I’m thinking of switching my dogs to Chewy’s new CarePlus insurance. It looks pretty solid, but I wanted to hear how it compares to Trupanion. I know CarePlus is backed by Trupanion, so what’s the real difference between the two?
I see Chewy has an annual deductible, and the complete plan covers exam visits, which is great, and it works with Trupanion’s direct pay. My concern is whether they also avoid raising premiums as pets get older? Since it’s a newer plan, I’m not too worried about Chewy itself, but could CarePlus go under or sell? I wouldn’t want to end up stuck with pre-existing conditions if they cancel coverage. Since it’s backed by Trupanion, would they still honor the coverage if something happened?
I have Chewy CarePlus for my cats and haven’t had any issues with claims or payments. I’m in NJ and have both Lemonade through Chewy for my older cats and Trupanion through Chewy for my younger ones.
Grayden said:
I have Chewy CarePlus for my cats and haven’t had any issues with claims or payments. I’m in NJ and have both Lemonade through Chewy for my older cats and Trupanion through Chewy for my younger ones.
Does the cost of sick exams count towards the annual deductible?
Grayden said: @Hart
It depends on which plan you choose. Some plans include exam fees in the coverage.
I’m looking into Trupanion through Chewy with direct pay. The only downside I’ve found is the $250 deductible. I currently have Trupanion with a $50 deductible per condition, but it doesn’t cover exam fees. My cat has some dental issues (gum swelling and missing teeth), but it’s not on his record yet. I feel like I need to decide before anything major happens. Do you know what would happen if CarePlus went under or if Chewy stopped working with Trupanion? Would the policy premiums increase each year, and how would that compare to Trupanion’s rate increases?
@Hart
I was able to get a lower deductible by contacting Chewy after I signed up. I think my deductible is $50 or $100 now. I went with Chewy because they cover most medications if needed. Even if something happens with Chewy, your policy would stay with Trupanion, and customer service would still be through them.
@Hart
Just a heads up, exam fees are covered under the Chewy Trupanion plan and don’t count towards the deductible. But if your cat already has dental issues, those will likely be considered pre-existing and not covered by any insurance.
Chewy partners with both Lemonade and Trupanion now, so make sure you can still get Trupanion in your area if that’s what you prefer. For example, in California, Chewy only offers Lemonade, while other states might only offer Trupanion. It’s a bit confusing.
One key difference is the annual deductible and exam fee coverage with Chewy. Plus, they offer 24/7 access to a vet line, and you can get full reimbursement for prescriptions and prescription food if you order through Chewy.
Regarding premium increases, it’s almost certain that premiums will go up over time, even if they claim not to raise them based on age. Other factors like inflation or more expensive claims will probably come into play, as is the case with most insurance. My health, car, and other insurances have all gone up, and pet insurance will likely follow suit.
There’s a bit of risk in choosing Chewy over Trupanion directly. Since Chewy hasn’t been in the insurance game long, they may decide to exit or change partners, leaving you in a tricky spot. They’ve already added Lemonade as an option, which could mean they’re still figuring things out. If Chewy drops Trupanion, there’s no guarantee that Trupanion would continue to cover pre-existing conditions if you’re forced to switch plans.
Because pet insurance isn’t as heavily regulated, companies can make changes with fewer consequences, which might leave you with coverage gaps. It’s something to consider when deciding whether the perks of Chewy’s plan outweigh the potential risks.
@Joey
Also, since you’re thinking of switching your dogs to Chewy, make sure to get their vet records and check for any pre-existing conditions, like dental issues or skin problems. These can be used to deny future claims. It’s always worth reviewing the records before making a switch to avoid surprises later.