Trupanion vs Petplan vs Figo — Pet Insurance Comparison 2026
Trupanion — Direct Vet Payment Model
Trupanion is the only major insurer that pays vets directly, eliminating out-of-pocket vet bill stress. Coverage is 90% of eligible costs with $0 deductible. Monthly premiums range from $35, $80 depending on pet age and breed.
Claim processing takes 3, 5 days. Pre-existing conditions are permanently excluded. Wellness isn't covered. Trupanion pays vets enrolled in their network; your vet submits claims directly. If your vet isn't enrolled, you submit claims yourself (reimbursement delays to 7, 10 days).
Best for: Dogs and cats with known health conditions that need immediate vet payment at checkout.
Petplan — Accident & Illness Comprehensive
Petplan covers accidents and illnesses with 80% reimbursement and deductibles starting at $250 per claim. Monthly premiums range from $40, $75. Unlimited annual benefits (unlike many competitors who cap payouts at $5,000, $10,000 yearly).
You pay the vet bill upfront, then Petplan reimburses. Claim approval takes 10, 15 days. Hereditary conditions and pre-existing issues are excluded. Wellness and preventive care aren't covered unless you add a rider.
Best for: Owners who can afford to float vet bills and want comprehensive illness coverage.
Figo — Preventive + Accident Combo Plans
Figo splits plans into two tiers: preventive care ($10/mo covers vaccines, cleanings, checkups) and accident & illness ($15/mo covers injuries, emergencies). Combined monthly cost is $25. Higher accident coverage ($50,000 annual max) than Trupanion or Petplan.
Deductibles are per-incident, not annual. First incident costs the full deductible; subsequent claims reset it. Reimbursement is 70, 90% depending on plan. Claim processing takes 5, 7 days. Young pets under 2 years qualify at better rates.
Best for: Young healthy pets whose owners want preventive care plus accident coverage at rock-bottom price.
Coverage Comparison Table
| Feature | Trupanion | Petplan | Figo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | $35, $80 | $40, $75 | $25 (combo) |
| Reimbursement Rate | 90% | 80% | 70, 90% |
| Deductible | $0 | $250, $750 | Per-incident |
| Direct Vet Pay | Yes | No | No |
| Claim Speed | 3, 5 days | 10, 15 days | 5, 7 days |
| Wellness Coverage | Optional rider | Optional rider | Included tier |
| Annual Cap | Unlimited | Unlimited | $50,000 |
| Pre-existing | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
Deductible Structure Deep Dive
Trupanion has no deductible, you pay nothing at the vet. Direct payment to the clinic eliminates claim paperwork. Monthly cost is highest but predictable.
Petplan charges a per-claim deductible ($250, $500, $750 options). If your cat needs a $1,000 surgery and your deductible is $250, Petplan pays $600 (80% of $750). Deductible resets yearly, not per-incident.
Figo charges per-incident deductibles that reset with each new claim. A $250 deductible on a January UTI and a March ear infection means you pay $250 twice (once per incident).
Claim Speed Ranking
- Trupanion, 3, 5 days (direct vet payment, no customer paperwork)
- Figo, 5, 7 days (streamlined mobile app claims)
- Petplan, 10, 15 days (manual claim review, customer submission)
If your pet needs emergency surgery and you can't afford upfront costs, Trupanion eliminates the risk entirely.
Pre-existing Conditions Policy
All three insurers permanently exclude pre-existing conditions, a chronic illness diagnosed before enrollment cannot be claimed. This matters most if you adopt a senior pet or rescue with known health issues. Trupanion sometimes covers hereditary conditions if they weren't diagnosed in the first 12 months; Petplan and Figo do not.
Which One Wins?
Trupanion wins if your vet participates, zero out-of-pocket costs and fastest claims.
Petplan wins if you want unlimited annual benefits and can front vet bills temporarily.
Figo wins if you have a young pet and need to minimize monthly cost while still protecting against accidents.