Is Dogue de Bordeaux pet insurance worth it?
It can be a stressful time when your dog has an accident or unexpectedly falls sick. You may be required to take your dog for an emergency visit to the vet. These costs can be expensive and difficult to pay out-of-pocket.
As a purebred dog, the Dogue de Bordeaux is likely to be exposed to genetic health conditions throughout its life. Without insurance, you may be left to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills.
Pet insurance can help cover the cost of accidents and illness, giving you a safety net that helps your dog recover without needing to worry about the cost of health care. Financial decisions about your dog’s health care can be stressful, a pet insurance policy can give you the peace of mind you need to help your dog recover back to good health.
Common health conditions for a Dogue de Bordeaux
With a short life span of only 6 – 8 years, your Dogue de Bordeaux can be susceptible to many health issues. If taken care of well, life expectancy can increase to 10 – 11 years. Pet insurance can cover a range of diagnostics, and treatments to help keep your Dogue de Bordeaux healthy. Based on your plan, you could be eligible for the following coverage:
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat): This is where the stomach turns on itself and cuts off the blood supply. There are preventative measures to help, in addition, your dog is likely to require a vet visit if this occurs.
- Hip Dysplasia: This can be a painful condition for dogs and occurs due to abnormal development of the hip joints. Surgery may be required to help get your dog back on its feet.
- Aortic stenosis: A hereditary cardiovascular condition, due to a narrow aorta, the heart has to work hard to pump oxygenated blood.
- Cancer: A common health issue in the breed, surgery may be required to help your dog recover.
What does pet insurance cover for a Dogue de Bordeaux?
It can be a misconception that pet insurance is expensive. Paying a small monthly premium can help you save your dog’s life and get them back to good health. You can tailor your plan to your budget and you may be eligible to have the following expenses reimbursed:
- Tests and diagnostics: To determine the right course of treatment, x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI scans, blood tests, CT scans, and urinalysis can all be covered by your policy.
- Exam fees: Pet insurance can help cover the cost of exam fees. However, this is unlikely to include wellness check-ups which can require an add-on or a separate policy.
- Accidents and illness: Coverage can pay for treatments, medications, and procedures when your dog falls sick or has an accident.
- Surgery and hospitalization: Pet insurance can cover you if your dog has to stay overnight in a hospital or requires surgery.
In addition, based on your policy you may receive coverage for alternative therapies such as physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, and naturopathy. It’s a good idea to read the policy details as alternative therapies can differ between insurers.
How are insurance premiums determined for a Dogue de Bordeaux?
Many different factors determine the cost of your pet insurance coverage. Some of these factors include:
- Type of coverage: There are generally three different types of pet insurance policies These are accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverage. Typically, accident and illness have more extensive coverage than accident-only, which will be reflected in higher premiums.
- Age: As your dog ages, health issues can increase which will increase the cost of your premium.
- Breed: Certain breeds and purebreds are more susceptible to genetic health conditions that can increase the cost of your pet insurance.
- Payment of policy: Many insurers give a policy discount if you choose to pay annually instead of monthly.
- Add-ons: If you include policy add-ons such as dental care and wellness check-ups, this will increase your overall premium.
As with any insurance policy, there are limits. Exclusions can include grooming costs, pre-existing conditions, and breeding costs. It’s a good idea to read the policy terms before you purchase a plan so that there are no surprises when you go to make a claim.
How to choose the best Dogue de Bordeaux pet insurance?
With several pet insurance providers on the market, trying to find the best pet insurance policy for your Dogue de Bordeaux can be time-consuming. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing your plan:
- Calculate lifetime premiums: As insurance premiums can increase as your dog ages, it’s a good idea to factor these into your budget from the start. This will help you budget for future price increases and choose the best insurance plan from the beginning.
- Aim to buy pet insurance earlier rather than later: As your dog ages, it can be more challenging to find affordable premiums as your dog is exposed to more health issues. In addition, many insurers will not cover pre-existing medical conditions.
- Consider the health of your pet: If your dog has unique medical conditions or is susceptible to certain illnesses, you may need to shop around to find adequate and affordable coverage.