As pets get older, they often require more medical treatment to keep them healthy. Pet insurance is a great way to ensure you can consistently provide them with the care they need to live healthy and longer lives. We’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality.
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
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.
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
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
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
When pets are still young, it is easy to forget that one day, they may not be as healthy as they are right now.
The fact is, though, as our pets get older, they are more likely to come down with an illness or experience injury. For certain pet breeds, getting older means they are susceptible to specific types of health issues that may require ongoing care to keep them in good shape.
Ongoing medical care and treatment for your pet can add up quickly. Depending on your budget, you may be wondering how you will afford specific medical treatments for your pet.
No pet owner ever wants to forego necessary medical treatment for their pet because of the cost. To avoid this stressful situation, consider investing in pet insurance. It helps you afford medical treatments and procedures for your pet when they experience a severe illness or injury.
What does pet insurance for older pets cover?
Depending on your pet insurance provider, your pet may be covered for a number of medical treatments under their plan. You will often have to choose between injury-only, illness-only, or a combination of injury and illness coverage. Most often, pet insurance plans cover:
Hereditary and congenital conditions: Inherited conditions and health issues your pet may be born with are typically covered by your pet insurance plan.
Broken bones and wounds: Broken bones, torn ligaments, bite wounds, and other injuries are often covered under a pet insurance plan.
Infections and diseases: Skin and ear infections, as well as diseases caused by ticks or other parasites, are generally covered.
As your pet gets older, they are more susceptible to developing long-term issues that could affect them for the rest of their life. It’s important to note that pet insurance does not typically cover pre-existing conditions that arise ahead of their insurance coverage. For coverage related to more serious, ongoing illnesses, such as cancer, you will need to ensure your pet has an insurance plan ahead of the diagnosis, and treatments for the specific issue are covered.
How are premiums determined for older pets?
There are few variables that contribute to your pet’s monthly insurance premium for coverage. Here are some of the factors that insurance providers take into consideration when determining a monthly premium:
Species and breed: The type of pet you have, as well as their breed, will factor largely into the monthly insurance premium. Depending on whether your pet is more susceptible to certain illnesses or injuries because of their species or breed, you may be required to pay a higher monthly premium.
Location: If you are in an area where less vet offices take your insurance coverage, you may be required to pay more overall.
Plan details: Various insurance providers offer options for your coverage capacity, yearly deductible, and overall reimbursement percentage. Depending on the specific details of your unique plan, you may be required to pay more or less than average for your monthly premium.
Age: For older pets, age is a large factor in your monthly premium. Generally, the older your pet is, the higher your overall premium is likely to be. This is because older pets are more likely to experience severe illnesses or injuries that take a lot of work to treat. These treatments can get expensive fast and will require more of your insurance provider to cover. Additionally, some providers have a cap on the age of pets they cover. If you have a much older pet, be sure to confirm they are eligible for coverage ahead of signing up for a plan.
How to choose the best pet insurance for older pets
You have many options to choose from when deciding on the right insurance plan for your pet. Here are some things to keep in mind as you figure out which plan is right for you:
Consider your pet’s needs: Older pets often need more care than younger pets, and you will want to make sure the treatments they need are covered under your plan. Be sure to review what all is included in your insurance plan, and confirm the treatments your pet may need in the future are on the list.
Review your provider’s coverage availability: Older pets may not always be covered under insurance plans, whether it is because they are too old, or they have pre-existing conditions that are not covered. Review your options to confirm your pet qualifies for coverage.
Compare and contrast plans: Once you’ve selected a few potential options, compare and contrast what each has to offer. Plans range in what they cover, as well as what they have to offer for reimbursement percentages, yearly deductibles and overall coverage caps. Compare each to determine which makes the most sense for you and your pet.
Read customer reviews: Take a look at what customers who have your potential insurance plan have to say. You will want to understand what the claims submission process is like, as well as how your provider handles questions and concerns from customers. We also have reviews on pet insurance providers that could be helpful.
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