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Best Chinese Imperial Pet Insurance of 2024

Lisa Scott

If you have a Chinese Imperial, 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 a Chinese Imperial?

The Chinese Imperial is a small, rare dog breed with a bold and regal personality. They are lively and friendly, making them a delight to be around, and they are also beautiful, making them perfect for dog show enthusiasts. 

Medical treatment for your Chinese Imperial can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more severe issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Chinese Imperial 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 Chinese Imperial

Typically, a Chinese Imperial has a longer lifespan than the average dog, and you can expect your dog to live somewhere between 10 to 18 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop, such as:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA is a condition that causes the degeneration of the retina, which can eventually lead to blindness. While it’s not fatal, it is incurable, and there are no treatments to prevent its progression. You’ll need to regularly have your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinarian to check for signs of this condition.
  • Patellar luxation: The patella, also known as the kneecap, can sometimes become dislocated from its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone. This condition can be painful for your puppy and cause lameness or an abnormal gait in her legs.
  • Portosystemic liver shunt: A portosystemic liver shunt occurs when blood is diverted away from the liver instead of flowing through it. The liver cannot filter out toxins in the blood, which can result in abnormal behavior, stunted growth, and seizures if left untreated. A portosystemic shunt may be present at birth or develop later in life and needs to be surgically repaired before it causes more damage to your puppy’s body.   
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: This condition is caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to the femur. The bone heals and restores once the blood supply returns to normal. If your dog has this condition, surgery may be necessary to repair the femoral head. If not an option, anti-inflammatory medications can be used for pain relief; however, this will not restore your dog’s mobility.
  • Hip dysplasia: This is a common condition in dogs that causes the hip joint to form incorrectly. Affected dogs will have unstable hip joints that cause pain and limited mobility. In severe cases, surgery may be required to replace the affected joint with an artificial one. 

What does pet insurance cover for a Chinese Imperial?

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: Your policy can cover the cost of tests to determine what’s causing your dog’s symptoms. Labs and tests are used to diagnose allergies, autoimmune diseases, cancer and more. 
  • Hereditary and genetic conditions: Every dog is different—some breeds are more susceptible to certain illnesses than others. It’s not fair that you should have to pay more for pet insurance just because your dog is at greater risk of developing a disease she can’t control; pet insurance covers hereditary conditions, so you don’t have to worry about whether your baby is going to get sick or how much it might cost you. 
  • X-rays and surgeries:  When your dog needs surgery or an x-ray, the bill can be steep—but these may be essential to long-term health. Pet insurance can help you afford them without breaking the bank.  
  • Medication and hospital stay: These treatments are often expensive, but they’re essential to keeping your dog healthy and happy! Pet insurance can help you meet the cost of medication or a hospital stay without going into debt.

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 Chinese Imperial?

 The average cost of a Chinese Imperial’s pet insurance is $46.33 per month. This is an estimate based on the median pet insurance rate for a Chinese Imperial and does not represent what you may pay for pet insurance for your dog. The actual cost of pet insurance depends on various factors such as breed, claims history, deductible, and location.

How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Chinese Imperial?

Many factors will determine the monthly premium rate for your Chinese Imperial (including but not limited to):

  • Age: The older the dog, the higher the insurance premium. Younger dogs have fewer health problems than older dogs and tend to live longer, so they’re cheaper to insure than senior dogs. 
  • Location: If you live in a place with a high cost of living or high veterinarian costs, your premium will be higher. 
  • Gender: Female dogs are generally cheaper to insure than male dogs because they tend to live longer than males and have fewer health problems that require costly vet bills. 
  • Medical history: Your dog’s medical history will also factor in your premium costs. Dogs who have had previous health issues often require more coverage, so they may be more expensive to insure. 
  • Deductible: The deductible is the amount you select that you will pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. As with any type of insurance, lower deductibles mean higher premiums and vice versa.
  • Reimbursement rate: This is the percentage of what you spend that you will get back from your insurer. Rates can range anywhere from 50 to 90 percent, and a higher reimbursement rate means your premium will be higher. 
  • Coverage amount: The higher the coverage amount, the more expensive your premium will be. 

How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Chinese Imperial

Many pet insurance options are available for a Chinese Imperial, 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: When selecting a pet insurance plan, the first thing to do is know your budget and how much you are willing to spend. If you know you have a tight budget, it is better to go for an insurance plan with low premiums. 
  • Customer feedback: Ask other pet owners who they use for their pet insurance and what they like about their plan. If someone you trust recommends a company or plan, it’s likely worth investigating your own. 
  • Conditions covered: The conditions covered by the pet insurance company must be listed clearly in their policy document. A good insurer will always provide you with full details of what they cover and what they don’t cover so that there is no confusion when it comes time to claim benefits if your pet suffers from any illness or injury.
  • Reimbursement rate: The reimbursement rate is critical when choosing an insurance plan for your pet. It helps you determine how much money you’ll need to pay out of pocket before the insurance provider will step in with reimbursements. 
  • Coverage amount: You can choose between a fixed amount of money or a percentage that the company will pay for each covered treatment or injury. You will want to select the percentage option because this will cover the cost of future treatments as they increase the price. 
  • Deductible: A deductible is how much you have to pay out of pocket each time your dog gets sick or hurt before the insurance policy starts paying for treatment. Your deductible should be determined by your budget and your needs as a pet owner. 

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