Our Pet Insurance Community

I recently read this great article about different dog breeds and what owning one says about its owner.

The article suggests things such as men who own Golden Retrievers are drama-free and possibly ready to settle down. It also mentions that men who own Beagles are considered the “all-American” male.

Read the rest of the article to see what else they have to say and find out what it says about you/your man!

Ladies, this one is for you! Enjoy!

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!

It’s interesting to see the most amount of the most expensive pet insurance claims gradually grow. Fortunately, with Trupanion there is no limits to how much you can claim. Once you’ve enrolled, you’re good to go! The following are the top most expensive individual claims for the month of August. (Some issues end up having multiple claims for a single incident in which the costs would be much greater when added up)

1. Illness: Uroabdomen, severe sepsis and peritonitis
2. Illness: Liver disease
3. Accident: Rattlesnake bite
4. Accident: Carpal/metacarpal hyperextension injuries R and L
5. Illness: Esophageal stricture
6. Accident: Slipped in kiddie pool – lameness
7. Illness: Intervertebral disc disease
8. Accident: Hit by car – elbow luxation
9. Illness: Gastrointestinal system – liver biopsy
10. Illness: Hip dysplasia

The cost of these claims ranged from $4,689.61 to $14,750.39. A single claim made pet insurance worth it for these pet owners!

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?

Moofee is a happy dog!

Meet this week’s Pet of the Week, sent in by Lyn M.

This is our Golden Retriever Moofee.  Her favorite playmate is our Rescue Black Lab, Trixee.  She is almost 7 years old, but still thinks she is a pup. She is our good humor dog .

What do you think about this happy girl? Let her know how cute you think she is by leaving a comment!

Want to see your pet featured as Pet of the Week? Send us an e-mail to nominate your pet!

Cheyletiella mites is a species of mites that causes a mild form of dermatitis. Symptoms of this condition can include itching, scaling of the skin, and hair loss. These mites attach to the hair follicle and cause dry skin to occur on the pet. This condition is most often seen in Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Norwich Terrier dog breeds. Diagnosis can be done by several diagnostic tests at the veterinarian such as a skin scraping, combing, and a fecal exam. Treatments usually include weekly pyrethrin shampoo baths, lime sulfur dips, and topical medications which can cost about $100 per month until the mites are completely gone.

Georgie is a young Labradoodle who recently had a battle with liver disease and jejunal intussusception (which is a condition I had never heard of until today). As you can see, treatment for these conditions was not cheap and included monitoring, medications, IV fluids, anesthesia and surgery.

The following is for three separate invoices/claims that were all related to the same condition and treatment.

Total pet insurance claim amount: $17,404.15
Deductible applied: -$197.41
Exam fees: -$396.00
10% co-pay: -$1,681.07
Trupanion repaid: $15,129.67

Once again, it’s a good thing Trupanion’s pet insurance doesn’t have claim limits or annual limits so that they can continue to get the best treatment for Georgie.

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.

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope that you are all enjoying your weekend, especially with your pets!  Just the other weekend, we shared some fun dog quotes we found, so this weekend, it’s time for some fun cat quotes! If you know some good cat quotes as well, we would love to hear them! You can do so by leaving us a comment below!

• “Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this.”- Anonymous
• “One cat just leads to another.” -Ernest Hemingway
• “Cats always seem so very wise, when staring with their half-closed eyes. Can they be thinking, “I’ll be nice, and maybe she will feed me twice?” – Bette Midler
• “There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.”- Anonymous
• “Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” – Mary Bly

10/10 best insurance ever
five stars, had for six months when my baby got cancer. They have paid for surgery chemo radiation about ten thousand dollars so far. Processed my initial claim in three weeks. Now I fax claim on monday and have check by saturday. This is the best investment I have ever made.
Patricia H.