What Is the Best Insurance for Senior Dogs?
ASPCA offer the best pet health insurance for senior dogs based on our comprehensive review. Here is a complete list of the best pet insurance companies for senior dogs:
- ASPCA: Pet Health Insurance Our Top Pick
- Pets Best: Best for Vet Direct Pay
- AKC Pet Insurance: Best Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
- Spot: Most Comprehensive Coverage
- Embrace: Our Pick for Wellness Plan Coverage
To provide accurate cost data, we request quotes from nationally recognized pet insurance companies based on a variety of sample pet profiles. We estimated the average cost of pet insurance for senior dogs by requesting quotes based on a 10-year-old golden retriever, a 12-year-old large mixed-breed dog and a 14-year-old small mixed-breed dog living in Vermont, as the state’s pet insurance costs are close to the national average.
We requested quotes for accident-only as well as accident and illness coverage with a $5,000 annual limit, 80% reimbursement rate and $500 deductible.
A couple of exceptions, which we included because of different provider eligibility requirements: The quotes we requested from AKC are for an accident-only plan with unlimited coverage, a 90% reimbursement rate and a $100 deductible. Also, Embrace’s accident-only plan cost estimates were based on a 15-year-old golden retriever, a 15-year-old large mixed-breed dog and a 15-year-old small mixed-breed dog.
Compare the Best Insurance Providers for Senior Dogs
Use the table below to compare monthly costs, BBB ratings, waiting periods and our star ratings of the top senior pet insurance companies:
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
| Company | Average Monthly Cost of Accident and Illness Coverage for Senior Dogs | Enrollment Age Limit | Pre-Existing Condition Waiting Period* | Bonuses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$107 per month
|
No upper age limits
|
180 days
|
Covers prescription foods and arthritis therapy at no extra cost
|
||
|
$102 per month
|
No upper age limit
|
0 days
|
Has the lowest deductible option of $50
|
||
|
$65 per month (accident-only)
|
Pets nine years or older can only get accident coverage
|
365 days
|
Is the only provider that may cover incurable pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer)
|
|
|
|
$131 per month
|
No upper age limit
|
180 days
|
Covers prescription medications and chiropractic care at no added cost
|
||
|
$151 per month
|
Pets 15 years or older can only get accident coverage
|
365 days
|
Offers multiple savings opportunities and a flexible wellness add-on
|
| Company | Average Monthly Cost of Accident and Illness Coverage for Senior Dogs | Enrollment Age Limit | Pre-Existing Condition Waiting Period* | Bonuses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$107 per month
|
No upper age limits
|
180 days
|
Covers prescription foods and arthritis therapy at no extra cost
|
||
|
$102 per month
|
No upper age limit
|
0 days
|
Has the lowest deductible option of $50
|
||
|
$65 per month (accident-only)
|
Pets nine years or older can only get accident coverage
|
365 days
|
Is the only provider that may cover incurable pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer)
|
|
|
|
$131 per month
|
No upper age limit
|
180 days
|
Covers prescription medications and chiropractic care at no added cost
|
||
|
$151 per month
|
Pets 15 years or older can only get accident coverage
|
365 days
|
Offers multiple savings opportunities and a flexible wellness add-on
|
*Waiting periods based on policies in Vermont. Waiting periods vary depending on your state of residence.
Is Senior Dog Pet Insurance Different From Insurance for Younger Dogs?
Pet insurance for senior dogs is typically more restrictive and pricier than it is for young pets. Many pet insurance providers, such as Embrace and AKC, limit older pets to accident-only coverage. Other providers, such as Healthy Paws, don’t cover certain expensive-to-treat conditions in dogs enrolling after a certain age. Your premiums may also get substantially more expensive as your dog ages.
Monthly premiums tend to increase with a pet’s age at the time of enrollment because older dogs statistically have higher veterinary costs. Enroll your pet as early as possible to avoid paying higher rates for the same coverage.
Older dogs are more likely than younger dogs to have developed conditions before or during a pet insurance plan’s waiting periods. While most pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions under any circumstances, our top pet insurance picks for senior dogs cover some pre-existing conditions.
Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance for a Senior Dog?
Despite the high monthly premiums, pet insurance for a senior dog can still be worth it. In our survey of pet insurance policyholders, 30% of senior pet owners say they only pay $41 to $60 per month to insure their furry companion, with 80% of respondents saying they consider senior pet insurance worth it.
One senior pet owner said, “My dog is old, so I try and keep her as healthy as I can. She loves walking, running and playing, so I need to know she is ok for all the activities she enjoys!”
That said, if you have ample savings set aside to cover any veterinary expenses out of pocket, you might not find the monthly cost of pet insurance worth it.
How Much Does Pet Insurance for Older Dogs Cost?
Based on our research, pet insurance premiums for senior dogs average $123 per month. Your senior dog may cost more or less to insure, depending on a variety of factors.
What Affects the Cost of Senior Pet Insurance?
Several factors can affect your senior dog’s monthly pet insurance premium:
- Age: As your dog gets older, it becomes more expensive to insure due to the increased likelihood of health issues. If you’re enrolling an older dog in pet insurance for the first time, your monthly premiums may be higher than average.
- Breed: Your dog’s breed can also influence pet insurance premiums, as certain breeds are more susceptible to certain conditions. For example, German shepherds are genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, which may make them more expensive to insure.
- Location: Where you live can also affect your policy’s price. Pet insurance providers consider how much local veterinarians charge for services and any insurance regulations your state enforces.
Find Pet Insurance Providers in Your State
Cheapest Pet Insurance for Older Dogs
One of our best picks for senior dogs, AKC, also ranked as one of the most affordable. The following table ranks the cheapest pet insurance for older dogs, based on quotes we received for an 8-year-old small mixed-breed male dog. We requested quotes for a pet insurance plan with a $5,000 annual limit, $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate.
| Company | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Petco | $22 |
| Nationwide | $22 |
| Figo | $28 |
| Pets Best | $46 |
| Farmers | $46 |
Do Pet Insurance Premiums Increase as Dogs Get Older?
Pet insurance premiums increase as dogs get older because older pets are more likely to develop new illnesses with age. If your pet is enrolled from a young age, you’ll likely start to see your premiums rise when your dog reaches 8 to 10 years old.
To show the cost differences as a dog ages, we gathered quotes from Pets Best (the most affordable senior plan on this list) for an accident and illness plan with a $10,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate. We based our quotes on a medium mixed-breed dog living in Vermont.
- 5-year-old dog: $18 per month
- 8-year-old dog: $31 per month
- 11-year-old dog: $60 per month
- 14-year-old dog: $81 per month
How to Save Money on Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs
Consider the following tips to save money on pet insurance for your senior furry friend.
- Consult a veterinarian: A vet can help you pinpoint common conditions your pet’s breed faces and ensure the plan you buy includes the necessary coverage.
- Consider an accident-only plan: Accident-only plans are cheaper than accident and illness coverage. Just make sure you understand what isn’t covered by this limited plan.
- Adjust your pet’s coverage levels: Most pet insurers let you customize your policy’s deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate. Choosing lower coverage options will reduce your overall monthly cost — but make sure you don’t drastically limit the plan’s effectiveness.
- Review discounts: Common discounts include bundling pet insurance with other policies, enrolling multiple pets in coverage and having served in the military. Pet insurance discounts often range from 5% to 10% each.
- Compare quotes: We suggest obtaining quotes from at least three of the top pet insurance providers on our list before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dog Pet Insurance
Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance reimburses your costs after you’ve already paid. Following your pet’s vet visit, you file a claim with your pet insurance provider. Once it’s approved, your provider reimburses you for a percentage of covered expenses, usually via direct deposit or check.
You will have to confirm whether your insurance provider requires a pet’s medical records for enrollment. Some require a vet exam, while others will ask that a vet exam be completed at some point within the first 12 months of your policy. Check with your selected provider.
Pet insurance can be worth it for a 12-year-old dog in many cases. You are likely to pay more for senior dog coverage than you would for a younger dog, but it can help you avoid huge medical bills that you may not be able to afford to cover out of pocket.
Methodology
We evaluate each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. We compare coverage options, gather quotes online to determine pricing and read reviews to assess customer service. To better inform our reviews, we’ve surveyed 4,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. We’ve also bought pet insurance plans for 10 of our team’s pets to test the customer experience of various providers for ourselves.
We then score each provider on a 100-point scale and calculate an overall rating out of five stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:
- Costs and Discounts (22.5%): To assess pricing, we collected sample quotes for 10 mixed-breed and purebred dogs and cats, ranging from 3 months to 8 years old. Our team collected a total of 17,330 quotes directly from 22 providers’ websites, requesting at least two quotes for all 50 U.S. states from every insurer and pet profile. Providers earn the most points in this category for offering affordable coverage and more than four discount options to customers.
- Coverage (22.5%): The best pet insurance companies offer a range of plans, customization options and more so pet owners can choose the right coverage. Companies offering a wide variety of coverage options earn full points in this category. We also look at waiting periods and award the most points to the companies offering policies with shorter waiting periods than their competitors.
- Covered Treatments (17.5%): According to our survey of pet owners, coverage is one of the most important factors when shopping for pet insurance. Companies with a breadth of included treatments and unique coverages as standard within their policies receive more points in this category than those with fewer options.
- Customer Experience (17.5%): Respondents to our survey also value customer service. We score each company based on its website accessibility and overall usability, customer service, mobile apps, money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options. The insurers with the most customer experience offerings receive the most points.
- Industry Standing (10%): We review up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the BBB and Trustpilot, and score companies based on customer reviews and years of industry experience.
- Availability (10%): Some companies do not offer policies for pets enrolling after a certain age. For this category, we deduct points from providers that have age limits for older pets. We also consider state availability, international coverage and if a company extends coverage options to breeds considered dangerous.
We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology to see how we review and score providers.
