Pet Insurance for Golden Retrievers: Is It Worth It?
Pet insurance for golden retrievers can be relatively cheap if coverage is obtained when the puppy is still young but could be much more costly if you wait until your dog is a senior.
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds for Americans. These friendly dogs are good with children and other animals, easy to train, and typically live around ten to 12 years.
Unfortunately, while generally a healthy breed, golden retrievers can be at risk of serious and expensive health issues. Their inquisitive nature means foreign body ingestion is a common complaint necessitating a trip to the vet that could cost around $1,500 on average in vet bills, according to data from Trupanion.
Long soft ears could also lead to ear infections, at an average cost of $200 per vet visit, while lameness and limping, vomiting and diarrhea, and masses are also top reasons for vet visits and run an average of $900, $600, and $1,100 respectively.
You want to make sure your animal companion has the best care possible, so buying pet insurance for your golden retriever may well be worth it given that their common health problems can be so costly.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost for Golden Retrievers?
Costs of pet insurance can vary based on when you buy coverage for your animal.
Premiums also differ from one insurer to another, and the type of policy you buy will also impact your costs.
Premiums can go down dramatically with higher deductibles. But remember, you will have to pay this amount upfront each year before the insurance kicks in and provides coverage for your pet. You may prefer to pay higher premiums to avoid having to come up with a lot of money at once.
It’s also important to remember that insurers have different rules for deductibles and coverage limits. When comparing policy premiums, be sure to consider not just the monthly cost but also the total amount you’d have to pay out of pocket and the maximum amount of care the policy would pay for. You can learn a lot about deductibles, coverage limits and other details by reading pet insurance reviews.
>> Read More: Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance policies not only vary in premiums and deductibles, but the specifics of what your policy covers will also vary from one carrier to the next. Most insurance will cover both accidents and illnesses, although you can sometimes buy accident-only policies for less.
Policies that pay for illnesses usually cover a wide array of conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. However, your pet will not be able to have any pre-existing conditions covered. This means it’s important to buy a policy before your golden retriever gets sick to make sure your dog can get the necessary care.
An accident or illness policy pays only when something goes wrong and your pet needs treatment, such as lab testing, chemotherapy, or surgery. If you want routine veterinary care, such as annual checkups and dental cleanings covered, you may need to buy additional coverage. And, for add-ons such as chiropractic care, laser therapy, acupuncture, and similar alternative treatments, you may need an additional policy rider.
Some pet insurance policies also exclude not only pre-existing conditions but also genetic conditions. Golden retrievers have a genetic tendency toward eye problems, joint problems such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, and certain types of cancer such as osteosarcoma.
Find out if your policy will cover your dog’s genetic conditions and, if so, if there are any limitations on your dog insurance.
Finding the Right Golden Retriever Pet Insurance
Finding the right pet insurance for your golden retriever is important, as providing high-quality veterinary pet health care is part of being a responsible dog owner.
You’ll need to shop around for coverage from pet insurance companies to make sure you get a pet health insurance policy that’s affordable and covers your dog’s needs.
This article originally appeared on LendEDU.
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