11 Best Dog Insurance For Older Dogs
As a pet parent, you have no doubt been responsible for the care of an older dog or cat for a long time. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many pet insurance policies.
Most policies do not offer lifetime cover but end around the age of nine, making it difficult to find a solution.
Owners of Older dogs or cats sometimes wonder if it makes sense to take out pet Insurance and whether the insurance applies to them too. It can be confusing to know at what age an insurance company considers your four-legged friend a “senior pet”, especially if he or she is still so agile and young.
It’s best to insure your pet while he or she is young. But you can also take out Pet Insurance for older dogs and cats, which can save you a lot of money in case of health problems later on.
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Pet insurance can be a good way to offset the cost of veterinary care. Unfortunately, insurance becomes increasingly difficult to obtain as pets get older. Because older pets are more vulnerable to injury and illness, many pet insurance companies have strict age limits.
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However, with a little searching, you will find many pet insurance companies that have no age limits. To make the process as simple as possible, here are the top 11 insurance companies that offer the best policies for adult dogs and cats.
Why do old pet need insurance?
As your pet ages, changes occur in their body that causes them to function less efficiently than when they were younger. Older pets are more likely to lose weight and gain weight, with the risk being greater for dogs and cats with a sedentary lifestyle. Changes in their immune system can make the fighting disease more difficult. If your pet is not neutered, they are at greater risk of developing diseases such as testicular or breast cancer.
Other problems such as glaucoma and cataracts that affect vision, hearing loss, arthritis, and hip dysplasia are common and can also affect an adult pet. Insuring your pet can also help control diabetes, and heart and joint disease.
5 reasons why you should insure older pets.
1. They are more prone to health problems.
It’s a sad fact that the older your pet gets, the more likely they are to develop health problems. Cats and dogs suffer from many of the same illnesses as humans due to old age, hearing loss, arthritis, and poor eyesight. Existing health problems can worsen with age and you may need to buy special equipment or expensive medication.
By taking out pet insurance as early as possible, you can ensure your pet is protected against the problems that can occur as they get older. Older pets are more expensive to insure, but they need care much more often.
2. They may need mobility aids.
Dogs, in particular, often find it difficult to get around as they get older, which can be heartbreaking for their owners. However, if you have pet insurance, you can buy mobility aids to help your dog make the most of its later years.
Handcuffs and harnesses can help dogs whose hind legs are weak or tire easily. Prams and wheelchairs make life easier for puppies with degenerative conditions by reducing the strain on their problem areas and allowing them to move around for longer. These aids can cost a fortune, especially if they are adapted for your pet. With pet insurance, you can afford your best friend.
3. They may need a special diet.
Did you know that pet insurance doesn’t just cover veterinary supplies and medical equipment? Most policies also cover the special dietary needs your pet may require as they age. You will be reimbursed for food prescribed by your vet to treat things like urinary stones or crystals. If your pet has had an operation and needs liquid food, this will also be reimbursed.
Food for long-term conditions like diabetes should also be covered. These conditions are more common in older animals. So it makes sense to take out insurance even if your pet does not currently have any problems.
4. you are likely to need dental treatment.
It’s easy to forget that pets not only have medical problems, but also serious dental problems. Cats and dogs often suffer from gingivitis as they age, and these dental problems are common.
Procedures like teeth cleaning and dental surgery can be expensive, so it makes sense to find pet insurance that offers comprehensive dental coverage.
5 Most policies will cover the cremation of your pet after death.
When you are grieving the loss of your pet, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of caring for their remains. The best pet insurance policies cover the entire cost of cremating your pet after its death, so you don’t have to worry during this difficult time.
Did you think it wasn’t worth taking out pet insurance for your aging pet?
Think about it. As older pets are more prone to costly medical and dental problems, insurance is a smart way to save money and ensure your pet gets the best possible care for the rest of their life. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that insurance is more expensive for older pets, as it’s still much cheaper than treating unexpected problems out of pocket.
Pet Insurance costs for older dogs and cats
Age isn’t the only factor affecting the ability to get insurance for senior pets. It also increases the premium of the insurance you buy or already have. This is because older pets have a higher risk of illness, injury, or disease and require more veterinary care. You can also expect the price of pet insurance to increase each year once you buy cover, as the need for medical care may increase.
As your pet grows older, the need for healthcare may be greater than ever. Make sure your senior pet has insurance to help pay for expensive veterinary bills. Compare plans and prices with other pet insurance providers. Once you are satisfied with the plan and insurance company you want, you can make your choice and purchase pet health insurance of your choice for your older dogs and cats.
Age limits and pre-existing conditions
It is important to know the age limits if your pet is not already insured. Some pet insurance policies specify an age limit at which you can purchase insurance, usually between 10 and 12 years. Since large dogs are considered elderly or geriatric at six years old and small dogs and cats at seven years old, you may think you have plenty of time to purchase senior pet insurance before these limits prevent you from doing so.
Unfortunately, if you wait too long, you may face another obstacle: if your pet becomes ill before you buy insurance, they will be deemed to have a pre-existing condition. No insurance company offers policies that cover treatment or care for pre-existing conditions.
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TrustedPals: TrustedPals offers insurance for dogs of all ages and breeds. All basic plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries. Includes treatment for chronic and inherited conditions, as well as alternative and holistic treatments.
It also includes a death benefit to cover end-of-life expenses. If you want to add health insurance to your pet insurance, it will cost you more each month.
SPOT: When you buy dog insurance, you don’t have to worry about age restrictions. Basic insurance covers the veterinary care needed to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses, even in an emergency. It is also possible to extend the insurance to cover the cost of preventive care to cover routine care. The only disadvantage is that it does not cover pre-existing illnesses or injuries. Therefore, it is advisable to sign up as early as possible.
Figo: Figo offers comprehensive accident and illness cover for dogs of all ages. Accident and illness cover is available within one to two weeks (depending on the country). All policies cover diagnostic tests and cancer treatment. However, Figo will cover emergency tests and chronic and hereditary diseases at a price of your choice. The company also has an app that allows you to live chat with a vet 24/7.
ASPCA pet insurance: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers insurance for dogs and cats of all ages. Although the association does not place any age restrictions on new customers, the price increases as the dog ages. It is therefore advisable to sign up as early as possible.
The Insurance plan covers accidents, illness, hereditary diseases, behavioural problems, and dental care. If you want to be reimbursed for routine veterinary care, you should include preventative treatment in your pet insurance.
Embrace: Embrace offers full accident and health cover for older dogs if the pack is removed before they turn 15. Otherwise, you are only covered for accidents.
With accident and health insurance issues, you will be reimbursed for diagnostic tests and treatments needed to keep your dog healthy for years to come. It covers chronic illnesses, congenital diseases, and dental injuries.
Fetch: Fetch offered a key solution when we brought our senior pets in. It covers accidents, illnesses, and injuries, as well as veterinary examinations, diagnostics, prescription drugs, and out-of-pocket surgery. There is no additional cost for cover or preventative care, but dogs covered by a FetchPet policy must be checked regularly to ensure they are in good health.
ManyPet Pet Insurance: ManyPets offers a unique, tailored accident and health insurance policy with additional benefits. Of the five companies from which we received quotes, ManyPets offered the lowest premiums for adult pets.
The insurance covers unexpected accidents or illnesses, examinations and tests, medication, treatment and surgery, hospital stays, veterinary visits, and more. There are no network restrictions, so you can take your pet to any vet in the US.
If you have an older pet and want to join ManyPets, make sure you do so before your pet turns 15, as the maximum age for registration is 14. Once your pet is insured, they are covered for life or until the policy is cancelled.
- Pets Best Pet Insurance,
- PetFirst Pet Insurance,
- Hartville Pet Insurance
What to consider when insuring older dogs and cats
When shopping for different dog insurance policies, you should consider the following factors:
Age: You can very much bet on the cost of your dog’s and cats’ pet insurance premiums increasing as they become older. The older your dogs and cats are, the more pet insurance premiums will cost – you can count on it
Preexisting conditions: No pet health insurance plan we found offers immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions, but some will reimburse for future care 180 days after your dog’s recovery.
Plan coverage: All insurance packages differ in terms of cover, so read the fine print to find the right cover for you and your dog.
How can insurance costs for older pets be reduced?
If the above pet insurance costs seem too high for you, there are several ways to reduce the monthly premium and make pet insurance more affordable.
Here are some strategies you can try:
Sign up as soon as possible: Register your pet as early as possible, because the younger the pet, the cheaper the insurance will be. Remember to register your pet as early as possible to save money.
Choose basic insurance over comprehensive insurance: Choosing an accident-only or no insurance policy can also help reduce insurance costs.
Choose a policy with a lower insurance value: The higher the sum insured per year, the more expensive the insurance will be. If you consider reducing your insurance limits, you can also reduce your premiums.
Increase your excess: Insurance with low excesses costs more than insurance with higher excesses. If you choose insurance with a higher annual deductible, you can reduce your costs many times over.
Some insurers offer discounts for claim-free periods. Keeping your pet healthy can also reduce your costs.
When does it make sense to take out insurance for the elderly?
Your pet is old, but not too old: If your pet is at the lower end of the age scale (for example, eight or nine years old), it may make sense to take out insurance. You may not have any pre-existing conditions that would exclude you from insurance, and if you have any major health problems or expenses, you are likely to be preferred.
You have no savings or disposable income: If you can’t afford unexpected medical expenses, pet insurance may be a good option, regardless of the pet’s age. It’s probably much easier to pay $20-70 a month than to have $10,000 in surgery all at once.
Your pet is at risk of injury or disease: Some breeds (or even some animals) are more prone to injury or disease than others. If your pet falls into this category, pet insurance is probably a good option to consider.
When older pet insurance for dogs isn’t worth it
You have enough money to cover an emergency: If you have a well-funded emergency fund, pet insurance isn’t as important. It may cost you more in the long run.
Your pet has many pre-existing conditions that are not covered by insurance: If this is the case, your pet is likely to face high veterinary bills whether you are insured or not. Taking out insurance will only increase costs for you as a pet owner.
How to care for older dogs
If an owner cares for an older dog, the animal’s quality of life improves and many common illnesses and injuries occur less frequently. Follow these tips to avoid problems in the future:
– Reduce the risk of falls by installing rugs or wearing dog shoes.
– Install rugs or mats that are less likely to cause injury.
– Brush your dog’s teeth daily to keep them free and clean.
– Provide a healthy diet and remove table scraps as necessary.
– Observe your dog daily and report any changes to your vet so they can be examined immediately.
Is it worth taking out pet insurance for older pets?
Yes, pet insurance can be a good investment for your senior pet, even if they don’t have any serious health problems yet. In this case, your four-legged friend can continue to enjoy a good quality of life for many years, provided he or she receives the necessary treatment. If the treatment is too expensive, the health insurance fund may cover part of the costs.
Is it worth taking out insurance for an older pet?
If you are thinking about insuring an older dog or cat, you should consider the following points to determine whether it is worth it:
Lifespan: if you have an idea of how long you want to keep your pet, you will be in a better position to calculate costs. Cats tend to live longer than dogs (about 15 years on average), while the lifespan of dogs varies greatly depending on the breed. Small dogs such as Chihuahuas can live between 15 and 20 years, but larger breeds such as Great Danes have an average life expectancy of only seven years.
Diseases covered: Most policies cover accidents and acute illnesses (e.g. respiratory infections), but owners of older pets should prefer a comprehensive policy that covers common age-related illnesses such as organ disease (kidney/liver/lung), cancer, and arthritis.
Quality of care and service: make sure you are happy with your chosen provider and insurance in the long term. Changing insurers later can be problematic as coverage is limited if you have a medical history. If you take out insurance tomorrow and your pet becomes ill next year with a covered illness, it will cover you. However, if you change insurers after the illness occurs, the new insurer is likely to treat the illness as a ‘pre-existing condition’ and you may lose your insurance.
Is it difficult to get insurance for an older dog?
The older the pet, the more difficult it can be to get insurance. Pet insurers with age limits for new policies usually set them at 10 years. Therefore, if your pet is older than 10 years, you should look for an insurer with a higher age limit or no limit.
Insurance for older dogs and cats is likely to be more expensive than insurance for younger pets. In addition, costs may increase at each policy renewal as the likelihood of a claim is higher. If monthly costs are an issue, look for flexible policies that allow you to change policy limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates to create an affordable policy.
When is a pet considered a ‘senior’?
There is no single definition of a ‘senior pet’, partly because each insurance company can set its age limits and rate classes based on age. From a biological point of view, there is also no clear definition. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, both cats and dogs are generally considered ‘seniors’ from the age of seven, but this may depend on the breed in question.
Is insurance for old animals different from insurance for young animals?
Insurance for old animals works in the same way as insurance for young animals. The main difference is the price. As older dogs and cats need more frequent care, their insurance is more expensive. Older animals can also be excluded if the insurer has set an age limit for new policies. However, Pets Best’s progressive pet insurance has no age limit, so you can insure your older pets at any age.
Is it possible to get insurance for older dogs?
Yes, older pets can be covered, but the premium may be higher than for a younger pet. Also, some insurers may set a maximum age limit for taking out insurance. For example, if your dog is 11 years old and your insurer has set an age limit of 10 years, you won’t be able to add it to your insurance quote. It is important to remember that pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. The earlier you take out insurance, the more likely you are to be covered for age-related illnesses.
What is the best pet insurance for older pets?
The best pet insurance for older pets is ASPCA insurance, companies like Pets Best Pet Insurance, PetFirst Pet Insurance, and Hartville Pet Insurance offer the best insurance for senior pets. All these companies offer insurance for dogs up to 14 years of age with no pre-existing medical conditions.
Is pet insurance more expensive for older pets?
Insurance for older pets tends to be more expensive than insurance for puppies and kittens. This is because older pets are more prone to health problems and pose a greater risk to the insurer.
Remember that some breeds are prone to specific diseases which can affect the cost of pet insurance. However, there are many affordable insurance policies for older pets. Although the monthly deductible is higher than for younger pets, this insurance may be necessary for veterinary services.
What is the age limit for pet insurance?
Most insurance companies only allow new customers to get comprehensive coverage if the pet is 14 years old or younger. Some companies offer cover for older pets, but this means that premiums increase with age.
Is it worth getting pet insurance for an older dog?
A smart method to assist control the costs of veterinary care for a senior pet is to purchase pet insurance. It may cover both mishaps and common illnesses like thyroid issues, cancer, and arthritis.
What’s the oldest you can insure a dog?
The majority of insurers classify an older cat or dog as being eight years of age or more, however this varies according on the species of animal. When a pet meets the criteria of a “older pet,” which is normally eight years old for a dog and ten years old for a cat, some insurers impose a co-payment.
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Parting Words
It’s never too late to protect your dog or cat with pet insurance, although each provider has its policies and insurance limits.
The size and breed of the dog can affect the senior pet insurance package offered, as some dogs live longer than others.
Depending on the company you choose, your plan may help fund the cost of hospital care, so you can give your loved one the longest and most comfortable life possible.
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