2
out of 5
POSTED: | BY: Kim Wong
Great insurance, but you'll pay for it - dearly!
I have been a long time customer of Trupanion, from before it was even Trupanion and was Vet Insurance.
Since falling under the Trupanion name, my rates have increased 20% per year, and were even increased 35% the first year it became Trupanion from Vet Insurance.
Sure, they say they do not increase your premiums based on your pets age, or claim history. Call and you will get a blanket statement that it is based on the cost of veterinary care in your area. Not sure where they get that data from, the routine vet care I get for my animals does not increase 20% per year. I question if there is any regulation in this industry, my house and car insurance do not increase 20% every year.
A clause in the policy I signed up for with Vet Insurance, had been honored by Trupanion and I have just been informed that they will no longer honor that clause and it will increase my premiums by another 10% this year, after a 20% increase just months ago. So this year I will have another 30% increase to my premiums. Call and you'll get a blanket statement that I can increase my deductible rate to reduce premiums, all because they will not honor the policy that I signed up for.
Unfortunately my pets are all aged now, and have a history, so switching companies is virtually impossible. However, when I get my next pet, I will be shopping around for pet insurance policy's before signing up. Trupanion is not on my automatic list anymore. Their coverage is great, and in that regard I am happy with them, but they nickel and dime their customers. In four years, the cost of insuring a puppy under one year of age for my breed of choice has doubled!!!!!!!!! Great coverage, but you'll pay for it dearly.
I once was a customer who wouldn't hesitate to recommend Trupanion. Now I would recommend you shop around, there are more and more insurance options for pets and I would think it's becoming a more competitive market based on the amount of pet insurance marketing information I get in the mail, and it would be with very baited breath that I'd recommend Trupanion.