Dogs are often mischievous. They will take every opportunity to eat off a plate or escape their backyards to explore the neighborhood, not realizing the harm they may be putting themselves in. Unexpected vet bills can quickly add up and may become difficult for pet parents to manage alone. Pet insurance can help dog parents get cash back on unexpected vet bills, helping provide additional peace of mind in these kinds of situations. What does dog insurance cover? Learn more belwo
Types of Dog Insurance Coverage
There are multiple types of pet insurance coverage plans available for dogs. Most providers offer coverage for accident’s, illnesses, and routine care. Routine care generally must be purchased for a small additional fee and cannot be purchased as a standalone plan.
Accident-Only: This coverage option helps pet parents get cash back on the treatment cost for unexpected accidents. Examples can include a dog injured in a fall or involved in a car accident.
Accident and Illness: This comprehensive plan can help cover chronic or hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, dental illnesses and more in addition to the accident coverage mentioned above.
Wellness/Routine Care: Routine vet bills for vaccines, annual exams, and bloodwork can quickly add up. Preventive or wellness coverage can often be added to a policy for a small monthly fee and can help pet parents get cash back on these types of bills.
What Impacts Pet Insurance Coverage for Dogs?
If you’re thinking about signing your dog up for a pet insurance policy, it’s important to know that there are certain factors that can affect your coverage and the cost of your policy.
Breed: Some breeds are prone to certain health conditions. Breeds that are known to have a higher health risk can be more expensive to insure.
Age: Dogs tend to develop more health conditions as they age, which can result in higher premiums.
Location: Vet costs can vary by region; large cities are often more expensive than more rural areas. This is another factor that can affect the cost of your premium.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered under pet insurance policies. It’s recommended that dogs be enrolled as puppies to help make sure they are covered before any conditions can occur, to limit the chance that they will have a pre-existing condition. Puppies 8 weeks and older are eligible for pet insurance coverage.
Policy Features:
Deductibles: A deductible is the amount policyholders pay out-of-pocket before their insurance coverage takes effect. Some providers, like Spot Pet Insurance, offer annual deductibles while others may use per-incident deductibles.
Reimbursement Rates: Most provider’s offer reimbursement rates between 70-90%. This is the percent of your bill your pet insurance provider will reimburse for covered conditions once the policy deductible has been met.
Annual Limits: Your annual limit is the most your insurance provider will reimburse in a year.
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What Does Dog Insurance Not Cover?
A pet insurance policy will generally not cover:
Pre-existing conditions
Grooming
Elective procedures like cropping a pet’s ears or docking their tail
Experimental treatments
Review a Sample Policy for a full list of exclusions.
Choosing the Right Insurance Policy for Your Dog
When choosing a pet insurance plan for your dog, it’s important to consider their needs and your budget. Puppies may benefit from wellness packages that can help cover the cost of vaccines and spaying and neutering procedures. Older dogs may benefit from comprehensive accident and illness coverage that can help cover the cost of treatment for conditions that develop as they age.
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With 10 years of experience as a pet parent, I aim to empower pet owners with insights into pet insurance and maintaining their pet's well-being. I aspire to be a trusted source, combining knowledge with a commitment to the welfare of our beloved pets.
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
