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Best German Shepherd Pet Insurance of 2024

Lisa Scott

Taking care of your German Shepherd can require a lot of work, but providing them with exceptional medical care will allow your pet to live its best life. By getting pet insurance, you can ensure your pet will receive the medical attention it may need throughout its life while reducing your financial burden.

Super-extensive accident & illness coverage

$20,000

Coverage Up To

90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.

Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.

What we like

  • Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
  • Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
  • No exclusion on breeds or older pets
  • Offers a Fur Family Discount on multiple pets
  • Healthcare coverage in Canada and the US

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Pumpkin only covers dogs and cats

Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.

Multiple options for wellness plans

$100,000

Coverage Up To

90% - 100%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Wagmo began by providing stand-alone pet wellness coverages. Today, it has expanded its portfolio to include customizable pet insurance coverage.

What we like

  • Customizable policies
  • Variety of wellness plans
  • Fast reimbursements
  • High incident limits
  • Visit a vet of your choice

What we don't

  • 15 day waiting period on accident policy

Affordable prices with a fast reimbursement process

$100,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.

What we like

  • Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
  • Claims are reimbursed in minutes
  • Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
  • Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
  • Pay deductible once per year and not per incident

What we don't

  • Lemonade is only available in 33 states
  • Certain hybrid breeds may be denied

Short waiting periods on accidental coverage

$25,000

Coverage Up To

50% - 100%

Reimbursement

Overview

MetLife Insurance offers pet insurance for cats and dogs and is known for the shortest waiting periods in the industry.

What we like

  • No restriction on breeds and pet age
  • Customizable annual benefit limits
  • Short waiting periods accidental coverage
  • Flexible deductibles from $50 to $2,000
  • No incident limits

What we don't

  • Wellness treatment not included (optional add-on)
  • Pay first out of pocket and reimbursed later

Quick claims process

$10,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Spot will insure older animals and provides a multi-pet discount when you insure two or more pets

What we like

  • Multi-pet discount
  • No upper age limit
  • Quick claims process
  • Fast and simple filing of claims
  • Optional no lifetime limits or caps on payouts

What we don't

  • Customer service limited to weekdays
  • 14 day waiting period

Pre-existing conditions and 6 pets covered for $24/m

$3,000

Coverage Up To

100%

Reimbursement

Overview

Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.

With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.

What we like

  • Monthly premiums as low as $24
  • Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
  • Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
  • 24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors

What we don't

  • Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
  • Does not offer wellness coverage
  • Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year

Provides holistic therapy coverage

$15,000

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement

Overview

Fetch covers various conditions and offers holistic therapy coverage.

What we like

  • Covers examination fee during vet visits
  • Holistic therapy coverage
  • Comprehensive dental coverage
  • No penalty for multiple claims
  • No upper age limit for the pets

What we don't

  • Offers a single plan
  • No preventive care plans
  • No multi-pet discount

No age limit on pets - older dogs and cats are covered

Unlimited

Coverage Up To

70% - 90%

Reimbursement Rates

Overview

Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.

What we like

  • Older cats and dogs are covered
  • Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
  • Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
  • Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
  • 10% multiple pets discount

What we don't

  • Pre-existing health conditions not covered
  • Wellness add-ons can get expensive

Is pet insurance worth it for a German Shepherd?

Smart and fearless, German Shepherds are great pets for families. They are easy to train and learn fast and are fiercely loyal. Overall, German Shepherds are a great breed for anyone looking for a loving, well-behaved pet.

To take proper care of your German Shepherd, you want to make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise. You will also want to take them for regular check-ups to the veterinarian to keep their health up to date. German Shepherds are pure breeds, which means they are predisposed to more genetic conditions than mixed breeds regardless of their age. Additionally, there are other common medical conditions German Shepherds may experience, which can require more medical attention and treatments in comparison to other dogs.

Pet insurance is a great way to ensure you can continuously afford your pet’s medical treatments and/or procedures that they may need throughout their life. With a proper pet insurance plan, you will be able to prioritize your dog’s medical health to help them live a longer, happier life.

Common health conditions for a German Shepherd

German Shepherds are susceptible to a number of health conditions due to their size, as well as genetic makeup. These are the more common health issues German Shepherds may experience:

  • Hip dysplasia: particularly common in large dogs, hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint fails to align properly, causing uneven wear to the joint. This can lead to a significant amount of pain and discomfort for a dog. More mild cases can be alleviated with medication, but typically most hip dysplasia situations require surgery to correct.
  • Gastric dilatation volvulus: commonly known as “bloat”, gastric dilatation volvulus is a sudden accumulation of stomach gas that causes blood vessels to twist, cutting off blood supply to the stomach. This is an emergency medical situation that requires an immediate trip to the hospital, and can be fatal when left untreated.
  • Cardiomyopathy: affecting the heart muscles, cardiomyopathy occurs when they are unable to contract properly. This leads to less blood pumped by the heart, resulting in poor circulation and could potentially cause a heart attack if left untreated. However, cardiomyopathy can be easily treated with different procedures and medications.

How are pet insurance premiums determined for a German Shepherd?

German Shepherds are strong and outgoing dog breeds, but even they get sick from time to time. Because of this, you will want to look into insurance plans as soon as possible to ensure your dog is covered.

When looking into insurance plans, you will notice the premiums differ in cost depending on the provider. Here are some of the main factors that providers consider when determining insurance premium costs:

  • Age: your German Shepherd’s age will contribute to their insurance premium cost. Typically, the older your dog is, the higher the insurance premium will be to cover them.
  • Gender: most insurance providers will set a higher premium for male German Shepherds in comparison to female German Shepherds. This is due to the fact that female dogs are considered to be “lower risk” overall.
  • Location: where you and your dog are located will factor largely into your insurance premium cost. If you live in an area that has more expensive veterinary costs, your insurance premium will be more expensive as a result.

German Shepherds like to spend time outside and run around, sometimes leading to injuries that may damage their bones and joints long-term. Given these injuries, your German Shepherd’s medical history will also contribute to your overall premium cost as well.

What does pet insurance cover for a German Shepherd?

What is covered under your specific pet insurance plan is dependent on the type of plan you have and your provider. Most providers offer plans that cover either injury-only, illness-only, or both injury and illness treatments. Here are some of the most common treatments and procedures pet insurance covers:

  • Broken bones and torn ligaments: large dog breeds like German Shepherds that often run around a lot are more likely to experience a broken bone or torn ligament. Most pet insurance plans cover treatments related to these injuries.
  • Heart issues: most pet insurance plans cover procedures to fix heart issues, including cardiomyopathy, heart murmurs, enlarged hearts and more. Insurance plans typically cover surgery and medication.
  • Diagnostic tests and x-rays: diagnostic tests, including blood and urine tests, as well as X-rays and other scans are usually covered by pet insurance.

Though they cover a range of treatments, most basic pet insurance plans do not cover routine and preventative care treatments, nor wellness care. Generally, coverage for preventative and wellness care can be added on to your overall pet insurance plan or bought separately depending on your provider.

Regardless of whether your German Shepherd is a puppy or full-grown, you will want to consider pet insurance at an early age. By getting coverage early on, your pet will be insured for potential health issues in the future. German Shepherds can experience a range of health issues before they’re even a year old, and treatments for these problems can get expensive quickly.

How to choose the best pet insurance plan for your German Shepherd

There are lots of plans available for German Shepherds. Here are some things to do to help you decide on the best plan for your dog:

  • Consider your dog’s age and medical history: your dog’s unique medical history and age will factor into their eligibility for coverage. They will also be key factors in determining the monthly premium. Some providers have a cap on the age they cover for dogs, and some exclude certain dogs from coverage depending on their medical history.
  • Compare plans: review the available plans and what they offer so you can be certain your German Sheperd has the appropriate coverage it needs. Also factor in the deductible, insurance premium, and overall coverage capacity details to decide which is the best deal for you and your financial situation.
  • Customer reviews: read customer reviews for your potential insurance provider. This can help you determine how your provider handles their claims process and customer inquiries. It might also be useful to check if your provider is accredited by any trusted organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau.