About Dog Insurance
A dog brings so much joy and happiness to life! With dog insurance, you can finally take care of your pup’s healthcare needs as if it were your own child.
Unfortunately, the cost of veterinary care has continued to rise exponentially over the last few years. As new technologies and advances in veterinary medicine have come online, the costs associated with new procedures and treatments have gone sky high.
So what’s dog insurance?
Just like your own health insurance, your furbaby will be covered if he gets injured or ill without paying the full medical bill. Lets take a closer look.
What are the different types of dog insurance?
-
Comprehensive/Major Medical Plan - These plans cover accidents and illnesses. Some companies may provide wellness coverage.
-
Accident-Only Policy - These policies provide coverage if your dog or puppy gets hurt in an accident.
-
Preventative Dog Insurance - This is an optional add-on coverage that helps with vaccines, wellness checks and more.
Puppy Insurance Common Terms
Deductible - Most plans have a deductible. This is the amount that you will need to pay out of pocket before the insurance company pays.
Co-Pay - A co-pay is the percentage that you must pay after the deductible is met. For instance, if the plan pays 80 percent after the deductible has been met, your co-pay is 20 percent.
Premium - This is the amount you will pay each month for the insurance policy.
Wellness Plan - This is a type of dog insurance that only covers items such as vaccinations and annual exams.
Policy Limits - Most dog insurance policies have a policy limit. This is the maximum amount that the insurance company will pay out per year or for the lifetime of your dog.
Pre-existing Condition - A pre-existing condition is a disease or illness that your dog or puppy has or had before the insurance policy was purchased. For instance, if your dog has diabetes, that is a pre-existing condition. Most dog insurance plans will not cover pre-existing conditions.
Top Major Dog Insurance Insurers
We recommend getting 3 different quotes to find the best deal for you.
Pet First
Pet First offers three levels of coverage with routine care riders available. The Cost Conscious Plan offers a $2,000 yearly benefit with a $250 deductible. The Recommended Plan has the same deductible, but this plan covers up to $5,000 per year. The highest level of coverage has a $250 deductible with $10,000 in annual coverage. These plans cover illnesses and accidents. In order to have coverage for routine matters, you will need to purchase a separate routine care rider. Plans are offered with yearly benefits of up to $125, $250 or $400.
Pets Best
Pets Best has two basic dog insurance plans that have supplemental coverage available. The most affordable plan offered by the company is the Accident Only Coverage Plan. This plan covers your dog for things like a broken bone or cut, but it does not cover illnesses. Most dogs are covered under this plan for $9 per month. The All BestBenefit Accident and Illness Plan covers both accidents and illnesses. Both of these plans have wellness coverage that can be added for an additional fee. There are two wellness plans available. The BestWellness Plan costs $26 per month while the EssentialWellness Plan is only $16 per month.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws has as its goal to process all claims within two days. This dog insurance company has a comprehensive plan. The plan covers accidents and illnesses, but the plan does not cover wellness exams and routine items such as vaccinations. Emergency care, alternative care and specialists are covered under the plan. The plan offered by Healthy Paws does not have an annual maximum payout. There are no lifetime caps, and there are no per incident caps.
Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace Pet has a comprehensive plan that includes both accident and illness coverage. At Embrace Pet, you have the option to personalize your dog or puppy’s insurance policy in several ways. You can choose annual coverage limits, the amount of deductible you wish to pay, and you can choose the co-insurance amount that is right for you. Embrace Pet Insurance has coverage for alternative therapies and for chronic conditions as long they are not pre-existing conditions. Any dog who is under the age of 14 is eligible for a policy.
Nationwide Pet
Nationwide Pet offers three dog insurance plans at a starting rate of around $35 per month. The Wellness Plan is the most basic plan offered by Nationwide Pet. This plan provides coverage for wellness exams, annual vaccinations and parasite control examinations. The next level of coverage is the Major Medical Plan. This plan provides coverage for your dog or puppy for accidents as well as for a host of diseases and physical conditions. Wellness exams are not covered with Major Medical. The Whole Pet With Wellness Plan is the most comprehensive coverage from Nationwide Pet. This plan combines the benefits of the two previously discussed plans. the first thing on your mind. Let dog and puppy insurance bring peace of mind.