Dog Health Insurance Policies in the United States

"Dog Health Insurance policies in the United States vary in terms of monthly cost, deductibles and whether or not they will cover certain breeds or pre-existing conditions. It's best to get free quotes from multiple companies before making a decision."

Dog health insurance policies in the United States are very similar to human health insurance. Insurance companies offer a range of policies tailored to suit the needs your dog.

Many dog owners are starting to buy
in the United States due to the rising costs of health care and the piece of mind in knowing that you can give your pet the level of care you would expect for yourself.

Most companies start policies at age 6-8 weeks and depending on the company there may or may not be an age limit.

In Europe buying dog health insurance policies is common where over 1 out of 10 dogs are now insured.

Why Buy a Dog Health Insurance Policy in the United States?

Veterinarians can now successfully treat conditions that were previously considered untreatable. However with these advances comes an escalating cost of veterinary care. It is estimated that North American dog owners now spend over $10 billion a year on health care for their pets. The statistics show that most owners could benefit from some type of .

- One in three pets will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.
- Two out of every three pets experience a significant health problem during their lifetime.

Selecting a Dog Health Insurance Policy in the United States

Policies tend to include some type of accident and illness coverage and protects the owner from unreasonably high costs. One good example to look at is . This company offers policies that tend to be price competitive and is a good starting point when comparing different companies.

Different insurance policies vary by annual premium, deductibles, and coverage. Costs will change based on species, age, pre-existing conditions and sometimes if your dog lives primarily inside or outside.

Features of US Pet Health Insurance

There are several features that you should compare between Pet Health Insurance Policies:

Percentage of the bill covered:Usually 80% - 90%

No Pre-Authorization: Best policies do not require pre-authorizaqtion

Discounts for Multiple Pets: A useful option.

Deductibles: Tend to range from $75 to $300.

Coverage Limits: Most insurance polices set a range of between $25,000 - $100,000.

Per Incident Limit: Reimbursement per incident is usually $2,500 - $14,000.

Veterinarian and Hospital Selection: Most owners what to be able to choose.

Monthly Cost: If you are on a budget like me $20 per month or more can hurt the budget, but our pets are worth it.

For more on the common features of pet health insurance see our page on US dog pet insurance or dog health insurance policiy guide.

Pre-existing Conditions and Canine Health Insurance

As in all insurance, it varies by company. I was surprised to learn that even with a pre-existing condition, if your dog is stable for 3 to 12 months, many companies will accept your pet. This also depends on breed and type of illness (eg; if an illness is common in your breed, they may not write the insurance policy).

Compare Dog Health Insurance Policies in the United States

Every insurance company is different. It is worth getting a few quotes to compare deductibles and coverage. A few reputable companies to try are:

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) - a recent survey showed that 9 out of 10 veterinarians recommend this company.

Pets Best

QuickCare Pet Insurance

PetCare Insurance from Petco - Free Quote

After you receive your quotes compare them to the checklist on our best choices dog insurance page or our information on cat and dog health insurance.

Sources for Dog Health Insurance Policies in the United States:

Pet Health Insurance
From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine

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