Maty is a purebred Bichon Maltese. He is very spoiled by his human mommy who is very proud to have him near her at all times. He enjoys longs walks in the park and playing with his dog friends. Little did mommy know when she adopted him, this breed is prone to unpleasant genetic conditions. Things got upsetting for both of them when they discovered he developed dyskinesia, which implied loss of coordination and the ability to walk. It is a common opinion of specialists and veterinary practitioners that purebred pets are more likely to develop certain genetic conditions, like Maty, compared to other pets. Read More…
Pet Insurance Articles
Pet Insurance for Old and Young Pets
Have you tried to insure your eight-year-old cat or dog? When doing your research, you’ve probably noticed that the premium for an old pet is more expensive than for a young one. The reason for this is because, just like humans, old pets are more likely to get sick with common illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, or injury complications as the years go by, requiring more visits to the vet, and hence, more costs are involved in treating these conditions. Read More…
Coverage of Long-Lasting Conditions
Surely you enjoy spending time with your furry companion, having fun playing, running around, ensuring they are happy and cozy all the time. But what if your beloved pal develops a chronic illness later in his or her life – which will, sooner or later, happen? Surely you want to know the best possible care is available for them to get better. But these treatments often cost a small fortune to cure or keep under control. This is where pet insurance comes in. Read More…
What If I Can’t Pay the Vet?
It’s a dangerous world out there, and surely you want your dear pets to be protected and stay as safe as possible. Just like with everything else in life, sometimes unfortunate accidents or illnesses happen, and you have to be prepared to take care of them with the best possible treatments and cures. But what if you simply can’t pay the vet? Read More…
Treatment Costs for the Most Common Pet Conditions
Pets. Aren’t they marvelous creatures who warm our hearts with their unconditional love? Many times, the conditions they develop are extremely costly to treat, and unless we have a small fortune set aside or the appropriate insurance, we are faced with the sad reality of them leaving this world too soon. What are the most common pet conditions and how much exactly does it cost to treat them? Read More…
What to Know About Getting Pet Insurance for Older Dogs
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But you can have it insured so it can cherish being adored by you and your family for as long as possible. However, insuring older dogs has its tricks and challenges. Ready? Sit, read, enjoy.
Things You Need to Know About Insuring an Older Dog
In a way, pet insurance is like wine: the older the dog is, the more expensive it gets. The reason is, just like with us, humans, older dogs are more likely to develop illnesses and get injured. Among the conditions old dogs are prone to develop, there are cancer, renal failure, cataracts, diabetes, blindness, and many more.
This happens because, as they age, the furry companions’ immune systems gets weaker and they tend to become overweight. This makes them more vulnerable to developing these illnesses that, needless to say, are sometimes extremely expensive to treat.
Most insurance companies offer coverage for these conditions, provided that they are non-preexisting. There are, though, a few firms that do cover preexisting conditions, if they are curable.
The distinction is very subtle, meaning that if your dog has a certain condition and is cured from it, the insurance company will provide coverage for that condition after a certain period of time.
Getting the Right Policy at an Affordable Price
Three of the insurance companies that offer coverage for older dogs are Embrace, PetFirst, and Pets Best. Below is a sample coverage for a 14-year old French Bulldog named Rocky from these three companies for their most popular plans.
Company | Monthly Premium | Annual Benefit Limit | Deductible | Reimbursement | Coverage |
Embrace | $408.02 | $15,000 | $200 | 90% | Cancer, including chemotherapy, chronic conditions, dental trauma, genetic conditions, etc. |
PetFirst | $236 | $5,000 | $250 | 80% | Accidents, hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions, exam fees, medications, etc. |
Pets Best | $220.98 | Unlimited | $500 | 80% | Accidents, illnesses, cancer, hereditary conditions, exam fees, etc. |
As you can see, all three companies that cover older pets have certain advantages and disadvantages. It is, therefore, very important that you analyze your and your dog’s needs in depth, focusing on your financial situation or the conditions your dog’s specific breed is prone to in order to choose the most appropriate one.
Even though the monthly premium for an older dog is more expensive than that of a younger one, it is still worth the price if you take into account the costs involving the treatments that these pets are prone to once they get old.
Here’s the Trick
If you almost played ‘dead’ like Rocky does when you heard these numbers, you’re most definitely going to be close to having a panic attack when you see the vet bills for your senior dog’s treatments.
Which will, sooner or later, pile up. It’s just a matter of time until your older dog gets seriously ill or injured, although it’s obvious that it’s not something anyone is looking forward to.
To prepare for this, it is recommendable to insure your pet with an appropriate pet insurance provider as young as possible. Mind you, even in these instances, the premiums will increase with most of these companies as your dog ages.
Still, even so, it is best to have your senior, furry companion insured so that he or she can have a happy ever after alongside an owner who finds peace of mind knowing that his or her dog is backed in case a bad scenario happens.
Cats vs Dogs
Cats vs dogs, the oldest debate in the world. Both species have lived near us, humans, for a very long time, and even though they have many differences, they both deserve the same care and good treatment since they make great companions and are just too cute. The debate is more about which one the parent should adopt, according to his or her own needs, preferences, and even lifestyle. Read More…
Pets Best vs PetFirst Comparison
When you’re feeling tired, lonely, or just bored, who’s there to instantly make you feel better and lift your spirits? Obviously, your pets! For this reason, we grow to consider them real family members and would do anything to make them feel better when sick or injured. Two pet insurance companies come to offer their insurance plans for your furry friends. The first is Pets Best, with a basic plan that covers new illnesses and accidents, including hereditary and congenital ones. Then, there is PetFirst, which covers exam fees, as well as new conditions including hereditary, congenital and chronic diseases. Read More…
Nationwide Pet Insurance vs Figo Pet Insurance Comparison
Sometimes we need to go back to the basics. After wandering around a bit lost and confused, we turn back to things that are familiar and simple, like these two pet insurance companies. The first one, Nationwide, founded in 1925, provides comprehensive coverage, and is one of the few pet insurance companies that also covers birds and exotic pets. Then, there is Figo Pet Insurance, founded in 2013 with three simple accident and illness plans and customizable reimbursement that can reach up to 100%. Even though it might seem like comparing apples to apples, these firms do have certain differences. Read More…
Why Pet Insurance Doesn’t Cover Preexisting Conditions
As Sigmund Freud once said, “time spent with cats is never wasted”. That’s why we strive, in turn, to reciprocate the same love and make their short lives here on earth as happy as possible. A great way to achieve this is by choosing the appropriate insurance plans for them, so that, in the event of something going wrong, we are able to get them the right treatment even if it’s expensive. In the search for such an insurance policy, you might have come across the term ‘preexisting condition’. What does it mean exactly and why doesn’t pet insurance provide coverage for preexisting conditions? Read More…