Wondering about the
best pet insurance?
See how TrustedPals & Petplan compare
Wondering about the best pet insurance?
See how TrustedPas vs Petplan compare
On the surface, TrustedPals and Petplan appear to be somewhat similar pet health plans. But when you dig deeper and think about some of the most common types of vet bills pet parents face, they’re significantly different.
Compare The Differences Between TrustedPals & Petplan
Some of the biggest differences between TrustedPals and Petplan revolve around preventative care – and how it’s covered (or not covered at all). When you’re doing a side-by side comparison, please pay close attention to these 7 areas:
1. TrustedPals does NOT require a medical exam to enroll. Petplan requires vet exams – paid for by the pet parent.
TrustedPals doesn’t look for reasons to stop you from signing up. As a result, there is no medical exam required to enroll. Petplan requires a vet exam – either within the past 6 months or within 30 days of covering your pet. Either way, you pay 100% of the cost. Anything noted or associated with that exam is fully excluded from Petplan’s coverage.
2. TrustedPals does NOT require a medical exam to continue coverage. Petplan does – and it’s again 100% paid by the pet parent.
Once you’re in the TrustedPals family, you’re 100% in. We don’t make you continue proving that your pet is healthy. (After all, isn’t the point of pet insurance that we will stand by you when things are going great with your pet AND when they have health problems?!) Petplan, on the other hand, requires annual wellness and dental exams to keep their coverage going. If you don’t submit these exams (paid for out of your own pocket), they say anything discovered in the next visit will not be covered. Plus, they require annual vaccination records (again paid for by you) before they’ll cover dog illnesses like distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvo, leptospirosis or rabies. For cats, the excluded illnesses are rhinotrachetis, calicivirus, paleukipenia, or FIV.
3. Petplan does not cover annual wellness visits and does not offer an optional plan to add this type of coverage.
Annual wellness visits are an important part of caring for your furry friend. The TrustedPals Wellness option adds an additional $750.00 in coverage to help pay for costs like annual exams, heartworm or FIV tests, dental care, vaccines, spay/neutering and other preventative care. While Petplan requires annual exams in order to enroll and continue with their coverage, they do not pay benefits to help cover these vet visits.
4. TrustedPals covers older dogs and cats just the same way they treat puppies and kittens. Petplan makes them follow “senior wellness” testing plans.
As people get older, they often need more medical care. The same is true when it comes to our four-legged family members. That’s why TrustedPals welcomes pets of all ages (over 8 weeks old) … even if they’re sporting a little gray hair here and there. There is no difference between the benefit level offered as your pet ages. Petplan, however, requires dogs over age 8 and cats over age 10 to meet “senior wellness” testing requirements.
5. TrustedPals believes dental care is an important part of keeping your furry friend healthy. Petplan only covers dental injuries if there have been no signs of dental problems in the past.
If your pet has a sudden dental problem, TrustedPals covers it under their accident and illness coverage. You can also add preventative dental care under the TrustedPals Wellness option. Petplan covers dental care as long as there have been no previous signs of tartar, gingivitis, pulp exposure or halitosis. That means if your vet saw dental problems in a previous exam, Petplan may not cover any dental issues. In addition, Petplan does not offer a wellness plan so there are no preventative dental benefits available to help keep your furry friend’s teeth in tip-top shape.
6. Prescription pet foods can be important to keep pets’ tummies happy and healthy. That’s why TrustedPals covers it just like any other treatment. Petplan doesn’t cover it at all.
When your vet recommends a prescription food to help keep your furry family member healthy, those costs can add up quickly. As a result, the pet lovers at TrustedPals made sure prescription pet food was covered just like any other prescribed treatment or veterinary care. Petplan does not cover prescription pet foods.
7. TrustedPals offers up to a 15% discount. Pets with friends (dogs and cats) in their house get a 5% discount. Petplan gives you NO discount.
TrustedPals helps keep costs down with a 5% discount when you cover two or more pets. (IMPORTANT: This discount applies to all dogs and cats in your household.) Service animals get another 5% discount. Or, if the pet parent is a first responder, works at a vet clinic or is a student, active military or a veteran, there’s also a 5% discount option. We offer these various discounts if your state allows them. Petplan does NOT offer any discounts.
Want to check out your own customized pet health insurance plan from TrustedPals?
At-A-Glance Guide: Compare TrustedPals vs. Petplan
TrustedPals | Petplan | |
---|---|---|
TrustedPals Delivers More Flexible Options | ||
Benefit Limits | $4,000, $8,000, $15,000 and Unlimited | $2,500, 5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, $25,000, Unlimited |
Deductibles | $0, $100, $250, $500, $750 | $250 - $1,000 |
Reimbursement % | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
Waiting Periods | 14 days for accident/illness 12 months cruciate ligament/hip dysplasia |
15 days accident/illness 6 months cruciate ligament/ hip dysplasia |
Is a medical exam required? | NO | YES Must be within 6 months prior or done within 30 days of coverage paid 100% by owner. All health conditions noted in exam are fully excluded from coverage. |
See How Common Vet Bills Are Covered | ||
Are Accident & Injury vet exam fees covered? | YES | YES |
Are Wellness vet exam fees covered? | YES | NO |
Are prescription drugs covered? | YES | YES |
Are prescribed nutritional supplements covered? | YES | YES |
Prescription pet food & dental care can run up big bills quickly | ||
Is prescription pet food covered? | YES | NO |
Is dental accident & injury care covered? | YES | YES Except when a vet previously observed issues like tartar, gingivitis, pulp exposure or halitosis |
Is preventative dental care covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Are recurring conditions covered? | YES | YES Unless occurred twice within 18 months |
Is prescribed behavioral training or therapy covered? | YES | YES |
Are alternative treatments like physical therapy or acupuncture covered? | YES | YES |
Keeping Your Pet Healthy | ||
Is there a "wellness program" option? | YES | NO |
Are heartworm or FIV testing covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Are vaccines covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Are preventative prescriptions for heartworms, fleas & ticks covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Is spaying/neutering covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Is annual bloodwork covered? | YES When you add Wellness Plan |
NO |
Are pre-existing conditions covered? | NO | NO |
Are death benefits included? | YES Up to $1,000 additional plus up to $250 cremation/burial expenses |
NO |
Are discounts available? | YES Up to 15%, if your state allows it |
NO |
Continuing Your Pet’s Coverage | ||
Are exams required to renew? | NO | YES If no exam is on file, all Illnesses/clinical signs/behavioral disorders observed in next exam will be excluded. Annual vaccination records required for certain illnesses to be covered. |
Do older pets need to meet renewal standards? | NO | YES Dogs aged 8+ and cats aged 10+ are required to follow senior wellness testing protocol |