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What's the best dog health insurance companies?

Insurer	Rate
4/5 54 reviews	Buy Now	4/5 54 reviews	from $20 per month	90% of vet bill	$250	Unlimited	Get Quotes PetPlan Reviews


4.1/5 90 reviews	Buy Now	4.1/5 90 reviews	from $29.8 per month	90%	$200	$30 000	Get Quotes Embrance Reviews


4.1/5 26 reviews	Buy Now	4.1/5 26 reviews	from $15 per month	90%	$250	Unlimited	Get Quotes PetFirst Reviews


4.1/5 80 reviews	Buy Now	4.1/5 80 reviews	from $17.68 per month	90% of vet bill	$100	Unlimited	Get Quotes HealthyPaws Reviews


4.1/5 80 reviews	Buy Now	4.1/5 80 reviews	from $16 per month	90%	$250	Unlimited	Get Quotes PetsBest Reviews


3.8/5 59 reviews	Buy Now	3.8/5 59 reviews	from $25.7 per month	90%	$250	Unlimited	Get Quotes Trupanion Reviews


4.6/5 34 reviews	Buy Now	4.6/5 34 reviews	from $24 per month	90%	$250	Unlimited	Get Quotes Figo Reviews

Is Dog Insurance Worth It?

Max Loves his teddy bear. But if his love for his teddy bear becomes all-consuming, it could cost $3,250. With Healthy Paws, Max can receive the best medical care by visiting any licensed veterinarian, including emergency hospitals.

	Total Vet Cost	Insurance Companies Pays
Ingesting A Foreign Object	$3,250	from $2,757

Сost of dog insurance

All dogs are not the same – from their energy level, likes and dislikes, size, etc. This is why our prices vary. How much you pay for canine insurance will be based on several factors tied to your specific dog. There will be a list offered:

Age

Gender

Breed

Cost of veterinary
care where you live

How Does Dog Insurance Work?

Dog Insurance is a type of medical insurance for dog and puppy members of your family. Just like us humans, pets can rack up big bills if they get sick or injured. Luckily, veterinary pet insurance (VPI) exists to help you cover the cost of veterinary surgeries, treatments, and procedures that your pet might someday need.

The best plans offer a variety of deductibles, premiums, annual policy limits, coverage benefits, and features to suit any budget.
Depending on your policy, pet insurance can reimburse you for up to 100% of covered claims at the vet, including unexpected costs like accidents and injuries. Some plans also cover routine wellness care.
Also, plans cover you at home or while traveling, so you can take your dog to any licensed veterinarian of your choice, including many emergency or specialty clinics.
Dog insurance is very affordable, but the benefits can be just as valuable. Many serious pet injuries and illnesses can cost four or even five figures to treat. But with working coverage, you don't have to worry about whether you can afford it. Instead, you can focus on helping your dog or puppy get better.

Here on PetInsuranceFinder you can get instant customized quotes from multiple recommended providers, read the reviews, and buy your policy safely and securely online. It's essential to protect your online security while shopping for cheap quotes, so our service only shows you rates from the best-recommended companies.

As a pet owner, you hope your dog won't ever get seriously sick or injured, but it's something you can't predict. Knowing your pet is protected with insurance can help. You can help ensure your dog enjoys a long and healthy life right by your side.

What does Dog Insurance cover?

What's included with your dog insurance coverage can vary based on the type of plan. Some costs may be reimbursed 100%, while other covered expenses may be reimbursed at 20–90% of the cost. Plus, all plans list exclusions for what isn't covered, so it's important to make a careful comparison of dog insurance coverage before making your choice.
There are three main types of plans. While specific coverage will differ between companies, here's what you can expect from each type.

Accident-Only Plan Coverage

Most accident-only plans cover injury treatments, such as emergency care, hospitalization, and surgery, for a dog that suffers a cut, wound, fracture, poisoning, snake bite, or another injury. Accident coverage can be a beneficial low-cost choice if your dog is accident-prone. However, accident-only plans don't cover costly treatments for cancer, diabetes, allergies, or digestive issues that are covered by the accident and illness plans.

Accident and Illness Plan Coverage

Most pet owners opt for a more comprehensive accident and illness dog insurance coverage in case a dog becomes sick unexpectedly or gets into an accident. Accident and illness plans also frequently cover X-rays, diagnostics, prescription medications, specialty care, alternative therapies, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions, and congenital conditions, as long as these aren't pre-existing conditions. Please note: any congenital, hereditary, or chronic conditions that have been documented by your vet before you bought insurance or during the plan's waiting period after sign-up will most likely be considered a pre-existing condition and won't be covered.

Wellness Plan Coverage

Wellness plan coverage can be added to most accident and illness plans to help you cover planned vet expenses, such as annual checkups, preventative care, vaccinations, and dental cleaning.

Coverage Exclusions
When you're shopping for insurance, make sure to take into account what's not covered by a plan so that you're prepared. While some plans may cover accidents involving the teeth, most plans don't include dog dental insurance and won't cover preventative care like dental cleanings. Pre-existing or hereditary conditions, dental disease, behavior issues, and hip dysplasia are other standard exclusions.

Also, note that pet health insurance is different than pet business insurance, so your plan won't include dog trainer insurance, dog grooming insurance, dog walkers and sitters insurance, or dog daycare and boarding insurance.

Pros

It's easy to shop and compare
Dog insurance is less complex than people's insurance, with simple policies, easy comparison, free quotes, and fast, secure online purchasing.
Starting premiums are very affordable
If you've got a healthy puppy and choose a simple plan with light coverage, you can easily protect your pet for less than $1 a day.
Deductibles are affordable
Most plan deductibles are priced reasonably, so you don't have to pay thousands out of pocket before your coverage kicks in.
You can choose any vet
You don't have to worry about "out of network" providers with pet insurance or whether the vet you choose will "accept" your plan.
Your dog can get the best care
With insurance, you don't have to choose between your savings and your pet's life. You know you can give your pet the best care possible.

Cons

Premiums can be higher for older pets
While puppy coverage is cheap, senior dog coverage can get expensive, so you'll have to decide if coverage makes sense.
Getting reimbursed takes time
Unless you purchase a direct pay pet insurance policy, you'll have to pay your vet up front and then wait to get your covered portion reimbursed.
Most insurance doesn't cover everything
You can still expect to pay about 20% of your pet's medical expenses out of pocket.
Most coverage has limitations
Annual policy limits are generally high for most plans, but if your pet does get seriously injured or sick, you could max out your coverage.
You may not save on costs if your pet is healthy
Healthy pets are happy pets, but they don't use their insurance very often. That said, the main benefit of pet insurance is the peace of mind you'll get knowing your dog will be taken care of in an emergency.

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Gary Jones

Founder

Jeffrey Moore

Python Developer

Rebecca Wilson

Pet Insurance Expert

Anna Diaz

Chief Editor

Where to buy best dog insurance

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Petinsurancefinder Reviews

Max (OK)

I used to be a customer of ASPCA for a long time, but I became disappointed with the quality of service. At some point, it felt like they were doing me a favor just by answering my calls. I’m happy with the level of service at 24Petwatch and think that it is the best dog insurance out there. I would recommend them to all dog lovers out there.

5 out of 5

Mia (CA)

I am a dog owner for several breeds, and I can tell you that having insurance is a must. So, I used PetInsuranceFinder to search for some ideas. The features are high, and you can explore depending on your preferences. Anyway, I received a lot of helpful suggestions, and I got the chance to read some reviews before buying a policy. I encourage you to try this platform, as it is easy to use, and everything is described transparently.

5 out of 5

Heidi (NC)

I wasn’t sure I needed coverage, but still, I opted for cheap dog insurance. And it was the best choice I ever made. My puppy developed an unusual growth around his neck, so my vet suggested surgery. The tumor throat surgery totaled $1600, but I had to pay extra for IVs, post-op treatment, and post-op recovery care. Overall, the insurance covered most of the costs, which allowed me to focus solely on my dog’s care.

5 out of 5

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Petinsurancefinder is an independent platform, made to provide pet owners with up-to-date information about top insurance companies. Any insurance company that is presented on this website has the right to make changes to its official data. We are dedicated to distributing reviews based on a person's experience and opinions of his/her insurance company. Reviews are "reviewed" to ensure there is no offensive material. All information may be used only for reference; carefully review your policy before purchasing and signing a new contract. As an independent platform, we receive compensation from companies listed in the comparison block. No review is a representation of our company or its employees.

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Q&A

How do I get dog insurance?

Here on PetInsuranceFinder it's easy to request cheap quotes from multiple recommended companies, get instant customized rate quotes, read the reviews, and buy your policy safely and securely online.

You can search for and compare coverage by entering your ZIP code and supplying the following information for your pet:

Name
Breed
Age
Pre-existing conditions (if any)
Vet's name and contact information

After reviewing your PetInsuranceFinder quotes, choose the site of the most appropriate provider and complete your purchase online with a credit card to lock in your rate and receive your new insurance policy. 90% of companies will provide insurance for at least one year.

Do I need pet insurance for my dog?

No, it's optional. While pet insurance can help offset the high costs of an emergency vet bill, it's unnecessary for any pet owners in the USA or Canada to purchase or maintain pet health insurance. Local US laws may require pet owners to license or register their pets, but insurance isn't one of those requirements.

When is the best time to buy it?

Many vets recommend insuring your dogs when they're young and healthy. Puppies can get insurance from most companies as soon as they turn 8 weeks old. This is also the period when you'll be able to get the cheapest and best price.

If your dog is no longer a puppy, you can still get insurance. Even many senior dogs can still sign up. However, the best time to buy pet insurance for puppies and dogs is before you need it. That's because it is designed to help cover the cost of future health problems. Pre-existing illnesses and injuries won't be covered by any provider. So the sooner you enroll in coverage, the more likely future diseases, and injuries will be covered.

Are there any interesting statistics?

Yes! Here are 10 interesting statistics about dog and puppy insurance:

More and more pets are getting covered, with policy numbers up 17.1% since last year.
The number of insured pets jumped from 680,000 in 2008 to 1.8 million in 2018.
4 out of 5 pet insurance customers is a dog or puppy parent.
9 out of 10 policy purchases is a comprehensive accident and illness coverage plan.
Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzus, and small mixed breeds are some of the cheapest to insure.
Great Danes are the most expensive breed to insure, at about 60% more than average.
English Bulldogs, Doberman Pinschers, and Boxers can also have higher rates.
1 in 30 pet owners will face a bill of $1,000 or more this year.
The average cost of an emergency vet bill in the US is $1,500.
Almost every pet owner will face a vet bill of $2,000 to $4,000 for their pet at least once.

What should I pay attention?

When you do comparisons of pet insurance plans, you'll quickly see there are only a few important variables that you have to pay attention to:

Direct pay or reimbursement percentage model
Plan deductible
Reimbursement percentage
Annual policy limit
Vet exam fees coverage
Waiting period

By comparing these options, you'll be able to find the perfect match of the coverage your pet needs for the best price. Here's what to know about each option:

Direct Pay or Reimbursement Percentage Model

There are two ways you can access your dog insurance coverage. The standard model is by reimbursement, where you will pay your vet for care, submit your itemized bill to your insurer, and be reimbursed by check or direct deposit. Processing time is usually 2–7 days.

Direct pay is a newer alternative for accessing coverage, offered by Trupanion and Pets Best. Direct pay dog insurance pays the reimbursable portion of your bill directly to your vet so that you don't have to pay the full bill up front and wait to be reimbursed.

Plan Deductible

All plans have a deductible that you will pay towards your pet's vet bill before your coverage kicks in. Deductibles can be either per year or per incident and range from $0 to $1,000. Choosing a higher deductible plan will lower your monthly premium.

Reimbursement Percentage

All plans will specify a reimbursement percentage, a percentage of the bill that will be reimbursed by the insurer for covered care, less the deductible. This percentage is usually between 50% and 100%. Choosing a higher percentage provides more insurance coverage, so expect the premium to be higher if that's your pick.

Annual Policy Limits

Pet insurance plans offer a choice of coverage limits that the insurer will pay in medical bills each year. Once you reach the plan's limit, you'll have to pay the remainder out of pocket. Common limits you can choose include $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 per year in benefits, as well as plans with unlimited payouts. Choosing a lower annual policy limit will give you a lower monthly premium, but may result in higher out-of-pocket costs.

Vet Exam Fees Coverage

Vet exam fees can range from $25 to as much as $250. Some plans will cover them, but many do not. In order not to be disappointed by the bill, you should make sure you know your own vet's fees and whether your choice of plan will cover them. PetFirst is one pet insurer that offers exam fee coverage for regular vet visits, specialist care and emergency vet fees.

Waiting Period

All pet insurance plans have waiting periods, meaning that immediate coverage isn't available in most cases. Typical waiting periods include:

Accident Coverage: Varies from 0 days (no waiting period) up to 14 days.
Illness Coverage: Typically 14 days after signing up.
Cruciate Ligaments Coverage: Varies from 14 days up to 12 months.
Hip Dysplasia Coverage: Varies from 14 days up to 12 months.

How do dog insurance claims work?

In most cases, the dog insurance claims process works the same way no matter which plans you have.

When your dog is ill or injured, the first step is getting your pet the medical care he needs.
Make an appointment with your vet or go to the nearest animal hospital if it's an emergency.
If it's not an emergency and you want to know for sure how much insurance will reimburse, you can contact your insurer about claims pre-authorization beforehand.
If your plan is a reimbursement percentage model, pay your veterinarian and get a copy of your itemized bill.
Then fill out your insurer's claim form and submit it along with your itemized bill. Most insurers accept claims on their website, or via email, fax or postal mail.
Your insurer will review the claim and send you reimbursement with a check or direct deposit. Most claims are processed in 2–7 days.
If more information is needed to process the claim, your insurer will contact you or your vet.
The only difference for direct pay insurance will be that your insurer will be reimbursed directly after you submit the claim.

How much does it cost per month?

The average cost of dog insurance in the USA is $22 per month. But costs can vary. Some companies offer specials for your first month or for insuring your puppy when he's young. Other factors may affect the price you pay, including your dog's age, breed, location, and type of coverage.

Puppies of any breed get the best rates, often under $35 a month. However, rates increase with age, just like with people. The same dog may cost $80 or more to insure as a less healthy senior pet.

The breed can also affect the cost because some breeds are more likely to develop specific health problems. For example, it may cost a few dollars more to insure your Bulldog or Golden Retriever, compared to your Beagle or German Shepherd. Your location could affect your pet insurance rate. If you live in a high-cost area where vet care is more expensive, your monthly premium will be higher.

The type of coverage also affects how much you pay. Accident-only plan coverage is the cheapest, at an average of about $16 per month. The more comprehensive accident and illness plans cost about $45 a month on average because they offer a lot more coverage.

The best way to find out what it will cost to insure your four-legged family member is to request your quote on PetInsuranceFinder. You'll be able to find out exactly what the level of coverage you need to protect your dog will cost.