Trupanion and ASPCA Pet Insurance are both big names in the pet world. But how do you choose one company over the other for your financial risk management needs? Is one better for most needs, and if so, which? We’ll help you decide which pet insurance company may be the best fit for your dog or cat’s needs.
Policy Coverage
Policy Coverage Winner
The table below shows what Trupanion and ASPCA Pet Insurance cover.
Note: Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications.
Neither covers pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
*Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
ASPCA Pet Insurance comes out ahead in this category because it offers more coverage and shorter waiting periods. Additionally, its underwriter has an A rating by A.M. Best (a measurement of financial stability). On the flip side, Trupanion’s underwriter is unrated, which may make some uneasy.
Another key deciding factor for you may be the age restrictions attached to Trupanion’s policies, especially if you are looking to insure an older pet. This provider doesn’t enroll pets older than 14 years old.
ASPCA Pet Insurance wins this category with more extensive coverage, shorter waiting periods, and no age restrictions.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer Service & Reputation Winner
Trupanion has a history of providing dependable coverage at a consistent price. Despite being unranked by A.M. Best, the company hasn’t experienced any massive changes in years, which shows that you can count on a fairly reliable experience when you sign up for a Trupanion policy. It also means you should get what you expect in most cases when you go to place a claim.
On the other hand, ASPCA Pet Insurance has many complaints from customers regarding low reimbursements, slow claim processing, conditions flagged as pre-existing, and more. This is frustrating for customers because they purchase a policy expecting certain things to be covered and reimbursed, and they feel disappointed by what they actually get from ASPCA Pet Insurance.
Claim Processing
Claim Processing Winner
Trupanion averages two-day claim processing, which is among the fastest in the industry. Additionally, Trupanion offers Trupanion Express which pays participating vets directly, removing the burden for you to pay a hefty vet bill in advance while you wait for reimbursement. But this isn’t available everywhere, so check with your vet first to see if it is an option for you. They may even be willing to work with Trupanion to add this capability to ensure prompt payments from all future customers.
On the other hand, ASPCA Pet Insurance averages 15-30 days for claim processing, much longer than Trupanion’s. It also has a program to pay vets directly, but it’s not available at every veterinary office either.
Price Of Policy
Price Of Policy Winner
Trupanion requires a one-time enrollment fee of either $0, $25, or $35, depending on the state in which you live, but charges no monthly transaction fees. On the other hand, ASPCA Pet Insurance doesn’t have a one-time sign-up charge but does add a $2 transaction fee each month. In just 12 months, you will have paid $24 in fees to ASPCA which is likely pretty close to what you would have paid Trupanion upfront, so considering these fees may be a bit misleading at first glance.
Pricing is based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from each company for your specific pet. You can also visit our pet insurance comparison quotes to see a few sample prices we’ve gathered. Then use our pet insurance quote form to see how other top companies compare for your unique pet.
On average, Trupanion is among the most expensive, while ASPCA Pet Insurance’s prices tend to fall in the middle among the competition. It’s hard to compare apples to apples because Trupanion has unlimited claim payouts for all plans, while ASPCA Pet Insurance doesn’t offer an unlimited option at all. So, depending on how much coverage you end up needing for your pet, the limits may or may not come into play. There is no way to know when you are signing up what emergencies might arise.
Coupons
Trupanion
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price and get a quote for your pet from Trupanion.
ASPCA Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers the following discount:
- 10% off for multiple pets
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
Plan Customization
Plan Customization Winner
Other significant differences between these two companies include the level of plan customization available and age restrictions.
| Trupanion | ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible Options | $0-$1,000 | $100, $250, $500 |
| Payout Options | Unlimited | $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000 |
| Reimbursement Options | 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
Overall, Trupanion has fewer customization options than ASPCA Pet Insurance, which may make it more challenging to fit into your budget. This is why ASPCA Pet Insurance wins this category.
What’s The Verdict?
Overall Winner
Overall, Trupanion wins our comparison due to its longstanding customer service reputation and faster claim processing. However, if you want a company with more customization options and lower average pricing (but be sure to run a quote to see how the prices compare for your unique pet), you might consider ASPCA Pet Insurance.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for, our experts dig even deeper into each company in our individual reviews of Trupanion and ASPCA Pet Insurance. You also might want to consider a few other companies in your analysis before making your final decision.
Our experts have spent thousands of hours researching to bring you our comprehensive and frequently updated pet insurance reviews, including our top picks, along with details on each of the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.
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