How to Compare Pet Insurance for Older Dogs

As veterinary costs rise, you may want to consider pet insurance. If your dog is past 5 years old, you may find a more difficult time finding pet insurance, but it is available. Compare coverage to know which pet insurance to buy.

  1. Availability of Pet Insurance for Older Dogs

    • Some policies do not offer insurance for older dogs, with cut-off dates of 10 years old. Some insurance companies won't even insure a dog older than 5. Most insurance companies charge more for certain breeds, usually based on typical diseases for that breed, and have earlier cut-off ages for those breeds. As you compare insurance, make sure the policy you want is available for your older dog.

    Conditions Covered by Pet Insurance

    • As you compare pet insurance policies, a major factor to consider is what conditions and accidents are covered. Most policies cover a wide range of accidents, including allergic reactions, bite wounds, bone fractures, burns, ingestion of foreign objects or poison, lacerations and motor vehicle accidents. Policies also usually cover heart disease, seizures and strokes.

    Pet Insurance Exclusions

    • Pet insurance policies usually do not cover any pre-existing conditions that have been noticed or diagnosed within three years of the policy start date. Some policies cover cancer, some do not. Check for this carefully, since cancer is the cause of death for approximately half of all senior dogs.