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Best Austrian Hound Pet Insurance of 2024

Lisa Scott

If you have an Austrian Hound, chances are they’ve already become a loved member of your family. Keep them healthy and safe by considering quality pet insurance for expensive veterinarian bills. To help you with this process, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.

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 an Austrian Hound?

The Austrian hound is a friendly dog. He is loyal and affectionate with his family and is good with children, provided he is raised with them from puppyhood. He can be reserved towards strangers but will not be aggressive unless provoked. This breed is intelligent and easy to train, but he can also be stubborn so you need to be consistent, patient, and firm when training him.

Medical treatment for your Austrian Hound can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more serious issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Austrian Hound can quickly add up, costing up to a few thousand dollars. In these situations, you don’t want to be in the middle of a crisis and have to choose between your beloved dog and the affordability of their medical treatment.

To prepare for these unexpected circumstances, consider investing in pet insurance. It can help you afford your pet’s medical treatments and procedures, while you focus on your pet’s recovery. 

Pet insurance can also provide peace of mind that your dog can be covered for the necessary treatments when it has an accident, injury, or illness. This includes (but is not limited to) broken bones, cancer treatment, harm caused by another animal, and prescriptions for chronic conditions. Therefore, pet insurance can be important and beneficial for your pet.

Common health conditions for an Austrian Hound

Typically, an Austrian Hound has a longer lifespan than the average dog. You can expect your dog to live somewhere between 12 to 14 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop such as:

  • Hip dysplasia (HD): This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is hereditary but can also be triggered by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. The most important preventive steps are to keep your dog lean and to avoid over-exercising him while he is growing. HD is scored on a five-grade scale; the higher the score, the worse the problem. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) recommends that only dogs with a rating of fair or better be bred.
  • Cataracts: A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It can occur at any age but seems to be more common as dogs get older. Cataracts most often occur in both eyes, although it is possible for the cloudiness to be in one eye only.
  • Knee problems: A few lines of Austrian Hounds suffer from luxating patellas, which means their kneecaps slide off to one side instead of gliding smoothly up and down in their knee joints. Your vet will be able to tell you whether your dog has this problem by feeling his knees and making him walk around. Again,
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. 
  • Bloat (gastric torsion): Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with air and then twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to vital organs. It’s an emergency situation that requires immediate medical treatment and surgery to correct. Bloat is especially dangerous for large breeds like Beaucerons.

What does pet insurance cover for an Austrian Hound?

Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Depending on the pet insurance plan you get, you may be covered for injury-only, illness-only, or a combination of the two. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:

  • Diagnostic and blood tests: If your dog is showing symptoms of an illness, it can be challenging to find the cause. Testing including blood work, urinalysis, and stool checks may be recommended by the vet to find out what’s going on with your dog.
  • Hereditary and genetic conditions: Pet insurance can cover congenital conditions that are passed down in your dog’s DNA. If your Austrian Hound inherits a condition like hip dysplasia, it can be expensive to treat without pet insurance.
  • X-rays and surgeries: Many accidents result in broken bones or soft tissue damage that requires surgery, like an ACL tear or cancer treatment. These procedures can cost thousands of dollars without pet insurance.
  • Medication and hospital stays: If your dog gets sick, he may need medication or a hospital stay to recover. Some medications for chronic illnesses can cost hundreds per month

Pet insurance covers a range of treatments, but it does not cover preventative or wellness care. Regular check-ups with the veterinarian will not be covered under most pet insurance plans. For this type of coverage, you will need to take advantage of a separate wellness plan or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers usually do have it as an add-on.

Moreover, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions that were established before you registered your pet for coverage. Be sure to review everything your potential pet insurance plan covers and what types of pre-existing conditions they exclude to ensure your pet will be eligible for coverage.

How much does pet insurance cost for an Austrian Hound?

Pet insurance for an Austrian Hound costs about $25 per month or $303 per year. When determining how much pet insurance might cost for a specific dog breed, your dog’s age and health are what will be considered most.

How are pet insurance premiums determined for an Austrian Hound?

There are many factors that will determine the monthly premium rate for your Austrian Hound (included but not limited to):

  • Age: Your pet’s age can affect your premium. Older pets may have pre-existing conditions that may not be covered. Your premium will increase if there are pre-existing conditions.
  • Location: Where you live can sometimes affect your premium rate. Depending on the climate of your area, some pets are more likely to get sick or have an accident than others. For instance, if you live in the desert, the heat puts dogs at greater risk for overheating and dehydration which could lead to injury or death.
  • Medical history: Pets with chronic illnesses or conditions may be at higher risk for other health issues. This can also affect your premium rate as well as whether a condition is covered under a policy or not.
  • Coverage amount: This is the maximum amount that the pet insurance company will pay out per incident and per year. Higher coverage amounts mean more expensive monthly payments, but they also mean that a single illness won’t wipe out your lifetime coverage for your dog and leave you with nothing for the future. 
  • Gender:  Males are generally more expensive than females because they tend to be larger, heavier, and have higher claims for injuries or diseases related to their size and their nature by mostly involving themselves in fights than females. Males are more playful and engage in fights frequently therefore involved in accidents compared to female Austrian Hounds.

How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an Austrian Hound

There are many pet insurance options available for an Austrian Hound, so how do you choose the best one? Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you are deciding on the right plan: 

  • Age: Pet insurance premiums usually increase as your pet gets older. Puppies and kittens have lower premiums than middle-aged pets because they’re less likely to develop medical conditions as they get older. Therefore puppies are not costly to plan for as adult pets.
  • Medical history: pre-existing conditions can result in higher premiums or even exclusions of coverage. Some insurers may exclude pre-existing conditions not only for your current pets but also for any future pets you may get. Ask about the company’s policy on pre-existing conditions and exclusions before you buy a policy.
  • Location: The cost of veterinary care varies by state. If you live in a state where veterinary care is less expensive than average, your rates will be lower as well, and if you live in places where veterinary costs are high your rates will be higher.
  • Deductible: The amount you choose to pay out of pocket before your plan begins reimbursing you will determine your premium. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums, but they also mean you’ll have to pay more out of pocket before receiving reimbursement from your insurer.
  • Reimbursement rate:  Less common than it used to be, some companies will allow you to choose between 80%, 90%, and 100% reimbursement rates. You’ll pay a lower premium if you choose to cover less of the bill.
  • Coverage amount: This is the maximum amount that the pet insurance company will pay out per incident and per year. Higher coverage amounts mean more expensive monthly payments, but they also mean that a single illness won’t wipe out your lifetime coverage for your dog and leave you with nothing for the future. 
  • Gender:  Males are generally more expensive than females because they tend to be larger, heavier, and have higher claims for injuries or diseases related to their size and their nature by mostly involving themselves in fights than females.

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