Dog insurance is just like human health insurance. It covers the treatment costs for illnesses, diseases, and injuries from accidents. Senior dog insurance is pet insurance that covers age-related conditions.
As dogs grow older, their risk of suffering from illnesses and diseases increases significantly. Vet bills can start to add up in the Golden Years with many dog owners spending thousands per year. The following information can help you understand what senior dog insurance is, how it can help, how dog insurance works, and how to get dog insurance.
What You Need to Know About Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs
In addition to knowing that dog insurance for older dogs pays for vet bills resulting from age-related illnesses, diseases, and accidents, it’s important to understand the details of it.
Does Pet Insurance for Older Dogs Cover Diagnosed Conditions?
Senior dog insurance is pet health insurance for older dogs. A dog is considered a senior when he/she turns 10 years old. A veterinarian will point this out during the annual vet visit and recommend diagnostic testing to ensure your pup is healthy. Dog owners who elect to have the diagnostic testing may find their pup already has age-related medical issues that need to be treated. Unfortunately, at this point, the conditions identified are considered “pre-existing conditions” and the treatment won’t be covered by a pet insurance company.
Pet Insurance Reimburses Treatment Costs
Dog insurance companies reimburse the costs of treatment.
Pet Health Insurance for Senior Dogs – Is It Worth It?
Dog insurance for elderly dogs may cost more than it does for younger pups, but it’s worth it. Paying about $50 a month is better than paying thousands of dollars in a month to save your dog’s life.
No dog owner should ever have to choose life or death based on the ability to pay. Pet health insurance makes it possible to always choose life.
How Pet Health Insurance for Older Dogs Works
Pet insurance companies want to help dogs live as long as possible, so most of them have easy claim processing. Embrace Pet Insurance lets you submit a claim online or by phone. They handle all of the information gatherings by working with your veterinarian to complete the assessment.
The information on the treatment provided helps the pet insurance company approve the claim and send over the reimbursement check quickly.
Depending on the pet insurance provider, it can take a few weeks to receive the reimbursement for the treatment provided.
Many pet owners ask if they have to pay the vet bills out-of-pocket as they wait for the reimbursement check. The answer is that it depends. Some veterinarian offices will work with pet owners on the bill by delaying the due date. Other veterinarians are not as flexible, so many pet owners will use Care Credit or another credit card to pay for it and then pay the credit card off with the reimbursement check.
How Much Does Senior Dog Insurance Cost
As mentioned above, senior dog insurance costs more than pet insurance for younger pups. As the risk of injuries, illnesses, and conditions increases, so does the cost of senior dog insurance. Most dog owners can expect to pay between $30-$60 as a monthly premium, depending on the insurance provider chosen.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Dog Insurance for Older Dogs
Healthy adult dogs entering the Golden Years will likely have a lower monthly premium when compared to those with many pre-existing conditions. The breed also influences the cost of pet insurance. Breeds susceptible to hip dysplasia is more likely to have higher pet insurance premiums than those who do not have that risk. Location, age, and discounts also affect the final price of dog insurance.
Older Dog Insurance Discounts
✅ Most pet insurance providers offer discounts to military members of 5% – 10%. Proof of military (active or retired) membership is required.
✅ Multiple pet discounts are also available for most pet insurance plans. Add a cat or another dog to a policy, and the total cost of pet insurance could significantly decrease.
✅ A few pet health insurance companies offer discount plans to employers. Ask your employer about including this in your benefits package if there isn’t one already.
✅ People working in animal-related careers may also receive a discount on pet insurance plans from some providers.
How to Choose Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs
With so many pet insurance providers to choose from, many dog owners ask how do you choose dog insurance?
Choosing dog insurance that’s right for your budget and pet is simpler than you may imagine. All you have to do is request a quote from a couple of pet health insurance providers. Don’t go overboard requesting quotes because that can make the process of choosing dog insurance more difficult. Between two and four quotes should be sufficient.
The best dog insurance for senior dogs will provide illness coverage and accident coverage. The monthly premiums should fit comfortably into your budget and the pet insurance policy should include coverage for treatment costs for all newly diagnosed illnesses, conditions, and injuries.
Be sure to compare the reimbursement percentage, deductible, and monthly premium before making your final decision.
