Best Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs in 2022

Pet insurance can be a great way for pet owners to help offset the cost of medical care for their furry friends. Unfortunately, as pets age, it becomes more difficult to qualify for insurance.

Because aging pets are more prone to injury and illness, many pet insurers have strict age limits.

Fortunately, not all pet insurance companies do this. If you’re looking for pet insurance for older cats or dogs, this guide can help you find it.

Many pet parents take out pet insurance plans to control costs and prepare for unexpected veterinary emergencies.

These policies typically have a low monthly cost, but can cover up to tens of thousands of dollars in unexpected veterinary bills, coverage that could be equivalent to life-saving surgery on your pet.

Those who have older dogs and cats sometimes wonder if getting pet insurance is a good option, or if they even have insurance at all.

It can be confusing to know at what age an insurance company will consider your four-legged friend a “senior pet,” especially when he’s as vigorous as ever and young at heart.

While it’s best to enroll your pet in a policy when they’re young, you can still get pet insurance for older dogs and cats, and it could help save you a significant amount of money if they develop health problems later in life.

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Is pet insurance more expensive for older pets?

Pet insurance for older pets is generally more expensive than for younger puppies and kittens. This is because older pets are more likely to have health problems and pose a higher risk to the insurer.

Keep in mind that some breeds are prone to breed-specific health conditions that can affect the cost of your pet’s insurance coverage. Still, you can find plenty of affordable plans for your older pet.

Even if your monthly deductible is higher than younger pet insurance plans, the coverage can be a lifesaver against expensive veterinary care

Here’s what you need to know when considering pet insurance for senior pets . There are a handful of options when it comes to senior pet insurance.

ASPCA

ASPCA offers senior animals its Comprehensive Coverage package. This includes things like accidents, illnesses, dental disease, behavioral problems, and hereditary diseases.

it does not cover preventive care , cosmetic procedures, or reproductive costs. There’s also an accident-only plan if you just want emergency coverage.

Age limit: No limit
Medical Examination Required: No
Pre-existing conditions covered: no
Other Notable Coverage Traits: Behavior issues, including things like fear, licking, digging, etc.

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Figo has three plans for older animals: Essential, Preferred and Ultimate. These plans cover injuries and illnesses, chronic and hereditary conditions, hip dysplasia, hospitalization, diagnostic imaging and more.

There are also various “boosters” to help you cover exam fees and rehabilitation costs.

Age limit: No limit
Medical Examination Required: No
Pre-existing conditions covered: no
Other notable features: knee disorder and hip dysplasia, imaging, behavioral issues, euthanasia, cremation

Pet Plan

Petplan offered a plan option when we implemented our senior animal. It covers accidents, illnesses, and injuries, as well as non-routine veterinary exams, diagnostics, prescription drugs, and surgery.

There are no wellness add-ons or preventive care coverage, although dogs with a Petplan policy are required to have regular wellness checks.

Age Limit: None
Pre-existing conditions covered: no
Other notable coverage features: 24-hour veterinary care, food/kennel fees, behavioral therapy, specialized treatment

Healthy Paws

Healthy Paws offered a unique plan for our listed animals. The policy covers illnesses, accidents, hereditary and chronic diseases, diagnostic tests, surgery, hospitalization and prescription drugs.

It does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, health screenings, screening fees, or spaying or neutering.

Although the company’s prices were in the mid-range compared to other insurers, the reimbursement rate was lower and the deductible higher than average.

As such, our Healthy Paws Offering came with a warning from the company: “Unfortunately, our offering may not be the best for your pet.

To find the best rates and coverage for you, we encourage you to use the links below and check out what other providers are offering.”

Age limit: 14 years old (This upper age limit only applies to new registrations)
Pre-existing conditions covered: no
Other outstanding characteristics of the coverage: Special attention

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Embrace Senior Health Insurance offers coverage for chronic conditions, dental trauma, exam fees, genetic conditions, imaging, surgery, emergency care, and even allergy testing and alternative therapies.

It doesn’t cover pre-existing coverage, but Embrace can make exceptions for “curable” conditions if your pet has been free of symptoms and treatment for at least one year. There is also an optional wellness plan add-on.

Age limit: 14 years
Medical exam required: Yes
Pre-existing conditions covered: no
Other notable coverage features: allergy testing, alternative therapies, physical therapy, specialized treatment

When does senior pet insurance make sense?

your pet is older – but not too old. If your pet is at the lower end of the “upper” scale (say, eight or nine), it may make sense to take out insurance.You may not have developed pre-existing medical conditions that would be excluded from coverage, and you are likely to avoid any major health problems or expenses.
You have no savings or disposable income . If you don’t have the extra money to pay for sudden medical expenses, pet insurance may be a good option, regardless of your pet’s age.It’s probably much easier to pay $20-$70 a month than it is to cover a $10,000 surgery all at once out of pocket.
You have an animal that is prone to injury or illness. . Some breeds (or even certain animals) are more prone to injury or illness than others. If your animal falls into this camp, then pet insurance is probably a smart move to consider.

When senior pet insurance isn’t worth it

You have enough socks for emergencies. . If you have an emergency fund, pet insurance is not as important. In fact, it may even cost you more in the long run.
Your pet has many pre-existing medical conditions that are not covered . If this is the case, you’ll likely have hefty vet bills for your pet, whether it’s insured or not. Adding insurance to the mix will only increase your costs as a pet owner.

How to Reduce Pet Insurance Costs for Senior Pets

If the above pet insurance costs seem too high for your budget, there are several ways to lower your monthly premium and make insuring your pet more affordable.

Here are some strategies you can try:

Sign up ASAP . The younger your pet, the cheaper it will be to insure it. Please consider registering your animal as soon as possible to reduce your costs.
Choose basic insurance instead of comprehensive insurance . Opting for an accident-only policy or dropping coverage can also help lower your policy price.
Choose a policy with lower limits . The higher a plan’s annual limit, the more it will cost you. Consider lowering your policy limits and you’ll also lower your insurance premiums.
Increase your deductible . Low deductible plans cost more than higher deductible policies. Opt for a policy with a higher annual deductible and lower your costs at the same rate.

Some insurers offer discounts for no-claims periods, so keeping your pet healthy can also lower your costs.

Why is it difficult to find cheap pet insurance for older dogs?

As dogs age, insurance premiums rise because pets are more likely to suffer illness and injury.

A source of frustration for many senior dog owners is the fact that insurance costs increase with each renewal.

Many people feel that pet insurance companies are trying to take advantage of them, especially if they have already claimed their insurance and it will be difficult to switch to another pet insurer.

However, in fairness to pet insurance companies, the rise in costs for senior dogs can be attributed to statistics showing that the likelihood of seeking veterinary care increases exponentially every year a dog ages from 2 years.

That means if you have a insured 12 or 13 year old dog, you are more likely to file a claim than if you have a younger dog.

Is pet insurance for older animals worth it? (Conclusion)

Pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment for your older pet, even if he isn’t showing signs of serious health problems.

If this treatment is prohibitively expensive, it is worth getting health insurance, which may cover some of the cost.

Older animals are more likely to gain weight, get sick, and are unable to fight off disease and infection. Pet insurance can help cover some or all of the costs associated with these issues.

It can also help cover the cost of euthanasia and cremation services should they arise.

Of course, insurance means another monthly cost, and if your pet doesn’t get sick, it could be a waste of money. As a pet owner, you should consider your budget and your pet’s individual needs when deciding on pet insurance.

If your dog’s breed is prone to certain inherited diseases as it ages, you should contact a pet insurance provider who will offer the specific type of coverage you may need later on.

You can also prioritize plans by cost to ensure you find the option that best fits your financial circumstances.