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As our canine companions age, their health needs evolve. Senior dogs bring unique joys and challenges, even as they require specialized care. In this guide, we delve into the arena of pet insurance tailored for older dogs. From nuances in coverage to making informed choices, let’s figure out how to ensure your dog’s golden years are filled with health and happiness.
Why Pet Insurance May Be Important for Senior Dogs
Just like humans, dogs experience aging-related health issues that may require medical attention. Pet insurance for older dogs becomes essential for several reasons.
Routine veterinary visits
Older dogs often need more frequent veterinary check-ups to monitor their health. Some insurance offers coverage for routine visits, including preventive care, vaccinations, and screenings.
Emergencies and accidents
Aging dogs may be more susceptible to accidents and emergencies. Having insurance in place can alleviate the financial burden of unexpected veterinary bills, allowing you to provide prompt and necessary care.
Increased health risks and conditions in senior dogs
Understanding the health challenges that commonly affect senior dogs is crucial for choosing the right insurance coverage. Some prevalent conditions include:
- Arthritis: Many senior dogs experience arthritis, causing joint pain and mobility issues. Insurance coverage can help with the costs of medications, physical therapy, and other treatments.
- Cancer: The risk of cancer increases with age in dogs. Comprehensive insurance ca coverage for diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, and ongoing treatments.
- Dental issues: Older dogs are prone to dental problems, including periodontal disease. Insurance plans that cover dental care can contribute to your dog’s overall health and well-being.
- Heart disease: Senior dogs may develop heart conditions that require long-term management. Insurance coverage helps offset the costs of medications and regular veterinary visits.
Types of Policies Available for Senior Dogs
There are a couple of different types of pet insurance policies, all of which are typically available to senior dogs.
Accident and illness plans
Accident and illness plans are typically the most common and comprehensive kind of coverage. While coverage varies depending on the pet insurance provider, these plans often cover the following, as it relates to accidents and illnesses:
- Prescription medications
- Emergency care
- Surgeries, lab tests, and hospitalizations
- CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Foreign object ingestion
- Common illnesses, like diarrhea
- Cancer treatment
Drawbacks of comprehensive insurance for senior dogs
While comprehensive insurance plans offer extensive coverage, they have limitations when it comes to pre-existing conditions. Here are some drawbacks to consider:
- Pre-existing condition exclusions: Comprehensive plans typically exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your senior dog has a pre-existing health issue, it will likely not be covered under an accident and illness policy.
- Potentially higher premiums: Insurance premiums for older dogs are typically higher than for younger ones due to the increased likelihood of health issues. Factors such as breed, size, and geographic location also influence the cost. This can make comprehensive coverage more expensive.
Accident-only plans
Accident-only plans only offer coverage related to accidents, such as broken bones or other kinds of emergencies. Because accident-only coverage is considered catastrophic coverage, costs are typically lower than a standard accident and illness plan. These plans typically cover things like:
- Broken bones
- Foreign object or toxic ingestion
- Bite wounds
When to consider an accident-only plan
For senior dogs with pre-existing conditions, an accident-only plan might be a better option. This type of coverage focuses solely on accidents and injuries, providing some reimbursement for emergency veterinary care without the limits associated with pre-existing conditions. While it won’t cover chronic conditions or other existing health issues, it may make more sense financially.
Wellness plan add-ons
Wellness plans are packages you can add onto a standard accident and illness policy—they are not standalone plans. These plans are geared toward preventive care coverage and items you can plan for, such as vaccinations, routine dental cleanings and wellness exams, flea and tick treatment, spay/neuter, and more.
Wellness add-ons may make sense for pet parents with puppies or middle-age dogs, but may not be the best fit for those with senior dogs. While all dogs benefit from some preventive care, pet parents with young dogs are more likely to reap the financial advantages, due to all the preventive care that puppies need.
Best Pet Insurance for Senior Pets
Most pet insurance providers have options for senior pets—though it’s worth noting that popular providers like Lemonade do not have coverage options for senior pets older than 14 years of age.
Here at Rover—after much research and consideration—we’ve named Prudent Pet as the best pet insurance provider for senior pets. Prudent offers plenty of plan flexibility, with more basic coverage than what many other companies often have available, which may be perfect for older pets with pre-existing conditions. Prudent also has no upper age limit and offers coverage for physical and alternative therapies if prescribed by a veterinarian. While pet parents may want to keep an eye on the six-month waiting period for knee and ligament issues—which are more common in senior pets—this period may be waived if your pet receives a clean bill of health within 30 days of your insurance plan’s start date.
How To Reduce Pet Insurance Costs for Senior Dogs
Pet insurance costs vary, but premiums are often more expensive as pets age. Here are a few tips you can employ to potentially lower pet insurance premium costs:
Choose a higher deductible or lower annual coverage limit: It might sound counterintuitive, but choosing a higher deductible—the amount of money you’ll need to pay toward vet bills before insurance kicks in— may help lower costs. A higher deductible means your provider will kick in less when you file a claim, which often quotes to more affordable pet insurance premiums.
A lower annual coverage limit, such as $5,000, will keep your premiums lower than a higher limit, like unlimited. But you’ll want to ensure you choose a coverage amount that’s sufficient for your older dog so you don’t pay out of pocket if you go over your limit.
Maintain a healthy pet lifestyle: Keeping your pet on a healthy diet and ensuring they receive enough regular exercise are great ways to maintain their health. This will potentially reduce the likelihood of health issues later in life.
Shop around: One of the best ways to find a good rate for pet insurance is to shop around and compare quotes from several different pet insurance providers. Many providers offer free quotes online on their websites—all you need to do is answer a few simple questions about your pet and where you’re located.
Is Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs Worth It?
Pet insurance may be worth it for many senior dogs, but it depends on your circumstances. If you’re a pet parent with a dog that has existing chronic conditions, you may decide that an accident-only policy is worth more to you than spending more on a comprehensive plan that won’t cover pre-existing conditions.
After looking at your circumstances and taking everything under consideration, you may also find that a savings account for pet expenses suits your family’s needs better. It’s important to take the time to research, consider your needs and financial limitations, and make a decision that’s best for you and your family.
Further Reading
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? How To Know If It’s a Good Deal for Your Pet
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover, and How Does It Work? A Beginner’s Guide
- How Does a Pre-Existing Condition Affect Pet Insurance Coverage?
- The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans: How Preventive Care Add-Ons Work
- How To Choose the Right Insurance for Your Pet
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
- What To Know About Waiting Periods and Pet Insurance
- What Are Pet Insurance Deductibles, and How Do You Pick One?
- When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
- Savings Account Versus Pet Insurance: Which Is Better?
