Our four-legged family members are usually very active and curious. They often act before they think, which can get them into trouble. They can get hurt in a lot of different ways like if they run down the stairs too quickly, get into a fight with another animal, or eat something they shouldn’t. They can also get sick, with ear infections, stomach problems, skin problems, urinary tract problems, and even cancer.
When your dog gets hurt or sick, pet insurance can help you take good care of them. It pays back your covered vet bills, so you can get them the care they need to get better without worrying about the cost.
Pet Insurance
Insurance for your pet helps you pay for veterinary care. It’s actually a type of property insurance, which sounds weird since we don’t think of our pets as anything but furry family members. But it works like auto or home insurance and pays you back for things that are covered.
Dog health insurance protects you and your pup
Just like when we have health problems, medical emergencies with our pets often happen out of the blue. When you don’t expect it, a veterinary bill can add to your credit card debt or wipe out your savings.
Dog insurance plans can protect you from veterinary costs ranging from the expected to the unexpected.
In some heartbreaking cases, it can even mean having to turn down tests or treatments that are recommended. Pet insurance reimburses you for covered vet bills, so you can worry more about how to take care of your pet and less about how much it will cost.
Quality veterinary care is also getting more and more expensive, especially as pets get access to more advanced medical services. Our pets can get all kinds of treatments these days, like MRI, laser surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and more.
Pet insurance can give you the financial safety net you need to give your pet the best care possible, even if it’s expensive.
Understanding dog insurance costs
Pet insurance isn’t too expensive, especially if you can make your plan fit your dog’s health needs at the moment. Aside from the type and amount of coverage you choose, your dog’s breed, age, and where you live can also affect how much you think dog insurance will cost.
How does pet insurance work?
Depending on the plan, pet insurance can work in different ways, but in general, it works like this:
- Visit your veterinarian and pay as usual.
- Submit a claim online, through an app on your phone, or by email, fax, or mail.
- Get reimbursed for covered services.
How do I choose dog insurance?
You wouldn’t choose health insurance for yourself without researching the company, and your dog deserves the same care. Figure out which risks you want to be covered and how much coverage you can afford.
Types of Pet Coverage
Accidental injury dog insurance
When a dog is insured, the cost of medical care for things like broken bones, bite wounds, and the ingestion of foreign objects is covered. Unfortunately, it does not protect against sickness.
Accident and illness dog insurance
The more all-encompassing nature of this plan means that you will be able to recoup the costs of things like doctor’s appointments, diagnostic procedures, and even hospitalizations. After meeting your annual deductible, you can opt to be reimbursed for the amount actually spent on your dog’s medical care.
Routine care dog insurance
You can reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs for preventative services like annual checkups, immunizations, and dental cleanings by adding “routine care” to your health insurance plan. Wellness coverages can help you with predicted yearly health bills, and they’re especially popular with pet parents of younger and older dogs.
What dog health insurance doesn’t cover
Dog insurance policies do not pay for pre-existing conditions. Your puppy’s health problems would not be covered by insurance if they were discovered before the policy went into effect. You can still get insurance for your dog, but it won’t pay for treatment of any preexisting conditions.
Insurance for dogs also doesn’t pay for things like grooming, boarding, food, supplements, or alternative or experimental therapies.
Best Pet Insurance Companies
Here are some of the most reputable providers and policies for protecting your pet:
- Lemonade: Most affordable plans
- Spot: Most customizable
- Trupanion: Most flexible deductible
- ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Most experienced
- Fetch by The Dodo: Best for therapy coverage
- Embrace: Best for savings
- Healthy Paws: Best for unlimited coverage
- Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
- Pumpkin: Best for preventative care
- Pets Best: Best for senior pets
Common questions about dog insurance
Is dog insurance worth it?
Even if you take good care of your dog, anything can happen at any time. If you have pet insurance, you won’t have to worry about your pet costing you thousands of dollars. Find out more about pet insurance and how it works.
Does dog insurance cover teeth cleaning?
The majority of conventional pet insurance policies do not include coverage for dental cleanings.
