Is Dog Insurance a Real Thing?

Dogs are more than man’s best friend, they’re part of the family. They protect us, cuddle us when we’re down, and are the most loyal companions we could ever ask for. Just as you’d care for your family’s health, your furry family member needs healthcare too.

No different from human medical care, pet medical expenses are immensely costly. When your pup is ill or suffers an injury and you don’t have the funds for treatment, it’s a devastating scenario.

Dog insurance is not only for emergency situations. It is also aimed to help cover general pet health care to keep expenses in check and ultimately prevent serious health problems. If you’re not quite convinced, here’s what you need to know about dog insurance and why you might start considering it as a ‘must have’ for any pet owner.

The Cost of Pet Care

With the average routine vet care falling between $200 to $400 annually, the cost of monthly pet health insurance premiums will likely be similar to paying for check-ups yourself. Routine care, however, is not the main reason you should consider dog insurance.

Accidents and treatment of diseases or serious illnesses can skyrocket your pup’s medical care costs in an instant. From $400 to $1,000 for heartworm treatment to over $5,000 for cancer treatment, these scenarios are the main reason pet parents get dog insurance.

Dog Breed

Since certain dog breeds are predisposed to developing particular health conditions, it could affect dog insurance costs. For example, large dog breeds may be prone to developing hip dysplasia which could eventually require hip replacement surgery. As the pet parent, you can expect to fork out anything from $3,500 up to $7,000 per hip.

Dog Age and Pre-Existing Conditions

The older your dog is, the more likely you are to pay a premium when joining. Insurance providers may have age limits on plans, or varying monthly fees depending on your pet’s age when signing up. once your pet is on the cover, however, the premium shouldn’t change as they age and as long as the policy is active, they should be covered for life. The bottom line here is that the younger your pet is when joining a dog insurance scheme, the better.

What Will Pet Insurance Cover?

As with medical insurance for humans, you can take out different types of cover for your pup. This can range from wellness and accident-only packages to premium cover. Similarly, you can also expect deductibles, co-pays, and coverage caps.

Some insurers will offer additional benefits such as emergency treatment costs when out of the country, liability cover if your pup bites someone and pet care costs should you be hospitalized.

Important Information When Choosing Your Dog Insurance

Before choosing your pet insurance provider and policy make sure you are clear on the following:

• Is your dog breed covered and are common breed conditions covered?
• Does the plan offer preventative care routine cover?
• Are there limits on treatment coverage?
• Does the plan offer chronic care support?
• Do pets need to be hospitalized to claim cover under the illness benefit?
• Is dental care covered?
• In which scenarios will your pet not be covered?

Although wellness-only covers may not save you a great deal, accident and illness cover for your dog can give you peace of mind that your most loyal family member can be taken care of in an emergency.