Is pet insurance worth it for a Pit Bull?
If your pup does get sick or injured, though, insurance comes in handy. It helps pay for those unanticipated medical bills that can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.
With most pet insurance policies, you’ll pay an annual deductible before the insurance company starts paying out on covered claims. After that point, the insurer typically pays 80 percent of the cost of covered claims. Your out-of-pocket expenses for routine and emergency care will be less than if you didn’t have insurance coverage.
Peace of mind. No matter how much you love your dog and how cautious you are, there’s always the chance they will get into an accident or become seriously ill. Pet insurance can help defray the cost of veterinary bills if your Pit bull becomes injured or sick.
Good investment. If you plan on keeping your Pit bull for ten years or more, then buying pet insurance is probably worth it. Most policies cover accidents and illnesses for the dog’s lifetime, so if your Pit gets sick once as an adult and then again when she’s a senior dog, your investment has already paid off. Plus, it covers hereditary conditions that your pup may have inherited from his parents, like hip dysplasia or eye problems (which are familiar with this breed).
Common health conditions for a Pit Bull
Pit Bulls are typically very healthy dogs, but they can suffer from health conditions common to their species like any other breed. Your Pit Bull’s breeder can identify most of the potential health issues that Pit Bulls face during puppyhood, and some conditions can be tested for before you ever bring a puppy home. Here are some of the most common health conditions affecting adult Pit Bulls:
- Hip Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition where the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. The Orthopedic Foundation does x-ray screening for hip dysplasia for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP).
- Knee Complications: Pit Bulls can develop knee problems, especially if they are overweight. This can lead to injuries such as a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). These injuries usually require surgery for repair.
- Allergies: Many Pit Bulls have allergies. They may be allergic to fleas or foods, and sometimes allergies can lead to rashes or skin infections.
- Eye Problems: Unfortunately, many Pit Bulls have eye problems. Some are born blind or with an eye disease called cherry eye, which causes the glands in the eyes to become inflamed. Corneal ulcers and cataracts are also seen in many Pit Bulls.
What does pet insurance cover for a Pit Bull?
Pet insurance coverage for Pit bulls varies by provider, but most companies offer three types of policies:
- Accidents: This is the most basic type of policy. It only covers treatments resulting from a sudden injury, such as a dog bite or getting hit by a car. It will not cover any illness, like cancer.
- Illness: These policies cover any disease your pet develops, including cancer and diabetes. Some companies will also cover hereditary conditions that affect breeds like Pits.
- Routine care: As the name implies, regular care coverage provides reimbursement for checkups and vaccinations. Some policies include emergency care.
How are pet insurance premiums determined for a Pit Bull?
The cost of your pet insurance premiums depends on a variety of factors:
- Location: Where you live can affect the amount you pay in pet insurance premiums. The cost of veterinary care varies from region to region, so your premiums may be higher if you live in an area where veterinary care is more expensive.
- Age: It’s more expensive to insure an older dog than a younger dog. If your dog has any pre-existing conditions, these may also be excluded from coverage; however, you can usually add riders for additional coverage at an extra cost.
- Deductible: The deductible is the amount you must pay before Embrace reimburses you for covered veterinary expenses. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium payment will be.
- Gender: Gender also plays a role in determining the price of your pet insurance premium. In general, male dogs are less expensive to insure than female dogs because they have fewer accidents and illnesses that need treatment.
How to choose the best pet insurance plan for a Pit Bull
Choosing pet insurance can be challenging. It helps to know what you’re looking for, what you’re willing to pay for, and how to choose a plan that works for your needs. Selecting the best pet insurance starts with a clear understanding of what you want to be covered and what’s available from the different companies. There are several things to consider before choosing your pet insurance plan. They include:
- Check out the company’s reputation: When you’re looking into pet insurance companies, make sure you select an insurer that has a history of being able to pay claims. You can do this by checking customer reviews and reading the company’s financial strength ratings. The last thing you want to do is file a claim and find out that your pet insurance company doesn’t have the money to pay it!
- Consider your budget: The cost of your premium will depend on many factors, such as coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. Premiums vary by policy type, so it’s essential to understand each policy category before deciding.
- Consider pre-existing conditions: Insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions, even if they have been stable or in remission for years. Ensure that the policy won’t be affected by hip dysplasia or allergies. Additionally, Pre-existing conditions can be very costly to treat, and some companies won’t cover them at all. Make sure you know what your dog’s current health is like before purchasing a plan, so there are no surprises down the road.
- Define your needs: What kind of pet do you have? Some pets require more medical attention than others. For example, larger dogs are prone to hip problems like hip dysplasia and orthopedic issues such as arthritis or torn ligaments in their legs or back. These breed-specific conditions could impact your choice of coverage as they may require specific treatment or surgery.