By Marie Antoinette Francisco
Trupanion Scam
My poor little Jack Russell got into a fight with another dog. He ended up getting stitches on he's left eye. I thought I didn't have to worry about anything. I have insurance from Trupanion. I got everything covered. The bill ended up costing about $800. The next day I was not approved.
This is what they had emailed me:
August 30, 2014
Dear Marie,
We're sorry to hear that Jack needs veterinary care. As pet owners ourselves, we know how difficult it can be any time our loved ones are sick or injured.
We reviewed your Preapproval Request for Jack's upcoming treatment. Based on the information we have received from you and your Veterinarian so far, we're unable to contribute to the treatment. In the explanation below, we have detailed the circumstances that prevent us from extending coverage.
Condition 1.bite wounds - Ineligible
Upon review of Jack's claim, it appears all items on this invoice pertain to a dog fight/bite wounds. Medical records indicate that Jack was not neutered prior to his first birthday; as such we are unable to extend coverage for this claim.
Please refer to the following policy exclusion(s):
6.d You must arrange for your pet to be neutered or spayed prior to its first birthday. If you do not comply, no coverage shall apply for illness related to prostate problems, hormonal skin conditions, perianal hernias, testicular tumors, perianal tumors, mammary tumors, uterine and ovarian conditions, birthing, or injury due to fighting, collision with a motor vehicle, or aggressive behavior. This stipulation does not apply to pets where the timing of being spayed or neutered was in conjunction with their veterinarian's medical recommendations, or to pets spayed or neutered within 60 days of being adopted
Other: Ineligible Items
7.e.1 Veterinary examinations;
If for any reason you disagree with our decision or don't fully understand why we are unable to extend coverage, we are here to help. Our assessment is based on the medical records received from you and your Veterinarian, it is possible that we are unaware of additional information or factors in Jack's medical history which might lead us to cover this claim. If so, please call us at 855-727-9072 and allow us to explain what information we may need from you and/or your Veterinarian to re-open the claim and take another look. Additionally, if you see that we have made an error, we would be happy to quickly re-assess and correct any mistakes.
We are here to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Warm Regards,
Daniela Rosgen
855-727-9072 | trupanion.com
Trupanion plans underwritten by Omega General Insurance Company
After receiving this email I had called the 24 hour line. A girl named Bonnie answered. She told me that it is basically my fault for not reading my policy correctly. It's not their responsibility for their clients to make sure they had read the full disclosure. I signed up for all accidental and illnesses. I have been paying for a year and thought I was covered. Looking at this email, it doesn't seem that my dog is covered for anything.
So what is my dog covered for? She said accidental and illness. If you read the policy it had stated "Injury due to fighting, collision with a motor vehicle, or aggressive behavior. " What was that again Bonnie "accidental and illness"? But then she said that same things over and over again.
So why bother getting insurance? They never told me about this a year before I had signed up. I have been paying a year for nothing.
The Trupanion website is very enticing. It says:
"We cover 90% of actual veterinary costs."
"Accidents and illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, diagnostic tests, surgeries, medications, hospital stays and veterinary supplements."
"No dollar limits on the cost of care if your pet becomes sick or injured."
It's all too good to be true.
Pet Parents please do not get sucked into insurance like I did.
Pet Parents BEWARE of TRUPANION's promises.
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