Pet Insurance vs Telehealth • Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Trupanion vs RexVet
Trupanion is a premium pet insurance provider known for paying vets directly at the time of visit and offering 90% reimbursement with no payout caps.
Quick verdict
Trupanion is built for catastrophic care; RexVet's $64.99 video visit (or $120/yr Family Plan) is built for routine care. They solve different problems — pairing both can be more economical than either alone for many households.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Trupanion | RexVet |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Accident & Illness insurance | 501(c)(3) non-profit telehealth |
| Monthly cost (dog) | $60–$200/mo | $10/mo flat (Family Plan) |
| Monthly cost (cat) | $30–$90/mo | $10/mo flat (Family Plan) |
| Deductible | $0–$1000 | $0 |
| Reimbursement | 90% after deductible (per condition, not per year) | N/A — direct service, no claim process |
| Waiting period (accidents) | 5 days | None — same-day visits |
| Waiting period (illness) | 30 days | None — same-day visits |
| Pre-existing conditions | Excluded | Covered (no exclusions) |
| Routine consultations | Wellness add-on only (extra cost) | Unlimited included (Family Plan) |
| Surgery / ER / Hospitalization | Covered (% after deductible) | Not covered (telehealth limit) |
| Prescription refills | Only if tied to covered condition | Same-day RexVetRx delivery |
Trupanion strengths
- ✓ Pays vets directly at time of visit (no out-of-pocket waiting for reimbursement)
- ✓ No annual payout limit
- ✓ Per-condition deductibles (you pay once per condition, then 90% covered for life of that condition)
- ✓ Coverage from age 8 weeks
Trupanion limitations
- ! Premium prices — among the highest in the industry
- ! Doesn't cover wellness/routine care (no exam fees in standard plan)
- ! Doesn't cover prescription medications unless tied to a covered condition
- ! Premiums rise sharply as pets age
What each does best
Where Trupanion wins
- → Covers emergency hospital stays
- → Covers surgery and anesthesia
- → Covers chronic illness treatment over a pet's lifetime
- → Covers diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT)
- → Direct-pay convenience at the vet
Where RexVet wins
- ✓ Routine vet consultations included (Family Plan = unlimited visits for $120/yr)
- ✓ Same-day prescription refills through RexVetRx
- ✓ No waiting periods
- ✓ No deductibles
- ✓ No age-based premium increases
- ✓ Available immediately — no application or pre-existing condition denials
The smart combo
How to use Trupanion AND RexVet together
Many pet parents do BOTH: a RexVet Family Plan ($10/mo) for all the routine and minor stuff, plus a high-deductible Trupanion plan for catastrophes. That gives unlimited routine care + protection from the $5K-15K emergency bills.
Trupanion vs RexVet
Frequently asked questions
Is Trupanion worth it?
If your pet develops a chronic illness or needs major surgery, Trupanion can save thousands. For healthy pets, you may pay premiums for years without claims. Pairing Trupanion with a RexVet Family Plan ($120/yr) reduces the cost of the routine care Trupanion doesn't cover.
Does Trupanion cover prescription medications?
Only when tied to a covered illness or injury. Routine flea/tick/heartworm prevention is NOT covered. A RexVet Family Plan handles routine prescription refills affordably.
How does RexVet save me money if I have Trupanion?
Routine vet visits aren't covered by Trupanion's standard plan. Each in-person visit costs $50-250. A RexVet Family Plan ($120/yr) covers unlimited routine consultations — so the routine care that Trupanion doesn't pay for becomes essentially free.
Can I have both Trupanion and RexVet?
Yes — they don't conflict. Trupanion is insurance; RexVet is a non-profit telehealth service. Many pet parents use both: RexVet for routine, Trupanion for catastrophes.
Should I cancel Trupanion to use RexVet instead?
No. RexVet doesn't cover emergency hospitalization, surgery, or specialty care. If you can afford insurance for catastrophes, keep it. RexVet replaces the routine care portion, not the catastrophic.
Reviewed by Dr. Tiffany Delacruz, DVM
Last fact-checked: 2026-05-19
Pricing ranges sourced from Trupanion's public materials and industry references (Pawlicy Advisor, NerdWallet, Forbes Advisor). Actual rates vary by zip code, pet age, and breed — always get a personal quote from the insurer before deciding. This page is editorial commentary, not insurance advice.