5 Best Pet Insurance Companies for Older Pets (2024 Guide)
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Perhaps you and your four-legged friend have been together for years, or maybe you just took in an older pet. Either way, you want to provide the best pet care for your pet in this season of its life. Like people, pets have different needs as they age and become more prone to accidents, injuries, and illness. Many veterinarians recommend more frequent vet checkups once your pet reaches 7 years of age.
We spent hours researching the best pet insurance providers and found that Spot offers the best coverage options for your aging pet. In this guide, we rounded up the pet insurers offering exceptional illness coverage for conditions senior pets experience. See our picks for the best pet insurance for older pets below.
Key Takeaways
- After hours of researching the best pet insurance providers, we found that Spot offers the best coverage options for your aging pet.
- Depending on your provider and plan, you should expect to pay anywhere from $90–$230 per month for dogs 10 years and older.
Who Are The Top Pet Insurance Companies for Older Pets?
Here are our top pet health insurance providers for older pets based on our in-depth review:
- Most Customizable Plans: Spot:
- Embrace
- Figo
- Fetch
- Healthy Paws
How Does the Best Pet Insurance for Older Pets Compare?
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Upper Age Limit | Preventative Coverage | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A- | Yes | No | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | No | Yes | VISIT SITE | ||
| B+ | No | Yes | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | No | No | VISIT SITE | ||
| A+ | Yes | No | VISIT SITE |
*All BBB ratings are current as of January 2023.
How Much Does Pet Insurance for Older Pets Cost?
Under most provider terms, your premium depends on your pet’s age. Providers often charge higher monthly premiums for older pets. Older pets are more vulnerable to accidents, illnesses, and conditions that require more frequent and expensive medical care. Expect to pay anywhere from $90–$230 per month for dogs 10 years and older, depending on your provider and plan. Cats over 7 years old will cost you $30–$110. See below for sample pet insurance quotes from common providers.
Best Pet Insurance for Older Dogs Pricing Comparison
| Provider | Monthly Cost for Puppies (6 weeks to 1 year)* | Monthly Cost for Adult Dogs (1 to 10 years)* | Monthly Cost for Senior Dogs (10+)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | $32.02 | $33 | $128.32 |
| Embrace | $36.02 | $37 | $91.85 |
| Figo | $29.71 | $31 | $112.73 |
| Fetch | $27.87 | $40 | $163.87 |
| Healthy Paws | $38.22 | $49.84 | $232.67 |
Best Pet Insurance for Older Cats Pricing Comparison
| Provider | Monthly Cost for Kittens (0 weeks to 1 year)* | Monthly Cost for Adult Cats (1 to 7 years)* | Monthly Cost for Senior Cats (7+)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | $17.35 | $19 | $62.28 |
| Embrace | $16.15 | $22 | $36.74 |
| Figo | $18.47 | $16 | $33.39 |
| Fetch | $20.16 | $21 | $55.34 |
| Healthy Paws | $17.96 | $23.44 | $109.05 |
See our list of cheapest pet insurance companies for other options.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Buying Pet Insurance?
Think about the following before enrolling in a pet insurance plan:
- Budget: Pet insurance is supposed to help you financially. Don’t overextend with a premium that drains your wallet.
- Fine print: Most providers have a sample policy on their sites. Read it carefully to understand providers’ policies on preexisting conditions, exclusions, age limits, claim requirements, and more.
- Plan types and add-ons: If you want accident-only coverage, preventive coverage, or add-ons for vacation cancellation fees and other extras, read coverage details to ensure you get what you want.
- Your pet’s needs: If your pet doesn’t need it, don’t pay for it. Look for a provider and plan that caters to your pet’s needs and any extras you prefer.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance works similarly to human health insurance. One positive difference is that most pet insurance providers allow you to take your pet to any licensed vet in the country. When you take your pet to the veterinarian for an issue covered under your plan, be it an accident, illness, or wellness checkup, you’ll pay out of pocket. Then, you’ll file a claim with your pet insurance provider. If your provider approves your claim, meaning that your policy covers the vet service your pet received, your provider will reimburse you at your chosen rate via direct deposit or a mailed check.
Most providers have a base accident-and-illness plan that covers treatments, prescription medications, surgeries, X-rays, emergency care, specialist care, hospitalization, diagnostic tests, ultrasounds, and other common needs related to accidents and illnesses. Routine care, such as annual checkups and dental cleanings, are covered under preventive coverage plans you can choose as add-ons to your base plan. Some providers have restrictions for older pets or may not cover your furry family members over a certain age. Check new policy details before enrolling in a plan.
Learn more about how pet insurance works.
Is Pet Insurance Worth it for Older Pets?
Older pets may need more health care, but it’s worth it after the years of care they’ve shown you. The right pet insurance plan can help you save on your aging pet’s medical care. Spot, Embrace, and Fetch are all good options for preventive coverage. Healthy Paws is a favorite among pet owners for its unlimited coverage. Figo is known for its 100% reimbursement rate and end-of-life coverage.
All of the providers will help you offset the cost of vet bills. We recommend you get a quote for pet insurance coverage from any providers you’re considering to see which company offers the best pet insurance premium for your pet and budget.
FAQs About Pet Insurance for Older Pets
Which pet insurance is best for older dogs?
The best pet insurance for older dogs depends on a few factors, such as your budget, the coverage your dog needs, and the add-ons you want. Spot, Embrace, and Figo have no upper age limits, average premiums, and diverse coverage.
Should I get pet insurance for an old dog?
It’s smart to get dog insurance for an older dog that is healthy before enrollment. That way, you’ll be covered for any issues that come later. If your older dog is already facing health issues that require veterinary care, they will be classified as preexisting conditions and are unlikely to be covered. In that case, getting a plan may not make financial sense.
What’s the oldest you can insure a dog?
Many providers have lifetime policies, so your pet will never age out of coverage. Some providers have upper age limits, usually 14 or 15 years old.
Is pet insurance worth it for old cats?
Pet insurance is worth it for healthy old cats. Pet insurance for cats is significantly cheaper than it is for dogs, so your financial burden is low. However, if your cat already has an illness or other condition, it will likely be labeled a preexisting condition. In that case, it may not be worth it.
Our Rating Methodology
We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
