Pets Best vs Trupanion: dog insurance compared
Plan features side by side, estimated prices for the same dog, and who each plan suits. Pets Best and Trupanion are listed alphabetically; neither pays us to rank it.
- $47/mo est.Pets Best, estimated monthly
- $61/mo est.Trupanion, estimated monthly
- 23%Lower estimate: Pets Best
Estimates are for the median breed on BreedSure, 2 years old, national average, 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. They are BreedSure model estimates, not quotes.
Side by side
| Feature | Pets Best | Trupanion |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated monthly | $47/mo est. (advantage) | $61/mo est. |
| Reimbursement | 70% / 80% / 90% | 90% |
| Deductibles | $100 to $1,000 | $0 to $1,000 per condition |
| Annual limit | $5,000 to unlimited | Unlimited |
| Waiting, accidents | 3 days (advantage) | 5 days |
| Waiting, illness | 14 days (advantage) | 30 days |
| Hereditary conditions | Covered | Covered |
| Exam fees | Included (advantage) | Add-on or excluded |
| Wellness add-on | Available | Not offered |
| Underwriter | American Pet Insurance Company, Independence American Insurance Company, Independence Pet Insurance Company, or MS Transverse Insurance Company (varies by state/plan) | Trupanion / American Pet Insurance Company |
Highlighted cells mark a measurable advantage (lower estimate, shorter wait, exam fees included). Plan facts as published by each insurer; the policy documents always control.
Reimbursement. The share of an eligible vet bill the insurer pays back after your deductible. At 80%, a $1,000 covered bill returns $800. More in the glossaryDeductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryAnnual limit. The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. More in the glossaryWaiting period. How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. More in the glossaryHereditary and congenital. Conditions a dog inherits or is born with, like hip dysplasia. Covered only if they were not diagnosed or showing signs before you enrolled. More in the glossaryExam fees. The vet's charge for the visit itself, usually $50 to $150, separate from tests and treatment. Some insurers include it; others sell it as an add-on. More in the glossaryWellness add-on. An optional extra that pays for routine care such as vaccines, check-ups and dental cleanings, which accident-and-illness plans do not cover. More in the glossaryUnderwriter. The licensed insurance company that carries the risk and pays claims. It can differ from the brand you buy from. More in the glossaryWhich one suits you
Pets Best may suit you if…
- you want the lower estimated premium (about $47 vs $61 a month in our model)
- you want illness coverage to start sooner (14 vs 30 days)
- you want accident coverage to start sooner (3 vs 5 days)
- you want vet exam fees included, not sold as an add-on
- you want to choose your reimbursement level (70% / 80% / 90%)
- you want to add a wellness plan for routine care
Also worth knowing: Offers Essential, Plus and Elite plan tiers. Direct vet pay available.
Trupanion may suit you if…
- you want a deductible as low as $0
- your dog is likely to have one long-term condition: a per-condition deductible is paid once for that condition, not every year
Also worth knowing: Per-condition lifetime deductible, direct vet pay, no annual cap. No separate waiting period for orthopedic or cruciate ligament conditions.
Estimated price by breed
| Breed | Pets Best | Trupanion |
|---|---|---|
 French Bulldog | $65/mo est. | $85/mo est. |
 Labrador Retriever | $49/mo est. | $65/mo est. |
 Golden Retriever | $55/mo est. | $73/mo est. |
 German Shepherd | $57/mo est. | $75/mo est. |
 Poodle | $43/mo est. | $56/mo est. |
 Bulldog | $71/mo est. | $94/mo est. |
 Rottweiler | $61/mo est. | $80/mo est. |
 Beagle | $40/mo est. | $53/mo est. |
 Dachshund | $44/mo est. | $58/mo est. |
 German Shorthaired Pointer | $46/mo est. | $60/mo est. |
 Pembroke Welsh Corgi | $45/mo est. | $59/mo est. |
 Australian Shepherd | $42/mo est. | $55/mo est. |
See every breed for all 8 insurers, by state.
Pets Best vs Trupanion: common questions
Is Pets Best cheaper than Trupanion?
In our model, Pets Best's estimate is about 23% lower for the same dog ($47 vs $61 a month for a typical breed). Real prices depend on your dog's breed, age and ZIP code, so get a quote from both.
Which has the shorter waiting period?
Pets Best: 14 days for illness, versus 30 days. For accidents, Pets Best waits 3 days and Trupanion 5. How waiting periods work.
Do both cover hereditary conditions?
Yes. Both cover hereditary and congenital conditions, as long as they are not pre-existing. What counts as pre-existing.