Is pet insurance worth it for a Border Terrier?
Border Terriers are a high-energy breed that loves to run and play. They like to dig holes and chase after small animals. Injuries often happen when playing or outside of their leash.
Medical treatment for your Border Terrier can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Border 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 Border Terrier
Typically, a Border Terrier has a longer lifespan than the average dog, and you can expect your dog to live somewhere between 12 to 15 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:
- Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth. Your dog may develop periodontal disease due to the buildup of plaque and tartar on his teeth; it may also result from a condition known as gingivitis. Periodontal disease can lead to severe problems if left untreated, painful infections, tooth loss, or even damage to internal organs such as your dog’s heart or kidneys.
- Overweight/obesity: Border Terriers are naturally active and healthy dogs, but it can negatively affect their health when they gain too much weight. An overweight Border Terrier is at risk of developing joint problems and other painful conditions, while obesity may cause severe heart conditions and diabetes. If you think your Border Terrier is gaining too much weight, reduce the amount of food they’re getting and increase their exercise levels to help, them get back to a healthy weight.
- Otitis externa: This condition is a painful bacterial infection in the outer ear canal that usually causes swelling and redness in the ear area. You may notice your dog shaking their head or scratching its ears more often than usual. Your vet will be able to prescribe antibiotics for the infection, but if it’s left untreated, the bacteria may spread more deeply into your dog’s ear and become a chronic problem.
- Heart Problem: The Border Terrier may be prone to a heart problem called pulmonic stenosis, narrowing the pulmonary valve that moves blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. The condition can be congenital or acquired and range from mild to severe. If the valve cannot open, it reduces blood flow, making it harder for the body to receive oxygen-rich blood. Mild cases do not cause symptoms.
- Eye Problem: Eye problems include cataracts, which you may be able to see when your dog’s pupils appear cloudy or bluish-gray rather than black. Cataracts lead to blindness, but surgery can remove them if necessary. Other eye conditions are progressive retinal atrophy (a degeneration of the retina that can eventually lead to blindness) and corneal dystrophy (which causes lesions on the cornea).
What does pet insurance cover for a Border 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: Urine tests, blood tests, fecal tests, EKGs, and X-rays. These are used to diagnose illnesses or conditions so your vet can give your pet the proper treatment. Generally, most pet insurance plans will cater to these treatments.
- Hereditary and genetic conditions: These include hip dysplasia and cherry eye. Hereditary conditions are passed down through generations of pets, while genetic diseases are caused by spontaneous mutations in your pet’s DNA. In a normal situation, these conditions will be covered under your plan.
- X-rays and surgeries: X-rays are used to diagnose illnesses or injuries in pets that aren’t visible on the outside (like broken bones). Surgeries treat many different diseases and injuries, including joint repair and amputation. Most insurance policies will cover the cost.
- Medication and hospital stay: Medications include antibiotics for infections, antihistamines for allergies, painkillers for injuries or surgeries, supplements for joint problems, etc. Hospital stays refer to times when your pet has to stay at the vet clinic overnight or longer due to an illness or injury. Medication and hospital stays can usually be covered as well.
Pet insurance covers a range of treatments, but not 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 an individual wellness plan or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers do have it as an add-on.
Moreover, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions before registering 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 Border Terrier?
The average cost of a pet insurance policy for a Border Terrier is $44 per month. Many factors determine the exact cost of a pet insurance plan, such as age and medical history.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Border Terrier?
Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Border Terrier (included but not limited to):
- Age: The older your dog gets, the more you should expect to pay in premiums. After all, with age comes an increased risk of health problems.
- Location: The cost of veterinary care varies depending on where you live. For example, vet clinics in coastal cities generally charge more than rural areas. So if you live in a place where vet bills are higher, your insurance premiums will be higher.
- Gender: Injuries and illnesses for male dogs can differ from those in females. Therefore, the price of your plan may also vary by gender, as the cost to insure male dogs will be relatively higher.
- Medical history: In addition to existing health conditions that require ongoing treatment, pre-existing conditions are not covered under any pet insurance plan. If your dog has experienced a previous injury or illness, it may be more susceptible to other health issues in the future, which may mean higher premiums.
- Deductible: Higher deductibles mean lower premiums—but also mean you’ll have to pay more out-of-pocket for veterinary bills
- Reimbursement rate: You may be able to save money on your premiums if you select a reimbursement rate that is less than the maximum. For example, if you choose an 80 percent reimbursement rate instead of a 100 percent reimbursement rate, you’ll likely spend less for coverage.
- Coverage amount: The cost of pet insurance also depends on how much coverage you select for your pet each year. Coverage amounts vary by company but typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. You’ll pay more for higher coverage than a lower one because the insurance company has a greater financial risk if your pet requires extensive veterinary treatment during the 12-month policy period.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Border Terrier
Many pet insurance options are available for a Border 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: Some pet insurance plans can be more expensive than others. Routine care coverage, which helps cover wellness visits, vaccinations, and other costs, may add on extra fees that you might not need depending on your budget.
- Customer feedback: Seek referrals from other pet owners and friends who may have worked with different companies. Before signing up for a plan, check out online customer reviews of the company to see how well-liked it is by other customers.
- Conditions covered: Some plans only cover illness or injury, while others will also cover routine care such as wellness visits and vaccinations. If you want an all-inclusive plan covering everything from preventive care to chronic conditions, consider getting a plan with routine care coverage.
- Reimbursement rate: The reimbursement rate is the percentage of your vet bill that the company will pay after you’ve met the deductible (if applicable). For example, if your reimbursement rate is 80% and you have $500 in vet bills after meeting the deductible, the company will reimburse you $400 (80% of $500).
- Coverage amount: The next thing to consider when choosing a pet insurance plan is how much coverage you’d like. You can choose to cover your dog’s routine appointments and vaccinations or go all out and get the most comprehensive plan available. This choice will come down mainly to the amount of money you’re willing to spend each month and what services you want to pay for in advance.
- Deductible: A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your pet insurance kicks in. If you have a higher deductible, your monthly payments will be lower—but it also means that any given claim will be more expensive for you.