Benefits of Having Pet Insurance for Dogs

Pet insurance can take the sting out of vet bills, but that's not the only reason to consider using it.

Dogs are amazing animals, but they aren’t free. Giving them the best life possible costs money.

When you get a new dog, spending money on a shiny new collar, cute squeaky toys and chew toys galore is the fun part. Spending money on unexpected vet bills when they gobble up that supposedly indestructible chew toy whole? Not so fun.

Pet insurance has been available for a while, but less than half of pet owners use it. Here’s why it’s worth considering if you already have a dog or are about to bring home a new best friend.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

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1. If an emergency happens, pet insurance makes vet care more affordable.

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Vet bills can be more expensive than you think. An average wellness visit is about $60, but add on vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention, bloodwork and diagnostic tests, and the average vet visit ends up closer to $200. Common emergencies, like accidentally ingesting household cleaning products or that leather glove you can’t seem to find, can cost thousands.

Having an emergency fund just for pet care is a great idea, but having insurance can help you cut costs and minimize how much damage each visit does to your hard-earned savings. Insurance doesn’t cover everything, but depending on the level of coverage you select, it can cover 70 percent of your claim or more.

When you’re facing a serious situation and your pet’s health is at risk, having pet insurance offers peace of mind. It can mean the difference between focusing on your pet’s care and trying to decide whether you can swing a potentially life-saving procedure.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

2. Depending on the type of coverage you choose, pet insurance can lower the cost of preventative care.

A vet writing a prescription for a dog's treatment

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Pet insurance doesn’t pay for everything. Most plans cover unexpected illnesses, accidental injuries, chronic diseases, surgery, cancer treatment, most diagnostic testing, emergency vet fees and other surprise expenses that turn up out of the blue.

While most plans don’t include preventative care in their lowest tier plan, many companies offer a wellness plan add-on. For example, an accident and illness plan with Lemonade can cover everything from bloodwork, X-rays and lab work to allergy and arthritis medication.

If you choose to opt for one of Lemonade’s preventive care packages, you can save on stuff you’re probably already paying for, like wellness visits, vaccines, routine tests, and more.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

3. You can visit any vet you’d like.

Father and son with schnauzer during annual vet visit

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Insurance for people isn’t exactly flexible. Typically, health insurance plans allow members to choose from a list of approved, in-network care providers. With pet insurance, that’s not the case.

You can take your pet to your favorite vet, including specialists and emergency vet clinics, and pet insurance will reimburse you for any treatments covered by your plan of choice.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

4. Coverage is often customizable.

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Depending on the pet insurance company you go with, pet insurance can be tailored to meet your pet’s specific needs. A puppy doesn’t need the same coverage as a 12-year-old dog with hip problems, right?

Lemonade offers preventative care packages for dogs of all ages, including a puppy option that covers microchipping, vaccines, spay/neuter, wellness exams, and lots of other routine care a new puppy needs during their first couple of years of life.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

5. All breeds and most ages are covered.

An elderly black Labrador and her new 3 month old Jack Russell cross puppy friend.

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Lemonade does not cover all ages of dogs, but if you enroll your puppy, they will never be denied down the line because of their age.

However, you probably won’t be able to sign up a senior pet. So it’s best to enroll your dog sooner than later because pre-existing conditions usually aren’t covered.

In other words, the time to shop for pet insurance is before you need it. If you’re lucky, you never will, but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it after it’s too late.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

6. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that expensive.

A female owner of a Pekingese dog speaks with a telemedicine veterinarian via phone app

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Pet insurance prices vary from company to company, but the average cost for a dog is $44 per month for $5,000 of annual coverage. Lemonade recommends getting a quote for $20,000 annual coverage, as this is the standard annual limit amount. That amount can be much less painful than paying full price when your fur baby needs emergency surgery after eating an entire tennis ball.

Preventative care packages cost extra, but they’re worth considering. Spaying or neutering your pet eliminates the chance of having to deal with an unexpected litter of puppies while reducing their risk of cancer later in life.

These essential procedures can cost several hundred dollars, but preventative care packages can help cover these essential procedures.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

7. Some employers now offer pet insurance options.

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Obviously, this isn’t true for every company, but some employers have started to offer optional pet insurance add ons. Since about 70 percent of full-time employees have at least one pet, it’s only fitting that more employers have started to recognize the benefit of offering insurance options to match.

Pets are part of the family. If an employee is stressed out about finding the money for an expensive, life-saving procedure, focusing on work is tough. Check if your employer offers pet insurance coverage before enrolling on your own. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.

Pet insurance could save your dog’s life.

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Before you sign up for an annual pet insurance plan, it’s only fair to know exactly what you’re signing up for. So you can make an educated choice about the best pet insurance plan for your dog’s unique needs.

Pet health insurance covers more than you think. From the things you can predict, to the things you can’t, Lemonade can be there for your pet when it matters most.

With Lemonade, you can customize your plan and only pay for what your pet needs, including coverage for accidents, illnesses, bloodwork, vaccines, wellness exams, and a whole lot more.

Want to help keep your dog healthy and save money on essential care? Get Lemonade pet health insurance.