Pet Insurance for Older Dogs: Is It Worth It?

What is pet insurance for older dogs? Well, we should first discuss pet insurance itself. Just like your loved ones, you want to be sure that your pet will always get the best treatments and have access to the best possible healthcare. When an older pet becomes very sick, the owner must often make a difficult decision about how to proceed and manage expensive veterinary bills.

We consider our pets to be family members, and we believe you should never have to choose between your pet’s life or paying a sky-high medical bill. That’s why we urge you to explore pet insurance for older cats and senior dogs. If you have the right coverage, you won’t have to face this heartbreaking scenario.

So, you are probably wondering, “Is senior pet insurance worth it?” In this article, we will examine precisely what pet insurance entails. That includes the coverage, different options, and how to find an affordable plan. 

What Are Senior Pet Insurance Policies?

Many different pet insurance companies offer plans for dogs and cats. The most common insurance plan is for accidents and illnesses. This plan covers the medication, treatments, and other procedures performed for common issues, and has some flexibility.

You may opt to choose a plan that only covers accidents and injuries. If you are worried that this may not provide enough coverage, however, you can always add a supplemental plan for that extra peace of mind. Such plans cover standard procedures like dental cleaning, grooming, and medication for fleas and ticks.

The amount of coverage for your pet is determined by the individual healthcare provider. Depending on the age, breed, and size of the pet (or pets) in question, the amount of coverage will vary. For example, some dog breeds live longer than others. Therefore, the age at which they are considered a “senior” will vary. The same applies to senior cat insurance.

The age of your pet is an important factor because some companies do not cover dogs or cats over a certain age bracket. Other companies will begin coverage for your pet at any time, regardless of their age. Either way, you should check the details of the insurance policy carefully because some companies will charge a premium for older dogs. Due to your dog being a senior, they may also remove coverage of death due to illness.

To get the most out of a pet insurance policy and avoid costly plans, it is best to get insurance while your pet is still young. That is because the procedures become more expensive as your dog ages. In addition, if your dog develops health problems before you purchase insurance, these pre-existing conditions are not likely to be covered.

How Expensive Is Senior Pet Insurance?

The price of your insurance ultimately depends on your plan. We will take a look at some popular insurance plans for older dogs and see how they compare. Generally, insurance plans for older dogs will be more expensive. That is because senior canines are at greater risk of getting sick.

Another factor to remember when shopping around is that a dog’s breed will also influence the price of insurance. Certain breeds are more prone to particular health issues. But don’t panic. There are some affordable plans out there with excellent coverage. There are also some tricks to make insurance even more affordable.

First, if you lower the amount of the veterinarian bill to be covered by insurance, that will lower your monthly rates. If you have multiple pets, certain companies will give you a discount for each pet that you enroll. 

But Is Getting Senior Pet Coverage Worth It?

The best reason we can think of for getting pet insurance is that it can potentially extend the life of your beloved pup. Is there any more we need to say? Who wouldn’t want to add some extra time to their dog’s life? If you can treat your pet without worrying too much about the costs, you will likely go to the vet more often and have a better chance of catching illnesses early on.

Even if your older dog seems healthy now, it is a fact that 50% of dogs over ten years of age will develop cancer. To provide your dog with the best treatment possible, you will need to have a good health insurance plan in place.

Other frequently found, and often pricey, health issues in older dogs are:

●      Arthritis

●      Diabetes

●      Kidney disease

●      Loss of vision

●      Gum disease

Types of Pet Insurance for Older Dogs

When it comes to pet insurance for your older dog, there are four main options available. We will take a look at these and guide you in choosing one that is best for you and your canine companion.

●      Lifetime pet insurance: While this is the most expensive option, it is likely the best for older dogs. To ensure that your older pup gets the best healthcare for the latter portion of their life, you must renew this policy every year. It is also important to note that most of these types of policies will not cover pre-existing conditions, so if you find a good plan, stick to it.

●      Maximum benefit pet insurance: This plan gives you a determined amount of money for treating each health condition present in your dog. Therefore, it may help you save in the end, but you should be sure that you are receiving full coverage. You also have to be careful that you don’t exceed the limit, or you won’t receive any more coverage for those particular treatments.

●      Time-limited pet insurance: This plan provides short-term coverage of about 12 months once you start treating a health issue. This is a one-time offer, as you cannot renew the policy after it has expired or you have used the maximum amount of coverage.

●      Accident-only pet insurance: If you’re confident that your dog is in good health and you can’t afford to spring for other plans, this is the most cost-effective option. With this plan, your vet bills will only be covered in the case that your dog is injured in an accident.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is an excellent idea to get health insurance for your pet while they are still young. This way you can avoid expensive vet bills and denial for pre-existing conditions. Of course, if you are new to the concept of health insurance for dogs, you may be considering a plan for an older pet. 

If you ask us, investing in pet insurance for your older dog is completely worth it. Just like with humans, health insurance for your dog guarantees that they will receive the best care in the unfortunate case that they become ill or have an accident. Doggie health insurance can also extend the life of your dog, giving you added years of joy together.

Allow you and your dog some peace of mind by ensuring that they will be protected and will receive the best care for the rest of their lives. Let the pet insurance experts at Fursure help you find the best policy for your best friend.

To get your pet protected and covered in just a few minutes, buy a pet insurance policy today!