While it can save you a lot of money in the long run and make sure your pet gets the best possible care in their time of need, dog insurance doesn’t always fit in everyone’s budget. Sometimes, the monthly premium can be so high that it makes you wonder if dog insurance is really worth it in the end – but there are ways to find a model that both suits your budget and ensures your dog’s needs are taken care of. To find out if you could try to save on pet insurance costs, first you have to consider which factors go into determining your monthly premium for dog insurance.
It’s no secret that some dog breeds are more likely to be affected by certain illnesses and diseases due to genetic factors. As a result, most pet insurance companies charge a higher monthly premium for purebred dogs – or at the very least, breeds that are most known to have a chance of inherited health problems, such as Bulldogs, Cane Corso, or Doberman Pinschers.
On average, puppies and younger dogs tend to have fewer health issues than dogs in their golden years. This reflects in the cost of dog insurance, too, which means that the younger your dog is the lower the monthly premium will be. Typically, purebreds nearing senior years or already considered seniors are the most expensive to insure.
Average costs of veterinary services can wildly vary from state to state – and even from zip code to zip code. Naturally, this also means that if you live in an area where veterinary treatment is more expensive (e.g. big cities), your premiums will be higher.
If you want a policy with all the bells and whistles, that will cost you. The most affordable policy plan is one that covers only the costs of veterinary care related to accidents, and it can be a great way to have peace of mind in case of emergencies even if you’re strapped for cash. Policies that cover both accidents and illnesses will cost more but will ensure that you’re prepared for all scenarios, and provide quality care for your pet no matter what they need it for. Finally, if budget is not an issue, you might want to consider a comprehensive plan that doesn’t only cover treating issues when they happen, regardless of whether it’s a result of an accident or an illness, but work to help prevent health issues before they happen with included regular wellness preventive check-ups.
When you have a high deductible, it means that you will have to pay more out of your pocket before the insurance company pays your dog’s bills. It also means that your monthly premium will be lower – and vice versa, if you go for a cheaper deductible, you will pay more in monthly premiums. Similarly, copay determines what percentage of the bill will you be covering and what part is the insurance supposed to pay in case of covered illness or accident. If you opt for full coverage without copay or plans where pet insurance pays 80% or more, your monthly premiums will be more expensive.
