As our furry friends age, the risk of them developing illnesses and diseases increases. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can get pretty pricey, with many pet owners spending thousands of dollars a year. That’s why senior dog insurance is here to help!
About Senior Dog Insurance
Similar to human health insurance, dog insurance covers the treatment costs for illnesses, diseases, and injuries from accidents. It’s a great way to ensure your pup is taken care of and you’re not left with a hefty bill.
With senior dog insurance, vet bills are one less thing to worry about. It covers age-related conditions and will give you peace of mind knowing your pup is in good hands.
So, how do you get dog insurance? It’s easy! You just need to shop around and find the best pet insurance plan to suit your pup’s needs. Do your research and compare policies to find the right coverage for your pup.
Dog insurance is a smart way to protect your pup and your wallet. So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your beloved pet healthy and happy in his/her golden years, senior dog insurance is definitely worth considering!
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 essential 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.
How Pet Insurance Reimburses Treatment Costs
Policies typically cover illnesses, accidents, and preventive care, such as routine vaccinations and annual check-ups. Coverage may also include emergency care, such as x-rays, surgeries, and hospitalizations. In addition, some policies include coverage for diagnostic tests and prescription medications. Every provider offers different levels of coverage, so it is important to research and compare plans before selecting one.
In most cases, pet owners pay their vet directly for the treatment and then submit a claim to the insurance company. The company will then reimburse the pet owner for a portion of the cost. The amount of reimbursement will depend on the policy, deductible, and coinsurance selected. It is important to note that many pet insurance policies have a time limit for submitting claims, so pet owners should make sure to submit their claims within the allotted timeframe.
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 always to choose life.
Does Anyone Recommend Dog Health Insurance?
People on the website Quora have asked the question, “Does anybody recommend dog health insurance?” and this is what members have said who do recommend it:
Jeanne S., MS Psychology (1982)
I have had many, many pets, only two who were purebreds, which I bought.
My babies that I paid for were much more sickly than my rescues, except for one, my sweet Jack, a Blue Heeler that first saw while driving down a dirt road in South Texas, in the middle of nowhere. He was hurt, lying in a pasture, it was actually freezing outside. He just happened to raise his head up, to look at our vehicle driving by on the dusty road. I made my husband stop and I climbed the barbed wire fence to get to him. He was a full grown dog, but skin and bones, I could put my hands around his little waist. (Even my husband had tears streaming down his face, and he was a complete sociopath. )
When I walked up to Jack, he smiled the only way a dog can smile at a human, and then looked away and down as if embarrassed about his condition. I picked him up and carried him to the truck and took him to my father’s ranch house up the road.
My creepy family were mostly horrified because he smelled so awful. I fed him and watered him after placing him in a makeshift bed and placing a heater close by him in a storeroom.. After he ate, I sat and was loving on him and felt something on his leg…..it was a broken bone sticking out of his back leg.
Needless to say, I would have loved to have had insurance to cover Jack’s bills. An amputation of his back leg after 6 weeks of IV fluids to get him strong enough for the surgery. Besides all the ear mites, mange, starvation and the other demons a stray dog has to deal with. My vet said he was the most accommodating pup in his condition he had ever seen. Jack wanted help. The vet said he would have not lived another day.
My other pets have never had such castrophopic health issues as Jack. But who knows? It is worth ever cent that you can possibly pay for your animal friends, insurance or not. Just love them, rescue them, love them more than you think you are able to love, and you will be repaid in ways you can not fathom.
Anne A. – Lifelong pet owner
My experience is that over time it more than pays for itself.
Don’t expect it to cover everything though.
Also, the general arrangement is that you pay the vet up front and file for the insurance send you whatever portion of if they decide to cover, so you do need the money up front to do that.
Cotondog1116, former Senior Programmer (1979-2018)
Depends on what kind of insurance you’re referring to. Medical insurance? Yes. I have 2 dogs and medical insurance has saved me quite a lot of money.
Shelby N., Webmaster of AskTheCatDoctor.com and Feline Veterinarian
Having been in private practice for the last 20 years, I have been in a situation many times that would have turned out more favorable had the clients had pet insurance. While it is true that monthly premiums can add up over the years to two thousand dollars or more, one encounter with cancer or intestinal obstruction or one of many other emergencies can cost you much more than that.
It is a devastating moment when pet owners have to choose euthanasia over life due to finances. While maintaining a savings account for your pet’s needs is certainly less costly, I do not think it is very practical for most people. I have seen that account wiped out all too often when there is suddenly a need or desire for extra money.
, Unfortunately have a lot of experience with insurance
Originally Answered: Is pet insurance worth it?
Well, our dear, sweet Patti has twice been admitted to a veterinary hospital for treatment of thrombocytopenia. The bill was around $5000 the first time and $6000 the second time. The larger bill the second time was because she needed the services of a doggie oncologist, ( yes, you heard me correctly, a doggie oncologist.) She still takes daily medicine, ( and will for the rest of her life) and is down to quarterly blood tests.
Yes, this was worth it to us, because she is a member of the family. And remember, dogs don’t complain because they have evolved to show no weakness. So she was really sick before it became apparent that something was wrong.
It was also a very teachable moment for our daughter; the first time we decided to forego holiday presents because Patti was more important to us than material objects. I know not all families would or could make the same decisions, but we are glad we treated her and we were thrilled when our daughter wanted to forego gifts in solidarity with Patti.
And I know many people from agricultural areas would think this is daft, since for farmers, dogs are working animals. I am from the country myself, but I still think it is fine to use our money in the way we want to. And….before anyone tells me how many hungry people there are, I will say we are generous in our giving, so this was just purely our choice.
In summary, sure, I wish we had pet insurance, BUT, (and this is a big but, coming up) our vet tells us there is really only one pet insurance policy that really pays for anything. So do your research carefully, so that you are getting more for your money than just the illusion of coverage. We have never done this research, because after the first illness, she was uninsurable anyway.
She is the sweetest dog.
Now, 9 years old and happy as can be.
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 that 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.
