If you have a Belgian Malinois, 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.
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
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.
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
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
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
Belgian Malinois develop separation anxiety, which can lead them to chew furniture or escape from your home when left alone, which could expose them to injuries.
Medical treatment for your Belgian Malinois can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Belgian Malinois 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 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 Belgian Malinois
Typically, a Belgian Malinois has a longer lifespan than the average dog. You can expect your dog to live somewhere between 10 to 14 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:
Hip and elbow dysplasia: These two genetic conditions pass down through the parent’s genes. Hip dysplasia is a common condition that affects large breeds of dogs. It occurs when the hip joints don’t form properly and, as a result, cause pain and lameness in the hind legs. Elbow dysplasia is another hereditary condition affecting the elbow joints.
Cataracts: Cataracts are a common cause of blindness for dogs. Cataracts occur when the eye lens becomes cloudy due to protein build-up, causing vision loss.
Pannus: Pannus is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation on your dog’s cornea surface. The rash develops into scar tissue that interferes with your dog’s vision over time.
Allergies: The Belgian Malinois is prone to suffering from allergies, which are usually triggered by food or by fleas. If your dog has been diagnosed with an allergy, it’s essential to find the trigger and eliminate it.
Cancer: This health condition is the primary cause of death in the Belgian Malinois, just like in all dogs. The most common types of cancers affecting this breed are hemangiosarcoma (a malignant tumor of blood vessels), lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes), mast cell tumors (malignant cells originating in the immune system), and melanoma (cancer of pigmented cells).
What does pet insurance cover for a Belgian Malinois?
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: Diagnostic and blood tests are typically covered by pet insurance, though there may be some exceptions depending on the company and plan you pick.
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: Generally, X-rays, ultrasounds, and other imaging tests, as well as surgeries like tumor removal or broken bone repair, are covered by most pet insurance plans.
Medication and hospital stay: Medications prescribed by your veterinarian to treat your Belgian Malinois’s illness or injury are typically covered under pet insurance policies. However, some plans may fall under the “alternative therapies” exclusion. Hospital stays are generally covered unless they’re related to something that’s excluded from the policy.
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 established 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 Belgian Malinois?
pet insurance for your Belgian Malinois will cost you between $25 and $70 per month, depending on the coverage you choose. The average cost of pet insurance for a Belgian Malinois is $38.37/month ($460.44/year).
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Belgian Malinois?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Belgian Malinois (included but not limited to):
Age: Younger pets tend to have lower premiums than older ones because they’re less likely to need medical care.
Location: Where you live can affect your premium, some regions have higher costs of living than others, and the insurance premiums will rise if the average vet costs in your area are high.
Gender: Male pets often cost more in premiums than females because males tend to be more interactive and very aggressive resulting in frequent injuries.
Medical history: If your pet has been treated for certain conditions, such as allergies, diabetes, or hip dysplasia, your premiums may be higher than those of a pet who hasn’t had any health problems.
Deductible: The amount you pay per incident before the insurance company starts covering claims. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium will be.
Reimbursement rate: Reimbursement rates are typically between 70% to 90% and its the amount that your insurance provider will provide for the claim. The higher the reimbursement rate, the higher your premium.
Coverage amount: Your coverage amount is the maximum you can be reimbursed per year for eligible medical expenses, minus your deductible. This ranges from $5,000 to unlimited.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Belgian Malinois
There are many pet insurance options available for a Belgian Malinois, 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: Some plans can get expensive, and you don’t want to pay more than you can afford for a policy that doesn’t cover what you need. Consider how much you can afford to spend each month on your Belgian Malinois and make sure your plan fits that budget.
Customer feedback: When you’re looking at different insurance plans, talk to other pet owners and your vet.
Conditions covered: Make sure your plan covers the requirements your Belgian Malinois is most likely to encounter in its lifetime. Also, check if the policy offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Reimbursement rate: This is the percentage of your vet bill that the insurer will pay. It varies from plan to plan, but remember that a higher reimbursement generally means a higher cost of coverage.
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: You can select the right deductible for you and your budget. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium costs will be. Pet insurance carriers offer deductibles as low as $100 or as high as $1,000. You’ll need to pay the deductible before your plan pays out for covered accident and illness claims.
Ultimate Guide to Keep Your Pet Happy and Healthy
Learn how to provide the best care for your furry friend with practical tips and expert advice in this FREE comprehensive e-book.
