Trupanion dog insurance: what it covers
Thinking about Trupanion dog insurance? Here’s what Trupanion’s policy really covers, explained in plain English and taken straight from Trupanion’s own documents. We’ve focused on the parts that decide whether a claim gets paid, such as waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and how much you pay yourself. Nothing here is a recommendation.
Trupanion at a glance
- Deductible you pay first
- Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible
- Share of each vet bill it pays back
- Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90%
- Wait before illness is covered
- 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing)
- Vet exam fees
- Not covered, at any time
Common questions about Trupanion dog insurance
How long is the Trupanion waiting period?
30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing)
Does Trupanion cover pre-existing conditions?
Not covered: anything with signs in the 18 months before you joined is excluded, and the policy describes no way to cover it once it has cleared up.
Does Trupanion cover vet exam fees?
Not covered, at any time
Does Trupanion cover behavioural training or a behaviourist?
Only with the Recovery and Complementary Care rider, which you can only add in your first 30 days.
Does Trupanion pet insurance cover dental?
Dental illness and injury covered if a vet examined your dog's teeth in the 12 months before you joined and you keep up recommended cleanings. The cleanings themselves aren't covered.
Does Trupanion cover cruciate ligament surgery?
No separate waiting period, but if either knee showed signs in the 18 months before you joined or your first 30 days, both are excluded.
How does Trupanion treat a condition on both sides, like both knees?
For the listed conditions (incl. cruciate, luxating patella, elbow dysplasia), signs on either side before cover make both sides pre-existing
How old does my puppy need to be for Trupanion?
No minimum age given: all cats and dogs under 14 can enrol
Does Trupanion offer a multi-pet discount?
No multi-pet discount. Trupanion says it keeps one price for everyone rather than offering discounts.
Does Trupanion cover hip dysplasia?
Excluded if there was any sign of hip dysplasia at any time before you enrolled, or in the first 30 days.
Working on reactivity or another behaviour problem? Read how to choose a reactive dog trainer, or find a trainer near you.
How does Trupanion compare with other US insurers?
The same five points for every US insurer we compare, so you can see how Trupanion stacks up. Click any insurer to read its full page.
| Insurer | Deductible you pay first | Share of each bill paid back | Wait before illness is covered | Vet exam fees | Behavioural treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90% | 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing) | Not covered, at any time | Only with the optional Recovery and Complementary Care rider (which also covers rehab, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic) |
| Nationwide | Annual | Percentage of eligible costs on some plans, pre-set benefit allowances on others; the worked example uses 80% | 'Most plans start 1–14 days after your application is approved and payment has been processed' (no split by illness/injury stated) | Not found yet | Modular Plan lists Behavioral coverage among its coverages; it excludes behavioural training not medically necessary for a diagnosed condition, and obedience training |
| Lemonade | Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording) | 70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance | 14 days | Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on | Not found yet |
| Healthy Paws | Annual: applies once per 12-month coverage term | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 15 days | Not covered | Not covered (training, therapy, medication or other behaviour modification) |
| Embrace | Annual, per pet | Reimbursement percentage shown on the Schedule of Insurance | 14 days | Covered only if shown on the Schedule (optional) | Covered: vet diagnosis, tests, medication and training sessions as Behavioral Therapy |
| Pets Best | Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% | 14 days | Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment | Training and treatment not covered, except consultations and prescription medication if the supplemental benefits are bought |
| Pumpkin | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
| Figo | Annual deductible, plus an optional per-incident copay | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Not covered unless the optional Office Visit and Exam Fees cover is bought | Not covered unless the optional Holistic and Alternative & Behavioral Problems cover is bought |
| Spot | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
Everything we checked in Trupanion’s policy
Each point shows where we found it in Trupanion’s own document, so you can check it yourself. Where an insurance term needs explaining, we’ve added a short note.
- Type of policy
- Accident and illness, one plan, 'for the life of your pet'; monthly, renews automaticallyWhere: Cover title; Section 3.A
- Deductible you pay firstThe amount you pay towards vet bills before your insurer starts paying.
- Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible. Can be raised any time; lowered only in the first 30 daysWhere: Section 1.B.I
- Share of each vet bill it pays backAfter your deductible, the percentage of each vet bill your insurer pays back.
- Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90%Where: Section 6, Section 10.C; FAQ page
- Most it will pay out
- No annual or lifetime payout limit (website statement)Where: FAQ 'What isn't covered'
- Wait before illness is coveredThe time after you buy a policy before you can claim for an illness.
- 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing)Where: Section 9.A.I
- Wait before injuries are covered
- 5 daysWhere: Section 9.A.II
- Wait before knee problems are coveredSome insurers make you wait longer before knee problems, like a torn cruciate ligament, are covered.
- No separate waiting period, but cruciate ligament, luxating patella, elbow dysplasia and some eye conditions are excluded if signs appeared on either side in the 18 months before enrolment or the first 30 days; hip dysplasia if any sign at any time before enrolment or in the first 30 days; IVDD likewiseWhere: Section 9.B.IV, V, VIII
- Problems on both sides of the body, like both kneesIf your dog has problems on both sides (both knees, both hips), many policies treat them as one condition.
- For the listed conditions (incl. cruciate, luxating patella, elbow dysplasia), signs on either side before cover make both sides pre-existingWhere: Section 9.B.IV
- Cover for pre-existing conditionsAnything your dog had, or showed signs of, before the policy started.
- Excluded if signs existed, or were masked by treatment, in the 18 months before enrolment. The policy wording does not say a cured condition can later be coveredWhere: Section 9.B.I–III
- Vet exam fees
- Not covered, at any timeWhere: Section 6.A; Section 9.C.I
- Cover for behavioural treatment
- Only with the optional Recovery and Complementary Care rider (which also covers rehab, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic). The rider can only be added in the first 30 daysWhere: Section 2.B.I; Section 1.B.II.2
- Dental cover
- Dental illness and injury covered if teeth were examined by a vet in the 12 months before enrolment (otherwise from the first exam after), and recommended cleanings are done. Cleanings themselves are not coveredWhere: Section 7
- Routine care, like vaccinations
- Not covered (vaccinations, spay/neuter, parasite prevention)Where: Section 9.C.VII, XV, XVI
- Cremation and burial
- Cremation and burial not covered unless the optional Pet Owner Assistance Package is addedWhere: Section 9.C.XVII; Section 2.B.II
- Oldest age your dog can join
- Not in the documents we read.Where: Not stated in the sample policy; to find on trupanion.com
- Youngest age your dog can join
- No minimum age given: all cats and dogs under 14 can enrolWhere: FAQ 'Is my dog or cat eligible for pet insurance?' (Trupanion’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Discount for insuring more than one pet
- None: Trupanion does not offer multi-pet discountsWhere: FAQ 'Does Trupanion offer multi-pet discounts?' (Trupanion’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Hip dysplasia
- Excluded if there was any sign of hip dysplasia at any time before enrolment or in the first 30 daysWhere: Section 9.B.V
Source: Medical Insurance for the Life of Your Pet, TRU (D) 00001 (V10.201902). Read on 3 October 2026. Underwriter: American Pet Insurance Company (or ZPIC Insurance Company), per trupanion.com footer. Terms vary by state; these are for Texas. Policies change, so always read the current policy wording before you buy or claim. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.