Dogs Running through Field


How to Find Pet Insurance for Your Dog

Barret Williams - December 22, 2021


Keeping pets is very rewarding, but the cost of looking after them can be steep. That's why you should look into pet insurance for your dog or other pooch. Dog pet insurance covers many types of accidents and illnesses that could otherwise cost a lot to treat without it.

If you're thinking about getting insurance for your dog, there are some important things you should consider. You should pay particular attention to how much it will cost you, the conditions that are covered by the policy, and what it doesn't cover.

These are some of the most essential things to look out for when choosing a dog pet insurance plan.

Budget

The first thing you need to do is figure out your monthly budget for pet insurance coverage. Estimate how much you're spending on your dog each month, and then add a couple of hundred dollars as a buffer. This will give you an estimate as to what the monthly cost of the pet insurance plan should be.

Conditions

Many conditions can be covered underdog insurance, such as cancer, hip dysplasia and arthritis. If your dog has a preexisting condition, your insurance options will be more limited and likely more costly. This is good to know going into your search.

Non-Essential Coverage

Certain procedures such as ear cropping and tail docking (which are performed for cosmetic reasons) are often excluded from dog pet insurance policies. If these are operations you're interested in, be sure to check whether your policy will cover these expenses.

Exclusions

Some accidents and illnesses aren't covered by pet insurance for dogs. For example, if your dog is injured by a wild animal, the treatment may not be fully reimbursed. Other examples of things that usually don't fall under the umbrella of dog insurance coverage include preexisting conditions and war wounds.

Popular Dog Insurance Companies:

How to Get a Pet Insurance Quote for Your Dog

There are many dog insurance companies to choose from, so it's a good idea to shop around before settling on one plan. Start by getting free quotes for your pooch at five or six different companies, and then narrow down your choices based on what you need out of a policy, and the options that meet your budget. Like with auto insurance, don't settle on your first quote just to get the process over with. Your dog will thank you later.



Advertiser Disclosure

We partner with financial institutions, lenders, and other advertisers to better provide you with the most up-to-date product information that can help you make the important decisions in your life, but our content is not financial advice. Your personal situation and needs are personal to you -that's why it's called personal finance.  

Your trust in our process is essential, and we strive to maintain transparency when it comes to our advertiser partners. You can find a list of our current partners in our advertiser disclosure. We never allow our advertisers to influence our opinions, analysis or influence our star rankings.

The Penny Jar Logo