Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance: Which Is Better? (2026)

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance: Key Takeaways

Lemonade is cheaper than Trupanion for both pets, providing up to 77% savings for senior dog owners.

Lemonade delivers better customer service compared to Trupanion, backed by 72% positive sentiment on Reddit for its quick reimbursements and user-friendly app.

Trupanion provides better pet insurance coverage than Lemonade, with standout features such as direct vet payment, unlimited payouts and per-condition deductibles.

Is Trupanion or Lemonade Pet Insurance Better?

Lemonade offers superior pet insurance than Trupanion, taking the top spot for both pets in MoneyGeek's national ranking, while Trupanion places fifth for cats and sixth for dogs. While this is the case, your best option may still change depending on what you're looking for.

Affordability: Lemonade wins with a third-place national ranking for cats and first place for dogs, making it the more budget-friendly option. Meanwhile, Trupanion ranks fifth for cat coverage and sixth for dogs.
Customer Experience: Lemonade leads ahead of Trupanion by two spots, providing better customer service for both dog and cat owners.
Coverage: Trupanion takes the lead with a second-place national ranking for both pets, offering more comprehensive financial protection, while Lemonade is places sixth.


Cat	Affordability	Lemonade	3	5
Dog	Affordability	Lemonade	1	6
Cat	Coverage	Trupanion	2	6
Dog	Coverage	Trupanion	2	6
Cat	Customer Experience	Lemonade	3	5
Dog	Customer Experience	Lemonade	3	5
Cat	Overall Score	Lemonade	1	5
Dog	Overall Score	Lemonade	1	6

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider

All scores presented here were based on averages for experiences and pricing for a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll, with a $500 deductible, $5,000 annual limit and 80% reimbursement rate.

Learn more about the best pet insurance options for your pet across different situations:

Best Multiple Pet Insurance

Best Pet Insurance for Accident-Only Coverage

Best Pet Insurance for Allergies

Best Pet Insurance for Cancer

Best Pet Insurance for Cats

Best Pet Insurance for Dental

Trupanion and Lemonade Comparison by State

Lemonade ranks as the best pet insurance company in all 50 states, beating Trupanion for dogs and cats nationwide.

Data filtered by:


Alabama	Cat	Lemonade
Alabama	Dog	Lemonade
Alaska	Cat	Lemonade
Alaska	Dog	Lemonade
Arizona	Cat	Lemonade
Arizona	Dog	Lemonade
Arkansas	Cat	Lemonade
Arkansas	Dog	Lemonade
California	Cat	Lemonade
California	Dog	Lemonade
Colorado	Cat	Lemonade
Colorado	Dog	Lemonade
Connecticut	Cat	Lemonade
Connecticut	Dog	Lemonade
Delaware	Cat	Lemonade
Delaware	Dog	Lemonade
Florida	Cat	Lemonade
Florida	Dog	Lemonade
Georgia	Cat	Lemonade
Georgia	Dog	Lemonade
Hawaii	Cat	Lemonade
Hawaii	Dog	Lemonade
Idaho	Cat	Lemonade
Idaho	Dog	Lemonade
Illinois	Cat	Lemonade
Illinois	Dog	Lemonade
Indiana	Cat	Lemonade
Indiana	Dog	Lemonade
Iowa	Cat	Lemonade
Iowa	Dog	Lemonade
Kansas	Cat	Lemonade
Kansas	Dog	Lemonade
Kentucky	Cat	Lemonade
Kentucky	Dog	Lemonade
Louisiana	Cat	Lemonade
Louisiana	Dog	Lemonade
Maine	Cat	Lemonade
Maine	Dog	Lemonade
Maryland	Cat	Lemonade
Maryland	Dog	Lemonade
Massachusetts	Cat	Lemonade
Massachusetts	Dog	Lemonade
Michigan	Cat	Lemonade
Michigan	Dog	Lemonade
Minnesota	Cat	Lemonade
Minnesota	Dog	Lemonade
Mississippi	Cat	Lemonade
Mississippi	Dog	Lemonade
Missouri	Cat	Lemonade
Missouri	Dog	Lemonade
Montana	Cat	Lemonade
Montana	Dog	Lemonade
Nebraska	Cat	Lemonade
Nebraska	Dog	Lemonade
Nevada	Cat	Lemonade
Nevada	Dog	Lemonade
New Hampshire	Cat	Lemonade
New Hampshire	Dog	Lemonade
New Jersey	Cat	Lemonade
New Jersey	Dog	Lemonade
New Mexico	Cat	Lemonade
New Mexico	Dog	Lemonade
New York	Cat	Lemonade
New York	Dog	Lemonade
North Carolina	Cat	Lemonade
North Carolina	Dog	Lemonade
North Dakota	Cat	Lemonade
North Dakota	Dog	Lemonade
Ohio	Cat	Lemonade
Ohio	Dog	Lemonade
Oklahoma	Cat	Lemonade
Oklahoma	Dog	Lemonade
Oregon	Cat	Lemonade
Oregon	Dog	Lemonade
Pennsylvania	Cat	Lemonade
Pennsylvania	Dog	Lemonade
Rhode Island	Cat	Lemonade
Rhode Island	Dog	Lemonade
South Carolina	Cat	Lemonade
South Carolina	Dog	Lemonade
South Dakota	Cat	Lemonade
South Dakota	Dog	Lemonade
Tennessee	Cat	Lemonade
Tennessee	Dog	Lemonade
Texas	Cat	Lemonade
Texas	Dog	Lemonade
Utah	Cat	Lemonade
Utah	Dog	Lemonade
Vermont	Cat	Lemonade
Vermont	Dog	Lemonade
Virginia	Cat	Lemonade
Virginia	Dog	Lemonade
Washington	Cat	Lemonade
Washington	Dog	Lemonade
West Virginia	Cat	Lemonade
West Virginia	Dog	Lemonade
Wisconsin	Cat	Lemonade
Wisconsin	Dog	Lemonade
Wyoming	Cat	Lemonade
Wyoming	Dog	Lemonade

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider by State

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Cost

Based on our pet insurance cost study, Lemonade beats Trupanion across all age categories for dogs and cats, with the biggest savings for senior dogs at 77% cheaper annually. Senior cats also see substantial savings at 76% less with Lemonade compared to Trupanion.

Data filtered by:


Kittens	Lemonade	$10	41%
Young Cats	Lemonade	$13	48%
Puppies	Lemonade	$19	64%
Middle Aged Cats	Lemonade	$22	54%
Young Dogs	Lemonade	$25	63%
Senior Cats	Lemonade	$32	76%
Middle Aged Dogs	Lemonade	$45	49%
Senior Dogs	Lemonade	$58	77%

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider

All rates presented here were based on averages for pricing for Labrador Retrievers and Ragdolls from the age of less than 1 years old up to 20 years of age across 50 states.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Cost by State

At the state level, Lemonade consistently offers the cheapest pet insurance in all states for both dogs and cats, outperforming Trupanion in our analysis.

Data filtered by:


Alabama	Lemonade	$33	49%
Arizona	Lemonade	$54	50%
Arkansas	Lemonade	$30	49%
California	Lemonade	$56	50%
Colorado	Lemonade	$56	50%
Connecticut	Lemonade	$51	50%
Delaware	Lemonade	$45	50%
Florida	Lemonade	$50	50%
Georgia	Lemonade	$40	50%
Hawaii	Lemonade	$45	50%
Illinois	Lemonade	$55	50%
Indiana	Lemonade	$40	50%
Iowa	Lemonade	$37	50%
Louisiana	Lemonade	$36	50%
Maryland	Lemonade	$43	50%
Massachusetts	Lemonade	$57	50%
Michigan	Lemonade	$44	50%
Minnesota	Lemonade	$46	50%
Mississippi	Lemonade	$38	49%
Missouri	Lemonade	$35	49%
Montana	Lemonade	$37	49%
Nebraska	Lemonade	$40	50%
Nevada	Lemonade	$46	50%
New Hampshire	Lemonade	$51	50%
New Jersey	Lemonade	$50	50%
New Mexico	Lemonade	$39	50%
New York	Lemonade	$48	50%
North Carolina	Lemonade	$39	50%
North Dakota	Lemonade	$34	49%
Ohio	Lemonade	$41	50%
Oklahoma	Lemonade	$37	50%
Oregon	Lemonade	$55	50%
Pennsylvania	Lemonade	$46	50%
Rhode Island	Lemonade	$39	50%
South Carolina	Lemonade	$42	50%
Tennessee	Lemonade	$41	50%
Texas	Lemonade	$47	50%
Utah	Lemonade	$42	49%
Virginia	Lemonade	$47	50%
Washington	Lemonade	$51	49%
Wisconsin	Lemonade	$47	50%

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider by State

All rates presented here were based on average pricing for Labrador Retrievers and Ragdolls from the age of less than 1 years old up to 20 years of age.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Discounts

Lemonade offers three pet insurance discounts, while Trupanion provides none, making it the better choice for pet owners looking for ways to save on coverage. You can get 5% off for insuring multiple pets, 5% for paying annually and 10% for bundling with other Lemonade policies.


Multiple pets	None.	Get 5% off when you insure two or more pets under separate policies.
Bundling	None.	Save 10% when you bundle pet insurance with other Lemonade policies such as home, renters, car or life.
Paying annually in full	None.	Receive 5% discount for paying annually in full instead of monthly.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Customer Experience

Lemonade provides better customer experience, ranking third nationally compared to Trupanion's fifth position. While Trupanion earns slightly higher ratings from Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, Lemonade still wins for receiving stronger positive sentiment on Reddit.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Trustpilot ratings

Trupanion earns a 4.4 out of 5.0 Trustpilot rating, while Lemonade holds 4.0 out of 5.0. Reviewers praise Trupanion's direct payment to vets and fast claims processing, but some raised concerns about its higher premiums. Lemonade customers, meanwhile, appreciate the quick reimbursements and user-friendly app, though some report claim denials and slower response times.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade BBB ratings

Trupanion holds an A+ BBB rating with full accreditation, indicating that the company meets BBB Standards for Trust and has stronger complaint resolution record. In contrast, Lemonade has a B- rating and is not accredited, showing that it faces more consumer disputes.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Reddit Sentiment

Lemonade outperforms Trupanion in user sentiment on Reddit, with Lemonade earning 72% positive feedback from 32 total comments, while Trupanion garners 44% from 16 comments. Reddit users praise Lemonade's quick reimbursements and user-friendly app but criticize claim denials for pre-existing conditions. Trupanion users appreciate the direct vet payment feature and fast claim processing, though many complain about high premiums.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Coverage

Trupanion has better pet insurance coverage for dogs and cats than Lemonade, ranking higher nationally by four spots. Although Trupanion has less flexibility on policy customization, it edges ahead by offering direct vet payment, unlimited coverage, per-condition deductibles and shorter waiting periods for certain states.


Diagnostics	✓	✓
Procedures	✓	✓
Medications	✓	✓
Fractures and broken bones	✓	✓
Lacerations and bite wounds	✓	✓
Parasite treatment	X	✓
Cancer treatment	✓	✓
Digestive illnesses	✓	✓
Hereditary conditions	✓	✓
Congenital conditions	✓	✓
Chronic conditions	✓	✓
Hip dysplasia	✓	✓
Deductibles	$0 to $1,000; deductible applies per condition for the lifetime of the pet	$100, $250, $500, $750
Annual limits	Unlimited	$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
Reimbursement rates	90%	60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Waiting periods	5 days for accidents, 30 days for illnesses in most states. These waiting periods change for the following states: CA and NH: 30 days for illnesses, no waiting period for accidents ME: No waiting period for accidents and illnesses DE, LA, MD, MS, MT, NE, OH, PA, VT and WA: 12-day delayed effective date for new accidents and illnesses	2 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 30 days for orthopedic conditions and up to 6 months for cruciate ligament events
Age restrictions	Enrollment available for pets below 14 years old	Only insures pets up to 14 years old, depending on breed
Pre-existing conditions	Conditions that developed 18 months prior to your policy’s effective date or during waiting periods are permanently excluded	Non-chronic pre-existing conditions may be covered if cured and symptom-free for 12 months
Direct vet payment	Offers to pay licensed veterinarians right at checkout, as long as the vet has Trupanion's software installed	Doesn't offer direct vet payment

Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Add-ons

When it comes to expanding your base coverage, Lemonade offers more optional add-ons than Trupanion. Lemonade's offerings cover routine care, vet exam fees, physical therapy, dental illness, behavioral conditions and end-of-life services. Trupanion's add-ons focus on breeding, recovery care and pet owner benefits.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Add-ons

Breeding: Provides coverage for complications related to breeding, whelping or queening.
Recovery and complementary care: Covers physical therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments following accidents or illnesses.
Pet owner assistance package: Helps reimburse costs related to lost pet ads, boarding fees during owner hospitalization, vacation cancellation, liability for third-party property damage and cremation or burial assistance.

Lemonade Pet Insurance Add-ons

Routine Vet Care package: Covers one wellness exam, three vaccinations, blood tests, parasite testing and heartworm testing.
Routine Vet Care Plus: Provides coverage for unlimited wellness exams and vaccines, plus Life Essentials such as spaying/neutering, heartworm/flea/tick prevention medication, deworming, nail trimming, joint and organ screening, genetic testing, and preventative x-rays and ultrasounds.
Preventative+ Care package: Includes all Routine Vet Care benefits and adds routine dental cleaning and heartworm treatment or flea/tick medication.
Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care package: Tailored to pets under 2 yeards old, it provides coverage for two wellness exams, up to six vaccines, heartworm or flea/tick medication, spay/neuter procedure and microchip.
Vet visit fee add-on: Covers examination fees charged separately from treatment.
Physical therapy add-on: Providers reimbursement for rehabilitation services such as hydrotherapy and acupuncture.
Dental illness add-on: Reimburses tooth extractions, root canals and other dental procedures related to illness.
Behavioral conditions add-on: Covers diagnostics and training for behavioral issues such as separation anxiety or aggression.
End-of-life coverage add-on: Helps cover vet-recommended euthanasia, cremation, and memorial expenses.

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance: Bottom Line

Lemonade offers better pet insurance for dogs and cats than Trupanion, delivering a strong blend of affordability and quality service. Lemonade's average monthly rates for middle-aged cats and middle-aged dogs are 54% and 49% cheaper than Trupanion's premiums. Trupanion also garners 72% positive sentiment on Reddit. However, Trupanion has superior coverage for pets, featuring direct vet payment and per-condition deductibles.

Compare other major pet insurance companies to determine the best choice for your pet:

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Spot vs. Embrace Pet Insurance

Spot vs. Fetch Pet Insurance

Spot vs. Figo Pet Insurance

Spot vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Spot vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance

Trupanion vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance Comparison: FAQ

Compare Trupanion and Lemonade pet insurance through these common questions:

What is the difference between Trupanion and Lemonade pet insurance?

Trupanion uses a per-condition deductible that never resets once met and offers direct payment to vets, while Lemonade uses an annual deductible and reimburses pet owners directly. Also, Lemonade offers more affordable rates, along with three pet insurance discounts that Trupanion lacks.

Is Trupanion or Lemonade cheaper for pet insurance?

Lemonade costs 41% to 77% less than Trupanion across all age groups for dogs and cats. Monthly premiums average $22 for cats and $45 for dogs with Lemonade, compared to $48 for cats and $88 for dogs with Trupanion.

Does Trupanion or Lemonade offer better coverage for chronic conditions?

Trupanion ranks second nationally for coverage quality, while Lemonade ranks sixth in our analysis. Trupanion offers better coverage for chronic conditions with its per-condition deductible that never resets once met, meaning you pay the deductible only once per condition for your pet's lifetime. Lemonade uses an annual deductible that resets every year, which costs more for ongoing treatment of chronic conditions.

How do Trupanion and Lemonade compare for claims and reimbursement?

Trupanion pays vets directly at participating clinics through its VetDirect Pay feature, eliminating out-of-pocket costs, while Lemonade reimburses pet owners after they pay upfront. Lemonade processes claims faster with nearly 50% approved within minutes, compared to Trupanion's 24-hour standard processing time. Both companies offer 90% reimbursement rates, but Trupanion provides unlimited lifetime payouts while Lemonade caps annual limits between $5,000 and $100,000.

Which is better overall: Trupanion or Lemonade pet insurance?

Lemonade ranks first nationally for overall performance, offering more affordable premiums and better customer experience. Meanwhile, Trupanion provides superior coverage quality. Choose Lemonade if you're looking for budget-friendly coverage with fast digital claims, or Trupanion for comprehensive coverage with direct vet payment.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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