Is dog dental insurance worth it?
There are many types of dental problems a dog may experience throughout their life. Though regularly brushing your dog’s teeth can help avoid certain dental issues, there may be some unexpected ailments you will need to visit a vet to treat.
Dental problems in dogs are not always obvious at first. If they are developing problems without exhibiting any symptoms, the issue may develop into something serious that requires vet intervention. Visits to the vet for corrective dental procedures can get expensive fast. Dental insurance is a great way to prepare for these unexpected issues and help you afford any treatments and procedures needed to get your dog’s teeth healthy again.
Overall, dental insurance coverage for your dog is a great choice regardless of their age or breed. Even one dental procedure can get to be very expensive, and having insurance to reimburse you for these pricey treatments will allow you to spend necessary funds on your dog’s treatment.
What does dog dental insurance cover?
Dental insurance coverage varies widely by the provider. Some insurance providers include dental procedures as part of their overall pet insurance package coverage. Others may offer it as part of a larger wellness plan, or a separate policy altogether. Dental insurance covers a range of illnesses and injuries, including:
Tooth extractions: Removing a tooth that may be infected, decayed, or a dead tooth.
Dental fractures: Injuries related to trauma on the face that affects the teeth.
Gingivitis and periodontal disease: Infections of the gums and progression of the disease.
Most pet dental insurance plans do not cover routine cleanings and preventive dental procedures. Most likely, you will either need to pay for those treatments out of pocket, or get coverage from an overall dog wellness plan that covers preventive and routine care.
How are dog dental insurance premiums determined?
Similar to illness or injury pet insurance, dog dental insurance providers take a few different factors into consideration to determine your monthly premium.
Age: Your dog’s age will factor into your overall monthly premium. Typically, older dogs cost more monthly due to them being more likely to fall victim to illness and injury.
Breed: Dog breeds that are more susceptible to dental issues are likely to require a higher monthly premium for dental coverage.
Coverage type: Depending on what treatments and procedures your insurance provider covers, your monthly premium will vary. Sometimes, different dental treatments’ coverage will be included as separate add-ons to a general pet insurance policy, allowing you to pick and choose certain coverage options you are more likely to take advantage of, and pay for each individually.
Coverage terms: Your co-pay amount, yearly deductible, and the percentage of reimbursement outlined in your dental insurance coverage terms will contribute to your expected overall monthly premium.
Depending on whether your dog’s dental coverage is part of a larger illness and injury insurance coverage plan, wellness plan, or a separate plan altogether, your monthly premium payments can vary greatly.
How to choose the best dog dental insurance plan?
There are a few things you will want to keep top of mind as you navigate choosing the best dental plan for your dog. Here are some things to consider:
Determine your dog’s needs: Does your dog’s breed tend to have a certain type of dental issue in their adult years? Or do you anticipate your dog needing a certain procedure down the line? You want to make sure these kinds of necessary treatments and procedures are covered by your dental insurance plan.
Make sure your dog qualifies: Before you move forward with any specific dental insurance plan, you will want to ensure your dog qualifies for coverage. Some insurance providers have limits on dog breeds, location, and age that will disqualify you from coverage.
Compare available plans: Once you’ve picked out a few plans that your pet qualifies for, you will want to compare what each plan has to offer. Different insurance providers will vary greatly in what treatments and procedures are covered under their plan and how they handle claims processing and reimbursements.
Read the reviews: Before you decide on your dog’s dental insurance plan, be sure to read customer reviews and see what those who have their coverage have to say. You can get a good idea of what to expect in terms of how claims are processed, whether they dispute claims often, and their overall customer service processes. We’ve also written a review on certain providers that can be helpful for you to decide on which insurer to go with.