TrustPilot.
“Our vet recommended Trupanion, and it’s been nothing but a godsend. Our little Ellie has had some bladder issues lately, and the costs of the tests would have been a hardship on our family. We’re incredibly grateful for the fast reply to the office for payment/coverage.” –Dawn O., TrustPilot.
“I sent in an invoice, and I didn’t get anything covered. I got the best coverage for my cat. From the way they advertise, it makes it sound like everything is covered… but nothing gets covered unless it’s an “unexpected emergency.” I’m canceling insurance with them. For $50+ a month, it’s definitely not worth it. And they don’t cover in full either. I didn’t have a good experience with Trupanion.” –Roman C., TrustPilot.
Why Choose Healthy Paws?
Although Healthy Paws doesn’t offer any plan add-ons, its accident/illness plan is competitive and customizable. If you want to personalize your plan’s annual deductible and coinsurance rate, Healthy Paws is the better option.
Healthy Paws customers expressed frustration with the company’s price increases, noting a lack of transparency about what caused their rates to go up. Customers say rates did go up as their pets aged, resulting in higher costs each year.
Customers say Healthy Paws has an easy claims submission process. Healthy Paws will typically process your claim within 10 business days and issue your reimbursement within 24 hours after the claim is processed.
Healthy Paws is also a good choice for pet parents who want to help animals in need. Along with providing pet insurance, Healthy Paws runs the Healthy Paws Foundation, which donates to animal rescue organizations. The Healthy Paws Foundation funds medicine, food, shelter, and operating costs in deserving animal shelters nationwide through its Every Quote Gives Hope and Refer-a-Friend programs.
To give you a better idea of the good and bad aspects of Healthy Paws, we’ve included some real policyholder reviews.
“Healthy Paws was 10/10 in my book. Very fast and efficient with my claim, and the customer service was very friendly. My policy covered the majority of my invoice without any problems. Very happy and satisfied!” –Caleb A., TrustPilot.
“When I got my puppy, it was my first experience enrolling in pet insurance… At six months of age, he began a recurring cycle of GI symptoms. Over the next 18 months, he had three major surgeries to correct an underlying, unusual birth defect. He is doing well now and I have Healthy Paws to thank for a wonderful, affordable insurance product. Without it, my options to address his issues would not have been optimal.” –Phyllis B., TrustPilot.
“During a regular well visit, the vet discovered a growth on our three-year-old dog that turned out to be malignant. Thank goodness for pet insurance, which covered 80% of the ultrasound and surgery expenses. This means the insurance has more than paid for itself for years to come! The Healthy Paws website is user-friendly, and it’s easy to submit claims. Once the claim is approved, payment is very quick.” –Eva C., TrustPilot.
We have been a customer since 2017 and have been referring friends to healthy paws for years as an affordable option and have appreciated your customer service. However, we’ll no longer be able to do that. Our premiums have skyrocketed over the past few years, and we just want other current and potential future customers to be aware of these.” –Simon F., TrustPilot.
Final Thoughts
We hope this thorough Trupanion vs. Healthy Paws review helps you understand the pros and cons of each provider and, ultimately, which provider is the right choice for your pet. Although Trupanion and Healthy Paws offer similar levels of coverage, their plan costs and customization levels vary.
If you’re trying to decide between Trupanion and Healthy Paws, you’ll mainly want to consider how much you’re willing to pay in monthly premiums and whether higher costs are worth more coverage.
If you plan to budget for additional expenses like exam fees and preventative care services, you won’t necessarily need any add-on packages. In this case, Trupanion and Healthy Paws can provide you peace of mind when it comes to handling costly, unexpected vet bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do vets recommend Trupanion?
According to the Trupanion website, Dr. John Basterfield at Juan De Fuca Veterinary Clinic says Trupanion’s coverage “has become broader and more comprehensive, adjusting to the increasing sophistication of medical services, diagnostics, treatments, and specialty care.”
Vets recommend Trupanion because it strives to offer top-notch, comprehensive coverage options for dogs and cats of all ages and breeds.
However, your vet may recommend pet insurance coverage regardless of the provider. The American Veterinary Medical Association “endorses the concept of pet health insurance that provides coverage to help defray the cost of veterinary medical care and encourages veterinary healthcare teams to proactively educate their clients about the existence of such resources.”
Does Healthy Paws raise its rates?
Like all pet insurance providers, Healthy Paws raises its rates in response to increasing vet costs. Healthy Paws can increase your rates by your pet’s “breed, gender, age, and other factors.” Your rates can also increase if more people in your region are submitting claims. However, your premium won’t increase based on your personal number of submitted claims.
Does Trupanion increase yearly?
Trupanion doesn’t increase rates as your pet ages, but it may raise rates across the board to accommodate for rises in veterinary care costs. Your price may increase or decrease depending on the underlying costs of vet care in your pet’s category.
Does Trupanion increase with age?
Trupanion doesn’t increase your costs just because your pet ages. In fact, Trupanion claims to be the only pet health insurance company that uses your pet’s age at enrollment to determine your plan’s price.
Our Methodology
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