What are the advantages and disadvantages of Chewy CarePlus for pet insurance? I’m thinking about switching my dogs to Chewy CarePlus. Everything seems promising, but how does it compare to Trupanion? I know it’s backed by Trupanion, but what sets them apart? I noticed they have an annual deductible, and the complete plan includes exam visits, which is great. My worry is whether they also avoid increasing premiums as pets get older. Also, since it’s a newer option, I’m not too concerned about Chewy potentially going under, but how likely is it that CarePlus could close down or be sold? I really don’t want to find myself in a situation where they cancel coverage and I end up with pre-existing conditions. Since it’s backed by Trupanion, do you think they would still honor it?
I have Chewy CarePlus for my cats, and I haven’t had any issues with claims or reimbursements at all. I’m in NJ. I have Lemonade through Chewy CarePlus for my two older cats and Trupanion through Chewy for my two younger ones.
Does the cost of a sick exam count toward the annual deductible?
It depends on which plan you choose since there are a few tiers available. You can select a plan that includes exam fees.
Oh, I see. I just checked out the one from Trupanion, which I’m interested in because of the direct pay option. The only downside is that the lowest deductible is $250. I currently have Trupanion with a $50 deductible per condition, but it’s pricier and doesn’t cover sick examination fees. I’ve been doing a ton of research on different companies, and it’s tough to make a decision. My cat has some dental issues, like gum swelling and missing teeth, but it’s not documented in his records. I feel like I need to make a choice soon before he needs extractions or gets sick.
Do you have any thoughts on what might happen if CarePlus goes under or if Trupanion and Chewy stop working together? Also, do you know how often policy premiums go up and how that compares to Trupanion’s rate increases?
Just so you know, exam fees are covered by the Chewy Trupanion plan and they don’t count toward the deductible. Also, if your cat already has dental issues, those will be considered pre-existing conditions and won’t be covered by any insurance.
I actually signed up for the lowest deductible and managed to email them afterward to get the lower one through Chewy. I think my deductible is either $50 or $100 right now. I went through Chewy for Trupanion because it covers a significant portion of medication if needed.
How much do you pay each month, and how old is your pet?
Chewy now partners with Lemonade and Trupanion, so be sure that if you want Trupanion handling your policy, it’s available in your area. For example, I’m in CA, and I can only get a Lemonade policy through Chewy. In other states, only Trupanion policies are available, which can be confusing.
As you’ve pointed out, the main differences are the annual deductible and coverage for exam fees. Chewy also offers a 24/7 vet line for help if needed. If you go through Chewy for prescriptions and prescription food, they will have you go through Chewy for full reimbursement.
Regarding premium increases, I can almost guarantee that premiums will rise throughout the policy’s life. How much? I’m not sure. Even if Chewy and Trupanion promise they won’t raise rates because of your pet aging, they’ll find other reasons, such as inflation or increased claims costs. That seems to be standard practice in insurance. My health insurance and car insurance have all seen steady increases, so pet insurance is likely to follow suit.
In my view, going with Chewy rather than Trupanion does carry some risk. Chewy is relatively new to the pet insurance market, so they lack the stability that other companies might offer. They could decide to change their business strategy or the companies they work with. Just not long ago, they only offered Trupanion, and now they’ve added Lemonade too. What if they decide to drop one or the other? If either Lemonade or Trupanion stops partnering with Chewy, that could put you in a tough spot. You’d have another company making decisions on your behalf that you might not agree with.
Since pet insurance isn’t heavily regulated, it can leave customers in difficult situations with pre-existing conditions without legal repercussions. So, it’s worth considering if the benefits of going through Chewy outweigh the potential risks if they change their offerings in the future. If Trupanion and Chewy part ways, it would be entirely up to Trupanion to extend your coverage. However, they wouldn’t be legally obligated to cover what are now pre-existing conditions. Will they do it? That’s uncertain.
It’s generally advised to wait at least five years for a new insurance company to stabilize and prove they can handle claims effectively. Chewy is not offering its own policies yet, so I’d remain skeptical until they have more time in the market. They launched in 2022, I believe, and have already made significant changes in CA by dropping Trupanion entirely. I’m unsure how that affected people who had Trupanion through Chewy in CA.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, when you say you’re moving your dogs to Chewy, are they currently on another insurance plan? Before you switch, I’d recommend double-checking for any pre-existing conditions. Make sure to get your vet records and confirm there’s nothing noted that you might not be aware of, like tartar buildup, itchy skin, or watery eyes. These issues could be used to deny future claims, so it’s definitely worth checking out. Even if you decide to switch, you want to avoid any nasty surprises later on.