A recent article by CBS highlights the dangers of driving while distracted by pets.

We all know that driving while distracted by anything else (cell phones, applying makeup, eating) isn’t a good idea, and driving with a pet on your lap or an unsecured pet can be just as dangerous.

Some ideas to lower your risks:

• Restrain your pet: think barriers. Consider installing a barrier in your car so that your pet can’t climb about and into the front seat. According to the article, only 17 percent of people restrain their dog while driving.
• Pet seat belts. Be sure that the harness is properly adjusted and fitted to your pet’s body and run the seat belt through the back of the harness so that your pet is sitting in the car seat just like a human would. This is also much safer for your pet in the case of a car accident.
• Put your pet in a carrier or booster seat.

It’s important to practice road safety when driving around with your pet, not only for your sake but for the safety of your beloved furry friend!

California approves pet insurance bill.

For the first time, a pet health care bill has been approved by the California State Assembly that would require pet insurance companies to provide information on their websites about co-pays, lifetime benefit limits and restrictions based on pre-existing conditions. The bill is now under review by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The pet insurance industry has been around since 1982 and this would be the first law that would add regulations to the industry.

Trupanion policyholders already receive the benefits associated with this bill, as we have always believed in being upfront and honest about our policy plan. Our pet insurance FAQ page lists exactly what is and is not covered, including information on pre-existing conditions. Our comparison chart lists the costs and benefits of Trupanion coverage side-by-side seven of our top competitors. We answer all of the questions that the AAHA suggests pet owners ask pet insurance companies on our Provider and Policy Checklist page.

So, we are looking forward to following this bill’s progress, and hoping other states will follow suit. We know it’s important that policyholders understand what they are purchasing to make sure it is the right policy for their beloved pet.

What are some things you like to see on your pet insurance provider’s website? Are there changes we can make to serve you even better?

Pet insurance company Trupanion wins two awards from KOMO News ‘Best of Communities’ competition.

“We are very pleased to be recognized in both the ‘Best Place to Work’ and the ‘Best Local Business’ category,” said Darryl Rawlings, Chief Executive Officer at Trupanion, “The support from our employees and our community is why Trupanion is one of the fastest growing companies in the area.”

There were six categories – Eat, Drink and Be Merry; It’s All About the Art and Entertainment; Shop ‘Til You Drop; Look and Feel Your Best; It Is Your Business; and Pet Projects. Residents could vote in as many or as few categories as they liked.

This is the first time Trupanion has been awarded this honor.

About Trupanion™
Trupanion™ pet insurance offers cat insurance and dog insurance in the United States and Canada. Trupanion™ is self-underwritten by the American Pet Insurance Company, allowing Trupanion™ to offer a simple, customizable pet insurance policy with no payout limits and 90% coverage of veterinary bills. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit. Trupanion’s mission is to deliver fast, simple and user-friendly financial support to pet owners. For more information about Trupanion™, call 800-569-7913 or visit http://www.TrupanionPetInsurance.com.

About the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
Trupanion™ is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).  Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community.  As an association, we are committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products.  To learn more, visit the North American Pet Health Insurance Association website at http://www.naphia.org.

Consumer Reports reviews pet insurance industry.

This is the second in a series of posts on a recent Consumer Reports review of the pet insurance industry. Click to read the first post in the series.

On Friday, August 13, Consumer Reports released a review of the pet insurance industry, comparing  nine policies from four companies, including Trupanion. While we are pleased with the report and happy that Trupanion mirrors what Consumer Reports is looking for in a preferred plan, there are a couple points we would like to explain.

First, the review mentions Trupanion’s one-time fee of $25 to set up your policy. We want to clarify that this is truly a one-time fee for the life of the policy. It is not a yearly, monthly, or per-claim fee. Regardless of how many pets are on the policy, the $25 administration fee is only paid once.

Second, the review states that Trupanion doesn’t pay for wellness care or exams (this is true – we do not cover wellness care, including dental cleanings, or exam fees), and it imposes other limitations, but it leaves those limitations vague. In order to be completely transparent, we want to lay it all out on the table. Coverage for hip dysplasia is one of those limitations, as we do not cover this condition unless a policyholder purchases ‘hip dysplasia coverage’ prior to their pet turning one year old. The only other limitations we impose are pre-existing conditions, which is standard across the industry. Most plans will exclude hereditary and congenital disorders as well, but Trupanion will cover these conditions as long as they are not found to be pre-existing.

Read the full review and let us know if there are additional points you would like explained.

The pet insurance industry is reviewed by Consumer Reports.

This is the first in a series of posts on a recent Consumer Reports review of the pet insurance industry.

On Friday, August 13, Consumer Reports released a review of the pet insurance industry, comparing  nine policies from four companies, including Trupanion. We are happy to say that Trupanion mirrors what Consumer Reports is looking for in a preferred plan. The report states, “We prefer coverage with simple, percentage-based payouts, and no reliance on judgments of what’s ‘reasonable’.” Trupanion offers one simple plan, pays a straight 90% of veterinary costs, and does not impose ‘reasonable’ fees. There is no payout limit over the life of the pet and no limits per year, claim, illness, procedure, or condition.

The report also states, “Some carriers let you add “wellness care” coverage to their accident and illness policies. We found it’s generally not worth the cost.” Once again, Trupanion mirrors what is preferred by Consumer Reports, as Trupanion does not include wellness coverage in their policies.

Consumer Reports used as a model a 10-year-old purebred beagle in Westchester County, N.Y. They looked at two scenarios – one in which the dog was basically healthy and one in which the dog had chronic problems. While none of the nine policies would have been cost effective for the healthy dog scenario, Trupanion provided the highest net benefits for the chronically-sick dog scenario. Another portion of the review told the story of two cats with rare conditions – one young, one old. In the scenario, Trupanion’s coverage paid the most for both cats, at both the $100 and $500 deductible levels.

So, what should you do?  Just as with human health insurance, no one can know if and when their dog or cat will become seriously ill or injured. So, you can take all the preventative measures you can and hope for the best – a healthy, accident-free pet; or you can invest in pet insurance and have the peace of mind in knowing that if a serious illness or accident occurs, you are covered.

We are pleased with the review and will be discussing several points in the report over the next several weeks. We encourage you to read the full report and tell us what you think!

Exercise is important for animals all year round.

Trupanion notes an increase in pet insurance claims for cruciate ligament damages and ties this to warm weather.

(PR.com) August 16, 2010 - Trupanion, a pet insurance company, reports a 29.76% rise in pet insurance claims for cruciate ligament damage between January and June of 2010. The company regularly sees an increase in claims in the summer months, due to a spike in physical activity during warmer weather.

Cruciate ligaments are criss-crossed over the knee, stabilizing the joint while allowing for a very large range of motion. The damage occurs when the ligaments are ruptured or torn, usually from excessive physical activity, resulting in instability or a limp.

Cruciate ligament damage is most often treated with surgery. Veterinarians will determine what type of surgery is most suitable for the pet, based on size, lifestyle, and other factors. The option most commonly seen by Trupanion is Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. During this procedure, the knee joint is opened and the damaged portion is removed. Then, the tibia is cut and rotated so that the knee joint stabilizes as the animal puts weight on it.

Cruciate ligament repairs are among the most expensive claims Trupanion receives. One such claim saw a total veterinary bill of $4,005.40. The policy holder had a zero deductible policy, and since Trupanion covers 90% of actual costs, the company reimbursed a total of $3,604.86.

The most common breeds that are prone to this injury are Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, and Mastiff, but Trupanion has seen claims in a wide variety of breeds.

There are a few things pet owners can do to decrease the chance their pet will suffer from cruciate ligament damage:

• Monitor the pet’s weight. Overweight animals have a higher chance of injuring themselves due to the added weight placed on their joints.
• Give the pet plenty of exercise all year round. If the pet is used to exercise, he will be less likely to strain himself if playtime becomes more strenuous.
• If the pet is older or has another structural issue such as a luxated patella, pay close attention to him as he plays, as he is at greater risk for a ligament injury.

If you suspect your pet has an injury, be sure to take him to your vet as soon as possible.

About Trupanion™
Trupanion™ pet insurance offers cat insurance and dog insurance in the United States and Canada. Trupanion™ is self-underwritten by the American Pet Insurance Company, allowing Trupanion™ to offer a simple, customizable pet insurance policy with no payout limits and 90% coverage of veterinary bills. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit. Trupanion’s mission is to deliver fast, simple and user-friendly financial support to pet owners. For more information about Trupanion™, call 800-569-7913 or visit http://www.TrupanionPetInsurance.com.

About the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
Trupanion™ is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).  Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community.  As an association, we are committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products.  To learn more, visit the North American Pet Health Insurance Association website at http://www.naphia.org.

We are loving the fact that pet insurance is popping up in the news more and more these days. Is it because more people are realizing how expensive veterinary treatments can be? Who knows.

Anyway, I recently read an article provided by the Chicago Tribune titled “Tips for buying pet insurance” and decided to provide a few of my own tips.

• Get free quotes. I know it sounds simple, but this is a simple way to quickly determine the price range for how much your pet(s) will cost per month. Once you have a good ballpark, you can determine which add-ons and adjustments you want to make.
• Look for rate increases. Does the plan increase your rates each time you file a claim? Do the rates increase every time your pet has a birthday to keep up with his age?
• Look at exclusions. All policies exclude pre-existing conditions, but most have other exclusions as well. Does the plan cover hereditary and congenital disorders? Does it cover cancer?  What else is excluded?
• Look at limits. Most plans have some sort of limitations, such as $X per claim, $Y per year, or $Z per incident. Find out what these limits are and if they will be enough should your pet come down with a chronic condition and require extensive treatment within the first year.

We have a very comprehensive pet insurance comparison chart on our website – take a look to compare plans all in one place!

New articles are circulating the news about the potential dangers of dry pet food (yes, I said dry food) and salmonella.

Recently, several varieties of Eukanuba and Iams pet foods have been recalled due to salmonella dangers.

Pets do not display symptoms of infection, but can still spread the bacteria which can affect the elderly and young children. Those who feed their pets in the kitchen have a much higher risk of becoming ill from contaminated foods.

Bacteria will also multiply on dirty pet food dishes (hope this makes you think twice about how frequently you wash your pet’s dishes!).

To be sure that your household is safe, check the brands of pet food that you keep in your pantry versus the list of recalled pet foods.

Read the Business Week article for more details.

Pet insurance is still important in a down economy.

Pet health care still ranks important when money is tight.

Despite the economic downturn, spending on pets continues to increase, and veterinary care is at the top of the list. Pet owners are looking for ways to ease the financial burden of high veterinary bills, and are increasingly turning to pet insurance. Trupanion, a pet insurance (link to: Trupanion Home) company, has doubled in size each year for the last three years, as many pet owners start seeing pet health coverage as a necessity rather than a perk. Pet owners are looking for a simple plan that covers everything – accident, illness, medication, and lab work – and are finding it at Trupanion.

Pet industry spending grew 4.63% between 2008 and 2009 and is expected to grow another 5.53% in 2010, according to a report by the American Pet Products Association, showing that pet owners are still increasing their spending in categories like food, supplies, grooming, boarding, and veterinary care.

However, a report released by the Commerce Department Tuesday showed flat personal spending in June and the weakest income in nine months. A 9.5% unemployment rate adds to the lack of disposable income, and those who are employed are not making any more than they did last year, according to the report.

Yet, a study by BNResearch titled “Perceptions and Attitudes of Pet Owners: The Impact of the Bond” showed that 76% of pet owners would spend any amount to keep their pet healthy, and 52% of pet owners would always do what a vet recommends, regardless of cost. It seems as if pet owners are shelling out more for their pets than for themselves.

“In tough economic times, pet owners are searching for ways to bridge the gap between the increasing costs of quality pet care and their ability to pay, particularly when an unexpected major illness or injury occurs,” says Howard Rubin, Chief Operating Officer at Trupanion and founding CEO of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. “It decreases the financial strain and emotional stress a pet owner feels if the unthinkable happens.”

According to the APPA, dog owners spend an average of $219 on veterinary visits annually and cat owners spend an average of $175. Veterinary care is the second highest spending category behind food, with $12.04 billion spent in 2009.

Pet owners make up a majority of the population, with 62% of U.S. households owning a pet. If they continue to spend as they have been, this could be good news for the economy.

About Trupanion™
Trupanion™ pet insurance offers cat insurance and dog insurance in the United States and Canada. Trupanion™ is self-underwritten by the American Pet Insurance Company, allowing Trupanion™ to offer a simple, customizable pet insurance policy with no payout limits and 90% coverage of veterinary bills. Enrolled pets receive lifetime coverage for diagnostic tests, surgeries, and medications if they get sick or are injured, with no incident, annual or lifetime limit. Trupanion’s mission is to deliver fast, simple and user-friendly financial support to pet owners. For more information about Trupanion™, call 800-569-7913 or visit http://www.TrupanionPetInsurance.com.

About the North American Pet Health Insurance Association
Trupanion™ is a founding member of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).  Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of quality pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary community.  As an association, we are committed to high standards and transparency in all of our actions and products.  To learn more, visit the North American Pet Health Insurance Association website at http://www.naphia.org.

A financial website recently posted an article about the cost of owning a dog. It is fairly accurate and offers a lot of great information, however, they forgot to mention pet insurance!

Of course, you need food, toys, supplies and all of the basics when you own a dog. Veterinarian checkups and regular preventives are key, and spaying and neutering is a great idea as it lowers your pet’s chance of a few diseases and also prevents unwanted pregnancies.

But what is your plan for unexpected vet bills? Will you rely on your credit card or bank account? Are you going to hope for the best that nothing will happen?

The thing is, we can’t know when our pet will come down with an illness or accidentally get injured. That’s why pet insurance exists. We have other types of insurance to protect us from the unforeseeable, so why not get insurance for the most important things in our lives– our pets?

When calculating the cost of your pet, consider adding an additional $25-$40 per month for pet insurance so that you aren’t forced to budget for a spontaneous $3,000 vet bill.