Can you get pet insurance for older pets? Does pet insurance increase with age? Most pets are likely to stay active and healthy in their golden years. However, the fact remains that older pets may demand different care and consideration than the younger ones when it comes veterinary treatment.
The ideal time to get pet insurance for your beloved furry friends is at a young age before health complications manifest. Once illnesses occur, it will be considered as a pre-existing condition, which will not be covered in most pet insurance plans. Is it worth insuring an old dog or cat?
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What’s covered in pet insurance?
It is undeniable that there are over millions of cats and dogs kept as pets in the UK. However, it is still surprising how new figures reveal that there is a significant number of pet owners who fail to recognise the importance of pet insurance.In fact, statistics show that only 30 per cent of dogs and 16 per cent of cats are insured.
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Generally, pet insurance is not that different from humans’ health insurance. Here are the common instances of pet insurance coverage:
- Accidents and injuries
- Ongoing treatments
- Necessary therapies and medications
- Public liability
- Benefits that vary according to policy plans
Trivia: The first dog covered by pet insurance was none other than the famous TV dog Lassie, a Border collie, in 1982.
Age concern pet insurance
Some pet insurance companies do not sign up pets that are older than 7–8 years old. Others accept insurance but exclude pre-existing health conditions. For these reasons, pet owners opt to insure their pets at a younger age. There are some companies that insure older pets, especially those that have continual coverage since their younger years.
Further, some companies that provide senior pet insurance are expected to be more expensive due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, older animals have greater chances of having dental or health problems. In addition to that, they are more prone to injuries, which can be self-inflicted due to short-sightedness or clumsiness.
When is my pet classified as a ‘senior’?
Classifying a pet as a ‘senior’ largely depends on the type of animal as well as the insurer. Most insurance companies considered pets as senior upon reaching the age of eight and above.
It is best to check exclusions deals based on the age of pets when getting a side-by-side comparison on pet insurance companies. There are some companies that do not accept insurance plans based on the breed’s susceptibility on certain hereditary health conditions. That being said, at times owners will have a harder time finding an insurance plan for a pedigree breed than a mongrel.
Types of insurance for senior pets
If you are currently keeping a mature pet or a senior one, it is not impossible to get insurance for them. There are many companies that offer special insurance policies for seniors. However, the rate may be somewhat higher than the regular one.
There are three common types of pet insurance:
- Accident-only pet insurance
Accident-only pet insurance is considered the cheapest. This coverage may or may not include illnesses acquired from the said accident. - Lifetime or premium pet insurance
As the name implies, lifetime pet insurance covers your pet throughout his lifetime. Make sure to carefully read the coverage as policies differ by company provider and plan. Some offer insurance with limitation per condition on a yearly basis or on a certain amount limited for a year in any condition. - Time-limited pet insurance
This is the cheapest type of pet insurance with limited coverage. It covers treatment and medical attention for a twelve-month period, and after that, treatments will be considered excluded. It is an ideal choice for accidents as well as any short-term health problems. However, this is not ideal for older pets with medium- or long-term condition.
Getting the best senior pet insurance
Get the best insurance by comparing the benefits and types of coverage for senior pets. Choose one that provides coverage on alternative treatments for certain diseases as well as specialists and veterinarians for the pet.
Why do I need to insure my older pet? Whilst insurance for senior pets are more costly than the basic ones, know that the chances of him seeking veterinary treatment over the years are very high. Some treatments are likely to be more complicated, which leads to a higher bill. Dismal situations such as euthanasia can be avoided with the appropriate pet insurance.
The list below are some of the companies that provide insurance for senior pets in the UK:
FAQs
While some pet owners insure their dogs as puppies or young adults, many companies will still insure older dogs. Although your policy will exclude pre-existing conditions, it is still worth purchasing pet insurance since senior dogs can encounter new health conditions as they age.
Can I get pet insurance for my 10 year old dog? ›
Insurance for senior pets works the same way as it does for younger pets. The main difference is price. Since older dogs and cats are more likely to need medical care, it generally costs more to buy pet insurance for them.
What is the maximum age for pet insurance? ›
Most insurers won't cover your pet for illnesses once they're over the age of 9 so if you're able to, take out a policy before your pet turns 8. If you do that, they'll usually cover you past the age of 9 as long as you keep paying your premiums. Pre-existing conditions won't be covered.
What is the age limit for many pets insurance? ›
You can enroll your dog in pet insurance up until they're 14 years old (plus one day). If you insured your doggo before they turned 14, they'll never age out of their policy as long as you maintain continuous coverage.
What's the oldest you can insure a dog? ›
We love pets of all ages and therefore have no upper age limit! As long as your pet is over 4 weeks old, we can provide a policy for you. To get a quote with us online, please follow this link.
Can I insure my 12 year old dog? ›
Insurance age limits vary by provider and policy type. While some insurers cover pets of any age, others view older pets as higher risk. It's essential to check policy terms for coverage of dogs aged eight and over. If premiums are paid, insurers will generally continue to cover a dog even after reaching the age limit.
Why is trupanion so expensive? ›
Trupanion's pricing is likely higher than average because all plans include unlimited coverage and a 90% reimbursem*nt rate. Your plan cost will vary depending on where you live and your pet's breed, age and species. Premiums may also increase incrementally each year as your pet ages.
What age is a dog considered geriatric? ›
If you have a 20 lb dog, then that dog would be considered a Senior around 9 years old and a Geriatric around 12 years old. 3. If you have a 60 lb dog, then that dog would "age" faster. That dog would be considered a Senior around 6 years old and a Geriatric around 10 years old.
Does pet insurance get more expensive as pets age? ›
Age: As your pet gets older, they're more likely to have an expensive-to-cover illness or age-related injury. As a result, insurance premiums may increase.
What is the oldest pet insurance? ›
The first pet policy in the U.S. was issued in 1982 by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). VPI was founded by a veterinarian from Orange County, CA.
You can enroll your pet any time with Trupanion before their 14th birthday. Pets enrolled prior to age 14 can nevertheless enjoy full coverage for life. Wondering why age 14 is the cutoff? We love pets at any age, but we do have to be reasonable.
What is a good deductible for pet insurance? ›
Deductibles generally range from $0 to $1,000. According to Nationwide, most pet owners choose an annual deductible of $250. Deductibles vary by pet insurance provider and their policies, but pet parents should prepare to pay out of pocket for a veterinary bill until meeting the plan's deductible.
Should I get pet insurance for my senior dog? ›
Although it's best to enroll your pet in a policy while they're young, you can still get pet insurance for older dogs and cats — and doing so could help you save a significant amount money if they develop health concerns in their late life.
Can you get pet insurance for a 12 year old cat? ›
Cats are generally considered seniors once they're over 10 years of age. However, there is no official cutoff age for seniority, so carefully check the policies to make sure your older pet is covered. At Pets Best, we have no age limits on insuring older dogs and cats.
Can you insure a 12 year old cat? ›
If your cat is age seven or up many insurers class them as mature or senior. But don't worry, they won't be needing dentures yet. It does mean they can be more vulnerable though, which means premiums may change and restrictions can be added to your insurance policy depending on your cat's breed and age.
Does pet insurance cost increase with age? ›
You can generally expect your pet's insurance coverage cost to increase each year, along with their age. Consider the following, which could help you offset the higher cost of insurance.
Is pet insurance a good investment for a pet Why or why not? ›
"Insurance helps cover the unanticipated costs of pet ownership and can be a huge relief for owners as they typically cover 80-90% of the costs, depending on the plan," says Dr. Sarah Gorman, managing veterinarian at Small Door Veterinary in New York.
It is undeniable that there are over millions of cats and dogs kept as pets in the UK. However, it is still surprising how new figures reveal that there is a significant number of pet owners who fail to recognise the importance of pet insurance.In fact, statistics show that only 30 per cent of dogs and 16 per cent of cats are insured.
If you are currently keeping a mature pet or a senior one, it is not impossible to get insurance for them. There are many companies that offer special insurance policies for seniors. However, the rate may be somewhat higher than the regular one.
Get the best insurance by comparing the benefits and types of coverage for senior pets. Choose one that provides coverage on alternative treatments for certain diseases as well as specialists and veterinarians for the pet.