Pet Insurance For Dogs 101!
Dog parents know that dogs aren’t just pets — they are part of your family. That means when they get sick or hurt, you want to do whatever you can to take care of them. However, you don’t want to have to break the bank every time they need to go to the vet. Pet insurance for dogs can help bridge that gap, allowing you to give your pup the care they need while protecting your wallet. But what is pet insurance for dogs, exactly? And how does it work? Read on to find out everything you need to know.
Pet Insurance For Dogs: The Basics
What Is Pet Insurance For Dogs?
Put simply, pet insurance for dogs is exactly that — insurance that you purchase for your dog. Think of it as health insurance, but for your canine companion. You pay a monthly premium to a provider, and they reimburse you for covered veterinary expenses.
One of the biggest benefits of insurance is that it allows you to focus on doing what is best for your dog, rather than what you can afford at that moment. Vet care has never been more expensive, even as it has also never been more advanced. Savings accounts, health care options, and payment plans can help — but they can also leave you wondering if you’re making the right decision. Pet insurance takes that worry away.
How Does Pet Insurance For Dogs Work?
It’s simpler than you might think. Here’s the process:
1.You sign up and enroll your dog.
You fill out an application, pay your premium (which is determined by a few different factors), and await whatever life happens to throw at your furry best friend.
2.Something happens to your dog!
They eat something they shouldn’t have, tear a ligament playing fetch, or get diagnosed with a disease. When your pup needs medical care, you take them to see a licensed vet.
3.You pay your vet bill.
With pet insurance for dogs, you typically pay the bill upfront.
4.File a claim with your provider.
You submit a claim either through your provider’s website or mobile app. Include all requested documentation, such as medical records and invoices.
5.Get reimbursed!
Your insurance company reviews your claim and reimburses you according to your policy. If your reimbursement rate is 80% and your vet visit costs $500, you’ll pay $500 and be reimbursed $400. Pretty simple!
Just remember that insurers typically do not pay the vet directly. You must pay first, then receive reimbursement (typically by check or direct deposit). You’ll need to be able to pay the bill upfront.
What Does Pet Insurance For Dogs Cover?
This depends on the specifics of your plan and provider. But in general, pet insurance for dogs will cover:
Accidents
Includes injuries such as broken bones, cuts and wounds, poisoning from ingestion of toxic substances, etc.
Illnesses
Similar to accident coverage, this helps pay for disease treatment. Dogs can develop all kinds of ailments as they age, so this coverage is extremely important.
Emergency Care
Emergency room visits and hospitalizations are often covered under this portion of your plan.
Diagnostic Testing
Blood work, X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.
Surgeries
Major surgeries like removal of foreign objects, ligament repairs, tumor removal, etc.
Prescription Medication
Most insurance plans cover medically necessary medications that are prescribed by a veterinarian.
Specialist Visits
Referrals to specialists like veterinarians who focus exclusively on dermatology, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, etc.
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, hydrotherapy, etc.
Alternative coverage will vary by provider. For the most comprehensive care, look for plans that include all of the above.
What Doesn’t Pet Insurance For Dogs Cover?
Pre-existing Conditions
This is why you’ll want to enroll your dog in a plan as soon as possible. If your dog has a health condition at the time of enrollment, it will not be covered by your insurance.
Routine Care
Annual check-ups, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, dental care, and heartworm tests are not covered by basic plans. Some companies offer “wellness” add-ons that will cover these for an extra cost.
Breeding
If you’re planning on breeding your dog, you’ll want to look for a plan that covers pregnancy expenses. Your basic accident and illness plan will not cover any of those costs.
Cosmetic Procedures
Some procedures are purely elective, like ear cropping and tail docking. Insurance plans do not cover these.
Behavioral Training
Aggression training, obedience training, and anxiety treatments are usually excluded from plans. That being said, some pet insurance companies are starting to recognize the importance of mental health in dogs and are beginning to offer coverage for it!
When considering what your plan will cover, remember that every company has slightly different policies. Always read the fine print and reach out to providers with any questions you may have.
How Much Does Pet Insurance For Dogs Cost?
Just like with any insurance, the price you pay depends on many factors. Your dog’s age is a big one — older dogs cost more to insure because they are more likely to need care. Where you live also plays a big role, as do your coverage preferences. And of course, the provider you choose will affect your monthly premium.
On average, dog parents pay between $30 and $70 per month for a basic accident and illness plan. More generous plans that include additional benefits like wellness coverage can cost over $100 per month. But again, this will depend on you and your pup.
Should I Get Pet Insurance For Dogs?
This is the big question. And the answer? Maybe — but probably yes.
There really is no definitive answer to this question. Pets are a financial commitment, and adding insurance to the mix is not always cheap. You may spend months or years paying for a policy and never receive much, if any, reimbursement.
On paper, that may not sound worth it.
However.
Cancer isn’t cheap. Surgeries aren’t cheap. Neither is chronic care. If your dog develops any of these conditions — and many other illnesses and injuries — you could be looking at thousands of dollars out of pocket. Pet insurance won’t make vet care cheap, but it can help ensure that you’re able to provide your dog with the care they need when they need it.
Think of it this way: if you never file a claim, you got peace of mind for free. If you do end up needing treatment, you’ll be thankful you had the foresight to get insured when you did.
And remember — the sooner you enroll your dog, the better. Waiting for something to happen before you get insurance means your dog may have already developed a pre-existing condition. Every plan has a waiting period before coverage kicks in, and that window will vary by company.
Tips for Finding the Best Plan for You
Still not sure where to start? Follow these tips when you’re ready to shop around:
Always compare multiple quotes.
Don’t just look at one company and assume they offer the best prices. Get quotes from several different providers, then compare what they offer.
Do your research.
Take a good, hard look at plan specifics. Things like waiting periods, reimbursement levels, eligible treatments, and the claims process can all vary greatly from one company to the next.
Pay attention to reimbursements.
Remember how I said insurance won’t make veterinary care cheap? That’s because most insurance providers reimburse you based on average veterinary costs, not your actual costs. For example, if the insurer’s average office visit cost is $80 but yours is $95, they will only reimburse you up to $80.
Read reviews.
Customer reviews are incredibly important, especially when it comes to the claims process. Make sure the company you choose is reputable and easy to work with if you ever need them.
Conclusion
You love your dog more than anything and would do anything for them. One of the best things you can do for your pup is provide them with the care they need if they’re ever injured or sick. Pet insurance for dogs allows you to give them that care without stressing about how you’ll pay the vet bill.
I know it can be confusing trying to understand all the different policies and rules — but it’s worth it to know that you and your dog are covered if anything happens.
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