How to get the best pet insurance for dogs, according to vets

Pet insurance can help you cover the costs of caring for your dog, especially if an emergency arises. Much like human insurance, these plans cover a portion of medical expenses if your pet is diagnosed with a sudden illness, requires surgery, or has another emergency. In some cases, they may even cover preventive care.

However, not all pet insurance plans are created equal. If you want to make sure you get the absolute Best pet insurance policy For your dog then it helps to first know what the vets recommend.

Start by getting a free price quote so you know what to expect.

What Veterinarians Say You Should Do

Here are four things vets recommend you do when insuring your dog.

Buy fast

when available Pet insurance for your dogTime Summary – Both for coverage purposes and to minimize your costs.

“The best time to buy a pet insurance policy is when you first get the dog, whether as a puppy or an adult,” says Jamie Whittenberg, veterinary director of SeniorTailWaggers.com. “Pet insurance usually doesn’t cover any pre-existing conditions. You need to have a policy before your dog is diagnosed with a medical problem.”

Your age can also have a big impact on what you pay for your pet insurance policy, as premiums go up significantly with age. According to Policy Adviser, a pet insurance marketplace, the average premium for a six-month-old puppy in Texas is $38.51 per month. At age 5.5, however, the premium jumps to $47.94 — $9.43 more per month and $113.16 more per year.

“There’s no set age where it’s too late, but premiums tend to increase with age and may not cover much for an older dog with previously documented health issues,” says Whittenberg.

Don’t let that discourage you, though, if you have old dog. Although premiums can be high, pet insurance can still save you significant cash in the event of an emergency.

“As dogs age and their medical history becomes more complex, premiums increase and coverage decreases,” says Rebecca Greenstein, Rover’s veterinary advisor. “However, given the rising and often astronomical costs of emergency veterinary care, I still believe there is some value in insurance among older pets — and I would discourage pet parents from canceling existing policies on older patients just because they appear healthy.”

Find out more here Get a pet insurance quote in 30 seconds now.

Know your dog

Understanding your dog’s unique quirks can help you get the best coverage for them. “What coverage is right for your dog varies greatly based on their breed, age, health,” explains Dogtopia veterinarian Antje Joslin.

some varietiesFor example, some are predisposed Medical conditionswhile others are more prone to injury.

“Pet insurance may be more valuable for some breeds, but it’s often more expensive to purchase,” says Joslin. “With the rise in popularity of breeds like the Frenchie, English bulldog, and pug, many owners find themselves spending a lot of time and money at the vet due to certain breed-related medical conditions. It’s a good idea to have a vet checked. Any time you’re considering a new pet. and researching breeds and related general health and medical conditions.

When shopping for a policy it is important to know the problems your pet may be prone to developing, as many will exclude certain conditions. You need to shop carefully to make sure your policy covers the problems you can expect — and get coverage before those conditions develop.

small dog And it is important to insure the more active ones early and thoroughly, as they are often more prone to injury than other animals.

“Don’t assume that just because your dog is small that he won’t need insurance,” says Joslin. “Often young dogs end up in the emergency room with foreign bodies or dog bite wounds from a play date gone wrong at the park.”

Check with your shelter or breeder

There are many places you can buy pet insurance – including designated pet insurance providers and big-name insurance companies (for example, Progressive).

You may be able to purchase policies through the agency you found your dog through As Joslin explains, “Anytime you get a new pet into your family, it’s worth investigating pet insurance. Some breeders, larger shelters, and AKC registrations now include a free or low-cost introductory pet insurance offer to get you started. does.”

If you are part of a group or organization, explore possible options there as well Costco members, for example, can use their membership to purchase certain pet insurance plans. So can AARP members.

Understand the coverage

Understanding your budget for veterinary expenses, as well as what expenses you can expect to incur with your pet, is also important when purchasing insurance. If you have less savings, for example, you’ll want a plan that’s more comprehensive—perhaps one that covers both accidents and injuries (and even prevention). If you have funds to cover unexpected expenses (not just thousands), a Accident-only planning can work

“Some people budget for their pet’s annual checkups, vaccines, medications and dental needs, and look for more coverage in case of an unexpected major emergency,” says Joslin. “Some people prefer plans that cover everything, including routine preventive care. Use your own personal financial situation to make your decision.”

You should also research the costs of conditions your dog may develop. If they’re prone to broken bones or other orthopedic problems, you’ll want to look at policies with higher maximums. Also look at the lifetime maximum, warns Greenstein, as it may limit your pet’s care if a condition develops.

“I’m also wary of any policy that puts a cap on lifetime maximum payments for a certain category of medical condition,” Greenstein said. “If you have a pet with heart disease, lifelong medical care and follow-ups are often required, so a restrictive policy would be the last thing you want.”

What vets say you shouldn’t do

Here are four things vets recommend you avoid when insuring your dog.

Choose the first insurer you find

find out Best pet insurance policy Your dog takes time, so don’t rush into the first policy you see. Compare insurers, plans, costs and coverage and make sure you’re getting the best fit for your pet.

“Pet insurance costs vary from company to company, so do your research,” says Autumn Madden, Chew’s veterinarian. “It’s important not to limit yourself to one or two quotes when looking for coverage. Some of the factors that can affect quotes include race, medical history and age.”

You should also be prepared with your pet’s medical records – both to inform your research and purchase policies when presented to the insurance provider.

“Some insurance companies require your pet’s complete hospital history and will determine coverage from your pet’s medical records,” says Madden.

Use the table below to easily shop some of the top pet insurance providers on the market.

Fail to read the fine print

Before you finalize a pet insurance policy, make sure you understand it in detail. First, there is a waiting time?

“Most insurance companies have a waiting period before your pet is eligible to make a claim,” says Madden. “For this reason, it’s important to start looking for coverage as soon as you schedule that first vet visit.”

Also, are there exclusions? It works with all vets? Are pre-existing conditions covered?

“The most common mistake I see is that owners don’t fully understand the policy, especially the pre-existing condition clause,” Whittenberg says. “Often a pet’s health condition is diagnosed, which prompts the owner to seek insurance. Unfortunately, because it is previously diagnosed, this condition and its treatment are not covered.”

Finally, how does the process actually work? Do they pay the vet directly, or do you get paid? compensation After service? Is there a claim filing process you need to follow? Understand how to use the policy when you buy it.

“When comparing policies, it’s important to read the fine print and see what they’ll cover, how they’ll reimburse, what forms or paperwork you’ll need to submit and when you can expect reimbursement,” says Joslin.

Wait until a problem occurs

Pre-existing conditions can make your pet’s policy more expensive or exclude them from coverage altogether, so don’t wait As long as they are injured, have allergies or have some other chronic problem before getting insurance. If that happens, the insurance is no longer worth it.

“Insurance isn’t always helpful for a pet that has multiple pre-existing conditions because they’re usually excluded from coverage,” says Katy Nelson, Senior Veterinarian at Chew. “It’s not an age where things aren’t worthless, but after several pre-existing conditions, it might not be.”

The same goes for injuries. If your pet has a broken leg, you may not be able to apply for pet insurance and have it cover the treatment. “There’s usually a 30-day waiting period for insurance,” says Nelson.

Going with the cheapest plan

Everyone wants to save money, but cutting corners on pet insurance can cost you when an emergency arises. Low-cost plans have smaller policy limits and offer lower reimbursement rates for covered treatments and services. They may exclude further conditions.

“A lower monthly payment is very attractive from a budget perspective, but these types of policies often have higher deductibles, which means you have to pay a significantly higher amount before insurance coverage kicks in,” says Greenstein.

It is also important to consider the rising cost of veterinary services when weighing premium Come up with a plan. According to research from Assistant Press, vet costs have risen 10% in the past year. A good pet insurance plan can help you offset these costs and better prepare for emergency weather.

Get a free price quote here now and learn more.

an option

Although all of the vets we spoke to recommend some type of pet insurance, not all pet owners can afford it. If you’re in this boat, consider setting up a savings account for your pet This can help you cover routine care, as well as any unexpected expenses that arise.

“After 22 years of practicing veterinary medicine, I have never told a single pet parent that they regretted getting insurance,” says Nelson. “I’ve only heard pet parents say how glad they were that they had it when something terrible happened to them or how they wished they had it so they could afford the care recommended during an accident or illness.”

You should also pay attention to prevention with your pup — getting them the annual exams, vaccines and heartworm preventatives they need before the condition develops.