Old age for dogs is similar to old age for humans; they slow down, their joints start to hurt, and things that were once easy for your energetic furball become more difficult. It’s not all bad, of course, as older dogs get into less trouble and are generally more laid back.
Another thing that changes (or should change) when your dog is older is its pet insurance. Older dogs typically need more veterinary care, which means more trips to your local vet. Without insurance to cover your older dog’s needs, you might face costly vet bills. That makes updating or changing your older dog’s insurance plan crucial.
To help you avoid expensive bills, we’ve listed the eight pet insurance plans for older dogs below. It’s hard data you can use to choose the best insurance plan for your older dog and make sure their health is covered from nose to tail!
A Quick Look at the Winners for 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
You can use any licensed veterinarian
Convenient app for submitting claims
Many claims take 2 days to process
Click to Get Quote
Trupanion Pet Insurance
Unlimited annual claims
90% coverage plans
Customizable, lifetime, per condition deductible
Click to Get Quote
Lemonade Pet Insurance
Multiple coverage options
Excellent optional wellness plan
Some claims can be filed in-office
Click to Get Quote
Progressive Pet Insurance
Affordable rates
Several discounts options
Dental care is covered
Click to Get Quote
Embrace Pet Insurance
Multiple discounts available
24/7 pet health hotline
Deductibles decrease every year
Click to Get Quote
Our 8 Pet Insurance Reviews for Older Dogs
- Healthy Paws Pet Insurance – Best Overall
Compare Healthy Paws PlansOur best overall choice for older dog pet insurance plans is Healthy Paws for several reasons. First, they have no caps on payouts, including annual, lifetime, or per-incident coverage. Whatever happens, health-wise, your pup will be covered. Filing a claim with Healthy Paws is quick and easy. Simply take a picture of your veterinary bill with the Smart Paws App, click “submit,” and you’re done! Even better, reimbursement on your account usually takes 2 days, which is fast.
Another big plus of Healthy Paws is that you can use any licensed veterinarian. Also, the company offers a single, all-inclusive plan, so there’s no need to worry about adding any extra coverage. Regarding drawbacks, Healthy Paws doesn’t cover preventive and routine procedures, and the waiting time for approval of a new policy can be overly long. Overall, however, we highly recommend Healthy Paws for older dogs.
Compare Healthy Paws Plans
Our best overall choice for older dog pet insurance plans is Healthy Paws for several reasons. First, they have no caps on payouts, including annual, lifetime, or per-incident coverage. Whatever happens, health-wise, your pup will be covered. Filing a claim with Healthy Paws is quick and easy. Simply take a picture of your veterinary bill with the Smart Paws App, click “submit,” and you’re done! Even better, reimbursement on your account usually takes 2 days, which is fast.
Pros
You can use any licensed veterinarian
Convenient app for submitting claims
Many claims take 2 days to process
No caps on any payouts
Setting up coverage is simple
Cons
Routine and preventative care not covered
Restrictions on coverage for hip dysplasia
No coverage for burial or cremation
- Trupanion Pet Insurance
Compare Trupanion PlansOne of the best reasons to choose Trupanion Pet Insurance for an older dog is that every plan the company offers includes unlimited payouts. Also, many conditions not covered by other pet insurance companies are included with Trupanion, including congenital and hereditary diseases, and, in case of an accident, it covers exams and treatment.
Another perk is that when you enroll your dog at birth, Trupanion has a customizable lifetime per-condition deductible. Combined with their standard plan, your dog will have 100% coverage even as they age. Trupanion will even pay some vets directly, saving you the time and hassle of filing a claim.
You can use any licensed veterinarian
Convenient app for submitting claims
Many claims take 2 days to process
No caps on any payouts
Setting up coverage is simple
- You can use any licensed veterinarian
- Convenient app for submitting claims
- Many claims take 2 days to process
- No caps on any payouts
- Setting up coverage is simple
Routine and preventative care not covered
Restrictions on coverage for hip dysplasia
No coverage for burial or cremation
- Routine and preventative care not covered
- Restrictions on coverage for hip dysplasia
- No coverage for burial or cremation
Compare Trupanion Plans
One of the best reasons to choose Trupanion Pet Insurance for an older dog is that every plan the company offers includes unlimited payouts. Also, many conditions not covered by other pet insurance companies are included with Trupanion, including congenital and hereditary diseases, and, in case of an accident, it covers exams and treatment.
Trupanion has some drawbacks, the most glaring of which is the lack of plan customization. Plus, while they cover some conditions other companies don’t, Trupanion doesn’t cover wellness or preventative care and offers no add-ons for them. They do, however, have a 30-day cancellation policy.
Pros
Unlimited annual claims
90% coverage plans
Customizable, lifetime, per condition deductible
Valuable add-on coverage
Can cancel in 30 days
Cons
Exam fees not covered
Excessive waiting periods
Don’t offer a multi-pet discount
- Lemonade Pet Insurance
Compare Lemonade PlansLemonade Pet Insurance might be your best choice if you have a purebred older dog. First, choosing a plan and getting your dog covered is simple. There are some waiting periods afterward, but no longer than any other insurance companies. Lemonade’s base plan covers many services and procedures, so you might not need any add-ons. If you do, though, they have several, allowing you to customize your dog’s coverage for problems that affect older, purebred dogs the most.
Like most pet insurance companies, Lemonade has a convenient app that lets you file claims quickly and easily. In some instances, the company can also reimburse you before you leave your vet’s office (depending on your specific vet). However, it has two glaring drawbacks; Lemonade is only available in 36 states, and vet visit costs aren’t covered in the basic plan.
Unlimited annual claims
90% coverage plans
Customizable, lifetime, per condition deductible
Valuable add-on coverage
Can cancel in 30 days
- Unlimited annual claims
- 90% coverage plans
- Customizable, lifetime, per condition deductible
- Valuable add-on coverage
- Can cancel in 30 days
Exam fees not covered
Excessive waiting periods
Don’t offer a multi-pet discount
- Exam fees not covered
- Excessive waiting periods
- Don’t offer a multi-pet discount
Compare Lemonade Plans
Lemonade Pet Insurance might be your best choice if you have a purebred older dog. First, choosing a plan and getting your dog covered is simple. There are some waiting periods afterward, but no longer than any other insurance companies. Lemonade’s base plan covers many services and procedures, so you might not need any add-ons. If you do, though, they have several, allowing you to customize your dog’s coverage for problems that affect older, purebred dogs the most.
Pros
Multiple coverage options
Excellent optional wellness plan
Some claims can be filed in-office
Convenient app for filing claims
Simple, easy-to-understand plans
Cons
Not available nationwide
Batch coverage can be problematic
Visit costs not covered by basic plan
- Progressive Pet Insurance
Compare Progressive PlansOne of the first things we noticed about Progressive is that their coverage was significantly cheaper than some other providers on today’s list. Even better, while more affordable, Progressive’s coverage is still similar, and its base plan includes unlimited coverage annually.
You can lower your monthly cost by customizing your plan with a higher deductible or choosing progressive’s accident-only coverage. However, accident only isn’t recommended for older dogs as the chance they are involved in an accident is significantly lower.
Multiple coverage options
Excellent optional wellness plan
Some claims can be filed in-office
Convenient app for filing claims
Simple, easy-to-understand plans
- Multiple coverage options
- Excellent optional wellness plan
- Some claims can be filed in-office
- Convenient app for filing claims
- Simple, easy-to-understand plans
Not available nationwide
Batch coverage can be problematic
Visit costs not covered by basic plan
- Not available nationwide
- Batch coverage can be problematic
- Visit costs not covered by basic plan
Compare Progressive Plans
One of the first things we noticed about Progressive is that their coverage was significantly cheaper than some other providers on today’s list. Even better, while more affordable, Progressive’s coverage is still similar, and its base plan includes unlimited coverage annually.
One thing we liked very much about Progressive Pet Insurance is that they offer multiple discounts. If you pay annually, there’s a discount, for example, and another for spaying and neutering, and when you cover more than one pet on the same policy. However, there are so many options that it can often get confusing. If you go with Progressive for your older dog, we suggest speaking directly with a rep when setting up your insurance plan.
Pros
Affordable rates
Several discounts options
Dental care is covered
Unlimited annual coverage
You can customize your plan
Multiple deductible options
Cons
Poor value wellness add-ons
Preventative and routine care not covered
Choosing (customizing) a plan can be confusing
- Embrace Pet Insurance
Compare Embrace PlansAlthough Embrace Pet Insurance doesn’t offer 100% unlimited plans, they have options to change your deductible and reimbursement limits and percentages. That gives you 90% coverage, which is a good choice if you have an older dog. The company also offers an accident and illness add-on plan that is very comprehensive and covers many health issues not covered by other insurance companies. They include, for example, dental care, alternative therapies, genetic and chronic condition care, and several more.
An interesting perk with Embrace is that, for every year you don’t file a claim, they lower your deductible by $50. However, this might not be as valuable or necessary for an older dog. One drawback of Embrace Pet Insurance that’s hard to overlook is that their add-on plans are significantly more expensive than other pet insurance companies.
Affordable rates
Several discounts options
Dental care is covered
Unlimited annual coverage
You can customize your plan
Multiple deductible options
- Affordable rates
- Several discounts options
- Dental care is covered
- Unlimited annual coverage
- You can customize your plan
- Multiple deductible options
Poor value wellness add-ons
Preventative and routine care not covered
Choosing (customizing) a plan can be confusing
- Poor value wellness add-ons
- Preventative and routine care not covered
- Choosing (customizing) a plan can be confusing
Compare Embrace Plans
Although Embrace Pet Insurance doesn’t offer 100% unlimited plans, they have options to change your deductible and reimbursement limits and percentages. That gives you 90% coverage, which is a good choice if you have an older dog. The company also offers an accident and illness add-on plan that is very comprehensive and covers many health issues not covered by other insurance companies. They include, for example, dental care, alternative therapies, genetic and chronic condition care, and several more.
Pros
Multiple discounts available
24/7 pet health hotline
Deductibles decrease every year
Several optional add-ons
Accident and illness care included
Cons
Several hidden fees
100% reimbursement is not an option
Add-on packages are expensive
- AKC Pet Insurance
Compare AKC PlansAlthough the American Kennel Club is widely recognized, you must note that AKC Pet Insurance is not affiliated with them and simply license their well-known name. That said, the company provides good insurance plans that will cover your older dog. They’re also one of the more affordable pet insurance companies and have several discounts, including multiple pet coverage.
You can select unlimited benefits, which is an excellent option for an older dog. AKC also covers behavioral therapy, an issue most pet insurance companies don’t cover with their basic plans.
Multiple discounts available
24/7 pet health hotline
Deductibles decrease every year
Several optional add-ons
Accident and illness care included
- Multiple discounts available
- 24/7 pet health hotline
- Deductibles decrease every year
- Several optional add-ons
- Accident and illness care included
Several hidden fees
100% reimbursement is not an option
Add-on packages are expensive
- Several hidden fees
- 100% reimbursement is not an option
- Add-on packages are expensive
Compare AKC Plans
Although the American Kennel Club is widely recognized, you must note that AKC Pet Insurance is not affiliated with them and simply license their well-known name. That said, the company provides good insurance plans that will cover your older dog. They’re also one of the more affordable pet insurance companies and have several discounts, including multiple pet coverage.
One serious drawback with AKC is the lack of coverage for common charges like exam fees on their basic plan, forcing you to get an add-on if you want those covered. Unfortunately, while their base plans are affordable, AKC’s add-ons are not. You can, however, try out their basic plan for 30-days at no charge. Also, you must report congenital and hereditary issues before your dog reaches 2 years of age with AKC pet insurance. The company won’t cover those issues if you sign up with an older dog.
Pros
Multi-pet discount
Behavior therapy included in basic plan
No exams or records needed to enroll
Claims paid quickly
Cons
Exams not covered on basic plan
Separate plan for congenital & hereditary issues
- Figo Pet Insurance
Compare Figo PlansAlthough they might not offer the best pet insurance plans on today’s list, the one factor that makes Figo a good choice for older dogs is that they have no maximum age limit. That means, no matter your puppy dog’s age, Figo will cover them. You’ll also appreciate that Figo has some of the best customer services in the pet insurance industry, with multiple ways to contact the company via their app, website, and chat.
A definite drawback of Figo Pet Insurance is that they don’t cover exam fees, a service that is inevitable every time you take your older dog to the vet. You’ll need to purchase an add-on policy to get exam fees covered. Speaking of which, Figo doesn’t offer an add-on policy for accident-only coverage. However, they cover cremation for your dog, which many companies do not.
Multi-pet discount
Behavior therapy included in basic plan
No exams or records needed to enroll
Claims paid quickly
- Multi-pet discount
- Behavior therapy included in basic plan
- No exams or records needed to enroll
- Claims paid quickly
Exams not covered on basic plan
Separate plan for congenital & hereditary issues
- Exams not covered on basic plan
- Separate plan for congenital & hereditary issues
Compare Figo Plans
Although they might not offer the best pet insurance plans on today’s list, the one factor that makes Figo a good choice for older dogs is that they have no maximum age limit. That means, no matter your puppy dog’s age, Figo will cover them. You’ll also appreciate that Figo has some of the best customer services in the pet insurance industry, with multiple ways to contact the company via their app, website, and chat.
Pros
No maximum age
Multiple customer service channels
Convenient Pet Cloud app
Can customize to 100% reimbursement
Cons
Exams not covered under the basic policy
No accident-only policy
No wellness and preventative care policy
- ASPCA Pet Insurance
Compare ASPCA PlansYou probably recognize the ASPCA name as they are the premier organization for preventing animal cruelty. Today the ASPCA also offers pet insurance, although it is 100% controlled via a 3rd party provider, Hartville Pet Insurance. That means you won’t be dealing with the ASPCA for anything.
If you have an older dog, it’s highly recommended that you choose ASPCA’s Complete Coverage plan, which includes everything except wellness care. The base plan also covers cremation and burial, which few other pet insurance companies cover.
No maximum age
Multiple customer service channels
Convenient Pet Cloud app
Can customize to 100% reimbursement
- No maximum age
- Multiple customer service channels
- Convenient Pet Cloud app
- Can customize to 100% reimbursement
Exams not covered under the basic policy
No accident-only policy
No wellness and preventative care policy
- Exams not covered under the basic policy
- No accident-only policy
- No wellness and preventative care policy
Compare ASPCA Plans
You probably recognize the ASPCA name as they are the premier organization for preventing animal cruelty. Today the ASPCA also offers pet insurance, although it is 100% controlled via a 3rd party provider, Hartville Pet Insurance. That means you won’t be dealing with the ASPCA for anything.
One noteworthy aspect of ASPCA Pet Insurance is the company’s 14-day waiting period. While it might seem excessive, it’s their only waiting period. This period could be a huge plus for an older dog as they will cover joint and ligament problems after 2 weeks. However, preventative care, wellness, and dental aren’t covered in the company’s basic plan.
Pros
Highly customizable plans
Several excellent add-on coverages
All licensed vets in USA and Canada, included
Cons
Preventative and wellness care not covered
14-day waiting period (Might be suitable for an older dog)
Highly customizable plans
Several excellent add-on coverages
All licensed vets in USA and Canada, included
- Highly customizable plans
- Several excellent add-on coverages
- All licensed vets in USA and Canada, included
Preventative and wellness care not covered
14-day waiting period (Might be suitable for an older dog)
- Preventative and wellness care not covered
- 14-day waiting period (Might be suitable for an older dog)
Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider for Older Dogs
Older dogs have different needs than younger dogs, and we considered those needs as we researched the eight pet insurance plans. If you’re interested in which parameters we used to determine today’s rankings, we have them below.
Policy Coverage
Regarding any insurance, pets included, the services and conditions the policy covers are essential. Yes, a pet insurance company might have, for example, wellness or accident-only plans, but if those aren’t included in your policy, they won’t be covered. That makes choosing the services and add-ons you want critical so that they’re included in your plan and covered if your older dog needs them.
It’s also essential to include any coverage necessary for older dogs, like treatment for hip dysplasia, vision problems, and cancer. The point is that knowing, checking, and making sure the coverage you need is included on your dog’s insurance policy is Job #1 as the parent of an older dog. It won’t be covered if it’s not on the policy, so be sure it is and ask questions if you have them.
Customer Service & Reputation
You could have the best pet insurance policy in the world on paper. However, if the company backing it has lousy customer service that takes weeks to respond and makes filing a claim difficult, that policy isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Far too many dog parents have told horror stories about insurance companies that were a nightmare to deal with. The challenge is how to know a good insurance company from a bad before you choose.
One excellent suggestion is to do precisely what you’re doing right now; researching pet insurance companies. For example, the information we’ve provided today can help you choose the right pet insurance company for your older dog’s needs. Another good suggestion is to check online reviews and social media pages. If you see that most folks are happy and leave glowing reviews, great! If not, and many are leaving negative and frustrated reviews, you might want to look at another pet insurance company instead.
Claim Repayment
Getting your hard-earned money back after paying a vet bill might be the most critical part of pet insurance. If you’re paying good money on premiums, you shouldn’t have to wait weeks or even months for reimbursement of your claims. The good news is that today, most pet insurance companies have apps that make the claims process much smoother, faster, and less frustrating. Some pet insurance companies will even pay the vet’s bill while you’re still in their office! In short, before signing on the dotted line, be sure to check how long it takes your chosen insurance company to pay claims. Some are decidedly quicker than others.
Price Of Policy
Pet insurance premiums are typically much cheaper than human insurance. That’s a huge factor to keep in mind, especially if a few dollars more per month won’t put you in a financial bind. It means you can add policy addendums that cover services and issues your older dog will likely face and not pay exorbitantly for them.
Again, pet insurance isn’t overly expensive, relatively speaking, so it’s better to get what you need and pay a couple of bucks more per month than face huge vet bills if something happens to your older dog that’s not covered.
Plan Customization
When choosing pet insurance for your dog, the last factor to remember might be the most important: the ability to customize the insurance policy. Yes, it can be helpful if a policy covers most services and conditions, but few pet insurance policies do this, and few have basic plans that cover everything an older dog will probably need.
That makes the ability to customize the insurance plan critical so that you can add the coverage they need and not worry every day that something will occur that’s not covered.
What does the term “annual limits” mean?
Annual limits are the maximum amount of coverage your policy provides in any given 12-month period. Most companies and policies have annual limits, although some allow you to purchase a plan with no annual limits.
How do deductibles work?
When you file a claim, you must pay the deductible first, whether $300 or $500. Once the deductible has been paid in any given year, you don’t need to pay it again until the following year starts.
What does the term “waiting period” mean?
A: A waiting period is the time after your pet insurance policy starts that you must wait before filing your first claim. Waiting periods are put in place to reduce and prevent insurance fraud. They can vary from 14 days to 6 months and sometimes longer.
Does my older dog need pet insurance?
A: Legally, nothing says you need to purchase pet insurance for your dog or any pet. However, as with any insurance, you could face serious vet bills if you need insurance and don’t have it. That’s why, especially for older dogs, pet insurance is highly recommended.
Do all pet insurance policies cover older dogs?
Some insurance companies cover older dogs only if they are enrolled as younger dogs. Others, like Figo Pet Insurance, have no age limit to register your dog, but most do. That’s why experts recommend insuring your dog as a puppy and keeping up with insurance as they age.
Which insurance company is best for older dogs?
Our choice as the best pet insurance company for older dogs is Healthy Paws. However, all eight insurance companies on today’s list have affordable plans, cover most health issues and concerns, and provide good customer service.
How quickly are claims paid with pet insurance?
Today, many pet insurance companies pay claims quickly, and some of the companies on today’s list pay very quickly. However, unless stipulated in your policy, insurance companies aren’t on any specific timeline to reimburse you quickly. Some may take upwards of 60 days to pay your claims.
What’s the average monthly cost of pet insurance?
Depending on your dog, your coverage, and any add-ons you choose, the average pet insurance policy is between $30 to $50 a month per dog, give or take a few dollars.
What the Users Say
It can be helpful to know what other pet owners have to say about a particular pet health insurance company. Below we’ve rounded up some of the reviews we’ve seen around the net to help you make your choice.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
“Thank you Healthy Paws for your awesome Insurance. I strongly recommend Health Paws INS for all pet owners.”— Cindy Vu | Rating: ★★★★★
“Healthy Paws covered the full 70%, and I got all the $ quickly through direct deposit.”— Jesse Rhinler | Rating: ★★★★
Embrace Pet Insurance
“Excellent Customer Service – listened- reviewed my file and made recommendations to help me through the claim process—HIGHLY recommend.”— Dar C | Rating: ★★★★
“Did not accept my claim for the accident even though it was after the waiting period*.”— Eric White | Rating: ★
*(It should be noted that this bad review was followed by an apology from Embrace and an offer to call their helpline to resolve the issue.)
Lemonade Pet Insurance
“I can tell you [Embrace] have been a pleasure to deal with! Filing the claim, approval, and reimbursement was absolutely simple! I highly recommend this company.”— Dan | Rating: ★★★★★
Figo Pet Insurance
“Figo’s short waiting period attracted me to the company as my dog Barney is accident-prone. However, they still take a long time to pay claims.”— Janus | Rating: ★★★
ASPCA Pet Insurance
“I’m very happy I chose ASPCA for my dogs! They are very friendly and pay claims quickly.”— Mathilde | Rating: ★★★★
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best For You?
When it comes to insuring an older dog, many factors need to be taken into consideration. For example, is your dog a breed with known hip dysplasia problems like Great Danes or a history of cancer like Golden Retrievers? Do they suffer from breathing problems like Pugs or epilepsy like Irish Setters? Does your furry pal have recurrent health problems, or are they relatively healthy with few congenital or hereditary issues?
Our advice is to pick three or a maximum of four of the pet insurance companies on today’s list. Then, put together a plan customized to your dog’s needs, including whatever add-ons, deductibles, and maximum benefit levels you need. Most companies have policy calculators online that you can use for free.
Once you have a completed plan with prices, compare the companies. Whichever company provides the best price for the services you need, that’s your choice!
Final Thoughts
While we chose Healthy Paws Pet Insurance as the best overall insurance plan for older dogs, all the other pet insurance companies on today’s list are suitable for older pups. Having a pet insurance company you can depend on when your older dog needs care can make your life much less stressful. It can also prolong your dog’s life and make it more livable if they’re in constant pain.
Sources
https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/pet-insurance-for-older-pets/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/best-pet-insurance/ https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/ https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/pet-insurance-for-older-dogs/ https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/best-pet-insurance-for-older-dogs.html https://www.usnews.com/insurance/pet-insurance https://www.comparethemarket.com/pet-insurance/content/older-dogs/
Featured Image Credit: Manuel Meza, Unsplash
- https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/pet-insurance-for-older-pets/
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/best-pet-insurance/
- https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/
- https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/pet-insurance-for-older-dogs/
- https://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/best-pet-insurance-for-older-dogs.html
- https://www.usnews.com/insurance/pet-insurance
- https://www.comparethemarket.com/pet-insurance/content/older-dogs/
