Pet Insurance for Puppies

Thinking about getting a puppy? Then you might be wondering about the best pet insurance for puppies. Pet insurance can be beneficial for pets of any age, but by purchasing a policy for your puppy, you’ll have coverage for your pet right from the beginning. Here’s your guide to finding the best pet insurance for your puppy.

Best Pet Insurance for Puppies:

• Lemonade Pet Insurance: Best Overall
• Wagmo: Best for Emergencies
• Spot Pet Insurance: Best for Hereditary Conditions
• Chewy Pet Insurance: Best for Annual Checkups
• Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Best for Wide Range of Coverage
• HealthyPaws Pet Insurance: Best for No Payout Limits

Key Points

• With pet insurance, you pay for your pet’s medical bills upfront and submit claims to the insurance company for reimbursement.
• Pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, so it’s best to purchase it for your pet as soon as possible.
• Pet insurance does not cover routine veterinary visits or care, but some insurers offer a wellness plan to help offset those costs as well. 
• Most pet insurance only covers dogs and cats; exotic pet insurance is less widely available.

Pet Insurance Definition:

Pet insurance is a healthcare policy that is specifically designed for pets. Typically, it’s only available for dogs and cats, but there are some special policies for exotic pets. Most pet insurance policies are designed for accidents and illnesses, and in the case of a covered accident or illness, the pet insurance company will reimburse you for the medical costs. There are also some policies that are designed to cover routine pet medical expenses. Pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, and it’s important to read the fine print to understand the coverages of each specific policy.

Age Limits and Pet Insurance

Pet insurance companies typically have a minimum age requirement of 6 to 8 weeks to insure a pet. Some companies also have maximum age limits and will not provide insurance for pets over that age. If a company has a maximum age limit, it’s usually around 10 to 12 years old. 

Common Medical Costs for Young Pets

To appreciate the value of pet insurance, it’s helpful to consider the common medical costs that your puppy or other young pet might incur. These common medical costs range from basic routine care to accidents and injuries your puppy might have.

• Spaying/neutering: Spaying or neutering your puppy can prevent unwanted litters of puppies and help control the pet population. It can also help keep your pet healthy and reduce undesirable behaviors such as marking. The cost for a spay or neuter surgery typically ranges from $50 to $200.
• Routine vet visits: Your pet should visit the vet at least once per year for a checkup. The typical cost of a routine visit is around $50.
• Vaccinations: At your pet’s annual visit, you’ll probably get its vaccinations. This can cost up to $100 for a single vaccine.
• Heartworm tests: It’s recommended that dogs receive regular heartworm tests, which you can also do at your annual visit. This typically costs around $50.
• Preventatives: Dogs need heartworm and flea/tick preventatives every month. The cost depends on the brand, but you can expect to spend between $100 and $380 annually.
• Upset stomach: If your pet is having digestive trouble, a visit to the vet can cost between $200 and $385 on average.
• Allergy testing: Some puppies might develop allergy symptoms that require testing. The costs of this start at $80 for a blood test and can be as much as $500 for a blood and skin test.
• Foreign object removal: If your puppy eats something it shouldn’t, it might need to visit the emergency vet for foreign object removal. The average cost of this procedure and aftercare is $3,262.

How To Compare and Buy Pet Insurance for Puppies

Over the past few years, pet insurance has grown in popularity, leading to more insurers offering it. Here’s how to find the right pet insurance policy for you and your puppy.

1. Get a quote to see which pet insurance policies are available in your area.
2. Consider your budget. Pet insurance policies usually offer the option to select a deductible, coverage limit and reimbursement level. These factors will affect your monthly premium.
3. Think about the coverage that you want. Some things to consider are whether you want coverage for exam fees and behavioral assessments. Read the fine print to see what each policy covers and excludes from coverage.
4. Narrow down your options to those that fit your budget and the coverage you want, then look into the ratings and reviews for the insurers left on your list.
5. Pick the policy that gives you the best value for your needs and submit your application to the pet insurance company.

Pet Insurance Provider Reviews

Here are some of the top providers to get you started on your search for the best pet insurance for puppies.

1. Lemonade Pet: Best Overall

Lemonade offers pet insurance policies that are carefully created in collaboration with its vet team. It covers diagnostics such as blood tests and ultrasounds, procedures including surgery and emergency care and prescription medications. Lemonade also offers routine care coverage, which covers wellness exams, heartworm tests, preventative medications, bloodwork, vaccines and more.

2. Spot Pet Insurance: Hereditary Condition Coverage

Spot Pet Insurance offers policies for pets of any age. Its policies cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions and chronic conditions. You’ll also get coverage for alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and behavioral issues, including behavioral modification. Like all pet insurance, it does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, but its policies are great to have as your pet ages and the possibility of new conditions increases. Plus, there’s a 24/7 vet helpline provided by VetConnect.

3. Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Best for a Wide Range of Coverage

Pumpkin Pet Insurance offers all of the major coverages as well as some minor coverages you may not think of. Some examples of minor coverages include medical supplies, microchip implantation and supplements to treat a covered accident or illness. Pumpkin also offers preventative coverage as an optional add-on. This covers annual wellness exams, vaccines, fecal tests and heartworm tests.

4. Healthy Paws: Best for No Payout Limits

Healthy Paws offers straightforward coverage with no additional add-ons. Its policy covers accidents, illnesses, emergency care, genetic conditions and even alternative care. Additionally, Healthy Paws does not have a cap on its claims payouts for new accidents and illnesses. According to Healthy Paws, most claims are processed within 2 days.

Next Steps To Get Coverage

Whether you’re planning to get a puppy or you’ve already brought your new family member home, there’s never a bad time to consider pet insurance. You can get an online quote for free to review your options and find the best policy for your pet. After that, all you need to do is purchase your policy and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it. 

Frequently Asked Questions