Deciding to sign up for insurance for your dog seems like a daunting task. With all the options available, it’s hard to know which plan is right for you and your furry best friend. The best coverage will depend on a few different factors, such as breed, age, and even where you live. In today’s article, we’ll review some helpful tips on how to pick the best dog insurance.
Every Dog Is a Good Candidate for Coverage
The first question when considering taking on the cost of insurance for your pet might be, “Do I even need this?” This is a valid thought, seeing as you don’t want to pay for any unnecessary expenses. Figuring out if your pet is a good candidate for insurance is the first step to deciding which, if any, plan is right for your family.
Like that of human health insurance, it is better to act proactively rather than reactively. So, when deciding whether to purchase pet insurance, know that every dog is a good candidate for coverage. Investing in the insurance before your pet needs it is a great way to put your mind at ease should a surprise injury or illness appear, leaving you with an out-of-pocket payment sending you into debt, or worse.
Even if your dog only suffers the occasional common health problem, pet insurance is highly recommended.
It’s Always a Good Time to Get Insurance
We touched on the fact that it’s better to act proactively when it comes to insuring your dog, so let’s talk about when the right time to get pet insurance is.
Ideally, you’ll want to insure your pet from the moment they are brought home. If you are getting a brand new eight-week-old puppy, this will be the easiest pet to insure. This is because your dog as a puppy, usually, has no pre-existing conditions. This results in lower premiums, which can be taken advantage of as your dog grows older.
But, if you are adopting an older dog, you should still consider insurance. While starting a plan later in a dog’s life could be more expensive, these costs will still be less than a large medical bill from your vet should anything happen to them, leaving you in a better financial position overall.
Picking a Plan That is Right for You
Now that we have covered which pup is the best candidate for insurance and when you should consider signing up, let’s discuss which plan is going to be best for your pet. Picking a plan that is right for you and your dog is all about the needs of your pet and a budget you are comfortable with.
There are different types of insurance that provide different levels of coverage. You can decide whether you want your pet to be covered for all scenarios that include serious and extreme illnesses, or if you simply want coverage for your dog’s routine vet visits. The choice is up to you and what you believe your pet will need.
If you need guidance regarding your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to reach out to your trusted veterinarian and ask questions about beneficial coverage. They could also run a dog DNA test that could highlight whether your dog is prone to certain conditions as they age, such as hip dysplasia.
Understand the Different Types of Pet Insurance
There are different levels of coverage for differing levels of concern. Pet insurance is typically broken down into these groups (ranging from most to least expensive):
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage goes the extra mile; we’ll call this the “king” of insurance. You can expect coverage for pretty much any scenario, from life-threatening bloat to routine spaying/neutering.
Accident and Illness Coverage
This plan speaks for itself regarding what is covered. You guessed it, accidents, and illnesses. Examples of these scenarios include a broken bone or torn ACL, or any illness your dog may encounter. The difference between this plan and the comprehensive plan is that wellness visits do not fall under the umbrella of coverage.
Accident Coverage
Accident-only coverage is great for those with exceptionally healthy dogs. This coverage can be used for any accidental injuries that could happen while they are playing, walking, or doing any physical activity.
Wellness Coverage
The most basic of insurance plans, you can count on this plan to cover any wellness-related expenses, which can include veterinary checkups, flea and tick prevention, and vaccinations. Typically, you can add on accident or illness coverage if you want to protect yourself a little further.
Conclusion: Pet Insurance Is a Good Idea
As we covered in this article, there are many options for levels of coverage, all based on the levels of needs of your dog. These can range from full coverage for any scenario, to simple routine vaccinations. We understand that choosing the “best” dog insurance can be a stressful experience, but hopefully, this article has provided some clarity.
