Is it time to consider leaving Trupanion? I’ve had them for about 3.5 years since adopting my dog. Initially, it was great because they paid the vet directly, considered my dog as always being 5 years old, and had a lifetime deductible per condition. However, they’ve raised my rate four times, and I’m struggling to keep it under $100 a month, even after increasing my deductible to $750. My current plan has no maximum annual limit, offers 90% reimbursement, and a $750 lifetime deductible per condition.
Now, I’m thinking about switching to Pets Best, but I’m worried about insuring him as he gets older. He’s 8 years old, a mixed breed, weighs 25 pounds, and is neutered. Any advice for insuring a middle-aged dog? Also, is a treated scratched cornea now a pre-existing condition? I feel like it shouldn’t be since it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll happen again.
What a cutie you have there! For an 8-year-old dog, even if you switch and find something under $100 for now, the rates will likely go up at the next renewal. You can scroll through this subreddit and see how many people are facing significant rate hikes from major companies, except maybe Lemonade. Pet insurance varies a lot by zip code, so get multiple quotes to find a better deal. Just keep in mind that the scratched cornea might be considered a pre-existing condition, so double-check your vet records for anything else noted. Trupanion is usually on the pricier side, so be cautious about switching if it means losing coverage you might need later. Good luck.
Pets Best quoted me $71 and includes exam fees, which Trupanion doesn’t cover. His eye and age are really what’s holding me back. I’ll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up!
No problem! Just a heads up, Pets Best was recently acquired by private equity and changed underwriters, so they’ve been experiencing some claim delays. You can check it out here: [(https://www.reddit.com/r/petinsurancereviews/s/uFszfMprVe)]. I don’t think it will last forever, but it’s worth knowing.
I have Spot pet insurance for both my adult dog and cat, and I’m really happy with the coverage. It’s super customizable, and the app is straightforward for submitting vet bills for reimbursement. I wonder if the scratched cornea would be seen as pre-existing though.
I’ve been wondering the same. I have Trupanion too and haven’t filed a claim yet. They misquoted me for a new policy to lower my bill, and I really dislike how rates are going up everywhere. It’s scary to think about switching.
I’m also planning to leave them soon. I just received an email saying they’re increasing my rate from $263.79 to $393.38 in September for my 7-year-old Aussie. I have 90% coverage with a $200 deductible and have generally had a good experience, but I can’t justify spending $5,000 a year on pet insurance. I don’t even pay that much for my own health insurance.
Los Angeles! Last year’s increase was $50 a month, and this new hike of $130 feels outrageous. Other companies are quoting me rates under $150 for the most part.
The tricky part is that Trupanion has a per-condition deductible, and I found out that if you increase the deductible, you can never lower it again. Other companies offer annual deductibles, but they might not cover any pre-existing conditions.
I spent 45 minutes on the phone with them, and the agent suggested I look into cancer coverage with other companies since some may drop you after a certain number of payouts. Plus, many companies tend to do ‘birthday increases’ as pets age. I’m really conflicted, especially as my dog gets older. I mentioned considering canceling my policy, but they couldn’t offer any rate adjustments.
The lady I spoke with mentioned that they consider the number of claims per breed when adjusting pricing. I love my Aussie, even if he gets into mischief out here!
