Taking care of a dog costs a lot. American pet owners were spending $103.6 billion in 2021. This includes food, maintenance, and, most importantly, healthcare costs. In fact, almost a third of this amount was spent on pet healthcare alone. There’s no doubt that it’s one of the biggest expenses a dog owner will have to consider, especially since vet visits cost $250-$400, and they need to be done once or twice a year — more if your dog experiences other issues.
Fortunately, there’s a way for dog owners to have some peace of mind over this because pet insurance is readily available for dogs. Let’s look at some benefits, costs, and how to get insurance for your furry friend.
Do you have a specific question about the benefits of dog insurance? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
Benefits of Pet Insurance for Dogs
Getting pet insurance for your dog provides you and them with several advantages. The most significant advantage is that you’ll always have money set aside for your dog. If you experience financial struggles, your dog won’t have to suffer due to the cost of treatment. This is especially important nowadays, as veterinary care is getting more expensive. Clinics usually charge very high due to the high cost of pharmaceuticals and medical tools. Pet insurance can give them the care they need, whether it’s an illness or an injury.
On this note, there are several issues your dog may experience that will lead to a vet visit. The common reasons for vet visits might be vaccinations, ear infections, cruciate disease, tick treatments, and the list goes on. Core vaccines are required for dogs. However, vets can recommend additional ones for leptospirosis and canine kennel cough. Ear infections and cruciate disease — an orthopedic condition — are unfortunately widespread across all breeds. These conditions would require medication and maybe even surgery.
Meanwhile, tick treatments are necessary in case your dog does contract them. These pests bring illnesses like Lyme disease that can be fatal if undetected and left untreated. If you have pet insurance for your dog, it would most probably cover the majority (if not all) of these illness costs.
Long story short, here are some apparent benefits of dog insurance:
- It saves money
- It makes expensive care possible
- You have more treatment options to choose from
- Any pup can have it, and you have the total flexibility in selecting the plan for your dog
- It keeps you covered in case of emergency
- It gives you the peace of mind
- You can change the vet
- It can extend the life of your pet and even save it.
Costs of Pet Insurance for Dogs
The cost of pet insurance for your dog depends on what you want to be covered. A Sound Dollar post on what pet insurance covers notes that the average annual premium for accident and illness coverage is $594.
This covers the medical needs that result from an accident or illness but excludes long-term medications and diagnostic procedures. On the other hand, accident-only coverage exists, and its annual premium is around $230. This option requires you to pay your own bills for illnesses and hereditary conditions.
Wellness coverage is also something to consider adding to your plan, which goes up to $264 per year. This isn’t usually covered by companies, but some do offer it. This gives your dog preventive care such as routine vaccinations, prevention medication for ticks, fleas, and worms, stool testing, and annual check-ups.
If you have a larger budget, consider getting comprehensive pet insurance. This covers almost everything we’ve mentioned, making it the most expensive option. Some companies claim that they can cover 75-85% of vet bills with this plan.
However, its cost varies per company, so it’s best to inquire directly. Just keep in mind that pet insurance costs can increase yearly as your dog ages. Also, these provided costs are only the average. They can differ depending on your dog’s breed, size, age, and the company you choose. This brings us to our next point, where we’ll discuss how to acquire insurance for your dog.
How to Get Pet Insurance for Dogs?
The first thing to do is gather all the information about your dog. Check their records for their breed or mix, pre-existing conditions, possible future genetic conditions, and the like. If you’re unsure about these, ask the vet during your next visit. These are the details that a pet insurance company will consider when offering you a quote or helping you determine what plan will be the most beneficial.
The second is to search for pet insurance companies online. Their websites have all you need to know about getting insurance for your dog. Additionally, they can be approached for more questions, inquiries, or specific concerns regarding your budget or dog.
Several myths surround our pet’s health, as I’ve mentioned in my post 14 Of The Most Common Dog Health Misconceptions. While we’ve debunked those, it’s still important not to take any risks with your dog’s health but instead try your best to be prepared. Make sure to get your furry friend their own pet insurance too.
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
Thanks for the blog graphics: Canva.com
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