When it comes to protecting your furry family members, choosing the right pet insurance is crucial. Trupanion and Lemonade both offer unique benefits, but their differences in coverage options, pricing, and customer experience can make one a better match for your specific needs.
Trupanion boasts a longstanding reputation in the pet insurance industry, known for its extensive coverage and direct payment options at veterinary offices. Meanwhile, Lemonade is shaking up the market with its user-friendly app, quick claims processing, and affordable premiums.
In this guide, we’ll compare Trupanion and Lemonade pet insurance side by side, diving into key factors like: coverage, pricing, customer service and reputation, claim processing, and plan options. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide which provider best aligns with your pet’s health needs and your household budget.
  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | 3.8/5.0 | 3.6/5.0 |
| Ranking | Best Vet Direct Pay | Most Affordable |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2020 |
| Customer Support Options | Phone, Email, Live Chat | Phone, Email, Live Chat |
| Underwriter | American Pet Ins. Co. | Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC |
| A.M. Best Rating* | Unrated | Unrated |
| Demotech Rating* | A’ | A |
| Claim Processing Average | 2 Days | 2 Days |
| Can Reimburse Vets Directly | Yes | No |
| Payout Limits | Unlimited | $5,000 to $100,000 |
| Deductibles | $0 to $1,000 Per Condition | $100 to $500 Annually |
| Reimbursement Rates | 50% to 100% | 70% to 90% |
| One-Time Fees | $35** | None |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 Days | 2 Days |
| Illness Waiting Period | 30 Days | 14 Days |
| CCL Waiting Period | 30 Days | 6 Months |
| Other Waiting Periods | Hip Dysplasia – 30 Days | Orthopedic Conditions – 30 Days |
| Enrollment Ages | 0 to 14 Years | 8 Weeks Or Older (Depends On Breed†) |
| Preventative Plan | No | Yes |
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**$25 in Washington; $0 in Maryland & Michigan.
†Lemonade Plan Restrictions: Some breeds have specific age limitations for enrollment.
Plan Features & Coverage Breakdown
Trupanion and Lemonade each offer one accident and illness pet insurance policy. Trupanion policies are available in all 50 states, and Lemonade policies are available in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
Plans cover new accidents and illnesses, including testing and treatment for the conditions. Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, prescription medications, and more. Neither insurer covers pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures (e.g., tail docking, dew claw removal, ear cropping).
Examples of covered conditions from both providers’ base pet insurance policies include cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions, and congenital conditions. However, if symptoms for a condition were present before enrollment or during the insurer’s waiting periods, the condition is not covered and will be under exclusions.
Trupanion has a 5-day waiting period for accidents and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses. Lemonade has a 2-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. For cruciate ligaments, Lemonade has an additional 6-month waiting period.
Trupanion offers two optional add-ons (riders) at an additional cost, while Lemonade provides six. Trupanion’s Pet Owner Assistance rider costs $4.95 per month. It includes benefits like coverage for boarding fees if you’re hospitalized, liability for third-party property damage, cancellation fees for trips due to pet-related issues, cremation or burial expenses for accidental pet deaths, and funding for lost pet advertisements and rewards.
The Recovery & Complementary Care rider from Trupanion costs between $10 and $30 per month and covers alternative therapies, including hydrotherapy, homeopathy, behavioral modification, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physical rehabilitation.
Lemonade, on the other hand, offers a wider variety of riders:
- Vet Visit Fees – Covers exam fees for accidents and illnesses (not included in Trupanion’s base policy or as an add-on). The average cost for a vet exam is $93, making this a valuable option.
- Preventative Care – A wellness plan, not offered by Trupanion, includes routine care such as dental cleanings, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and heartworm prevention.
- Physical Therapy – Covers treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care.
- Behavioral Conditions – Specifically for behavioral issues.
- Dental Illness – Adds $1,000 of annual coverage limit for dental conditions like gum disease or stomatitis.
- End Of Life & Remembrance – Covers cremation and memorial items, which other providers often exclude.
Both companies include coverage for curable pre-existing conditions in their base policies, but the specifics differ. Lemonade covers curable pre-existing conditions that are deemed cured after one year, excluding chronic and knee-related issues. Trupanion, on the other hand, covers curable pre-existing conditions as long as there have been no symptoms or signs within the 18 months leading up to enrollment.
Age restrictions may also play a significant role in your decision. Trupanion does not allow enrollment for pets over 14 years old, whereas Lemonade imposes breed-specific restrictions and age-based limitations on certain plans.
| Coverage | | |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy | Base Plan & Add-On | Add-On |
| Complementary Care | Base Plan & Add-On | Add-On |
| Massage Therapy |  | |
| Holistic Treatment* | Base Plan | |
| Wellness Care | | Add-On |
| Exam Fees | | Add-On |
| Hip Dysplasia | After 30 Days | After 30 Days |
| Non-Routine Dental Treatment | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Trauma To Teeth, Face, & Jaw | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Gum (Periodontal) Disease | Canines & Carnassials | Add-On |
| Tooth Extractions | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Endodontic Disease | Canines & Carnassials | Add-On |
| Developmental Abnormalities | If Enrolled By 6 Months Old | |
| Supplements | Base Plan | |
| Prescription Food | 50% | |
Cost Analysis & Affordability
The monthly premiums for pet insurance are influenced by factors such as your pet’s age, breed, location, and the level of coverage you select. In the quotes I reviewed, Trupanion had higher premiums than Lemonade. However, Trupanion includes unlimited annual payouts in all its plans, unlike Lemonade, which makes a direct comparison of identical coverage levels challenging.
Trupanion uses a per-condition, lifetime deductible, while Lemonade employs an annual deductible. If your pet experiences multiple illnesses or accidents within a single policy year, Lemonade’s annual deductible can save you money, as you’ll only need to meet it once. On the other hand, Trupanion’s per-condition deductible might be a better option for pets with chronic conditions such as allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, or urinary tract infections, as you’ll only pay the deductible once for each condition throughout your pet’s life.
Another distinction is Trupanion’s lack of reimbursement limits—every policy offers unlimited payouts. Lemonade, by contrast, provides annual coverage caps ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, allowing flexibility to adjust premiums based on your budget.
Trupanion charges a one-time administration fee of $35 ($25 in Washington and none in Maryland and Michigan), whereas Lemonade does not charge an administrative fee.
The table below outlines sample monthly premiums for Trupanion and Lemonade, showcasing different reimbursement rates and deductible options. These examples illustrate how plan selection can significantly influence pricing.
| Pet Details | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | $193.76* | $75.06* | $112.39** | $99.13* |
| Labrador Retriever | $114.58* | $37.83* | $218.23¶ | $51.63§ |
| Golden Retriever | $404.14† | $39.41* | $218.23¶ | $34.29‡ |
| Ragdoll Cat | $41.93* | $13.00* | $26.70** | $14.90* |
* 90% reimbursement and $500 deductible; ** 90% reimbursement and $100 deductible; † 90% reimbursement and $0 deductible; ‡ 70% reimbursement and $500 deductible; § 70% reimbursement and $100 deductible; ¶ 70% reimbursement and $0 deductible
The best way to compare pet insurance prices is to request quotes tailored to your specific dog. Our convenient pet insurance quote form allows you to quickly obtain quotes from multiple providers.
Discounts
Pet parents who insure multiple animals, bundle policies, are veterans or members of the armed forces, work as veterinarians, volunteer at animal shelters, pay annually, and other criteria may be eligible for discounts from pet insurance providers. Trupanion doesn’t offer any of these discounts. Conversely, Lemonade offers 10% off when you bundle with your renters, homeowners, auto, condo, or co-op insurance through them. It also offers a 5% multi-pet discount and another 5% off if you pay your premium annually instead of monthly.
Policyholder Experience & Company Trustworthiness
Two of the most important factors, reputation and customer service, are easily ignored when presented with an alluring insurance quote. Ideally, you and your pet never have to file a claim, but if we do, I want you and your pet to have the most accessible and least stressful experience possible.
No matter how much you spend, it always feels like a waste of money when you call an insurer and never get your questions answered or issues resolved. Both businesses offer email and phone support. Furthermore, Lemonade offers live chat support. Thanks to the money-back guarantee provided by both insurers, you can cancel and receive your money back within 30 days if the plan you selected doesn’t work.
I reviewed hundreds of customer opinions for Trupanion and Lemonade through Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It’s worth noting that Lemonade’s review pages cover all their insurance offerings, not just pet insurance, while Trupanion focuses exclusively on pet coverage.
In comparison, Lemonade had a greater number of BBB reviews and a higher customer rating on both BBB and Trustpilot. However, Trupanion is BBB accredited with an impressive A+ rating, whereas Lemonade is not accredited. On Trustpilot, Trupanion had significantly more reviews than Lemonade.
Both insurers actively engage online, responding to policyholder questions and addressing unresolved issues, demonstrating a commitment to customer service.
The most common complaints about Trupanion revolved around splitting claims into multiple conditions (leading to multiple deductibles), significant premium increases, and denied claim coverage. Many pet owners expressed frustration that when Trupanion raises premiums, switching to another provider isn’t an option due to pre-existing conditions that Trupanion covers, but other insurers typically exclude.
Lemonade policyholders frequently raised concerns about the strict handling of pre-existing conditions. For example, congenital issues were sometimes classified as pre-existing even after waiting periods had passed, despite no documented history in veterinary records. Additionally, customers expressed frustration with the lack of human interaction, as most processes are managed through artificial intelligence (AI), leaving some feeling disconnected or unsupported.
What To Expect With Claim Processing
The speed of claim reimbursement can influence pet owners’ decisions, with some preferring quicker payouts. Trupanion and Lemonade are among the insurers with the fastest turnaround times, typically paying out the majority of claims within two days.
Lemonade requires claims to be submitted within 180 days of the accident, illness, or wellness visit, while Trupanion has a shorter window of 90 days. Claims with Lemonade must be submitted through its app, which could make the process easier and faster for tech-savvy users, as it streamlines the submission and tracking process. Trupanion, on the other hand, offers more flexibility, allowing submissions via mail, email, or fax. Both insurers provide reimbursement through direct deposit or check.
A unique feature of Trupanion is its ability to pay its portion of your vet bill directly to the veterinary office at checkout, eliminating the need to wait for reimbursement. If you’re interested in this option, you can check with your veterinarian to see if it’s available. Lemonade does not offer this capability.
Choosing The Right Plan Coverage
Trupanion has a per-condition deductible with an unlimited payout limit for all plans and only 90% reimbursement available in some states, so its policies aren’t as customizable as those of other pet insurance companies. On the other hand, Lemonade has annual deductible options starting at $100 and going up to $500, payout limits ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, and reimbursement percentages from 70% to 90%.
Some insurance providers offer pet insurance policies that are accident-limited and cover circumstances involving unanticipated bodily injury. Accident-only policies cover injuries such as bite wounds, strained ligaments, and broken bones. In general, these policies cost less than illness and accident insurance. No accident-only pet insurance plans are available from Lemonade or Trupanion.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Payout Limit | Unlimited | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 |
| Deductible Options | $0-$1,000 (in $5 increments) | $100, $250, $500 |
| Reimbursement Options | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Optional Wellness Plans |  | |
| Accident-Only Plan |
Frequently Asked Questions
This Trupanion and Lemonade FAQ answers your most common questions. Feel free to ask in the comments if you don’t find what you’re looking for.
Does Lemonade Increase Rates?
All pet insurance providers, including Lemonade, typically adjust their premiums over time. At the start of 2025, Lemonade submitted a request to the State of Nevada for a 14.7% overall rate adjustment to its pet insurance program. This proposal includes a 20% increase in premiums for accident and illness coverage and a 10% decrease for preventative coverage. Lemonade’s approach aligns with its prior rate adjustment process, which resulted in a 12.36% increase approved on February 16, 2023.
If approved, these changes are set to take effect on April 16, 2025, for new policies and May 16, 2025, for renewals. It’s important to note that this applies specifically to the state of Nevada. However, it’s reasonable to assume that Lemonade is likely making similar requests in other states as well.
Is Lemonade Pet Insurance Good?
I’ve reviewed the sample policies of every major U.S. pet insurer and can confirm that Lemonade’s policy is on par with others in the industry. Lemonade covers many of the same conditions that other pet insurance providers include.
Why Is Trupanion So Expensive Now?
Trupanion is the only pet insurance provider publicly traded on the NASDAQ (under the ticker symbol TRUP). Its higher premiums are likely due to the fact that most of its policies offer unlimited payouts and a 90% reimbursement rate.
Why Won’t Lemonade Insure My Dog?
Like many insurers, Lemonade has age limits for enrollment. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to be covered, and the maximum enrollment age depends on the breed. In my case, I could not purchase a policy through Lemonade because my 10-year-old Coonhound mix exceeded their age limit.
My Team’s Experience With Lemonade
Michelle Schenker, co-founder of Canine Journal and licensed insurance agent, shopped around for her dog’s best pet insurance policies. Her mixed-breed dog, Barley, was four years old at the time.
She gathered quotes from the 10 pet insurance companies in our pet insurance reviews and chose her provider based on which company offered the most competitive price and comprehensive coverage. Ultimately, that lead her to choosing Lemonade. Ultimately, she chose Lemonade.
Fortunately, Michelle hasn’t had to file any claims for Barley, but she’s comforted knowing that if something were to happen, he’d be insured through Lemonade.
Deciding Between Lemonade & Trupanion: What’s The Best Fit For Your Pet?
When it comes to reliability, Trupanion has a solid track record of offering consistent coverage. As one of the oldest pet insurance providers in the U.S., it’s known for its dependable service, which has had minimal changes over the years. If you’re looking for the convenience of direct payment to your vet at the time of service, Trupanion’s feature is a key advantage, sparing you from waiting for reimbursement.
On the other hand, Lemonade offers more flexibility with a range of annual payout and reimbursement percentage options, allowing you to customize your plan according to your budget. While Trupanion’s premiums are generally higher, comparing pricing is difficult since they only provide unlimited claim payouts, making Lemonade’s more affordable rates appealing.
Lemonade’s AI-driven claims processing and customizable plans make it an attractive option for those seeking modern features and a lower cost. However, if you prioritize a well-established company with a longstanding reputation and consistent coverage, Trupanion could be the better choice for you.
I’ve gone even more in-depth with individual reviews of Trupanion and Lemonade so you can expand your comparison. You can also read about them best pet insurance, including my top picks and details on the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.
Methodology
My team and I conduct extensive research on the most reputable pet insurance companies, analyzing customer feedback, policy changes, and industry trends. Our licensed insurance agent fact-checks everything, and we update our reviews year-round as insurers adjust premiums, coverage, exclusions, and customer service.
We rank each U.S. pet insurance provider using a 100-point scale, ensuring an unbiased breakdown of how companies perform in real-world claims.
Our Ranking Criteria
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding companies with fewer coverage limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run thousands of sample quotes and factor in extra fees, discounts, and add-ons.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We review hundreds of customer experiences, assess the sign-up process, and evaluate claim support.
- Financial Strength (10%) – We examine A.M. Best & Demotech ratings to ensure companies can pay claims reliably.
- Customization Options (10%) – Providers with more deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank higher.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Shorter illness & accident waiting periods result in a better score.
- Claim Processing (5%) – Companies offering fast reimbursements and direct vet pay score higher.
- Innovation (3%) – We recognize unique offerings and advanced technology in the industry.
Unbiased Pet Insurance Rankings: Putting Pets First
Unlike many review sites, we don’t sell rankings—every provider earns its spot based on real performance. Our in-depth comparisons help pet parents make informed decisions, while insurers use our reviews to improve their policies. We only recommend the best because that’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to writer for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources. Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing insurance policies that are accurately represented. Kimberly has spent over 100 hours researching Trupanion and Lemonade, reading every line in their policies, speaking with their operation teams, and gathering quotes to bring you the most accurate information.
