Last Updated on July 12, 2024 by Dogs Vets
Buying pet insurance for our canine companions is a choice. No law says that on top of microchipping your pet, you also need to get them covered. There are, however, strong arguments in favor of pet insurance for dogs, even with the risk of high premiums and monthly expenses. Then there’s the question of when you should get this insurance.
Do you wait enough for them to be mature and skip the puppy years? Do you bother with expensive insurance for senior dogs? Let’s start with the benefits of insurance for puppies and then look at coverage for adult and senior dogs.
Do Puppies Need Pet Insurance?
Some new dog owners feel that because insurance isn’t mandatory, and they have a tiny, healthy little puppy at home, insurance isn’t essential. However, this can set owners up for big expenses down the line. Caring for a puppy is costly, and there are lots of scheduled veterinary visits to deal with.
You could pay for all the fees and extra costs out of pocket, or you could pay a monthly rate to recover some of the costs. There is also the fact that you really can’t predict what will happen to your pet in those early puppy years.
This is a mischievous and curious little creature that’s going to investigate spaces and potential food items that aren’t a good idea. If the worst happens and they break a bone or ingest something toxic, you’ll be glad of that insurance cover.
This is where puppy owners have an important decision to make. Is it better to go for the accident-only pet plan or the maximum-benefit approach? The accident-only plans are popular because they are affordable and offer basic coverage for those unfortunate accidents. You aren’t completely on your own but aren’t paying a fortune either.
The problem is that you don’t get coverage for illnesses. That’s where the more expensive and more comprehensive maximum benefit plans are more appealing.
A problem with many pet insurance plans is the lack of coverage for pre-existing illnesses. The sooner you get your puppy on an insurance plan, the greater the chance of them already being covered if an illness or condition develops.
Sticking With Pet Insurance For Adult Dogs.
Once your puppy has become a mature dog with good health and a less accident-prone demeanor, you can think about the next stage of pet insurance. You should continue to pay out for pet insurance for your dog because you still don’t know what might happen in the future.
You also get financial help for check-ups, vet fees, and other care needs aside from emergency situations. Again, you can decide between the accident-only and maximum benefit plans depending on what you feel offers the best value. You can shop around for the best deals and lowest premiums or move onto a new plan with your current provider.
Another selling point of this pet insurance for adult dogs is the number of additional clauses that owners often don’t realize exist. We tend to think of pet insurance as being for purely medical reasons. However, there are also ways to claim in the event of loss or theft. It isn’t nice to think of your pet-like property this way, but it’s a similar approach.
You can even claim money back for resources used to create a “lost dog” poster. Another benefit is the coverage for emergency boarding. This means that if you have to suddenly put a dog in kennels, for example, if a family member ends up in hospital, the plan could cover some of those costs.
Is Pet Insurance Still Worth It For Senior Dogs?
Then, there are the pet insurance plans for older dogs. At this point, some pet owners reconsider the worth of pet insurance because the premiums become so much higher. You’re going to end up paying a lot more per month to enjoy the same level of coverage you did before.
Understandably, this will be too expensive for some owners, and it is important to compare different options to find the best solution. Yet, it is still vital to have some form of pet insurance because of the risk of high medical costs.
Before, owners without insurance were rolling the dice and banking on the fact that their pet had no major conditions and wouldn’t get in an accident. This is a bigger risk with older dogs. What happens if they get really sick and frail and need an operation?
The best option is to find a lifetime plan with a provider that offers the best rate. You might be able to get a good deal if you move onto a new plan with your current provider. This lifetime cover comes with a limited amount of coverage for a condition, but that amount renews each year. Therefore, you get more of the regular care costs reimbursed. This makes a lot of sense when we consider the range of health conditions your pet could develop as a senior.
Anything that arises with age and isn’t pre-existing should be eligible for coverage. This could include issues with the dog’s hearing, eyesight, and dental problems. Older dogs also tend to develop mobility issues, such as arthritis and can develop organ issues, such as bladder control and kidney function.
What Is The Right Age For Pet Insurance?
The short answer here is that you should look into insuring your dog throughout its life. You might decide to cut costs by skipping the puppy stage and not renewing once your pet reaches old age.
However, doing this could come back and bite you. Setting up a comprehensive and affordable plan early on will keep your dog protected from illness and injury and give you more peace of mind.
Continuing this cover throughout their life isn’t cheap, but it’s a lot better than unforeseen expenses in an emergency. Compare different plans and providers, find what works within your budget, and give your dog the protection it deserves.
Fact Check
We strive to provide the latest valuable information for pet lovers with accuracy and fairness. If you would like to add to this post or advertise with us, don’t hesitate to reach us. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
