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Best Pet Insurance Plans For Older Dogs

  • Pets Best is our top choice for senior dog insurance because they have no upper age limit, they can cover curable pre-existing conditions, and they have cheaper than average pricing.
  • Spot Pet Insurance is a great choice for older dogs because they have the shortest waiting period for orthopedic conditions and extensive coverage that includes things many other providers don’t.
  • MetLife is our top pick for households with multiple dogs because they offer a family plan that covers up to three pets.
  • When shopping for pet insurance for older dogs, the most important things to check are if the provider has upper age limits, if they cover curable pre-existing conditions, and the length of the waiting periods.
Best overall

Pets Best Insurance

GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
4.6
Maximum annual coverage 
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Great coverage, short waiting periods

Spot Pet Insurance

GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
4.9
Maximum annual coverage 
$2,500 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Multiple pets

MetLife Pet Insurance

GET A QUOTE on MetLife's secure website
4.7
Maximum annual coverage 
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices 
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices 
$50, $100, $250, $500

Pet insurance for senior dogs: Our top 3 picks

During our research, three companies stood out from the rest when it came to caring for senior dogs.

Pets Best is our top choice because there is no upper age limit to enroll your dog and they will cover most curable pre-existing conditions once your pet has been symptom free for 180 days. While pet insurance plans for older dogs will always be more expensive than for puppies, Pets Best prices were lower than average for this age group. Read our full review of Pets Best Insurance.

Spot Pet Insurance ranked highly on our list because they have the shortest waiting period for orthopedic coverage, only 14 days. Your dog can’t have any pre-existing orthopedic conditions for coverage to apply, but it’s a great option if you’re worried they may develop one. Spot’s coverage is outstanding, and includes things many others don’t like prescription food, microchipping, and exam fees. Plus, there is no upper age limit to enroll. Read our full review of Spot Pet Insurance.

MetLife is our favorite insurance provider for families with multiple pets. Whether you have more than one senior dog, dogs of varying ages, or a mix of dogs and cats, MetLife allows you to put up to three pets on their family plan. You pay one monthly premium and only have to cover the yearly deductible once, but the benefits can be shared by all three pets.

Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans

    • Mixed/Designer Breed (weight fully grown)
    • Mixed Small (Up To 22lb)
    • Mixed Medium (23lb - 70lb)
    • Mixed Large (Over 70lb)
    • Domestic Longhair
    • Domestic Mediumhair
    • Domestic Shorthair
    • Mixed Breed
    • Other/Breed Not Found
    • Pure Breeds
    • Other/Breed Not Found
    • Affenpinscher
    • Afghan Hound
    • Aidi
    • Ainu Dog
    • Airedale Terrier
    • Akbash Dog
    • Akita
    • Alano Espanol
    • Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
    • Alaskan Husky
    • Alaskan Klee Kai
    • Alaskan Malamute
    • Alpine Dachsbracke
    • Alsatian
    • American Bulldog
    • American Bullnese
    • American Bully
    • American Cocker Spaniel
    • American Eskimo Dog
    • American Eskimo Dog - miniature
    • American Foxhound
    • American Hairless Terrier
    • American Indian Dog
    • American Lo-Sze Pugg
    • American Mastiff
    • American Pit Bull Terrier
    • American Staffordshire Terrier
    • American Staghound
    • American Tundra Shepherd
    • American Water Spaniel
    • American White Shepherd
    • Anatolian Shepherd Dog
    • Appenzell Mountain Dog
    • Argentine Dogo
    • Ariegoeis
    • Australian Cattle Dog
    • Australian Kelpie
    • Australian Shepherd
    • Australian Shepherd - miniature
    • Australian Terrier
    • Austrian Brandlbracke
    • Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher
    • Azawakh
    • Barbet
    • Basenji
    • Basset Artesien Normand
    • Basset Bleu De Gascogne
    • Basset Fauve De Bretagne
    • Basset Hound
    • Beagle
    • Bearded Collie
    • Beauceron
    • Bedlington Terrier
    • Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
    • Belgian Shepherd Laekenois
    • Belgian Shepherd Malinois
    • Belgian Shepherd Tervuren
    • Bergamasco
    • Berger des Pyrenees
    • Berger Picard
    • Bernese Mountain Dog
    • Bichon Frise
    • Biewer
    • Black Mouth Cur
    • Black Russian Terrier
    • Bloodhound
    • Blue Heeler
    • Blue Lacy
    • Bluetick Coonhound
    • Boerboel
    • Bolognese
    • Bolonka
    • Border Collie
    • Border Terrier
    • Borzoi
    • Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound
    • Boston Terrier
    • Bouvier Des Flandres
    • Boxer
    • Boykin Spaniel
    • Bracco Italiano
    • Braque d Auvergne
    • Braque du Bourbonnais
    • Braque Francais
    • Brazilian Fila
    • Brazilian Terrier
    • Briard
    • Briquet Griffon Vendeen
    • Brittany
    • Brussels Griffon
    • Bull Terrier
    • Bull Terrier - miniature
    • Bulldog
    • Bullmastiff
    • Ca de Bou
    • Cairn Terrier
    • Canaan Dog
    • Canadian Eskimo Dog
    • Canary Dog
    • Cane Corso
    • Cao de Fila de Sao Miguel
    • Cardigan Welsh Corgi
    • Carolina Dog
    • Catahoula Leopard Dog
    • Caucasian Ovtcharka
    • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
    • Central Asian Ovtcharka
    • Cesky Fousek
    • Cesky Terrier
    • Chasa Apso
    • Chesapeake Bay Retriever
    • Chien D Artois
    • Chihuahua
    • Chihuahua long-haired
    • Chinese Chongqing Dog
    • Chinese Crested Dog
    • Chinese Crested Hairless
    • Chinese Crested Powder Puff
    • Chinese Foo
    • Chinese Imperial
    • Chinook
    • Chow Chow
    • Cirneco dell Etna
    • Clumber Spaniel
    • Cocker Spaniel
    • Cocker Spaniel Miniature
    • Collie
    • Collie smooth-coated
    • Coonhound - black and tan
    • Coonhound - blue tick
    • Coonhound - red bone
    • Corgi
    • Coton De Tulear
    • Curly-Coated Retriever
    • Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (Vlcak)
    • Dachshund
    • Dachshund - long haired
    • Dachshund - smooth coat
    • Dachshund - wire haired
    • Dachshund miniature - long haired
    • Dachshund miniature - smooth coat
    • Dachshund miniature - wire haired
    • Dalmatian
    • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
    • Danish-Swedish Farmdog
    • Deerhound
    • Designer Large (Over 70lb As Adult)
    • Designer Medium (23lb - 70lb As Adult)
    • Designer Small (Up To 22lb As Adult)
    • Deutsch Drahthaar
    • Deutscher Wachtelhund
    • Doberman Pinscher
    • Dogo Argentino
    • Dogue De Bordeaux
    • Drever
    • Dunker
    • Dutch Sheepdog
    • Dutch Shepherd
    • Dutch Smoushond
    • Elkhound
    • English Bulldog
    • English Cocker Spaniel
    • English Coonhound
    • English Foxhound
    • English Mastiff
    • English Pointer
    • English Setter
    • English Shepherd
    • English Springer Spaniel
    • English Toy Spaniel
    • English Toy Terrier
    • Entlebucher Mountain Dog
    • Eskimo Dog
    • Estonian Hound
    • Estrela Mountain Dog
    • Eurasier
    • Fell Terrier
    • Field Spaniel
    • Fila Brasileiro
    • Finnish Hound
    • Finnish Lapphund
    • Finnish Spitz
    • Flat-coated Retriever
    • Fox Hound
    • Fox Terrier
    • French Bulldog
    • French Mastiff
    • French Spaniel
    • Gazelle Hound
    • German Longhaired Pointer
    • German Pinscher
    • German Shepherd
    • German Shorthaired Pointer
    • German Spitz
    • German Wirehaired Pointer
    • Giant Schnauzer
    • Glen Of Imaal Terrier
    • Golden Retriever
    • Goldendoodle
    • Gordon Setter
    • Gran Mastin de Borinquen
    • Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
    • Grand Bleu de Gascogne
    • Great Dane
    • Great Pyrenean
    • Great Pyrenees
    • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
    • Greenland Dog
    • Greyhound
    • Griffon Bruxellois
    • Groenendael
    • Hamiltonstovare
    • Harrier
    • Havanese
    • Hovawart
    • Hungarian Kuvasz
    • Hungarian Puli
    • Hungarian Pumi
    • Hungarian Sheepdog
    • Hungarian Vizsla
    • Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla
    • Ibizan Hound
    • Icelandic Sheepdog
    • Inca Hairless Dog
    • Inca Orchid
    • Irish Red and White Setter
    • Irish Setter
    • Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    • Irish Terrier
    • Irish Water Spaniel
    • Irish Wolfhound
    • Italian Greyhound
    • Jack Russell Terrier
    • Japanese Chin
    • Japanese Spitz
    • Japanese Terrier
    • Kai Dog
    • Kangal Dog
    • Karabash
    • Karelian Bear Dog
    • Keeshond
    • Kelpie
    • Kerry Blue Terrier
    • King Charles Spaniel
    • King Shepherd
    • Kishu Inu
    • Komondor
    • Kooikerhondje
    • Koolie
    • Korean Jindo
    • Kuvasz
    • Kyi-Leo
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Labrador Retriever - Black
    • Labrador Retriever - Chocolate
    • Labrador Retriever - Yellow
    • Laekenois
    • Lagotto Romagnolo
    • Lakeland Terrier
    • Lancashire Heeler
    • Landseer
    • Lapinporokoira
    • Large Munsterlander
    • Leonberger
    • Lhasa Apso
    • Llewellin Setter
    • Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog
    • Lowchen
    • Lucas Terrier
    • Lurcher
    • Malamute Husky
    • Malinois
    • Maltese
    • Manchester Terrier
    • Maremma Sheepdog
    • Mastiff
    • Mexican Hairless Crested
    • Mexican Hairless Dog
    • Miki
    • Miniature Dachshund
    • Miniature Pinscher
    • Miniature Poodle
    • Miniature Schnauzer
    • Mioritic Sheepdog
    • Mountain Cur
    • Mountain Feist
    • Mudi
    • Native American Indian Dog
    • Neapolitan Mastiff
    • Nebolish Mastiff
    • New Zealand Huntaway (Sheepdog)
    • Newfoundland
    • Nippon Terrier
    • Norfolk Terrier
    • Northern Inuit Dog
    • Norwegian Buhund
    • Norwegian Elkhound
    • Norwegian Lundehund
    • Norwich Terrier
    • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
    • Old English Mastiff
    • Old English Sheepdog
    • Olde English Bulldogge
    • Olde Victorian Bulldogge
    • Ori Pei
    • Otterhound
    • Papillon
    • Parson Jack Russell Terrier
    • Patterdale Terrier
    • Pekingese
    • Pembroke Welsh Corgi
    • Perro de Presa Mallorquin
    • Peruvian Inca Orchid
    • Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
    • Petit Brabancon
    • Pharaoh Hound
    • Pit Bull
    • Plott Hound
    • Pointer
    • Polish Lowland Sheepdog
    • Polish Tatra Sheepdog
    • Pomeranian
    • Poodle
    • Poodle - Giant
    • Poodle - Miniature
    • Poodle - Standard
    • Poodle - Teacup
    • Poodle - Toy
    • Porcelaine
    • Portuguese Mastiff (Rafeiro Do Alentejo)
    • Portuguese Podengo
    • Portuguese Pointer
    • Portuguese Water Dog
    • Presa Canario
    • Pudelpointer
    • Pug
    • Puli
    • Pumi
    • Pyrenean Mastiff
    • Pyrenean Mountain Dog
    • Pyrenean Shepherd
    • Queensland Heeler
    • Rat Terrier
    • Rhodesian Ridgeback
    • Rottweiler
    • Rough Collie
    • Saarlooswolfhond
    • Saint Bernard
    • Saluki
    • Samoyed
    • Sarplaninac
    • Schapendoes
    • Schipperke
    • Schnauzer
    • Schnauzer - giant
    • Schnauzer - miniature
    • Schnauzer - standard
    • Scottish Deerhound
    • Scottish Terrier
    • Sealyham Terrier
    • Segugio Italiano
    • Shar-pei
    • Shetland Sheepdog
    • Shiba Inu
    • Shih Tzu
    • Shikoku
    • Shiloh Shepherd
    • Siberian Husky
    • Silken Windhound
    • Silky Terrier
    • Skye Terrier
    • Sloughi
    • Small Munsterlander
    • Smooth Collie
    • Smooth Fox Terrier
    • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
    • Spanish Bulldog
    • Spanish Mastiff
    • Spanish Water Dog
    • Spinone italiano
    • Spitz
    • Stabyhoun (Stabij)
    • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    • Staghound
    • Sussex Spaniel
    • Swedish Elkhound
    • Swedish Lapphund
    • Swedish Vallhund
    • Tervuren
    • Thai Ridgeback
    • Tibetan KyiApso
    • Tibetan Mastiff
    • Tibetan Spaniel
    • Tibetan Terrier
    • Tosa Inu
    • Toy Fox Terrier
    • Toy Terrier
    • Treeing Tennessee Brindle
    • Treeing Walker Coonhound
    • Victorian Bulldog
    • Vizsla
    • Volpino Italiano
    • Weimaraner
    • Welsh Corgi
    • Welsh Corgi - Cardigan
    • Welsh Corgi - Pembroke
    • Welsh Springer Spaniel
    • Welsh Terrier
    • West Highland White Terrier
    • Wheaten Terrier
    • Whippet
    • Wirehaired Fox Terrier
    • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
    • Wirehaired Vizsla
    • Xoloitzcuintli - Mexican Hairless Dog
    • Yorkie-Poo
    • Yorkshire Terrier
    • Abyssinian
    • American Bobtail
    • American Curl
    • American Curl Shorthair
    • American Keuda
    • American Longhair
    • American Shorthair (purebred)
    • American Wirehair
    • Angora
    • Australian Mist
    • Balinese
    • Bengal
    • Bengalese
    • Birman
    • Bombay
    • Brazilian Shorthair
    • British Shorthair
    • Burmese
    • Burmilla
    • California Spangled Cat
    • Cameo Longhair
    • Chantilly/Tiffany
    • Chartreux
    • Chausie
    • Chinchilla
    • Colorpoint
    • Colorpoint Longhair
    • Colorpoint Shorthair
    • Cornish Rex
    • Cymric
    • Devon Rex
    • Egyptian Mau
    • European Burmese
    • European Shorthair
    • Exotic
    • Exotic Longhair
    • Exotic Shorthair
    • Feral
    • German Rex
    • Havana Brown
    • Highland Fold
    • Highland Lynx
    • Himalayan
    • Himalayan Blue Point
    • Himalayan Flame Point
    • Himalayan Lilac Point
    • Himalayan Seal Point
    • Japanese Bobtail
    • Javanese
    • Kashmir
    • Korat
    • La Perm
    • Maine Coon
    • Manx
    • Manx Longhair
    • Munchkin
    • Nebelung
    • Nibelung
    • Norwegian Forest Cat
    • Ocicat
    • Oriental
    • Oriental Colorpoint
    • Oriental Longhair
    • Oriental Shorthair
    • Persian
    • Peterbald
    • Pinto
    • Pixie-Bob
    • RagaMuffin
    • Ragdoll
    • Russian Blue
    • Safari Cat
    • Savannah
    • Scotish Fold
    • Scottish Fold Longhair
    • Selkirk Rex
    • Selkirk Rex Longhair
    • Seychellois
    • Siamese
    • Siberian
    • Singapura
    • Snowshoe
    • Sokoke
    • Somali
    • Sphynx
    • Sterling
    • Tiffanie
    • Tonkinese
    • Turkish Angora
    • Turkish Van
    • York Chocolate
  • 0 Years
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  • 0 Months
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Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin
Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin

If you want to compare more pet insurance options for your senior dog, fill out our quote form to see pricing and coverage from multiple providers.

Dog insurance with no upper age limit

Outside of our top three picks, we found three other pet insurance providers with no age limit on enrollment. Compare all six below to see which one might be a good fit for you.

Plans we like for older dogs

Advertiser Disclosure

Best overall

Pets Best Insurance

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Pet’s Best offers robust coverage at cheaper-than-average pricing. It also covers curable pre-existing conditions if your dog has been healed and symptom-free for 180 days. Cancer and Euthanasia are covered and there is no age limit.

Additionally, Pet’s Best has solid coverage with a flat-rate reimbursement model at 90% of the overall bill after you meet the deductible. They also offer the option to pay the vet directly for you instead of having to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. For these reasons, we think this is the best option for older dogs.

The one downside is that the orthopedic waiting period is 6 months, which is about average for the industry. If this is important to you, there are others that have shorter waiting periods of around 14 days.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Many deductible options
  • No age limit for enrollment
  • Vet-direct pay option

CONS

  • Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
  • Doesn’t cover breed-specific issues

Great coverage, short waiting periods

Spot Pet Insurance

4.9
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$2,500 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Spot is number 2 on our list, despite being slightly above the average cost in terms of price. Spot offers great coverage with an extremely short waiting period of 14 days for orthopedic coverage. While you’ll need to prove your pet has no pre-existing orthopedic conditions to access the coverage, it’s great to know that should something arise within a month or two, you can immediately be covered.

The lookback period for pre-existing conditions is also a short 180 days. Spot covers Cancer, Euthanasia, and also has no age limit for joining. Spot also covers things that other providers won’t, including prescription food, microchipping, allergies, and 24/7 tele-vet visits.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Various options to customize your policy
  • Preventive care add-on available
  • Affordable plans

CONS

  • Doesn’t cover prescription food
  • Longer waiting period for accident coverage than many insurers

Multiple pets

MetLife Pet Insurance

4.7
GET A QUOTE on MetLife's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Metlife’s family plan allows you to put up to 3 pets on one policy. We love this option because you only have to pay one monthly premium instead of having a separate policy (with a separate premium) for each pet. Since older dogs are more expensive to insure, bundling them into one shared policy can have major savings benefits.

Metlife offers excellent coverage and includes things that some providers don’t like exam fees and alternative therapies. The waiting period for accidents is less than 24 hours, starting at midnight the day you sign up. There is no upper age limit to sign up, making Metlife an excellent pet insurance provider for older dogs.

PROS

  • Deductible as low as $50
  • Coverage for exotic animals
  • No initial exam required for enrollment
  • Super short waiting period of accident coverage

CONS

  • No unlimited coverage option
  • No vet-direct pay
  • Max 3 pets for multipet/family policy

Affordable, strong coverage

Figo Pet Insurance

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
$100, $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Figo is the cheapest option on the list and also has wider coverage than some of the other providers. Figo has no age limit for sign-up and can cover pre-existing conditions, albeit, your dog must not show signs or symptoms and be cured for 12 months from the last occurrence. This is longer than other providers.

That said, Figo is budget-friendly and can cover Cancer and Euthanasia if this is important to you. Figo also offers an optional wellness package that can pay for exam fees and more, if that interests you.

PROS

  • Fast claim processing
  • No max age limit for enrollment
  • Short waiting period for accidents and injuries
  • 100% reimbursement option

CONS

  • Doesn’t pay vet directly
  • No accident-only plan option
  • More expensive than some insurers

Good, quick coverage, but pricier

Pumpkin Pet Insurance

4.2
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$10,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Pumpkin ranked lower on this list mainly due to price. It’s the most expensive on average but also comes with quicker access to coverage than Fetch or Figo.

Pumpkin only has a 180-day lookback period for covering pre-existing conditions and an orthopedic waiting period of 14 days when you prove your pet is healthy. There is also no age limit for older pets, and it can cover Cancer and Euthanasia. That said, it won’t cover breed-specific issues, so this is something to consider if you have a pure-bred dog.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Optional wellness add-on available

CONS

  • Only one reimbursement option
  • No vet-direct pay

Average price, but reduced coverage

Fetch by The Dodo

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $15,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$300, $500, $700
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Fetch is around the middle of the road when it comes to price. It has no age limit for joining and can cover Euthanasia and Cancer just as the others on our list. That said, Fetch has a longer waiting period for orthopedic conditions than many of the providers on our list - at 6 months, which is the industry average. Pre-existing conditions can also be covered, but your pet must be symptom-free for 12 months.

Lastly, coverage is solid, but it does exclude many things that may be covered by other providers on our list. Therefore, Fetch ranks last on our list, despite being a bit cheaper than other providers.

PROS

  • Very comprehensive coverage
  • Included telehealth services
  • Covers boarding fees if owner is in the hospital
  • Add-on coverage available

CONS

  • No accident-only plan
  • No multi-pet discount
  • Requires pets to have a yearly checkup

What to look for in an insurance policy for older dogs

Apart from aiming for affordability, it’s important to remember that older dogs carry increased risk for certain illnesses, so you should look for plans to cover these scenarios.

Here is our list of the most important coverage to consider when buying pet insurance for older dogs:

Enrollment age limit

Many pet insurance companies have age limits for enrolling senior pets. This is because senior animals are more likely to have health issues and providers aim to reduce their risks. You’ll want to look for insurance that can still accept your dog at its current age.

Here is a list of age limits for several major providers.

Pre-existing conditions coverage

Many pet insurance companies refuse to cover the cost of treating pre-existing conditions such as dog cataract surgery. This is especially important to consider when insuring an older pet as older pets are more likely to have pre-existing conditions.

With this in mind, there are a few plans that will cover pre-existing conditions in dogs. Often, the conditions must be curable and your dog will have to have been “cured” or symptom free for a certain period of time prior to buying your plan. You can read more in our guide to pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.

Lastly, if your pet has many pre-existing conditions, you can consider opting for an accident-only pet plan that can cover injuries related to accidents like broken legs, being run over, etc. You won’t be covered for things like cancer or other illnesses, but it may be better than nothing.

Cancer coverage

According to statistics from the Veterinary Cancer Society, canine cancer is the leading cause of death for senior dogs. Studies estimate that around 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. For this reason, it’s important to consider a provider that has cancer treatment included as part of its coverage for older dogs.

Coverage for end-of-life care

Death is an eventual reality we all must face with older dogs, and end-of-life care is an expense you should anticipate when your dog finally passes on. Several pet insurance policies can cover expenses related to end-of-life care such as paying for putting a dog down, cremation, burial, etc. Since you are likely to have to pay for this eventually, consider looking for a pet insurance policy that includes this coverage.

Physical therapy coverage

Older dogs are prone to ligament and joint issues which can worsen with age. According to Brian C. Hurley, DVM, national medical director at AmeriVet Veterinary Partners, nearly 80% of dogs over 8 years of age will experience joint pain. According to Dr. Hurley, larger dogs are at greater risk for joint issues. In serious cases, you may need to operate on your animal, and this is where physical therapy coverage can come in handy. Not all plans cover physical therapy, so it’s worth considering this before buying you pet insurance.

Compare coverage for senior dogs

Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Plan
Available
Available
Accident-Only Plan
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
Covered
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

When is a dog considered a senior?

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, a dog achieves senior status when it reaches the last quarter of the dog breed’s expected lifespan. Smaller dogs live longer than large dogs, and therefore, take longer to be considered senior animals. In general dogs reach their senior years as follows:

Take a look at our list of the most common dog breeds and when they reach senior status to see where you stand with your pet:

Breed Age When Considered Senior Average Lifespan
Boxer 6.5-8 years 9-11 years
French Bulldog 6.5-8 years 9-11 years
Basset Hound 7.5-9 years 10-12 years
German Shepherd 7.5-10 years 10-13 years
Welsh Terrier 7.5-9 years 10-12 years
Pug 9-10.5 years 12-14 years
Shih Tzu 10.5-12 years 14-16 years
Cocker Spaniel (English) 10.5-12 years 14-16 years
Lhasa Apso 11 years 15 years

Common health problems for senior dogs

Senior dogs have a more difficult time getting insured because they’re more prone to age-related health problems, including:

  • Reduced appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Skin growths
  • Cloudy eyes/vision concerns
  • Bad breath/dental issues
  • Limited mobility
  • Joint pain
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Incontinence
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Irritability
  • Slowed healing
  • Anxiety
  • Sleeplessness
  • Repetitive or compulsive behaviors
  • Confusion/disorientation
  • Being newly fearful of familiar people, places and animals

Can you get pet insurance for a senior dog?

It can be more difficult to get pet insurance for older dogs than it is to insure younger pets, but it’s certainly not impossible. Not all companies choose to insure older pets. Those that do often put an age cutoff into place – refusing to insure dogs over the age of 14, for example.

You may find that some pet insurance providers will insure all dogs, regardless of age, under an accident-only policy. That means your older pet would be covered if it was injured as the result of an accident but not if it contracted a disease or needed treatment for issues commonly associated with old age.

Keep in mind that, in most cases, insurance for senior dogs won’t offer plans that cover pre-existing conditions, and all costs (premiums, deductibles, etc.) will be higher compared to similar pet insurance policies for younger dogs.

How much does pet insurance for senior dogs cost?

To better understand the cost of pet insurance for senior dogs, we’ve compared policies and average pricing for a 10-year-old Golden Retriever across three providers:

  Monthly Premium Annual Reimbursement Limit Annual Deductible Annual Reimbursement Limit
Pumpkin $241.76 $10,000 $1,000 90%
Spot $85.62 $5,000 $750 70%
Pet’s Best $116.69 $5,000 $500 80%

It’s important to remember that all insurance estimates are relative as the price you pay depends on a variety of considerations, including where you live, what type of pet you have and how much coverage you’re interested in.

Factors that affect your pet insurance premium

How to reduce the cost of insurance for a senior dog

If you’re eager to insure your pet but find yourself concerned about the cost, there are a few ways you can find inexpensive pet insurance:

1

Adjust your coverage levels

The more coverage you ask for, the higher you can expect your premium to be. You will probably also pay more per month if you want a lower deductible. Add-ons like wellness plan that covers dental work will also increase your overall cost. Try adjusting what your pet insurance covers to see if you can find the sweet spot between protecting your pet as much as possible and keeping pet insurance costs within budget.

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2

Check for discounts

Check with each insurance provider to see if it offers any discounts. Many companies offer savings for multi-pet households and pet owners in the military. There may also be reduced fees if you pay an entire year of premiums up front or agree to get your pet spayed/neutered.

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3

Compare quotes online

We recommend using an online quote tool to see pricing from at least five different insurance companies and you will probably get five different insurance packages and rate offers. Go through each quote with a fine-toothed comb to understand what you’re really going to pay and what you get in exchange.

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Is pet insurance for senior dogs worth it?

Pet insurance is worth the expense in most cases as long as you are able to use it and take full advantage of all of the coverage it offers. With the case of older dogs, there are several factors (pre-existing conditions) that can lead to exclusions in the coverage or overall high-priced premiums (age) which may make having pet insurance not worth it. However, this ultimately depends on the age and health of your individual dog, so the decision is yours.

If you can take full advantage of your policy and afford the premiums, pet insurance is worth it, especially as you are more likely to use the policy with an older animal. If you cannot take full advantage of the illness portion of a policy due to pre-existing conditions, it may be worth opting for an accident-only plan in case unexpected severe injuries happen to your pet.

If you are wondering whether you’re better off just saving up for vet bills, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help determine if pet insurance is right for you.

  1. Does your pet have too many excluded pre-existing conditions that makes buying pet coverage not worth it?
  2. Is your dog so old that the coverage becomes prohibitively expensive and not worth the expense?
  3. Are the insurance premiums too high for you to pay on a regular basis?
  4. Do you have the funds to pay a vet bill out of pocket and therefore may not have a dire need of pet insurance?
  5. Can you afford to pay an unexpected catastrophic vet bill, such as with cancer?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the questions above, you may want to consider an alternative to pet insurance. If you answered ‘no’, then you may want to consider an insurance policy.

Alternatives to pet insurance for senior dogs

According to the APPA, nearly 40% of vet bills in America are paid using a credit card, which is the most common method. A good credit card with low interest and benefits for paying at the vet can be a good alternative for many people forgoing pet insurance.

Alternatively setting up a pet savings account is another great way to pay for unexpected vet bills. There are many savings accounts that offer around 5% interest which can help your deposits grow as they sit in the account. Best of all, most savings accounts these days allow you access to withdraw your funds whenever you need them. Here are a few that our banking team recommends:

Many vet’s also are willing to negotiate and help you set up a payment plan to pay off large bills bit-by-bit. This can also be an option for financing the vet in the later stages of your dog’s life.

Lastly, consider combining any or all three of these options for a solid payment strategy

Pet insurance for senior dogs FAQ

Does pet insurance cover euthanasia?

Many pet insurance providers cover euthanasia as well as basic end-of-life and post-death care. Euthanasia may not be covered if it’s related to a non-covered illness or injury or if you’ve chosen an accident-only plan. Check each policy for this coverage using our coverage comparison tool.

Is it difficult to get insurance for a senior dog?

It can be difficult to get the best dog insurance for older dogs, as senior pets are at greater risk of injury and illness. It’s also common for pets approaching the upper age limit for insurance to only be eligible for plans that come with more limitations and higher premiums. While your options may be more limited, it’s absolutely possible to get pet insurance coverage for your older dog by looking for providers with no upper age limit.

Do I need vet records to insure my older dog?

Some dog insurance providers request both vet records and veterinary checkups before they will issue an insurance policy for your pet. But that’s not true across the board; you may be able to find a company that offers policies for older dogs even without records or in-office workups.

What is the oldest age you can insure a dog?

The upper age limit for coverage depends on the provider and, sometimes, even the type of plan you’re interested in. Many pet insurance companies won’t insure dogs over the age of 14, but there are also a few providers that have no maximum age limit.

Providers with no age limit include: Spot, Pets Best, MetLife, Fetch, Figo, and Pumpkin.

About the Author

Alana Luna (Musselman)
Alana Luna (Musselman) Writer & Content Strategist

Alana Luna (Musselman) is a versatile storyteller with over a decade of writing experience. She is passionate about helping people build their business through unique and engaging content.

Some examples of her current freelance projects include building content strategies for small businesses, completing industry research to build case studies, crafting buyer guides and more.

She has a passion and keen ability to simplify complex ideas through storytelling to make it easier for readers to understand hard-to-digest information. To accomplish this, Alana’s writing holds strong three principles – content that educates, engages and entertains.

About the Reviewer

Blake Esken
Blake Esken Los Angeles Times

Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.

As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.

He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.

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