Robert
Indiana,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, October 08, 2014
I love my dog and do not work in animal care or insurance of any kind, but I thought it was common knowledge (or plain common sense), why there is waiting periods for new insurance. I cannot understand how anyone could think it makes sense that you could find out something bad, that is going to cost a lot of money to fix, then buy insurance and expect them to pay for it. If that's how it worked, why have insurance at all. Just wait until you crash your car, then buy insurance and file the claim. If you find out you have cancer and your treatment will end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollar's, just buy insurance the day after the doctor tells you and let the insurance pay everything. A grim example, but if someone is desperate to better their families life, should they be able to buy a big life insurance policy the day before they commit suicide? Do you not see the rediculousness of those examples? Their are common sense reasons why new insurance policies have waiting periods and this ripoff report should be removed, out of fairness to this company. jmo.
anonymous150
Mandeville,#3General Comment
Wed, July 16, 2014
As my title states, I believe there was a misunderstanding on your part. First, did your pet have a pre-existing condition? To clarify, had you visited the vet prior to obtaining your insurance for the problem you were making a claim for? If you had, then the company has the right to deny a claim due to you having tried to save yourself money by enrolling in their program.
Based on you having said what the rebuttal above mine quotes, I'm under the impression you already knew of your pet's condition before enrolling in the insurance program. If I'm incorrect, I deeply apologize. I've also a theory.
I believe the SLT, if telling the truth about their situation, may have been in emotional turmoil themself, otherwise, there's a definite chance that they were just a serious biotch. :P
Also, as I touched on briefly before, the company has the right to deny the claim if they have definite proof as to the animal's condition being pre-existing.
I am so sorry about your loss. I've definitely felt the pain of a lost companion in my life before. I wish you the best of luck with sorting out this sticky situation.
gjayp
Broken Arrow,#4Consumer Comment
Sat, July 21, 2012
First, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your pet. With that said and as an Insurance Agent with 25 + years of experience, please allow me an opportunity to explain that NO insurance company - Auto, Home, Health, Life, Pet, Commercial, Disability or any other known form of Insurance will pay a claim when there is the Threat of an Imminent Claim.
For Example, In your own Home state of Florida - Upon announcement of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane, all Property Insurors IMMEDIATELY suspend all New Business issuance and will not consider insuring someone For Any Amount of Money until that Imminent Threat has passed. The same is true of all Coastal Areas with regards to Tropical Storms or Hurricanes. In Oklahoma, my home state, We recently had our first measurable Earthquake - Again, IMMEDIATELY, all Insurance Companies removed the Agents ability to write new policies with any type of Earthquake coverage until 60 days AFTER the last measurable aftershock had passed. If you are diagnosed with Cancer, how many Life Insurance Companies would offer you coverage? And if you could find one, do you really believe that they Would NOT exclude death by any form of complications from that same Cancer? The stories could continue but I think all reasonable people will understand that no Insurance Company could possibly stay in Business if they allowed people to 'wait' until the certainty of needing the coverage before purchasing it. There is no way anywhere near enough premium could be collected.
Here is a great link from your own home state of Florida regarding Hurricanes and Insurance suspension per my previous comments - http://www.insuringflorida.org/blog/index.php/2011/08/03/buyer-be-aware-insurers-will-not-write-policies-when-storms-approach/
It is obvious that you postponed your pets 'emergency' surgery to attempt to have Trupanion pay for it and I do applaud you for at least being upfront about that, but again, ask yourself in all fairness - If it was your money that Trupanion was spending - is what you attempted to do really Fair? Would you be happy receiving $45 and paying out $4000 to someone? And how long could you afford to make this trade and stay in business? The entire purpose of Insurance is pay for 'sudden and UNEXPECTED claims' - your pets claim was expected - just like an approaching Hurricane.
Let's save the Ripoff Reports for Companies that truly are out to scam the general public - look at all the great press Trupanion (I googled them) is getting and even consider the fact that your Vet recommended them. I doubt he did that because he thought they were a lousy company.
Again, I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved Companion and I do hope that my explanation has somewhat clarified an often misunderstood situation with regard to Insurance Companies in General, Trupanion and Imminent Threats.
gjayp
Broken Arrow,#5Consumer Comment
Sat, July 21, 2012
First, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your pet. With that said and as an Insurance Agent with 25 + years of experience, please allow me an opportunity to explain that NO insurance company - Auto, Home, Health, Life, Pet, Commercial, Disability or any other known form of Insurance will pay a claim when there is the Threat of an Imminent Claim.
For Example, In your own Home state of Florida - Upon announcement of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane, all Property Insurors IMMEDIATELY suspend all New Business issuance and will not consider insuring someone For Any Amount of Money until that Imminent Threat has passed. The same is true of all Coastal Areas with regards to Tropical Storms or Hurricanes. In Oklahoma, my home state, We recently had our first measurable Earthquake - Again, IMMEDIATELY, all Insurance Companies removed the Agents ability to write new policies with any type of Earthquake coverage until 60 days AFTER the last measurable aftershock had passed. If you are diagnosed with Cancer, how many Life Insurance Companies would offer you coverage? And if you could find one, do you really believe that they Would NOT exclude death by any form of complications from that same Cancer? The stories could continue but I think all reasonable people will understand that no Insurance Company could possibly stay in Business if they allowed people to 'wait' until the certainty of needing the coverage before purchasing it. There is no way anywhere near enough premium could be collected.
Here is a great link from your own home state of Florida regarding Hurricanes and Insurance suspension per my previous comments - http://www.insuringflorida.org/blog/index.php/2011/08/03/buyer-be-aware-insurers-will-not-write-policies-when-storms-approach/
It is obvious that you postponed your pets 'emergency' surgery to attempt to have Trupanion pay for it and I do applaud you for at least being upfront about that, but again, ask yourself in all fairness - If it was your money that Trupanion was spending - is what you attempted to do really Fair? Would you be happy receiving $45 and paying out $4000 to someone? And how long could you afford to make this trade and stay in business?
Let's save the Ripoff Reports for Companies that truly are out to scam the general public - look at all the great press Trupanion is getting and even consider the fact that your Vet recommended them. I doubt he did that because he thought they were a lousy company.
Again, I am sorry for your loss and I do hope that my explanation has somewhat clarified an often misunderstood situation with regard to Trupanion, Insurance Companies in General and Imminent Threats.
AV
Florida,#6Author of original report
Sun, July 15, 2012
Hello! you sound exactly like the SLT...
"walk a mile" you eejit SLT
Dr. Kerri Marshall
Seattle,#7UPDATE Employee
Sat, July 14, 2012
I am a devoted pet lover (with a Terrier mix at home who accompanies me to the office) and am sad when I find out that a pet is suffering or has passed away.
And as the veterinarian who leads our companys work with other veterinarians across the country, the most important message to pet owners and pet lovers is if your pet is ill and immediate treatment is recommended, please seek treatment right away.
There are reasons why insurance companies have waiting periods and rulessome are because of regulations, some are to encourage appropriate veterinary care, and others are to all our policyholders from situations where pet insurance is purchased because of an imminent costly treatment.
As devoted pet owners and pet lovers ourselves we understand the importance of caring for our pets, and many, many customers have expressed their appreciation and thanks for our teams commitment to providing benefits coverage that allows for the best possible pet care.
patti
United States of America#8Consumer Comment
Thu, July 12, 2012
"I told her my dog pretty much died because my vet and I postponed the surgery to make Trupanion's 30 day waiting period and hopefully save some of my bank account."