2
out of 5
POSTED: | BY: John Grant
Continuous rate increase now 400% of original rate
The pros:* never denied a valid claim
* pay very quickly
The Cons:
* rates are not stable as advertised.
There have been multiple threads on line regarding their consistent rate increases based on statements without proof. i.e. animals are living longer and therefore it costs them more to maintain.
Our first increase was from $50 to $125- we had never made a claim and were on automatic payment from our CC so never late with a monthly payment.
We have received annual increases at exactly 20%- their published maximum.
Unfortunately once a claim is made your ability to change carriers is very difficult. Any insurance company you got to will call every previous vet visit a pre-existinting condition and either deny coverage, impose sharp limits on their coverage or charge an even higher rate.
For example your pet throws up- vet determines they have a gastric infection- now that could mean limits or no coverage on anything to do with the illness/infection from the mouth to the bum.
My only complaint regarding Trupanion is that their advertisement of your rates will never change are very misleading.
They cover what they say they will and they reimburse you very quickly just make sure you are able to budget for 20% increases every year for the life of your pet- that means your rates will double in 4 years, triple in 6, and by age ten you could be paying 619% more.
My rates will be over $400/mo (just about $5000/yr) in the next 4 years- that is a long way from $50 a month!