If you have a Saint Bernard, chances are they’ve already become a loved member of your family. Keep them healthy and safe by considering quality pet insurance for expensive veterinarian bills. To help you with this process, 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
Saint Bernard dogs are generally healthy, but they do face some health risks due to their size and can be expensive to own. Having pet insurance for your Saint Bernard can help you financially in a severe accident or illness. When your dog gets sick, you’re likely to do everything you can to help them feel better.
Medical treatment for your Saint Bernard can become very expensive, especially if they encounter a more serious issue that requires invasive treatment. Medical bills for treating a sick Saint Bernard 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 a Saint Bernard
Typically, a Saint Bernard has a shorter lifespan than the average dog. You can expect your pet to live somewhere between 8 – 10 years. However, like all dog breeds, there are certain medical conditions that your dog could develop such as:
Osteosarcoma: This is a prevalent form of bone cancer, especially in larger breeds like a Saint Bernard. It can be treated with chemotherapy and surgery.
Hip dysplasia: This is an inherited condition where the thigh bone does not correctly fit into the hip joint. It can range from mild to severe, but all cases will require anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief and possible surgery to remove the hip joint and replace it with an artificial one.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: Also known as DCM, this is a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently throughout the body. It can result in congestive heart failure and requires lifelong treatment with medication.
Gastric torsion, or bloat: This is the second most common cause of death in large breed dogs. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas and then twists, cutting off circulation to the stomach. Bloated dogs need immediate veterinary attention because it can be fatal.
Elbow dysplasia: This genetic condition causes abnormal growth in a dog’s elbow, resulting in dislocations or arthritis. Symptoms include lameness and limping. Treatment ranges from pain medications to surgical correction.
Entropion: This involves an inward rolling of the eyelid that can cause irritation and pain to a dog’s eye. In severe cases, it can also lead to vision loss. Treatment includes surgical correction of the eyelid.
What does pet insurance cover for a Saint Bernard?
Pet insurance covers a range of diagnostics, treatments, and procedures for your dog. Based on your plan, you are eligible for the following coverage:
Accidents: This covers unforeseen and unexpected accidents such as your dog having a road accident or eating something it shouldn’t. Injuries can be costly to treat and recover from, so this will give you peace of mind should the worst happen.
Illness: These are often unexpected, costly, and causes issues for your pet. This kind of coverage will help with costs if your Saint Bernard falls ill with conditions like diabetes or cancer.Â
Routine care: This cover includes preventative treatment such as routine vaccinations, flea treatment, and worming tablets. These are essential treatments but can add up over time, so a wellness plan could help ease the cost of these treatments. This is usually an add-on for standard plans.
In addition, 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 a Saint Bernard?
There are many factors that will determine the monthly premium rate for your Saint Bernard (included but not limited to):
Location:Â Insurers take different approaches to location, but some will charge higher premiums in areas with higher vet costs or more claims. In general, a rural area with low vet costs will be cheaper than an urban area with higher vet costs and claims.
Age: As pets get older, they are at greater risk for health problems. Premiums increase as a pet ages because they are more likely to need medical treatment.
Deductible: Normally, all pet insurance plans come with a deductible amount, which is the amount to be paid out of pocket before your plan starts to cover treatment costs. The higher you set your deductible, the lower the premium rates and vice versa.
Gender: For a male dog, premium rates are generally higher compared to females because male pets are susceptible to a health issues like hernias, and prostate cancer, which increases their medical expenses. Also, males tend to be more aggressive then females. Overall, male pets have higher premium costs.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Saint Bernard
There are many pet insurance options available for a Saint Bernard, so how do you choose the best one? Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you are deciding on the right plan:
Check out the company’s reputation: You want an insurer that has been around for a while and has a good track record. If you know someone who has used pet insurance, ask them about their experience. Also, check with your veterinarian to learn if they recommend any specific policies.
Consider your budget: Make sure the policy you choose fits within your means. And be especially careful with policies that offer lower premiums but higher deductibles, as this may cost you more in the long run.
Consider pre-existing conditions: If you have a dog with pre-existing medical conditions, those will generally not be covered by pet insurance, so you need to check what will be covered or excluded with the provider.
Define your needs: Think about what type of coverage you want for your dog. Do you want only major medical coverage that covers accidents and illnesses? Or are you looking for coverage that includes routine care like annual exams and vaccinations? It’s best to see your dog’s lifestyle and decide what policy to choose.
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