Is pet insurance worth it for an English Mastiff?
We all want the very best for our pets, and take care of them so that they stay healthy for years to come. But this may require visits to the vet for wellness check-ups and treatments for illnesses.
For the English Mastiff, like all purebred dogs, health issues can arise from genetic predispositions which may require medical treatment throughout their life.
Medical treatment for your English Mastiff can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more serious issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick English Mastiff 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 pet’s medical treatments and procedures, while you focus 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 important and beneficial for your pet.
Common health conditions for an English Mastiff
With a shorter lifespan than other dogs (6 – 10 years on average), the English Mastiff is a high-risk breed and can be susceptible to serious health issues. Some common health conditions they may experience are:
- Gastric Torsion: This is a life-threatening condition and occurs when your dog eats too fast before or after physical exercise, causing the stomach to twist.
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Common in larger dogs, it occurs due to abnormal development of the hip and elbow joints. It can be very painful for the dog and even require surgery.
- Eye conditions: Susceptible to eye conditions such as entropion, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy, it’s likely that the English Mastiff will suffer from blurry vision or go blind with age.
- Pulmonic Stenosis: Due to a partial blockage between the heart and the lungs, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed area. Depending on the severity of the condition, different treatments and procedures are used to treat the condition.
What does pet insurance cover for an English Mastiff?
Taking out pet insurance for your English Mastiff can cover a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures. Policies can cover the following costs:
- Breed-specific conditions: These are hereditary conditions passed down due to the specific breed. As the English Mastiff is a purebred dog and likely to develop genetic conditions, pet insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.
- Tests and diagnostics: Accidents and illnesses may require x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI scans, CT scans, blood tests, and urinalysis.
- Exam fees: Pet insurance will help cover the cost of exam fees and vet labor.
- Accidents and illness: Accidents and illnesses can happen without warning. Pet insurance will help to cover the costs of emergency visits, treatments, and hospitalization.
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. For this type of coverage, you will need to take advantage of a separate wellness plan or see if the provider has any add-ons for wellness visits. Most providers usually do have it as an add-on.
In addition, many pet insurance policies cover alternative therapies such as physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathy, and chiropractic treatment. Be sure to read the fine print as the exact coverage will differ depending on the insurer and the type of policy.
Typically, there are three types of policies to choose from. These include accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness check-ups. Accident-only has limited coverage compared to accident and illness coverage, but can also be a cheaper option.
Moreover, most insurance providers will not cover pre-existing conditions that were established before you registered your pet for coverage. Be sure to 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 are pet insurance premiums determined for an English Mastiff?
Many different factors determine the cost of your pet insurance coverage. Some of these factors include:
- Age: As your dog gets older, they are likely to become more susceptible to health conditions which will increase the cost of their insurance premiums.
- Size: Larger and giant breed dogs can be exposed to various health conditions due to their weight. This will be reflected in your insurance premium.
- Payment of policy: Choosing to pay annually instead of monthly can lead to a policy discount given by many pet insurance providers.
- Deductibles: Depending on your budget, you can choose to increase or reduce your policy deductibles. High deductibles will leave you with larger out-of-pocket expenses if you have to make a claim but will lower your insurance premium.
- Breed: Certain breeds are known for having poorer health. This will increase the cost of your policy.
It’s a good idea to note that the majority of insurance policies have waiting periods where the effective date begins a specified number of days after the start date. If your dog has an accident or falls ill during the waiting period, medical costs and veterinary bills are unlikely to be covered.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for an English Mastiff?
Choosing the best pet insurance plan can take time and effort. It’s a good idea to start with an insurance plan while your dog is young, as premiums increase with age and some providers will not insure older dogs. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing your plan:
- Exclusions: As with many insurance policies, pet insurance comes with exclusions. Common exclusions include cosmetic treatment, pre-existing medical conditions, teeth cleaning, microchipping, pregnancy or birth, preventable diseases, grooming services, and death. Some restrictions can apply to all breeds and other restrictions can apply to certain breeds.
- Policy add-ons: Some pet insurance policies will have policy add-ons such as dental coverage, behavioral therapy, and wellness check-ups. Be mindful to assess your dog’s health and likely health conditions before you take out a policy, as certain add-ons can save you hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.
- Read the terms and conditions: Imagine your dog gets sick and you submit a claim only to find out that it isn’t covered under your policy. To avoid any surprises, it’s best to thoroughly read the fine print before you take out a policy. Whether you’re choosing accident-only or accident and illness coverage, limits and the extent of what is covered will differ between insurance companies.