Is pet insurance worth it for a Great Dane?
It’s estimated that 1 in 3 pets will need emergency veterinary care in any given year. Whether it’s for an accident or an illness, emergency vet visits can quickly add up to thousands of dollars for exams and treatment.
As a larger breed that weighs 100 – 200 pounds, the Great Dane can be susceptible to many health conditions. Without a safety net, you could be left to pay these expenses out-of-pocket.
Pet insurance can help alleviate the financial burden and stress that comes with your pets falling sick. It can give you the peace of mind you need to ensure your dog makes a swift recovery and gets back to good health.
Common health conditions for a Great Dane
Like many dogs, the Great Dane can be susceptible to hereditary illnesses and health conditions throughout its life. Here are some common health conditions a Great Dane can experience:
- Bloat and Ttorsion: This is where air can get trapped as the stomach twists on itself. It can be life-threatening and in severe circumstances, emergency surgery is required by the vet.
- Cardiomyopathy: A common health condition for the Great Dane, it occurs when the heart becomes enlarged. Your dog may require vet visits and medication to help it get back to good health.
- Hip dysplasia: A malformation that occurs in the hip socket, it can result in arthritis and require surgery to fix.
- Hypertrophic osteodystrophy: A condition that is more likely to affect Great Danes than any other breed, this condition can cause limping and swelling of the dog’s joints.
What does pet insurance cover for a Great Dane?
Pet insurance can help provide a valuable financial safety net and ensure your dog gets the care and attention it needs to get back to good health. Your coverage will be dependent on your plan and you could be eligible to have the following expenses reimbursed:
- Testing and diagnostics: Tests are often required for the vet to examine the illness or injury and will help determine the best course of treatment. Costs for x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI scans, blood tests, CT scans, and urinalysis can be reimbursed.
- Holistic and alternative procedures: These can include physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, and naturopathy. It’s likely that coverage will differ between insurers, therefore it’s best to read the fine print before you take out a policy.
- Illness: Serious illnesses such as cancer and diabetes can be covered under pet insurance.
- Accidents: If your dog has an accident and suddenly gets injured, you can be covered for emergency vet bills including examinations and treatments.
In addition, many policies have add-ons such as wellness checkups, dental care, and behavioral therapy. Depending on your dog’s health, it may be worthwhile considering policy add-ons to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Great Dane?
Many different factors determine the cost of your pet insurance coverage. Some of these factors include:
- Size and breed of dog: Larger breeds such as the Great Dane can have higher costs of insurance because they can require larger doses of medication and be susceptible to health issues due to their weight. In addition, certain breeds are likely to be exposed to genetic health conditions that can be costly to treat.
- Pre-existing conditions: Some insurers do not cover pre-existing health conditions. However, others may provide coverage for your dog with an increased policy premium.
- Type of coverage: There are typically three types of coverage, accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness coverage. As accident-only is more limited than accident and illness coverage, premiums are likely to be cheaper.
- Deductibles: You can generally adjust the deductible to fit your budget. Higher deductibles will reduce your policy premium.
- Location: Urban areas can have higher vet costs, which will be reflected in higher insurance premiums.
While pet insurance can provide extensive coverage there are some common exclusions. These can include cosmetic treatment, pre-existing medical conditions, teeth cleaning, microchipping, pregnancy or birth, preventable diseases, grooming services, and death.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Great Dane?
Shopping around for the best pet insurance plan and comparing multiple insurers can be time-consuming. It’s a good idea to keep in mind the health of your pet so that you can ensure that any unique health conditions are covered by the policy. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when choosing your plan:
- Household budget: While pet insurance can end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run, you’ll also want to consider your financial budget. You can generally adjust coverage limits and deductibles to help you balance affordable premiums with adequate coverage.
- Waiting periods: For the most part, pet insurance policies come with waiting periods where the effective date occurs a certain number of days after the policy start date. It’s a good idea to make sure you know what the waiting periods are before you take out the plan, as any claim you make during this period is unlikely to be covered.
- Consider the age of your dog: It’s generally better to buy pet insurance while your dog is younger and healthier than when your dog ages. This is because many pet insurers will not cover pre-existing conditions, and if they do, it can come with a hefty premium.