Dog Insurance
Dog Owners: Get Total Peace of Mind With Dog Health Insurance
Looking to protect your dog’s health? Recently acquired or are thinking about getting a new dog / puppy? Here at Insurance4Pets.com we can help you select the best dog insurance policy for your particular needs, show you how to compare dog insurance and help you understand the intricacies of various dog insurance policies and fine print.
As a new or existing dog owner you’ll be aware of the huge responsibilities that come with dog ownership. Looking after our canine companions is a joy but when they get ill it can really have a devastating effect on our lives and our finances.
Nowadays veterinary treatments are more advanced than ever and so our vets can do far more to help our dogs get through and recover from all manner of serious illness, injury and medical conditions.
This is why insuring your dog is such a good investment. It can give total peace of mind that if the worst happens and your dog does become ill or gets an injury, the costs will be affordable for you. Not many dog owners could live with the idea of knowing there was treatment for their dog but being unable to afford the expense. This is where dog insurance comes in.
See Our Full Collection of Dog Insurance Articles & Guides
Dog Insurance Eligibility
Some dog breeds are subject to certain or are very hard to get cover for at all. In the United Kingdom, breeds that are banned under the dangerous dogs.
Which Dog Breeds Can Not Be Insured?
American Pit Bull Terriers
Japanese Tosas
Dog Argentinos
Fila Braxilieros
Wolf hybrids
These breeds not be eligible for dog insurance cover in nearly all cases.
Some dog insurance companies will not offer insurance to ‘commercial’ animals as they are not considered pets. A commercial animal would be defined as one that earned its owner financial reward, such as a racing greyhound or working sheepdog.
Always ensure that you clarify exactly what your dog is used for if it is in anyway possible that is might be considered a ‘commercial’ animal.
Age is a significant factor in determining whether your dog can be insured. While some companies are happy to insure a dog for it’s entire life (lifetime pet insurance cover), others will terminate the policy once a dog has reached a certain age. It may be more difficult to initially get cover for an animal over the age of 8 years old which is another good reason for insuring your pet at the earliest possible opportunity and picking an lifetime cover policy.
Dog Insurance: Health & Illness Cover
If a dog has suffered with a prolonged illness or injury that has been subject of regular veterinary attention, insurers may be reluctant to hand out an initial policy or the premium may be much higher. Insurance companies do have the right to check with your vet to see if a pet has been subject to ongoing treatment prior to a policy being given out.
In general, if you own a dog under the age of 10, be it a cross breed or pedigree, that is not considered ‘commercial’ or dangerous you should be able to find a company willing to offer you suitable insurance cover.
Dog Insurance Helps You Reduce Vet Fees
For many dog owners, finding the right vet is not the problem, but rather the costs of veterinary care. Visits to the vet can be pricey, even with minor cases such as getting his yearly vaccination or a routine checkup.
In addition, an illness or severe injury can occur at any time, and many dog owners end up having to pay a lot of out-of-pocket expenses to the vet clinic. This is why it is highly recommended that you get dog insurance as soon as possible.
Having dog insurance is the best way to ensure that your puppy is getting the best health care possible. dog insurance is a practical way to lessen the cost of veterinary expenses, whether it is related to routine care, accidents, or injuries. dog insurance also covers the cost of minor surgeries, major surgeries, treatments for illnesses and diseases, and other medical procedures such as neutering or spaying.
Finding the right, affordable dog insurance is as easy as picking up the yellow pages or searching online. Most dog insurance plans offer a monthly premium that is less than what you typically pay for your cable bill.
What are The Reasons for Buying Dog Insurance?
Select The Best, NOT The Cheap Dog Insurance Policy
Below are a few basic questions that can help you get a better understanding of the type of insurance plan a company can offer for your dog.
1. Find out if the insurance company covers any pre-existing health conditions. This is very important because should your dog become ill or have an injury that stemmed from a previous condition, and the insurance company does not cover pre-existing health problems, you may be paying the expense out of your pocket.
2. Be sure to ask if the company is licensed to offer their services in your state. You generally will not have a problem with this issue, but there is the occasional rogue insurance company that covers pets but is not fully legal to do so. In that case, you may come out on the loosing end of an insurance claim.
3. Ask how many years the company has been in business and how long they have offered insurance plans that cover dogs. A fairly new company may not have the experience or the coverage that an older, more experienced service provider would.
4. Ask what the insurance policy does NOT include, such as checkups, heartworm tests, dental care, worms, etc. Obviously these items are important so you know what to expect to pay if a particular health condition with your dog springs up.
5. Find out if the insurance for your dog will cover bone scans, medications, reconstructive surgery, and CAT scans. If your dog gets seriously injured and is suspected of having a major condition as a result from the injury, he may need the above mentioned procedures and tests. These can be quite expensive if the insurance plan does not include them in the service.
6. And of course, be sure to know what your deductible will be. In addition, ask if there is a cap on any specific type of illness or accidents your dog may possibly be in.