Trupanion vs Healthy Paws
Pet Insurance

What’s the best pet insurance – Trupanion or Healthy Paws?

Both Healthy Paws and Pets Best are frontrunners in the pet insurance world, scoring highly with customers because of their professionalism. No two companies are going to be exactly the same, just as two pets can never be exactly the same, so there are some subtle differences you should be aware of. In this guide we’ll talk you through the ways in which these two providers differ – in price, in flexibility, and in coverage.

We strongly suggest that you also use our super-speedy pet insurance quote page and review pages, which will help you decide which pet insurance plan is best for you.

What do the plans cover?

Healthy Paws and Trupanion both offer accident and illness plans covering things like chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions. Trupanion also covers prosthetics, and dental accidents and illnesses (as long as the pet has regular dental exams every 12 months), while Healthy Paws covers X-rays and prescription medication.

Trupanion will pay for half of your pet’s euthanasia fees and prescription foods (for two months) but neither company offers a wellness plan. Both are able to cover alternative therapies but Trupanion requires that you purchase this option as an add-on.

Both insurers are straightforward but only offer coverage for cats and dogs, which is worth thinking about if your pet does not fall into these two furry categories.

Both plans cover many common illnesses and conditions that a pet can suffer from, such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Cruciate injury
• Dental disease
• Dermatitis
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Hip dysplasia
• Gastroenteritis
• Kidney disease
• Limping
• Liver disease
• Lymphoma
• Pancreatitis
• Seizures
• Vomiting

*Coverage is based on choosing unlimited coverage, $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement

Are there any exclusions?

Both Healthy Paws and Trupanion have the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions although Trupanion might cover a condition if it's symptom- and treatment-free for 18 months.

Healthy Paws includes hip dysplasia in its plan but only if the animal is less than 6 years old when it is registered. Trupanion includes hip dysplasia provided your pet isn’t showing signs and the dysplasia hasn’t been suspected during the waiting period or prior to enrolment.

Exam fees and cosmetic procedures are not covered by either.

It’s always best to read the full list of exclusions before signing up for any pet insurance plan.

How expensive are Healthy Paws and Trupanion?

Although its policy riders are reasonable, a typical quote at Trupanion will be noticeably higher than at Healthy Paws. This is partly because you can only adjust a Trupanion policy by changing the cost of your deductible (though this is more customizable than with any other insurer).

Both companies have unlimited annual coverage. At Healthy Paws, if your pet is eight years old or more, it is only eligible for 50-60% of the vet’s bill.

To be sure of an exact comparison for your pet, however, use our quote calculator.

Medium Mixed 3 months old in Los Angeles $5,000 annual coverage	N/A*	N/A*
Golden Retriever 3 years old in San Diego Unlimited annual coverage	$64.89per month	$122.95 per month
Chihuahua 6 years old in New York City Unlimited annual coverage	$46.32per month	$153.23per month
Domestic Shorthair 3 months old in San Antonio $5,000 annual coverage	N/A*	N/A*
Domestic Shorthair 3 year old in Jacksonville Unlimited annual coverage	$28.81 per month	$44.47per month

Coverage options may vary. *$5000 coverage option not available.

Do Healthy Paws or Trupanion offer discounts?

Neither insurer will give you a discount for enrolling more than one pet. In fact, discounts are scarce at either provider, although Trupanion will offer one for therapy or service animals and offers $25 for successful referrals.

Are the plans customizable?

Neither is mega-flexible. At Healthy Paws, you can customize your reimbursement percentage (70%, 80%, 90%) and deductible amount ($100, $250, $500).

At Trupanion you can’t change your reimbursement level from the standard 90% but you can customize your deductible amount to anything from $0 to $1,000. Trupanion claims to be the only company that offers a lifetime per-condition deductible, meaning pets with a chronic condition would only ever incur the cost of the deductible once.

Healthy Paws has no add-ons but Trupanion has its Recovery and Complementary Care and Pet Owner Assistance packages.

How do I make claims?

Healthy Paws allows you to submit your claim in a range of ways: via post, email, the customer center section of its website, its app, or by fax. Just send them the paid vet’s invoice and they’ll do the rest. If approved, you’ll receive your reimbursement in check or direct deposit, whichever you prefer, and you should see the money within 10 days.

Trupanion, which requires you to make a claim within 90 days, will pay your vet directly if they have the company's software (about one in six does). You can claim via its app, website, email, or fax.

Are they easy to contact?

You bet they are. Trupanion has a range of options: live chat, contact form, social media, a 24/7 toll-free number (888 733 2685), and an email address.

Healthy Paws has a phone option (855 898 8991), a website contact form, social media, and their 24/7 helpline on their app. Both companies are based in Washington, DC, and are contactable by mail as well.

Customer reviews

Healthy Paws customers seem like happy ones. They comment on the speed with which the company processes claims and the care they take with the wellbeing of their customers’ pets. A recurring theme is that people with pets don’t hesitate to take their animals to the vet when they have a health problem because they are confident of Healthy Paws paying them efficiently.

Trupanion customers also appear to be satisfied people, citing the customer service and efficient claims process as reasons to stay with them. Some claim that it can be difficult to procure payment from Trupanion but on the whole the feedback is extremely positive.

Frequently asked questions

People ask us a lot of different questions about the pet insurance providers we work with. It’s the smart thing to do because no two insurers are the same. Here are some common questions (and the answers!).

What are the waiting periods?

Healthy Paws has a wait of 15 days for both accident and illness to kick in (six months for dysplasia). Trupanion’s policies are five days for accidents and 30 days for illness. The periods for certain hereditary conditions are often longer with insurers, so check the details.

Do the plans include behavioral treatments?

Healthy Paws do not include them but at Trupanion you can take out the Recovery and Complementary Care Rider and have them taken care of.

Is there a maximum age for enrolment?

Both insurers stipulate an upper age limit for pets: at Healthy Paws it is 13 years, and at Trupanion it is 14.

Do they need my pet’s medical records?

Healthy Paws requires your pet’s full medical records for your first claim and a 'nose to tail' medical to be eligible for insurance. Trupanion also needs this information but makes no mention of it being only for your first claim.

Will the insurer pay the vet directly?

In both cases, it depends on your vet. There's no guarantee. Trupanion will if the vet has its Trupanion Express software (around one in six do).

If your vet is willing, you can contact Healthy Paws and arrange direct payment, although you still need to pay what you owe after deductible and reimbursement levels are factored in.

It's worth checking with your vet if they offer either service.

Is my pet covered in other countries?

Healthy Paws makes no mention of coverage in countries other than the US but Trupanion offers coverage in both Puerto Rico and Canada.

Do they have a vet telehealth service?

Healthy Paws has a 24-7 vet telehealth line but Trupanion does not.

You can read more about vet telehealth services by reading our telehealth service guide.

Final verdict: Healthy Paws vs Trupanion

To choose between Trupanion and Healthy Paws you will need to make a decision that is specific to your situation and, more importantly, that of your pet.

Trupanion is likely to be more expensive every time but there are various benefits as discussed above. Its particularly flexible deductible customization and its unique per-condition deductible make it look very appealing.

Healthy Paws is cheaper but offers a bit less in terms of coverage. If you want your money to do some good, Healthy Paws has also donated almost $2 million to homeless pets through its foundation. And its customers' reviews seem to be more glowing.

Take your time and do your research, but know that getting pet insurance – from whichever company – is one of the best things you'll ever do.