Is pet insurance worth it for a Bedlington Terrier?
A Bedlington Terrier is a lively and affectionate dog, but this breed is prone to several health issues.
Medical treatment for your Bedlington Terrier can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Bedlington Terrier 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 dog’s medical treatments and procedures while focusing on your dog’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 essential and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for a Bedlington Terrier
Typically, a Bedlington Terrier 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:
- Copper toxicosis: This hereditary condition causes copper buildup in the liver. The disease is progressive and fatal. Copper levels throughout the body, including feces, can be measured through blood and stool tests. Even though the disease is inherited, it’s still possible for a dog with two healthy parents to develop copper toxicosis.
- Retinal dysplasia and distichiasis: These eye conditions range from benign to severe and may cause blindness or eye irritation.
- Patellar luxation: This occurs when the kneecap slips out of place. It can cause lameness or pain in the affected dog’s back legs. It can be managed by surgery.
- Distichiasis: The other most common health issue in a Bedlington Terrier is distichiasis, a condition where extra eyelashes grow from the eyelid margin and irritate the eyeball when blinking. This irritation can cause corneal ulcers in some cases. In addition to antibiotics for any infections and surgical removal of any extra lashes, affected dogs may need topical medications to decrease inflammation and help relieve pain.
- Allergies: Your Bedlington Terrier can suffer from allergies caused by a variety of things. Most common allergies include food, flea bites, and environmental allergens. If you notice your dog constantly itching and feeling uncomfortable, it is likely being affected by allergies. These can be treated with medication prescribed by your vet.
What does pet insurance cover for a Bedlington Terrier?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Depending on the pet insurance plan, you may be covered for injury-only, illness-only, or combination. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
- Diagnostic and blood tests: Any treatment requires a diagnosis. When your veterinarian orders a physical exam or blood test to understand what’s going on, pet insurance will reimburse you for these costs.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: Pet insurance can often cover hereditary and congenital conditions, but they are frequently subject to exclusions or waiting periods.
- X-rays and surgeries: Whether it’s a torn ACL or an infected tooth, if surgery is required to treat your dog’s condition, pet insurance should help pay for this expense. This is generally covered if a vet thoroughly recommends an x-ray to diagnose your dog’s problem.
- Medication and hospital stay: Coverage is provided for injuries, illnesses, surgeries, and diagnostic tests. In some cases, prescription food or medicine may also be covered.
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. You will need to take advantage of a different wellness plan for this type of coverage 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 before you registered your pet for coverage. 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 a Bedlington Terrier?
The cost of pet insurance varies based on the plan you choose, your dog’s age, breed, and where you live. There are a lot of factors that determine your premium and monthly cost. You can expect to pay an average of $60 per month for a Bedlington Terrier.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Bedlington Terrier?
There are many factors that will determine the monthly premium rate for your Bedlington Terrier (included but not limited to):
- Age: The older your pet, the more likely it will develop expensive health problems. Therefore, premiums increase as pets get older.
- Location: Where you live can affect your premiums, some areas have higher veterinary costs than others.
- Gender: Male pets are generally more aggressive than females, so males are more likely to get injured from fights with other animals or from rambunctious play. They also have a higher likelihood of wandering off, which puts them at risk of getting hit by cars or getting lost. Therefore, male dogs generally have a higher premium.
- Medical history: If your pet has any pre-existing conditions, you’ll pay more for coverage to help cover those costs. You may also see higher premiums if your pet has a breed susceptible to certain medical conditions, such as hip dysplasia or knee problems in large dogs.
- Deductible: The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. However, this means you’ll pay more out-of-pocket in the event of an accident or illness before coverage kicks in.
- Reimbursement rate: These rates typically range from 70% to 90%. For example, if you select 80% reimbursement, you’ll pay 20% of all eligible vet bills out-of-pocket at this level, and the insurance company pays 80%. The higher the percentage of reimbursement chosen, the more expensive the policy.
- Coverage amount: The coverage you choose will affect the premium price. For example, if you choose $3,000 in annual coverage for your dog, you’ll pay lower premiums than if you select $8,000 in coverage for the same dog breed with the same conditions.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Bedlington Terrier
There are many pet insurance options for a Bedlington Terrier, 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:
- Budget: This is one of the first things you need to think about with pet coverage because there’s no point in looking at plans you can’t afford. Pet insurance premiums can vary widely by company and coverage amount. Make sure you can afford the monthly cost of your chosen policy.
- Customer feedback: Seek references from your veterinarians and speak with other pet parents to learn how a company handles claims and customer service. Are they easy to get in touch with? Are they able to process claims quickly?
- Conditions covered: See what your policy covers and excludes, such as any pre-existing conditions. Some plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, while others do not.
- Reimbursement rate: The higher the reimbursement rate, the more money you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket when your pet is injured or ill.
- Coverage amount: You can buy coverage for a set amount per incident or per month or year. You can also purchase unlimited coverage with no cap on payouts. The latter option is more expensive, but it’s worth considering if you think your pet will have a severe medical condition that could require long-term care.
- Deductible: This is the amount you’ll have to pay before your insurance company reimburses any claim. Pet insurance carriers offer deductibles as low as $100 or as high as $1,000. You’ll have to think about if you can pay a large deductible or a lower amount based on your financial situation.