Best Dog Insurance Plans for 2024

Dog insurance advice from a vet

We asked Dr. Stephanie Liff, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with over 15 years of experience, what she thought was most important when it came to pet insurance for dogs.

“With pet insurance, it’s important to focus on broad coverage for illnesses and accidents, rather than specific conditions. Dogs often face costly issues like cranial cruciate ligament tears, allergies, and foreign body ingestions.

As a vet, I have insurance for my dog. While I handle many medical needs at my practice, for situations beyond my expertise, like cancer treatments or torn ligaments, I value the peace of mind that insurance provides, knowing my dog is protected.” - Dr. Liff, DVM

Dr. Liff suggests choosing a comprehensive accident and illness plan with broad coverage for your dog. These plans can cover a range of needs, including vet visits, treatments, and surgeries for accidents and illnesses throughout your dog’s life.

What is dog insurance?

Dog insurance helps cover your dog’s vet bills, including costly treatments like surgeries, when your pup gets sick or has an accident. Depending on the plan, it can cover a portion or, in some cases, all of the expenses.

It works similarly to human health insurance, with the type of coverage being key. A good plan covers illness, accidental injuries, and even routine care. Essentially, dog insurance protects you from the financial burden of unexpected vet costs, offering peace of mind for your dog’s health.

How does pet insurance for dogs work?

Dog insurance works similarly to human health insurance by helping cover a portion of your vet bills when your dog needs medical care.

When you buy a policy, you select coverage options, deductibles, and reimbursement levels. After a vet visit, you submit a claim, and the insurance provider reimburses you based on your plan’s terms. The best dog insurance plans cover services ranging from emergencies to ongoing care for chronic conditions.

Some plans pay the vet directly, but many require you to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. Always check for waiting periods, exclusions, and limits.

The cost of dog insurance is typically higher than insurance for cats. On average, you can expect to pay between $50 and $90 per month for a dog insurance policy. However, various factors can influence the final cost.

The cost of pet insurance depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Age of your dog:
  Older dogs tend to be more expensive to insure than puppies, as they generally require more medical care. Some insurers may even set age limits for coverage. If you have a senior dog, check out our list of top plans for older dogs.
• The type of insurance policy you choose:
  An accident-only plan is generally less expensive than a plan that includes accident and illness coverage. A wellness plan is an additional cost.
• The breed of your dog:
  Certain breeds are prone to specific health issues, making them more expensive to insure. For instance, large breeds may have a higher risk of joint problems, which can increase premium costs.
• Location:
  If you live in an area where veterinary care is more expensive, your insurance premiums will likely reflect those higher costs.
• Deductible and coverage levels:
  Like human health insurance, dog insurance plans with higher deductibles tend to have lower monthly premiums. However, you’ll pay more out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.

To best understand how much pet insurance will cost for your dog, you’ll need to get a quote from pet insurance providers.

Which dog breeds are the most expensive to insure?

Certain dog breeds come with higher insurance costs due to their predisposition to specific health issues.

Here are five of the most expensive breeds to insure and the reasons why their premiums tend to be higher:

• American Staffordshire Terrier: Prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems, which can require expensive treatments and surgeries over the dog’s lifetime
• American Bulldog: This breed is at risk for respiratory issues, skin conditions, and joint problems, leading to frequent vet visits and potential surgeries.
• Cane Corso: Known for having issues with hip dysplasia and heart conditions, which can require long-term treatment and medical interventions.
• Rottweiler: This breed has a higher risk of developing cancer, as well as joint and heart problems, making it more costly to insure due to the likelihood of frequent claims.
• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog: Large breeds like this are prone to joint and ligament issues, which often require surgery and long-term care, raising the cost of insurance.

These breeds often face chronic health conditions that can drive up insurance premiums, especially as they age.

Which dog breeds are the cheapest to insure?

Mixed-breed dogs are often the most affordable to insure, as they generally have fewer inherited health problems.

Below are some of the cheapest dog breeds to insure:

• Australian Labradoodle
• Miniature Goldendoodle
• Shichon
• Chihuahua
• Peekapoo

What does dog insurance cover?

What dog insurance covers will depend on the type of plan you have. For a more in-depth look, you can check out our guide on what pet insurance covers.

What isn’t covered by pet insurance for dogs?

While a dog insurance plan covers many types of expenses, it doesn’t typically cover regular day-to-day expenses, kennel or boarding fees, and costs for breeding or grooming.

Most pet insurance companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions either. Therefore, it’s important to purchase insurance early in your dog’s life to ensure they are adequately covered.

Some common dog insurance exclusions include:

• Food:
  Most pet insurance companies won’t kick in to cover the cost of pet food. Some plans have exceptions for pets that may require special food for medical reasons.
• Supplements:
  Your pet’s insurance plan is unlikely to cover everyday supplements and vitamins.
• Boarding:
  Don’t expect your dog’s insurance to cover kennel or boarding fees when you go out of town or otherwise need pet care.
• Grooming:
  The cost of grooming your dog, including professional cleaning, isn’t usually covered by insurance.
• Exam fees:
  If your vet charges an exam fee, it may not be covered by some plans. That’s true even if the plan covers prescribed treatments resulting from that exam.
• Pre-existing conditions:
  Even if you have an illness policy for your dog, it may not cover illness-related symptoms and treatments if they are due to conditions your dog had before you purchased the insurance. For example, if your dog develops a cataracts you most likely won’t be able to buy pet insurance to cover the cost of cataract surgery.

Dog owners should carefully review the details of their pet insurance policy to fully understand what is covered and what isn’t.

How can I choose the best pet insurance for my dog?

Understanding how pet insurance works is key to choosing the right pet insurance policy.

Here are a few tips to find the best pet insurance plan for your pup:

Is dog insurance worth it?

Dog insurance is worth it if your policy premiums and veterinary costs balance out. Even opting for a cheap pet insurance plan can work out saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Ultimately, dog insurance is worth it if it helps you avoid major financial strain during emergencies. If you’d struggle to cover unexpected high vet bills, insurance can be a valuable safety net.

For a more in-depth evaluation, check out our guide on if pet insurance is worth it.