Pet Insurance For Pit Bulls (Read This First)

Last updated on June 11th, 2023 at 04:37 am

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Pet insurance covers veterinary expenses for your pit bull, such as medical treatment, surgeries, and medications. The goal of pet insurance is to help pit bull owners cover the cost of unexpected medical bills for their doggos.

So you have a Pit Bull and you want to get pet insurance but you’re not sure what to look for.

As an owner of a Pit Bull, I was surprised at how easy it was to get her pet insurance but I did a lot of research and due diligence before determining the best pet insurance for Pit Bulls.

Do Pit Bulls really need pet insurance?

Pit bulls are a beloved breed, known for their strength, loyalty, and affectionate nature. However, their strong build also makes them prone to certain health issues that can be costly to treat.

Pet insurance can be an invaluable tool for pit bull owners, helping to protect against the high costs of veterinary care and giving peace of mind in case of unexpected health issues.

What Is Pet Insurance?

Just like human health insurance, there is health insurance for pets. But what is it, how does it work, and is it worth it? Let’s dive a little deeper into this and find out how pet insurance works.

Pet insurance is a form of coverage that can help pet owners pay for unexpected veterinary costs. It works by paying a portion of the costs of covered treatments, procedures, and medications. This can include things like routine check-ups, vaccinations, and emergency surgeries.

Think of it as health insurance for pets. Your pet gets treatment; you pay the bill, file a claim with the insurance company, and get reimbursed all or a percentage of the bill. That’s VERY generally put.

However, it is much more involved than that. But let’s stick to the basics for now.

Basically, pet insurance is a premium that you pay to help offset the cost of unexpected veterinary care costs that may arise. There are different tiers of coverage that you can purchase to cover everything from vaccines to major surgery to cancer treatment. As with insurance for humans, there are deductibles, co-pays, and different levels of coverage depending on the plan you pick.

Every month you pay a premium, just like with most other types of insurance. Depending on your plan, you then submit your bill to the insurance company for partial or full reimbursement.

Typically you will need to pay an annual deductible before the insurance company begins to cover any costs. So, for example, if you have a $1,000.00 deductible. That amount must be paid out-of-pocket before that insurance kicks in.

Once you’ve met that deductible, then you will have co-insurance. Co-insurance is typically when your insurance provider and you are both responsible for paying a portion of your pet’s vet bills.

Typically, the insurance will pay 80% of the bill, and you are responsible for that additional 20%.

Each insurance company will vary, but it usually takes approximately one to two months to receive reimbursement for the treatment.

How Much Does It Cost To Own A Pet?

If you own a dog or cat, you know that the cost of owning a pet can be astronomical. Yet, sometimes, adopting a pet ends up being an impulse decision with no thought of how much it really costs to care for them.

Once that realization hits, some of those pets end up back in the shelters due to no fault of their own.

According to the ASPCA, the average first-year cost to care for your dog is $3,221.00 and your cat is $1,904. After the first year, that cost can fluctuate higher or lower depending on the pet’s needs. This does not include unexpected medical expenses.

So having some sort of cushion, whether it be pet insurance or a dedicated savings account, is almost a necessity to ensure the health and happiness of your pet.

3 Tiers of Coverage

There are typically three (3) tiers of coverage, and within each tier, many insurers will offer different levels of options coverage.

• Accident only (basic) coverage
• Accident and illness (comprehensive) coverage
• Wellness (preventative) coverage

Is There a Waiting Period?

Every provider will have a waiting period, but how long and under what conditions are exclusive to each insurer and policy. You will want to check on this with any potential insurance companies that you are looking into.

Typical waiting periods are:

• 24-48 hours for accident coverage.
• 10-30 days for illness coverage.

What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?

Remember, I had said that there were primarily three tiers of coverage, the Wellness Coverage, the Accident Coverage, and the Accident and Illness Coverage.

So let’s get into more specifics as to what pet insurance will typically cover.

Please keep in mind that every insurance company is different, so this is just a general guide. You will need to check with any insurance provider that you are looking into to see the types of covered treatments and procedures, as they will vary by policy type and policy cost.

Here is a list of typical procedures that pet insurance will cover:

Wellness Coverage Policies:

• Spaying/neutering
• Annual checkups
• Vaccinations
• Flea and tick control
• Heartworm prevention
• Certain tests
• Teeth cleaning

Accident-Only Policies:

• Bloat
• Foreign body ingestion
• Hit by a car
• Torn cruciate ligament
• Poisoning
• Cuts and lacerations
• Prescription drugs (for a covered event)
• Insect/snake bites
• Eye injuries
• Sprains
• Broken bones

Accident and Illness Policies:

• Breed-specific conditions
• Cancer treatment
• Chronic conditions
• Diagnostic testing and imaging
• Emergency care
• Specialist care
• Surgery hospitalization, nursing care
• Prescription drugs (for a covered event)
• Dental illness

Pet Insurance For Pit Bulls

To get the best coverage for your pit bull, it’s a good idea to start by researching different insurance options, comparing coverage and costs, and reading the fine print to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered.

You may also want to speak with a veterinarian or pet insurance specialist to get a better understanding of what types of coverage would be most beneficial for your specific pet.

One of the first things to consider when looking for pet insurance for your pit bull is coverage for pre-existing conditions. Pit bulls are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and heart problems, which can be costly to treat. If a pre-existing condition is not covered by the policy, it will not be covered by the insurance. This means it’s important to check the policy’s coverage for pre-existing conditions and to be honest about your pet’s health history when applying for coverage.

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

Please use this only as a guide. Always check with your provider for a full and complete list of exclusions.

• Pre-existing conditions (always discuss this in length with the provider to be clear on what is considered pre-existing).
• Typically, pregnancy or birth.
• Death or theft of a pet.
• Some vet exams, prescriptions, or certain tests.
• Some dental can be limited or excluded (i.e., dental cleanings or dental surgery).
• Bi-lateral conditions (i.e., ligament issues, cataracts, hip dysplasia). Insurance companies will typically only cover one side – not both.
• Preventable diseases due to not being vaccinated.
• Events typical of a specific breed that are predisposed to certain illnesses or injuries (i.e., diabetes or ligament injuries).
• Age. Typically insurance providers will not write new policies for pets younger than 8-weeks old or older than 14 years old. Premiums of insurance policies for older pets will be much higher.
• Elective procedures. Tail docking, ear cropping, declawing, or dewclaw removal.
• Non-vet services (food, nutritional supplements, boarding, transportation, grooming).
• Treatment covered in prior insurance terms may no longer be covered when a policy is renewed.
• Some rehabilitative treatments or therapy may be excluded.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

The pet insurance premium that you pay will depend on several factors, such as:

• The type of coverage
• Where you reside
• Type of animal you have
• The breed of your pet
• The age of your pet

The following factors are taken into consideration when deciding on pet insurance premiums for your pet. Remember that each company sets its own pricing, and you will receive different pet insurance quotes from various insurers:

• Coverage can increase based on your pet’s breed. Purebreds cost more to insure because they are prone to more hereditary conditions than a mixed breed.
• Plans can cost more as your pet gets older. You should get a Pet Insurance Policy for your dog as soon as possible, as the younger they are, the less likely they are to have pre-existing conditions, and the more affordable the insurance will be.
• Where you live.
• Price can depend on your annual limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage when signing up for coverage.

Some Cost Averages For Pet Insurance

Again, please remember that each company and tier will be different based on your needs, circumstances and age of your Pit Bull.

• Wellness coverage – $20-$25 per month.
• Accident-only coverage – $11-$16 per month.
• Comprehensive (accident and illness) coverage – $49.00 per month.

Benefits Of Pet Insurance:

• Able to choose the licensed veterinarian of your choice (most insurance companies allow this)
• The policies are simple.
• The premiums are very affordable.
• It can bring peace of mind knowing that your pet will be taken care of in the event of an emergency.

Disadvantages Of Pet Insurance:

• Does not cover pre-existing conditions.
• There is a waiting period before coverage begins. This typically ranges between a 14-day waiting period to a 30-day waiting period.
• There are annual coverage limits.
• Must pay out-of-pocket upfront.
• There is always the possibility that you may never need it, so the premiums paid will never pay off.
• You may pay more out-of-pocket than the insurance pays for any given event.
• If your pet has not seen a veterinarian in over a year, they may be required to have an exam before being issued a policy.
• Exclusions will outnumber covered conditions.
• Is there a waiting period between the time you sign up for pet insurance coverage, and it is activated (i.e., the waiting period)? If your pet gets sick between that time period, it will be considered pre-existing. Any subsequent treatment will not be covered.

Some Questions to Ask When Looking at Insurance Companies for Your Pet’s Insurance.

• What are the exclusions to the policy? This is very important because, as I mentioned before, it seems like the exclusion list is much longer than the covered list.
• What is the waiting period?
• What is the deductible? Is it set on a per-incident basis or annual?
• What is my share of co-insurance?
• Is there a cap on insurance payouts?
• If so, what is the annual limit?
• What is the maximum payout limit?
• Can I see any veterinarian that I want?
• What are the monthly/yearly premiums?
• Will rates change in the future? Rates may increase if your pet files a claim in a given year.
• Is there an age cut-off?
• What does their policy say about hereditary conditions?
• Does the policy cover chronic conditions?
• Do they cover congenital conditions?
• Does the policy cover services such as alternative therapies, behavioral therapy, physical therapy, diagnostic tests, chiropractic care, dental care, and dental illnesses?

When shopping for pet insurance for your pit bull, it’s also important to compare coverage and costs. Some policies may have higher premiums but offer more coverage, while others may have lower premiums but less coverage.

It’s important to find a balance between cost and coverage that works for you and your pet. Additionally, it’s important to read the fine print and understand what is and isn’t covered by the policy.

Another important thing to consider is the insurance company’s reputation. You want to make sure you’re working with a reputable company that will be there for you when you need them.

Research the company’s reputation, reviews, and how long they have been in business. This will help you make a more informed decision when choosing an insurance company.

It’s also a good idea to speak with a veterinarian or pet insurance specialist to get a better understanding of what types of coverage would be most beneficial for your specific pet. They can provide valuable insight into the types of illnesses and accidents that are most common in pit bulls, as well as recommend coverage options that will best protect your pet.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some insurance policies may have a waiting period before coverage takes effect. This means that if your pit bull is already showing signs of a pre-existing condition, the condition will not be covered by the policy until the waiting period has passed.

Some of the most popular Pet Insurance Companies

• Nationwide
• Trupanion
• Healthy Paws
• Pets Best
• EMBRACE Pet Insurance
• FIGO
• Pet First Petplan.

Common Pet Insurance Discounts

Some insurance companies offer discounts, which can help you reduce your monthly pet insurance fee. 

Some discounts include: 

• Multipet discount. Many insurers offer a discount if you insure more than one pet.
• Spay/neuter discount. Some insurers offer discounts to pet owners who have their pets spayed or neutered.
• Annual pay discount. You can often reduce costs if you pay your yearly premium in one lump sum instead of paying it monthly.
• Military discount. Some insurers offer discounts if you served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy.
• Employee discount. Some employers offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit, which could get you a 5% to 10% discount.

Alternatives To The ‘Standard’ Pet Insurance

There are also some alternative Pet Insurance Programs that take a different approach to Pet Insurance.

PAWP

PAWP is not a pet insurance plan, per se, but is a twist on discounted pet care.

PAWP is a digital clinic for pets.

The premise behind PAWP is that you pay a monthly fee. You then can receive unlimited telehealth appointments with vets and pet experts and $3,000.00 yearly towards emergency care (the annual limit).

They cover everything from pet health and behavior to nutrition.

One plan covers up to 6 pets in a household.

You can use any vet, and they pay the vet directly before you leave the clinic.

There is $0 out-of-pocket or deductible.

You can read more about PAWP here.

Alternatives to Pet Insurance

CareCredit is a credit card that is specifically designed to help you pay for various expenses, including veterinary care.

One of the great things about CareCredit is that it offers a variety of payment plans, so you can choose one that works for your budget. Some plans even offer interest-free financing, as long as you pay off the balance within a certain timeframe.

Applying for CareCredit is easy, and you can do it online or in person at participating veterinarians. You’ll need to provide some basic information, like your name and address, as well as your income and employment status.

Once you’re approved for CareCredit, you can use it right away to pay for your veterinarian expenses. And because it’s a credit card, you can use it again and again as needed.

Overall, CareCredit can be an alternative for pet insurance. It’s flexible, convenient, and can help you get the vet care you need without breaking the bank.

Where Should You Start?

Most insurance companies websites have the option of submitting your information to receive free quotes, so take advantage of this. This will give you a starting point.

It’s also important to note that not all pet insurance policies are created equal. Some policies may only cover a certain amount of the total cost of treatment, while others may have a limit on the number of claims that can be made per year. It’s important to understand these limitations and to choose a policy that offers the coverage you need.

Final Thoughts

By shopping around, comparing coverage and costs, and understanding the policy’s coverage for pre-existing conditions, pit bull owners can find the right insurance policy to meet their needs.

Ultimately, pet insurance can be an invaluable tool for pit bull owners, helping to protect against the high costs of veterinary care and giving peace of mind in case of unexpected health issues.

FAQ’s