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As your dog ages, health problems will inevitably arise. If you consider your pet a member of the family, make sure it is protected as such. The sooner you enroll your senior pet in a pet insurance policy, the better the chance that they’ll be covered if and when health problems arise—especially since pre-existing conditions are usually excluded from coverage.
Pet Insurance For Older Dogs
We at Guides Home have carefully researched the best pet insurance companies with the strongest coverage for your beloved senior dogs. Our guide breaks down coverage for senior dogs in terms of eligibility, cost, adaptability and more.
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According to the VCA Animal Hospital, small dogs are considered seniors at age 11, medium-sized dogs at age 10, and large dogs at around 7 years of age. Regardless of when your dog is technically “old,” he will become more prone to weakness, illness, and injury as he ages, and will therefore require veterinary care.
If your senior dog is currently uninsured, consider enrolling in a policy before it starts to develop health problems. Remember, no pet insurance company will cover your pet’s pre-existing illnesses. A pre-existing condition can be any previous symptomatic disease or injury, as well as any diagnosed and/or treated condition. The sooner your dog is enrolled in an insurance plan, the more coverage you will receive.
Spot offers the most flexible policy compared to other top providers. It allows users to choose the monthly premium that best fits their budget while still getting the coverage their senior dogs need.
Pros No upper age limit Offers unlimited coverage Offers low ($100) deductible Can cover pre-existing conditions Cons No weekend customer service Has a 14-day accident waiting period
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Spot pet insurance has comprehensive coverage for accidents, illnesses, emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, chemotherapy and prescription drugs. Spot’s standard plan also covers alternative therapies, such as stem cell therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture.
You can enroll your senior dog in Spot’s additional wellness plan to cover routine veterinary care such as health exams, dental cleanings and blood work. A unique feature of Spot is its approach to existing conditions. If your pet has a previous illness and goes 180 days without needing treatment or showing symptoms, Spot will cover it in the future.
Pet insurance for seniors is often more expensive because older pets are more likely to need veterinary care. Embrace offers several discounts as well as a disappearing deductible to save you money on your policy.
Pros Covers veterinary fees related to a covered illness or injury Offers a 15% discount if you don’t file a claim in one year Reduces your annual deductible by $50 each year a claim is not filed May cover pre-existing conditions Cons Doesn’t cover prescription foods or supplements Covers only pets 14 years and older with accident-only plan
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Embrace offers both an accident and sickness policy and an accident-only policy, although dogs over 14 are only eligible for an accident-only policy. The company’s accident and illness plan covers alternative therapies, fees for examinations, treatments and procedures related to an illness, injury or medical condition. You’ll also get up to $1,000 in dental coverage (no dental exam required).
Embrace offers great money saving opportunities with a 10% discount for each enrolled pet, a 5% military discount and a 10% employee discount if your employer offers Embrace. Plus, Embrace has a disappearing deductible that reduces your annual deductible by $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
Like Spot, Embrace distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. If your dog goes a year without reoccurring, Embrace will no longer consider it as existing.
Healthy Paws is one of the few pet insurers to offer unlimited coverage at a lower monthly premium. This prevents elderly pet parents from worrying about exceeding coverage limits or paying expensive vet bills out of pocket.
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Pros Offers unlimited coverage with no annual or lifetime limits Processes claims in 48 hours Makes it easy to submit a claim through its mobile app Cons Doesn’t offer wellness care Sets deductible and copay rates after your pet turns 6 Doesn’t cover hip dysplasia for pets over 6
Healthy Paws offers one accident and illness plan that covers procedures and treatments associated with a covered injury, illness or condition. Its coverage is unlimited, so you won’t exceed any set amount per incident or per year. According to Healthy Paws, claims are processed in 48 hours faster than many other providers.
Owners of older dogs should note that Healthy Paws does not allow new entries for dogs over 14 years of age. It also removes adjustment options from your premium if you’re enrolling a pet 6 years or older. Based on the sample quotes we pulled for a medium-sized breed in Raleigh, NC, a 6-year-old dog would have a 70% premium and a $500 deductible, a 7-year-old dog would have a 70% premium and a $750 deductible, and any dog 8 and over year would have a fee rate of 50% and a $1,000 deductible.
Figo offers the widest range of returns, including a 100% rate option. This means that once you reach your deductible amount, you will be fully reimbursed for the remaining calendar year.
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Pros Has a more affordable monthly premium for senior pets compared to other providers Has a short one-day waiting period for accidents Offers a 100% reimbursement rate Cons Does not cover preventive dental care Has a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions
Figo pet insurance has no upper age limit, so you can register your senior dog at any time. The company offers three annual plans, four fee rates and four deductible options. This includes a 100% refund option and an unlimited annual cover option (although the two cannot be used together). All three plans cover surgery, prosthetics, hospitalization, chronic conditions, emergency services and advanced treatments.
Figo offers a unique Extra Care add-on that covers special circumstances that pet owners may encounter, such as reporting a lost pet and reward, cancellation of annual leave in the event of a pet emergency and end-of-life costs such as cremation and burial. Policyholders can also access the Figo Pet Cloud app to manage their policies, submit claims and connect with other local pet parents.
Wagmo may be a good option for pet parents concerned about the cost of preventative care for their senior dogs, as it offers three wellness plans. Plans start at $20 a month and cover routine services like vaccinations and checkups.
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Pros Does not require a veterinary exam for enrollment Offers a 15% discount if you do not file a claim within one year Allows reimbursement rates of 90% or 100% Cons Has a long 15-day waiting period for accidents Has a 30-day waiting period for cancer treatment Not available on Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota or Rhode Island
Wagmo offers three wellness packages — more than its competitors. The plans are tiered, so you only pay for your dog’s routine care. Depending on the level you choose (Value, Classic and Deluxe), you may be reimbursed for health checkups, vaccinations, blood work, flea/tick/heartworm medication and grooming.
In addition, Wagmo has an accident and illness plan that covers emergency vet visits, diagnostic testing, surgeries, hospital stays, cancer treatment, hereditary conditions, hip dysplasia and more. Wagmo will reimburse up to $10,000 per incident and up to $100,000 over the lifetime of your dog.
Please note Wagmo’s 15-day waiting period for accident and illness and 30-day waiting period for cancer treatment. Wagmo also does not cover prescription foods, vitamins, nutritional supplements or dental surgery.
Add Years To Your Senior Dog’s Life
Your dog could be experiencing various health problems due to its age, genetics, or a combination of both. According to the American Kennel Club, the most common conditions that older dogs develop include the following:
The American Veterinary Medical Association found that nearly 50% of dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Cancer diagnosis and treatment (such as radiation and chemotherapy) can be incredibly expensive, so it’s smart to get a pet insurance policy before your dog gets sick.
As your dog ages, so does the amount of money needed to maintain its health and overall care. Unfortunately, pet owners are often faced with the difficult decision of paying for expensive treatments out of pocket or saying goodbye to their beloved furry friends. Finding the right pet insurance provider for you and your senior dog will help cover future expenses and ease your worries.
If you feel you are overdue for insurance for your senior dog, enroll now before his health deteriorates further. A pet insurance plan with no upper age limit and a wide range of coverage is ideal for your dog. We recommend getting quotes from each vendor on this list so you can make the best choice.
What Is The Best Pet Insurance For Older Dogs?
Pet insurance is a health policy that reimburses pet owners for eligible veterinary treatments and services, usually in the event of an unexpected accident or illness. Some pet insurance providers also offer preventative care add-ons to their standard policies that cover routine care (vaccinations, blood tests, etc.).
Unlike health insurance for people, with a pet