There are many pet insurance providers available to ensure you’re covered for veterinary care in the event of a serious accident. However, it’s not just accidents that you need to worry about.
You’ll want insurance that covers illnesses or other conditions, too – and not just because your pet will be more likely to get sick as she gets older! Senior pets are more prone to a variety of health issues, and may need expensive medical treatment for them.
Below you’ll find information on the best pet insurance for older dog; three pet insurance companies with no upper age limit and one with a 14-year-old upper age limit. You can discover a plan that works for you if you have an older dog and want to insure it.
Our Top Picks for Best Pet Insurance For Older Dog
1. Pets Best – Best for Competitive Pricing
2. Embrace – Best for Dental Illnesses
3. Healthy Paws – Best for Dogs
4. PetFirst – Best Preventative Care
The Best Pet Insurance For Older Dog
Pets Best – Best for Competitive Pricing
Pets Best is a carrier that offers insurance for senior dogs with no upper age limit for pets. They have no upper limit, and they will also not cancel your coverage if your dog becomes older or develops health problems. It does not have a maximum age limit, which means that you may still be able to ensure your senior pet. However, Pets Best, like all insurers, does not cover pre-existing conditions.
Deductibles range from zero to $1,000, while coverage limits range from $5,000 to $10,000 per year. Additionally, Pets Best offers a wellness plan that may be added to your dog’s insurance policy. Senior dogs require extensive routine and preventative care, which a wellness plan will help counteract.
PROS
- Provides accident-only and wellness plans at a set charge, as well as a 24-hour helpline staffed by veterinarians.
- Premiums are extremely low.
- Direct reimbursement to your veterinarian, resulting in lower out-of-pocket expenses for you. Diverse deductible options
- Consult any licensed veterinarian in the United States or Canada.
CONS
- This policy excludes holistic, herbal, and experimental remedies.
- The Accident and Illness policy excludes prescription diets, vitamins, and supplements.
- Enrollment is restricted to inhabitants of the continental United States.
Embrace – Best for Dental Illnesses
Embrace Insurance covers any dog or puppy, even senior dogs or those with pre-existing conditions. We all know that senior pets have health issues. Incurable and treatable pre-existing disorders are distinguished. If your dog can be healed, Embrace will pay for it.
You can ask Embrace professionals to check your dog’s medical history. It is usually a reliable insurance company with a decreasing deductible. This implies that for every year without a claim, your annual deductible drops by $50. In case of illness, Embrace will pay up to 90% of vet bills. It also has a useful wellness program.
PROS
- There is an accident-only policy available.
- Emergency care and hospitalization are covered at any licensed clinic.
- Wellness Reward Program Optional.
- 24/7 Pet Health Consultation Service.
- Decreased deductible.
- Available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
CONS
- There are no alternatives for endless benefits.
- Accident and illness coverage is limited to pets 14 years and younger.
- Only a few health benefits.
- Not accessible in Canada or the United States of America’s territories.
Healthy Paws – Best for Dogs
Healthy Paws is one of the favorite insurance companies of dog owners, however, the ranking has dropped due to an age restriction. Healthy Paws accepts senior dogs until their 14th birthday. Once enrolled, they are covered the same as any other pet, regardless of age.
The benefits of Healthy Paws are not time-limited. In addition, only dogs enrolled under the age of 6 are covered from hip dysplasia coverage. Healthy Paws’ low-cost plans still offer great deductible and annual coverage options.
PROS
- There are no limits to the amount of money that can be claimed.
- Benefits that last for an infinite number of years.
- 9 out of 10 claims are handled within two days.
- Claims can be submitted via email, fax, internet, or through the Healthy Paws app on your mobile device.
- In the United States and Canada, you can seek medical advice from any licensed veterinarian.
- Treatable pre-existing conditions are covered.
CONS
- Nothing in the way of a preventative health care strategy, alternative therapy, or wellness program.
- There isn’t a discount for having more than one pet with you.
- Accident and illness claims must be filed within 15 days after the incident.
- There is a one-time cost of $25 for this service.
- Restricts the number of deductibles and reimbursement choices available to pets older than six years old.
PetFirst – Best Preventative Care
PetFirst is another option for dog owners with senior pets of any age. PetFirst lets you choose between annual and incidental deductibles. When it comes to elderly dogs, you never know what problems they’ll face, so being open-minded is essential when choosing a dog insurance policy.
PetFirst covers all genetic and chronic disorders as well as accidents and illnesses. You can add wellness coverage to any of PetFirst’s plans, just like you can with Pets Best.
PROS
- Insurance coverage begins to kick in after just one day.
- Comprehensive protection with a range of adjustable limits
- Treatable pre-existing conditions are covered.
- Coverage is available for licensed veterinarians in the United States.
CONS
- Absence of accident-only protection
- Low annual ceilings are acceptable.
- Individual yearly caps apply to preventive care interventions.
- Only citizens of the United States of America are eligible to enroll.
Conclusion
Some say senior dog insurance is unnecessary, but the reality is that older dogs have higher medical costs than pups. Even if you wait until the last minute to buy your dog’s health insurance, you must act quickly. Taking care of an elderly dog requires financial sacrifice.
The best pet insurance for older dog will either have no upper age limit or a very high maximum age limit. Pre-existing conditions are not covered by pet insurance, but you can seek help paying for your pet’s senior care.
Don’t shoulder all pet bills alone. Purchase senior dog insurance to ensure you can afford future veterinary treatment for your pet.