Pet insurance is something all dog owners need to consider.
Our dogs are valued members of our family so you need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
All it takes is one accident for injury to strike, potentially leaving you with astronomical vet bills.
In the event of an unforeseen incident, you’ll need sufficient limits to ease the financial burden of surgeries that can cost thousands of dollars.
As an owner of two dogs, pet insurance has come to my aid on a number of occasions, particularly when they’ve suffered bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.
Although I’ve been fortunate that my Alaskan Klee Kai haven’t required any significant procedures, securing the right pet insurance for my dogs’ needs has provided me with peace of mind.
In this review, we’re going to take a look at the best pet insurance for dogs, while highlighting what we believe are important factors to consider.
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Best Pet Insurance For Dogs
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eusoh |
|
• Community • No Exclusions • Help others | Buy Now | |
| Embrace |
|
• Cover Conditions • Easy and Quick • Affordable | Buy Now | |
| PetPremium |
|
• Experienced • Discount • Money Back Guarantee | Buy Now | |
| Healthy Paws |
|
• No Max Limits • Customer Service • Top Reviews | Buy Now | |
| Figo |
|
• Transparent • Annual deductible • Tech savvy | Buy Now |
Why Is Pet Insurance Important?
If you’re like me, you’ll spend whatever it takes to ensure your dogs get the very best of everything.
They’re an essential part of our family, life at home wouldn’t be the same without them.
That’s why it’s so important we do everything possible to make sure they get the best possible medical care when needed.
Without pet insurance, you could be left extremely worried that you won’t be able to afford the medical costs for your poorly dog.
In my experience, my dogs have gone through bouts of nausea and diarrhea. Once all the tests are complete, I was nearly $600 out of pocket.
Thankfully, my pet insurance company reimbursed me a significant amount.
Should your dog suffer a fracture or suffer from a condition, these bills can rocket into thousands of dollars.
Even accidents can hit your pocket hard – if your dog swallows a foreign object or falls and breaks its leg, you’re talking about bills between $1500 and $2000.
Although pet insurance is primarily seen as a medium to cover medical bills, some companies will provide funds to advertise for a lost dog or cover kennel bills.
1) Eusoh
Website: www.eusoh.com
Yellow Labrador in his crate (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Who Are Eusoh?
Eusoh are a little different to the other pet insurance companies that we’ve discussed in this article.
They’re a modern community-based, cost-sharing alternative to traditional insurance.
Rather than pay a large premium every month, you pay a small monthly fee and nothing else.
Their website explains that this new crowd-sharing platform is designed to provide a secure, affordable and transparent way for pet owners to share veterinary expenses.
Eusoh members commit to sharing expenses with one another to assist the wider community for unexpected events.
The company explain online that they’ll take care of the administration, check for fraud, ensure members are in good standing and audit bills and expenses.
Eusoh claim that their members can save up to 80 per cent when compared to traditional insurance policies.
Why We Like Eusoh
It’s hard not to admire the community focus within Eusoh. Their idea is to have a transparent and engaged community helping out fellow pet owners.
Eusoh promise easy reimbursement of up to 80 per cent on vet bills, including examination fees. As pet parents will know, most pet insurance companies won’t compensate for exam fees.
Furthermore, Eusoh won’t give their members a blunt “no” if they wish to join the community with a dog with a pre-existing condition. Each pre-existing condition is evaluated on its own merits.
The most appealing part of Eusoh is the monthly fees. They’re significantly less than what you’d expect to pay with traditional pet insurance companies.
Points To Consider
Obviously, as part of a community, you’ll be relying on the good faith of other Eusoh members. This could be a source of stress for some dog parents.
If you’re an Eusoh member, you’ll have to pay the first $250 out of pocket and you member share of 20%. After that, the Eusoh community pays the rest. The next time you go to the vet, as you’ve already paid $250 out of pocket, you only have to pay your 20% member share and the community will take care of the rest.
With regards to reimbursement, it can take up to 28 days as it occurs when the monthly billing cycle processes.
What Are Customers Saying?
Eusoh is a relatively new company so there aren’t a lot of reviews. However, Eusoh gets 10 out of 10 on petinsurancereview.com.
One customer called Jana left a glowing review:
The community based, no premiums, amazing customer service Eusoh way is AMAZING. This is what insurance is supposed to be. We see the same vet we always have. It’s so easy to submit expenses & we love our group. 10/10 for Eusoh!
Another dog parent explained why she loves being part of the Eusoh community:
Eusoh has been such a life saver when it comes to getting insurance for my Lola Monster. I’ve prolonged getting insurance for so long because all the plans I’ve come across were more expensive and unrealistic for Lola’s needs. Eusoh’s approach to pet insurance is completely different. My monthly bills amounts to less than most of my other monthly subscriptions. I’m also in a community pool for other large breed dogs, so I know my premiums are going towards other dogs that may have similar health issues like mine.
In Conclusion
Eusoh aren’t a pet insurance company, so you’ll have to embrace a way of thinking outside of the box.
Their community-based platform connects like-minded pet parents who are happy to share expenses with one another to assist the canine community.
As a result, you can expect to pay a low monthly fee.
Dog owners will still be required to pay $250 up front on the first visit to the vet in the calendar year, plus their 20 per cent membership contribution.
However, everything else is taken care of by the Eusoh community.
2) Embrace
Website: www.embracepetinsurance.com
A Siberian Husky gets his ears checked at the vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Who Are Embrace?
Embrace consider themselves to be a family, rather than just a pet insurance company.
Their website writes that when pet owners sign up to Embrace, they become part of a family.
Founded in 2003, Embrace believe their pet insurance company has grown in leaps and bounds since their first policy was sold 13 years ago.
Embrace have a number of core values that they highlight on their website: openness and honesty, giving back, personal responsibility, innovation, being passionate and customer fixation.
For every policy sold, Embrace donates $2 to a pet-related charity as well as matching 100 per cent of all employee charitable donations.
Why We Like Embrace
Embrace cover accidents and illnesses, including breed-specific conditions, chronic conditions and congenital conditions.
Their coverage covers genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia, allergies, IVDD and more.
There’s no extra charge to cover such conditions, which is a real plus point for Embrace.
However, Embrace does have a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and a two-day waiting period for accidents. Furthermore, dogs have a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions, although it can be reduced to as little as 14 days by following the Orthopedic Exam and Waiver Process.
There are no additional waiting periods for hereditary or congenital conditions.
They’ve got a quick reimbursement timeline. Their website explains most claims take five days to be processed, although some can take a couple days longer. Once processed, payment should occur within 24 hours.
Under their Healthy Pet Deductible, your pet’s annual deductible will decrease by $50 each year that you don’t make a claim.
Points To Consider
All sounds great so far but there are some things to carefully think about.
They don’t have unlimited claims options. They don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
So if you’re dog has suffered from a condition prior to taking out a policy with Embrace, it won’t be covered.
Dogs aged 14 or under will be covered for accident and illness. Senior dogs aged 15 or over will only be insured for accidents.
In terms of price, Embrace are in the middle ground. There are cheaper options available, but you can find other companies that are more competitively priced.
What Are Customers Saying?
Embrace have an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 based upon 173 reviews on Trustpilot.com.
One customer revealed that she’s encouraged her friends to sign up for Embrace.
I have encouraged my friends to investigate Embrace Insurance for their pets. My dog was bitten and lost an eye. 3 large vet bills and 2 surgerys later I got a fabulous check in the mail that covered 80%. I don’t know what I would have done without Embrace.
A lady called Kara was pleased with how fast her claim was processed by Embrace:
Embrace is great! Quick communication, easy to use website, and very fast claim processing. I couldn’t believe how fast my claims have been approved and I’ve had a check in my hand! In addition, they are just a kind company. When I emailed them to take my cat off the policy because he had passed away, I got a sympathetic email AND a real sympathy card in the mail.
In Conclusion
Embrace are a good option if you’re looking for pet insurance for your dog.
We like that they cover breed-specific, genetic, and congenital conditions, unlike some other pet insurance companies.
It’s great that healthy pets are reward by a decreasing deductible on an annual basis.
However, if you’ve got a senior dog, you may want to think twice about Embrace considering their policies only cover dogs 14 and under.
3) PetPremium
Website: www.petpremium.com
A vet inspects a Labrador pup (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Who Are PetPremium?
PetPremium is a pet insurance provider that believes pets are more than just pets, they’re family!
They outline their goal to make the lives of dog owners that little bit easier.
In a bid to help educate pet parents, PetPremium provide a library of useful articles written by animal experts and veterinarians in their pet health center.
PetPremium write online that they’re aware of the high costs associated with a trip to the vet, so they try to cover unexpected illnesses and accidents with straightforward plans.
Even before you get your dog, PetPremium can help to find the right breed that fits your lifestyle. They even go as far as to suggest they can recommend good breeders.
Having insured thousands of pets over the year, they’ve opened up their database of information to help dog owners learn more about their canine’s health.
Why We Like PetPremium
PetPremium are an affordable option for pet parents looking for a basic plan. They offer two types of coverage: accidents-only coverage and total coverage.
Both have a reimbursement percentage of 90 and annual limits ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 and annual deductibles from $100 – $500.
PetPremium will cover all knee and ligament conditions unless the condition is pre-existing.
If you enroll more than one dog, you get 10 per cent off your premiums. This isn’t the case with some other pet insurance companies.
PetPremium’s coverage is effective 14 days after you’ve enrolled where accidents and illnesses are concerned. They’re preventative care coverage is immediate.
If you’re not satisfied with PetPremium within your first 30 days, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee. So you can give PetPremium a test ride to see if it’s the pet insurance company for you.
Finally, PetPremium have recently added wellness options that you can add to your plan. This includes treatment or diagnostics that are customarily considered preventive in nature where there is no underlying illness or injury. Their website lists vaccines such as canine distemper, fecal tests, heart-worm tests, rabies vaccines, spaying, neutering and more.
Points To Consider
Although PetPremium don’t have an age limit for dogs, their premiums do increase with age. So if you’ve got a senior dog, you can expect to spend a little more each year on your canine’s insurance plan with PetPremium.
If you’ve got an older dog, you may want to avoid PetPremium and go for a company that has earned a reputation for insuring senior members of the canine community. Having said that, a lot of pet insurance companies won’t consider dogs over the age of 10.
They outline that they aim to reimburse pet owners within 30 days of receiving all the necessary documentation. This is a little longer than most other pet insurance companies.
What Are Customers Saying?
PetPremium have an average of 4.7 stars out of 5 based upon 640 reviews. Remarkably, only one customer out of 640 gave them one star.
One customer was quick to highlight PetPremium’s excellent pricing:
Site is easy to navigate. It took very little time to find the coverage for my dogs that I wanted. And the prices beat comparable plans by 50% or more as I did 3 quotes side by side with different providers.
A new dog owner went with PetPremium after their user-friendly experience:
Easy to complete and a lot of comprehensive information on their website. This is a great company if you see that they are really trying to help you make the best decisions for your pet. I am a new dog owner and after using PetPremium’s website I felt confident and informed enough to get a dog and buy the insurance with them.
In Conclusion
PetPremium offer two simple plans, so potential customers don’t feel confused or overwhelmed by an array of options at their fingertips.
We like the simplicity of their website. Although there’s no frills, it’s straightforward to use and easy to navigate.
Their wellness option looks like great value considering the number or preventative care measures that it covers.
Overall, PetPremium are competitively priced in the pet insurance market and worth considering.
For dog owners with a senior canine citizen, you may prefer to go elsewhere if you don’t want your premiums to increase.
4) Healthy Paws
Website: www.healthypawspetinsurance.com
A pug at the vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Who Are Healthy Paws?
Healthy Paws write on their website that they have four core values: compassion, connection, communication and commitment.
They highlight on their website that first and foremost, Healthy Paws are pet lovers. Their desire to ensure all animals have a better life has driven them to create the best possible product, hire the best possible employees and provide a passionate service.
With regards to connection, they hope to connect pets, pet owners, pet advocates and the general community together. It all sounds good, but what about looking after your dog’s insurance needs?
Well, Healthy Paws promise to take care of your pet’s health, helping to reinforce the bond between pets and people. Given communication is one of the pillars of their business, they strive to be open and honest about what they do, how they do it and why.
Their commitment to pet owners is to provide a pet insurance plan that is easy to understand. Healthy Paws promise dog parents will be reimbursed quickly, while vowing to help you and your dog in your time of need.
While they want to help pets and pet parents, Healthy Paws are committed to doing their bit in the animal welfare community as well.
Why We Like Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws have a website that is simple and easy to use.
Pet owners have to enter some quick details about their dog before their provided with a quote. Within the quote, you’re able to customer the reimbursement and deductible options.
We like that Healthy Paws coverage is provided with no maximum limits on claim payouts. So, if your dog needs treatment for a new accident or illness, as long as it’s not a pre-existing condition, you’re covered.
Healthy Paws have a waiting period of 15-days after your policy effective date. This is pretty quick in comparison to other pet insurance companies.
The majority of claims will be processed within 10 days and you should receive reimbursement by the 11th day. The reimbursement will be in the form of a check or direct deposit.
Having experience of Healthy Paws, I was impressed with their swift customer service. My emails were answered the same day they were sent and queries cleared up without any problems.
Points To Consider
Healthy Paws have a number of exclusions and limitations. Some of these are common exclusions that you’ll encounter with most pet insurance companies, such as wellness and preventative care, examination fees and pre-existing conditions, and conditions occurring within policy waiting period(s).
For anyone with a breed that is prone to hip dysplasia, you’ll need to do careful research about Healthy Paws. Their policy outlines that illnesses related to hip dysplasia that occurs or re-occurs within 12 months following the pet policy effective date aren’t included.
They won’t reimburse the costs of cosmetic procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, de-clawing, microchipping or dew claw removal, either.
What Are Customers Saying?
Healthy Paws write on their website that they’ve 98 per cent customer satisfaction. We prefer to look at a more neutral source to gauge customer opinion.
The company has a highly respectable 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot.com.
A Border Collie owner explained how Healthy Paws played a vital role in the recovering health of their dog:
Healthy Paws saved us $7,853.99 this summer. My young border collie, Toro, had a terrible summer of gastrointestinal issues and a heat stroke. Healthy Paws empowered us to take control of Toro’s health to get the right combo of expertise and emergency care with the providers of our choice. We never had to delay life-saving care because of financial concern. This literally saved Toro’s life.
A lady with a German Shepherd gave Healthy Paws a glowing five-star review:
I have had Healthy Paws for three years for my German Shepherd Dog and they are awesome. My dog has had many issues involving test after test, many drugs, surgery, xrays, ultra sounds etc etc. Healthy Paws has been there through it all. Very helpful and kind on the phone and ready to answer any question I have. Easy to submit claims online and receive direct deposits to my bank account for reimbursement. I highly recommend Healthy Paws Insurance. An awesome, caring company.
In Conclusion
Healthy Paws is a great option for pet insurance for dogs.
They’re a company that clearly cares about the welfare of dogs – and all animals – judging from the testimonials online.
Healthy Paws have excellent customer service, who are ready to help with any questions.
Not only that, but they’re processing and reimbursements times are quick.
5) Figo Pet Insurance
Website: figopetinsurance.com
Yorkshire Terrier ready to go home (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Who Are Figo Pet Insurance?
Figo write on their website that they know how incredibly important pets are to all of us.
Living life without our canine companions is unimaginable, so Figo are committed to helping pets.
The Chicago company want pets and families to enjoy their lives together, providing insurance and peace of mind.
Figo’s website explains how they began in Google’s Tech Hub Network. Surrounded by innovative energy, they claim Figo was born out of their love for pets, obsession with technology and background in insurance.
They go on to explain that pet insurance can free dog owners from financial stress when choosing the best available veterinary care for their pet.
Figo grabbed our attention with their claim that their pet insurance plans may provide up to 100 per cent reimbursement for covered medical expenses.
Why We Like Figo Pet Insurance
Figo will cover pets for a new covered accident, injury or illness, including surgeries, hereditary and congenital conditions, chronic problems, knee conditions, hip dysplasia and more.
They provide option coverage for veterinary exam fees, so you’ve got the flexibility to decide whether this is a feature that’s appealing to you.
Figo have an annual deductible. Once you’ve met your annual deductible for the year, you won’t have to pay any more, unlike other companies that require pet parents to pay a deductible per illness.
Claims are typically paid within five to seven days, which is faster than most companies.
Another perk to Figo is that they cover advertising for lost pets or if you’ve got come home early from holiday due to your dog suffering with an illness or an accident.
Points To Consider
Figo are transparent about some of their cons on their website. As their website reads, they’ve got nothing to hide.
For example, they’ve got a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and a five-day waiting period for accidents. Where knees are concerned, there’s a six-month waiting period.
They don’t include pre-existing conditions in their coverage. Other things that aren’t covered include spaying or neutering and routine, wellness or preventative care.
What Are Customers Saying?
Figo pet insurance gets an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based upon 468 reviews.
One customer revealed she had reservations about getting pet insurance – but hasn’t looked back since turning to Figo.
I took the plunge via Figo after reading positive reviews, and I am so thankful that I found them! My dog was diagnosed with a hip injury a few months into our policy, and Figo has covered virtually every vet bill with no hassle. thanks to this insurance, we will be able to provide our dog with the care she deserves. I love Figo so much that I purchased a year of coverage for my friend’s cat as a birthday present.
Another customer revealed just how fast Figo are to issue reimbursement payments:
Figo insurance is hands down one of the best companies I have ever had to work with. I have used this insurance for almost 3 years and 2 dogs. I had to submit a few claims over the years and the process is quick and easy. My claims were reviewed and approved the same day that I submitted! Payment direct deposited into my account 48 hours later. Fantastic customer service, fantastic coverage and peace of mind for puppy owners!
In Conclusion
Figo get glowing reviews from their customers.
They’ve got the basics covered and give pet parents the freedom to avail of additional coverage at an extra cost.
Figo are quick to process claims and issue reimbursements, so your bank balance won’t be hit for long.
While they have some notable omissions from their coverage, they’re open and transparent about this.
Their website claims that their plans average at less than $1.50 a day.
Key Pet Insurance Terms To Understand
Age Conditions Or Restrictions – Some pet insurance companies will only issues coverage to dogs of a certain age. Generally speaking, dogs over the age of 10 may be subjected to higher premium or may be rejected. As you’ll know from reading this review, there are some pet insurance companies who’ll accommodate older dogs.
Annual Deductible – Annual deductible refers to the initial amount that must be paid out of pocket by the pet owner each year before the pet insurance company will cover the rest of the bill.
Annual Limit – This is the maximum amount a pet insurance company will pay during a 12-month period.
Congenital Conditions – A congenital condition is an issue that a dog or cat is born with, but that doesn’t necessarily show symptoms right away.
Co-Pay – Pet owners may be obliged to pay a flat fee for each visit to the vet before the insurance kicks in.
Deductible – As you’ve probably guessed already, this is the amount that must be paid out-of-pocket before the insurer will reimburse you for claims.
Effective Date – The effective date refers to the first day your pet insurance becomes active.
Enrollment Date – This is the date you purchase your pet insurance policy.
Hereditary and Genetic Conditions – A hereditary or genetic condition is an inherited disease caused by a defect in certain genes transmitted to a puppy or kitten from their parents.
Policy Exclusions – Policy exclusions refers to any conditions or illnesses not covered by your policy.
• Pre-existing condition – A pre-existing condition means that the condition first occurred or showed clinical symptoms before your pet’s coverage started (including waiting periods).
Waiting Period – A waiting period is the time between the day you enroll and the day your pet insurance coverage starts.
Anything Else To Consider?
Some pet insurance companies will cover the costs associated with trying to find a missing pet.
If you’ve got a dog that has a habit of slipping out the door or gate and going for a wander, this could be something you’d like to include.
Some pet insurance providers will also offer to pay a contribution towards the cost of your pet’s euthanization, cremation of burial.
Wrapping up – Our Final Thoughts
Golden Retriever has a check up at the vet (Photo: Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our review of the best pet insurance for dogs.
We’ve taken a look at what we believe to be the five best pet insurance companies for dogs available right now.
Healthy Paws are a good company to consider for any pet parents who are thinking about insuring their beloved canine companion.
There’s a lot to like about Embrace, who have a number of competitively priced pet insurance policies for dog owners.
Pet Premium keep it simple with two potential plans to cover your beloved pooch.
If you’re looking to become part of a community with dog owners who have pets with similar issues to your pooch, Eusoh could be the solution for you.
Finally, Figo Pet Insurance are open and transparent about what they can and can’t cover, with quick reimbursement times.
