Before getting started with a dog insurance plan make sure to familiarize yourself with how dog insurance works and what plan is best for your furry friend. To help you get started, we've compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions about dog insurance to help make sure your dog is fully covered and protected.
Pet insurance can benefit anyone with a dog. Whether you're bringing home a new puppy or adopting a mature dog from a pet rescue, making sure you have the right dog insurance can end up saving you more money than you realize. If you've had a dog for years but have never had dog insurance, some of the best dog insurance plans could benefit you. Plans cover routine visits as well as emergency care. This means that you wouldn't pay much for routine vet visits, and you have the added security of emergency care coverage.
Having dog insurance is a good idea no matter the age of your pet. Owners with older dogs can especially benefit because, as dogs age, their bodies need more care and attention, just like people. Older dogs should be insured by a provider that offers specialized care for senior dogs. Those who have just gotten a puppy can benefit from dog insurance as well. Puppies need to go to the vet to get many different vaccinations. Therefore, the best dog insurance plan for the owner of a puppy should cover preventative care.
Healthcare for pets can end up costing a lot of money. Having dog insurance provides you with the security of knowing that, in an emergency, you can choose the right medical option for your pet without spending a fortune. You don't have to make any decisions about your pet's well-being based on your finances.
If you already take your dog to the vet on a routine basis, you should look for insurance that covers routine visits and vaccinations. Finding the right pet insurance for your situation and your pet is key. To do this, review the features of the plans available and the type of coverage offered. If you have multiple pets, for example, some companies give discounts on dog insurance for more than one animal.
Dog insurance can save you money if you choose the right one for your and your pet's needs. When it comes to emergency care, having dog insurance can help you save big. Pet surgeries for emergency situations can get expensive. If your dog experiences an accident, you can end up with vet bills costing thousands of dollars.
Because many dog breeds are very active, they can injure themselves by running, jumping, and playing just as humans do. If your pet lands wrong after jumping or overexerts themselves while running, they could easily tear a ligament in one or more of their limbs. Testing and specialized surgery to repair something like a torn cruciate ligament can leave you with vet bills totaling more than $5,000.
Coverage could cover most of the surgery costs and decrease the bill by almost $4,000 with the right copay and deductible. If your pet has an accident with a car, you could end up paying around $10,000 for the surgeries needed in order to save their life. In this situation, dog insurance with the right copay and deductible ensures that you receive reimbursement for the majority of surgery costs.
Dogs have many common health problems that may require you to take your pet to the vet. Having dog insurance gives you peace of mind knowing you can afford pet care. For example, stomach issues represent one of the most common causes for a vet visit among dogs. Dogs suffering from symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and refusing food may need an ultrasound, which can range anywhere from around $300 to $500. Some cases may also require additional testing like an endoscopy, which can cost from $800 to $1,000, or a $3,000 CT scan. The best dog insurance plans offer 80-90% reimbursement, so having a dog insurance plan when your pet needs extensive testing could turn out as a financial lifesaver.
Dogs often need treatment for skin conditions, ear and eye problems, and growths. If your dog needs treatment for a skin condition like dermatitis, you may need to pay anywhere between $100 to $500 for their prescriptions. The bill for a visit to the vet for something as small as an ear infection could cost as much as $250. If your pet needs treatment for an eye condition, surgery could cost thousands of dollars. When dogs need care for a growth, a biopsy can cost as much as $1,500. If test results show signs of cancer, a full course of chemotherapy can cost around $15,000. A number of pet insurance plans cover preventative care so that you can catch a lot of issues early on and avoid these high costs. Plans also include illness coverage if your pet is diagnosed with a serious condition.
There are a number of factors to consider. The best dog health insurance for one pet may not always make sense for another. Circumstances vary from animal to animal so you should think of your pet's age, breed, and overall health when selecting insurance. Of course, you'll also need to consider your budget, the type of specialized services you may need (such as grooming, breeding, etc.), and how many pets you have.
If you have an older dog, Pets Best and Petplan stand out as two of the better dog health insurance companies. Pets Best does not have upper age limits for coverage, and Petplan has plans designed specifically for senior dogs. It's important to note, however, that Petplan can get pricey, and they have no wellness program.
Along with its age, your dog's breed plays a major role in coverage and price for pet insurance. Larger breeds like bulldogs, mastiffs, retrievers, and Rottweilers are more prone to conditions like hip dysplasia. If you have a larger breed, you should look for a provider that will cover things like hip dysplasia and other conditions that affect large breeds.
For those seeking dog insurance for multiple dogs, the ASPCA offers owners of more than one dog special low rates. Unfortunately, the ASPCA does not cover pre-existing conditions.