If you have a dog, you probably wonder if buying pet insurance makes sense. Discover our opinion and our advice on the subject.
Purchasing dog insurance is not a legal requirement. Dog owners need to subscribe to it. Mostly, they wonder about the advisability of such an investment, which would increase their expenses.
Fortunately, there are online comparators to find the cheapest offers because taking out dog insurance can be very useful, given its advantages, both for the animal and the owner. So what are the reasons for buying insurance for your dog, and how does this coverage work?
Why should you buy dog ​​insurance?
Although the law does not require it, purchasing health insurance for your dog is a great help. Indeed, the dog is a full member of the family. As such, he deserves to be maintained and to benefit from quality care when he has health problems. However, the management of veterinary care represents a significant budget, especially for certain breeds of dogs.
Taking out pet insurance lets you meet these expenses with peace of mind without risking your finances. Health insurance for dogs is, therefore, an effective solution to preserve your budget, knowing that a dog’s health care can be expensive in the event of illness or accident. Other reasons justify the desirability of such coverage.
Indeed, insurance for dogs and NAC (new pets) is offered according to several formulas. You can therefore opt for a personalized contract based on your animal’s specific needs and your budget. This insurance is also useful to cover material or bodily damage that your dog could cause to third parties, which would fall under your civil liability.
Types of coverage offered by dog ​​insurance companies
When taking out insurance for your pet, you can choose between several formulas you can discover on specialized sites or through online comparators. With a few differences, insurance for our 4-legged friends works like insurance for humans. So, you have some leeway in terms of the formula. The acts and care covered by these contracts are also multiple.
Insurance plans for dogs
The basic formula is obviously the most economical of all the formulas offered. It involves a contribution and rather minimal guarantees. However, depending on the dog’s breed and age, you may be happy with this option.
For more peace of mind if your pet is sick, opt for the comfort formula. It offers superior coverage to the previous one with relatively more extensive guarantees. With the comfort formula, you can claim a 70 to 90% reimbursement rate for veterinary care, laboratory analyses or medication purchase.
Pet insurance also offers a top-of-the-range formula. Still called premium, it is aimed at owners of dogs of particular breeds and has greater financial flexibility. If the premium contribution is higher, this formula can reimburse you up to 100% of the expenses incurred for your companion. It generally takes over the guarantees of the intermediate contract with more possibilities and adds funeral and euthanasia costs in addition to additional guarantees.
What dog insurance covers
Depending on the formula chosen for your pet insurance, you will be able to benefit from coverage on different care and items such as:
- veterinary consultations,
- medication,
- various diseases,
- vaccinations,
- re-education,
- dewormers,
- hospitalization,
- radiography,
- biopsy,
- cremation.
The care covered will depend on the terms of your contract and the formula chosen. Also, note that an annual reimbursement ceiling accompanies each formula. This means that in the event of a succession of veterinary care for your dog, you may no longer be reimbursed.
Understanding the Cost and Benefits of Dog Insurance
If the budget to be provided for dog insurance depends on many factors, the advantages of this insurance contract are undeniable and diverse.
The cost of pet insurance
To ensure your dog, the budget to be provided depends on the insurer you use. The policies in this area are heterogeneous, and the animal’s age must also be considered. It is advisable to insure your dog as soon as possible.
From two months, it can be covered by insurance. From the age of 6 or 7, insurers are reluctant to cover your pet. However, companies specializing in old dog insurance are an option. Besides age, the dog category can also determine the insurance cost and its state of health.
Of course, the chosen formula will also count. While you will pay dearly for a high-end formula, the intermediate and basic formulas will be less restrictive. Considering these variables, the cheapest dog insurance policies can cost you $10-$30/month. The most expensive sometimes reach the limit of 60 to 90 euros per month.
Benefits of dog insurance
Being covered by dog ​​health insurance means you’re quick to get to a vet when your ally shows symptoms of illness. This insurance is useful for the animal to benefit from preventive care before its health deteriorates.
It is, therefore, appropriate to point out that dogs with insurance, regularly examined by a veterinarian, are in good health most of the time. Generally, an intermediate contract is enough to cover your furry friend effectively. In addition, you have various possibilities in terms of guarantees, enough to adapt your insurance to your budget.
With the reimbursement rates offered through these contracts, you will surely be reimbursed for veterinary costs. Without insurance, you will have to pay these costs yourself. Being unforeseen, they will inevitably have an impact on your finances. Moreover, it will be difficult to determine the amount in advance. Seen in this way, insurance for your dog is an effective solution for you.
Do some breeds require more comprehensive coverage?
As we said, the breed of your animal impacts the insurance cost. It also influences the nature of the coverage. Therefore, to ensure some canids, you will need more coverage.
Hunting dogs and big dogs
Given their high physical activity, hunting dogs can be exposed to various pathologies. Similarly, large canids are known to have a reduced life expectancy compared to smaller ones. Having a complete insurance contract is useful for these two types of dogs.
Thus, the pathologies to which these breeds of canines are more exposed will be more easily taken care of: Lyme disease, bone cancer, Aujeszky’s disease, aortic stenosis, hip dysplasia, rabies, tularemia, hypothyroidism, etc.
The dangerous dogs
This designation refers to category 1 and 2 dogs. Category 1 includes attack dogs such as Pitbulls, Mastiffs, and Tosa-type dogs. In Category 2 are defense dogs: Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers, among others.
These dogs are known to be dangerous and aggressive. For these animals, you must not only have a license but also be able to present specific insurance for dangerous dogs. It protects third parties and family members, given the potential level of danger of these breeds. Lack of insurance exposes you to a fine of 450 euros.
