How to Find Cheap Dog Insurance

Finding cheap dog insurance really isn't as difficult as it may seem at first. While there are many companies offering this service, they all generally have the same basic coverages, exclusions, and various programs that you can either add, or skip. Before you begin your search for cheap dog health insurance, you have to assess your budget, and know how much you can afford compared to how much you would be able to afford in case of an illness or accident. Some pet owners may find that they'll spend less if they simply stash away the amount of an insurance premium into a savings account, rather than paying for insurance.  This will, of course, depend on the age of your dog, as this will affect both how much you'll spend for the rest of your pet's life as well as the price of your insurance premium.

There are some variances in coverage that you'll have to consider which will all affect the price of your monthly premium.

Types of Dog Insurance Plans

The basic accident coverage is going to be your cheapest dog insurance and at most companies this coverage will be similar. You do need to examine exactly what they cover, what they don't and the amounts for each procedure, as these will vary a bit from company to company. Another place where they vary will be in the special coverages that are available. Some offer an allowance for routine check ups, though if you consider the monthly premium for these regular visits, and the amount they allow for them, you'll notice you'd be better off simply saving the 10-20 dollars a month and setting it aside for these things. Really, this type of coverage is for people with really bad budgeting, and hey, that might be you, so go ahead and get that if that sounds like you. Another type of special coverage is that for breeds of dogs predisposed to certain conditions (hip dysplasia in German Shepards), and pre-existing conditions. Some companies will build this into your premium, as this will vary from breed to breed, others will allow you to add additional coverage for these things, and others still will exclude them entirely. Be sure, again, to examine your coverage closely and try to find the company that matches the right coverage with your budgeting needs.

Want Real Cheap Dog Insurance? Start Saving

Another thing to consider is the age of your dog. If you think starting Little Rover off with puppy health insurance is a wise choice, think again. Much like saving for your child's college fund, it's actually more cost efficient, in most cases, to sack away the premium each month into a savings account for your dog. The amount should cover all basic shots and check-ups and then some in case of emergencies. If you have an older pet, you might want to take the cheapest possible route and get accident/emergency coverage only, as you will save money paying for those routines visits covered outside of such coverage out of pocket.

Keep in mind that if you wish do get cheap dog health insurance as well as accident coverage, you shouldn't wait until your dog is too old. Most companies have a cut-off age for illness coverage - generally 8-10 years old. Even if you can't get this health coverage, it's still a good idea to get the accident coverage, because as veterinary procedures get more and more advanced, their prices continue to rise. Sure, they can put pins in old Fido's leg to keep his bones straight, and if you don't have coverage, that bill might outlive him.

Finding cheap dog insurance is actually quite easy, because it's not too expensive to begin with.  Basic coverage plans can start around $10, and they increase from there depending on your coverage needs.  Do a little shopping online, compare exact coverages, and amounts they cover, and get some free quotes.  This will help narrow down your choices to the perfect dog insurance for you.