Small Dog Insurance

What is Small Dog Insurance?

Think of it as a life preserver to save your pets from unexpected illnesses and injuries. Small dog insurance is available in various forms like yearly, time-limited, budget-limited, per-condition, and lifetime packages. With small dog insurance, you will get coverage for the following costs:

• Diagnostics tests like X-rays, MRI, ultrasound, blood tests
• Hospitalization expenses
• Medicines
• Therapy Expenditures
• Surgeries

While choosing an insurance policy, you have to select a maximum vet fee limit you want for your dogs. The insurance premium price is then decided by the insurance entity considering your choice of fee limit and the extent of services offered in a specific policy.

Why is it necessary to insure your Small dogs?

Pet insurance can help you hedge the financial risk associated with the health of your beloved dogs. Investing a small amount in dog insurance policies allows you to get free vet treatment when needed. Knowing your furry companions are safe from any unexpected disease or injury enables peace of mind. Depending on the type of insurance policy, you are reimbursed for paid vet expenses for injuries and ailments.

You can get insurance coverage for chronic health conditions, expensive vet bills, third-party liabilities, emergency treatment costs, and multiple other conditions. It is difficult to arrange veterinary bills on your own without any assistance from a third party.

This is where the role of insurance providers comes in as they assist you in paying the fee. It’s better to invest a small amount in insurance policies instead of worrying about huge vet bill expenses for treatment.

Dog insurance policies allow cover for up to 70 to 90 % of the fee needed for your pet’s treatment. It enables you to provide quality care to your small furry friends without worrying about the financial outflows.

Which breeds are classified as small dogs?

When it comes to the perfect breed for every little dog lover, choose them by considering traits like coat type, personality and level of activity. Small dog breeds are more suitable for apartment life, but not all of them are lap warmers.  Some little dog breeds like Dachshunds, and Terriers love to run around. Even though small dog breeds are easy to care for, you should consider providing them with proper space to stay engaged and active. If you want to adopt a small dog, consider the following breeds:

• Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniels
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Poodle
• Border Terrier
• Cockapoo
• Chihuahua
• Pugs
• Labradoodle
• Corgi
• Bichon Frise
• American Eskimo
• Pomeranians

There are multiple other small dog breeds other than the above-mentioned. Try searching for the traits you like the most in a small dog. Getting insurance will help you meet all the healthcare facilities for your small dogs.

What’s included in a small dog insurance policy?

A small dog insurance policy will provide coverage for the following costs:

Medical Conditions

With a pet insurance policy, you can claim reimbursement for medical costs. Small dogs are prone to illnesses such as hypoglycemia, respiratory problems (tracheal collapse), mitral valve disease, and pancreatitis. Invest in insurance as veterinary treatment expenses are difficult to manage independently.

Emergency Treatment

Small dogs are prone to injuries due to falling or accidents. It’s better to go for an insurance policy covering both illnesses and injuries. It will aid in accessing immediate medical assistance from a vet in an emergency without worrying about hefty vet bills.

Legal Claims

If your dog has damaged someone’s property or hurt anyone or their pets, then you might be liable to pay costs related to third-party claims such as legal expenses. Usually, insurance policies offer to cover third-party liability claims up to a pre-decided limit.

Missing Pets

Small dogs are at high risk of theft due to their tiny size, high demand, and worth. Therefore, buying an insurance policy which offers coverage to find missing pets is of great value. Insurance policies may include missing pet costs coverage as a standard part of insurance. Instead, you can add on this service by paying a few extra pounds to recover costs related to missing pets like advertisement expenses, rewards for finder, etc.

Boarding Fee

If you are hospitalised in an emergency, and there is no one to take care of your little dogs, no need to worry anymore. Dog insurance policies allow coverage for boarding expenses such as kennel take care costs.

International Travel Cover

If you take pets for international tours, and they need medical treatment abroad, then you can claim these expenses from your insurance provider. However, to be eligible for this service, you must have opted for this international cover while agreeing terms of the pet insurance policy.

What is the insurance cost for Small dogs?

The insurance premium cost for small dogs is almost the same for large or medium-sized breeds. The cost mainly differs depending on traits like breed, age, health issues, susceptibility to genetic conditions, insurance policy type, insurance entity, location, extent of coverage, and vet fee limit. Here’s a brief description of how these factors impact the price:

Breed

Insurance premium expense for small dogs depends on the breed you own. The cost of insurance for mixed dog breeds is lower than for purebred small dogs. This is why the price range for insurance premium expenses varies for different breeds.

Age

Whether you own a small dog, or medium to large-sized breed, age is the main factor that impacts price in each case. The more the age, the higher the insurance premium costs. This makes puppy insurance more affordable than older dogs.

Health Issues

Many dog breeds are more prone to health issues in comparison to others, so you would be paying more for their insurance. Likewise, some dog breeds are considered healthier and less susceptible to genetic conditions, which lowers the insurance expense

Insurance Policy Type

There are four different types of insurance policies for dogs. Each type of insurance policy has its own features, terms and distinct prices. The price is decided by considering the extent of services offered in an insurance policy. A lifetime insurance policy is the most comprehensive yet expensive policy available for small dogs.

Insurance Entity

The price of insurance premiums varies from one insurance provider to another. It is always recommended to get multiple insurance quotes and then compare prices to find the best-priced insurance service for your dogs. We can compare dog insurance to assist you in finding a cheap policy suitable for the needs of your small canines.

Location

The area where you live is considered to calculate the price of insurance. Some areas are considered high risk for pet theft, therefore insurance companies might charge a high cost of insurance. Similarly, vet treatment costs in some areas are more expensive than others, so the impact is shown in the form of high insurance prices.

Vet fee limit

Some insurance providers allow you to decide a vet fee limit they need for the treatment of their dogs. It will allow you to get the right limit suitable for your dog’s health needs. Your monthly or yearly insurance expense is decided considering the vet fee limit chosen by you.

What’s the claim process for small dog insurance?

To make an insurance claim for a small dog, follow this stepwise guide for assistance:

• Understand Claim Policy

The insurance claim processes vary among companies depending on their policies. Some insurance providers allow you to put claims online and receive reimbursement directly via the bank account transfer. You may need to submit the vet bill as proof to get reimbursement. A few insurance companies might require the vet details from you to pay the amount directly to them.

• Submit Claim

You can submit an insurance claim once your dog has received the medical treatment. It’s essential to save the medical treatment bills to use them as evidence while claiming reimbursement. You must inquire about the insurance claim submission procedure from the insurance provider. It depends on them what claim submission method they use i.e. to make a claim on their website, or app or via contacting them by email.

• Wait for the Response

After reviewing the claim details insurance entity calls you for confirmation. You need to confirm the treatments and the associated expenses to further proceed with the claim. The insurance provider will analyse your response with underlying evidence before payment. You might get a portion of the claim according to the vet fee limit decided in the insurance or after adjustment of excess or co-payment options.

• Receive Claim

The payment time for a claim may vary from a few days to weeks depending on the policies of the insurance company. Once the claim is fully assessed and the amount to be paid is confirmed from the veterinarian, you will receive the reimbursement. If a claim is submitted via the website, you can track your claim to estimate how long will it take.

How to choose an insurance policy for small dogs?

To get a cheap insurance policy for your small dogs, you should compare the market prices for similar breeds and insurance coverage options. Here’s a brief guide for you to find affordable insurance for your small canine companions:

Get Multi-pet Discounts

To get a multi-dog discount, you must insure multiple dogs together with the same insurance provider at the same time. Insuring multiple dogs together helps to reduce the insurance premium expense for all dogs.

Decide the Type of Cover

There are four standard insurance policies available for dogs. It’s your responsibility to get details about all policies and then compare features to decide which one best suits your dogs. For example, choosing cheap accident-only insurance for dogs suffering from health issues is not suitable. You should go for a policy that covers diseases.

Compare Insurance Companies

It’s essential to search for insurance companies offering pet insurance services for dogs. Read customer reviews about companies before engaging in any business deal for insurance with them. Reviews and comments about the insurance providers on public platforms help choose a better insurance facility for your small dogs. Get multiple insurance quotes to analyse which policy best meets your dog’s needs and budget you can easily afford.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lifetime insurance right for small dogs?

Lifetime insurance is the most suitable option for small dogs as it covers illnesses and injuries. A pre-decided amount is set for each condition your pup may experience per year. Annual renewal of the lifetime insurance policy is a must to continue the coverage for the upcoming time. If the maximum limit of budget decided for the current year expires, then you cannot claim any further amount until the renewal of the policy.

Is there any age limit for small dog insurance?

The age limit for small dog insurance may depend on the breed and insurance company. The life expectancy is different for different small dog breeds. Insurance companies may restrict you from buying insurance if your dog has hit senior years. So, if you want a continuous cover with almost no or minimum pre-existing conditions, then insure dogs when they are puppies.

How do you get older small dogs?

It is tough to find insurance for small dog breeds in older age. The insurance entities might allow you older dog specialist insurance coverage at expensive premiums. However, some insurers permit the co-payment option to make it easier for you to get an affordable insurance policy for older dogs. By opting for co-payment, you agree to pay a portion of the vet bill out of your pocket and the rest is claimed from the insurance entity.

What are pre-existing conditions in small dogs?

Pre-existing conditions are those whose signs or symptoms appeared before the insurance cover started. It doesn’t matter whether the treatment was initiated or not. You cannot claim any amount for pre-existing health issues in small dog breeds. Insurance providers inquire about pre-existing issues when you apply for an insurance policy.

What is excluded from a small dog insurance policy?

Small dog insurance policy does not allow coverage for costs related to preventive health care, routine check-ups, flea or mite treatment, routine dental care, vet examination fees, vaccination, dog microchipping, breeding, pregnancy, spaying, or birth-related expenditures. All of these expenses are normally excluded from insurance policies, and you are required to finance these expenditures out of your pocket.

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