Is it worth sticking with Trupanion after a big rate hike? I’ve had my 7-year-old Aussie insured with them for a while now with a $200 per condition lifetime deductible and 90% coverage on most claims.
But, they’ve increased my monthly premium from $263 to $393 . They said it’s because vet costs are higher in my area (Los Angeles), and if those costs drop, the policy would adjust. They offered to let me raise my deductible to lower the monthly cost, but once it goes up, I can’t bring it back down.
Also, my dog’s rate stays at what we signed up for when he was 5. They don’t do birthday increases, and when I tried to start a new policy, they quoted me over $500 a month for the same coverage!
I’ve been looking at other options, and most are under $200/month, but the deductibles reset every year. That’s one of the main reasons I liked Trupanion’s setup.
The experience with Trupanion has been amazing so far. They’ve paid out claims fast, and once, when my dog needed emergency imaging, they handled everything quickly. But now that my dog is getting older, I’m torn about what’s best. Any thoughts or advice?
Pet insurance rates are going up everywhere right now. It’s wild! I’ve seen a lot of people in LA complain about rising vet costs, so you’re not alone. The tricky part is dealing with pre-existing conditions. Even if another plan is cheaper, you might not be able to claim on some things anymore.
You’ve got to consider your dog’s medical history. And even if you switch to something else, there’s no guarantee their rates won’t increase, and then you might be paying $300+ for less coverage. Lemonade and Figo are supposed to be decent in LA, but the big question is whether your dog’s conditions might pop up again and how that fits into your budget.
There’s definitely a wave of price hikes happening. You can check out some of the other insurance companies, but ultimately it’s all about weighing the risks and your finances.
Yeah, the thing is, I don’t have his full medical history since he was adopted. He got hit by a car at some point, and we’ve had some scares like a recent head tilt that turned out to be nothing serious, but I still worry it could come back. Trupanion has saved me over $5,000 so far, even with what I’ve paid in premiums. I feel like I’m stuck like raising the deductible is my only choice, but it sucks that I can’t lower it again later .
Yeah, it’s tough, but at least Trupanion has been reliable for you. Some other companies give people a hard time when it comes to paying out claims. You’re definitely not alone in this, pet insurance can be a nightmare. Raising the deductible seems like the only move, even though it feels like they’ve got you trapped .
This situation is so frustrating . I’ve got a new puppy and I’m keeping his deductible low for now, but I’m saving up on the side just in case. My plan is to raise the deductible as premiums go up. I wish I’d done this with my last two dogs because their premiums skyrocketed as they aged. I hope things stabilize soon for you and your Aussie!
Keep us updated! My insurance (Spot) is raising my rates too, and the only real coverage I’ve gotten is for a set of X-rays and some meds. I’m scared of switching in case I lose coverage for my dog’s hip dysplasia and possible ACL tear. I’d love to hear what you decide!
I used to have Embrace, and when I switched, everything became “pre-existing,” so they wouldn’t cover it. Plus, my rates went up since my dog was older. I’d suggest sticking with what you have.
Yeah, that’s what the agent warned me about. Even something as simple as allergies would be considered pre-existing now. Looks like I’m stuck keeping the plan and probably increasing the deductible to bring down the monthly cost. Not what I wanted, but it seems like the only option .
Yeah, it would definitely be pre-existing, and ACL repairs are expensive. I’d wait to switch until after you’ve had surgery covered. But heads up, if your dog tears the other ACL later, no other insurance will cover it because of “bilateral exclusions.” They’ve really got us in a bind here. Hope your dog’s doing okay .
Thanks for the heads up. Yeah, I’ve heard about the bilateral exclusion thing. I doubt the surgery would be fully covered anyway, but I’m hoping it’s just his hip and nothing more. He’s not as active as he used to be, which is sad to see .
If you’re happy with the service and can afford it, you might want to stay with Trupanion. I didn’t go with them for this exact reason too many people have mentioned these huge rate hikes.
Same thing happening here in Chicago. They told me it’s because vet costs are going up everywhere. I hate paying over $300 a month, but Trupanion was a lifesaver when my last dog got sick. They handled everything, and it made a big difference.
I’ve had my 7-year-old Aussie insured with them for a while now with a $200 per condition lifetime deductible and 90% coverage on most claims.
. They said it’s because vet costs are higher in my area (Los Angeles), and if those costs drop, the policy would adjust. They offered to let me raise my deductible to lower the monthly cost, but once it goes up, I can’t bring it back down.
.
.