Is Puppy Insurance Worth It? 7 Reasons To Say Yes

Congratulations on your new puppy! The pet parent life is truly the best life — and now you finally get to experience it with a new furry family member.

Being a new puppy parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be expensive. With food, training, toys, and trips to the veterinarian — both planned and unplanned — the costs of pet ownership add up fast. 

So, do you really need to enroll in pet insurance, too? After all, your new best friend seems perfectly healthy.

Here are seven reasons to say yes to the question, “Is pet insurance worth it for a puppy?” We’ll also answer some more common questions about puppy insurance, including what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how much it could cost.

1. Puppies face more perils

Let’s face it, puppies will be puppies. As these adorable little bundles of chaos discover their new world — at times, their curiosity can get the best of them. From wrestling matches at the dog park to eating things that they shouldn’t, puppy accidents and injuries can be inevitable. When these not-so-fun surprises happen in the future, you want to make sure your pup’s care can be covered.

2. Pre-existing conditions won’t pile up

Most pet insurance plans won’t cover pre-existing conditions, a.k.a. illnesses or injuries that occur before your pet insurance plan coverage starts or during a waiting period. The earlier you enroll your new pup in an insurance plan, the greater the chances all eligible conditions will be covered in the future.

3. Peace of mind as your puppy grows

Even when you stay up-to-date on wellness visits, vaccinations, and tick, flea, and heartworm prevention, your dog can still get sick or hurt when you least expect it. Unfortunately, you just can’t predict what health challenges your new dog might encounter as they grow. As your puppy enters their prime and eventually their golden years, there’s a higher risk that they’ll develop certain illnesses and injuries. Pet insurance lets you focus on what matters: getting them the best possible care – even when it comes at a high cost.

4. Quicker care decisions and swifter recoveries

When your pup isn’t feeling well, you don’t want to hesitate to get them the veterinarycare they need. Pet parents with insurance are typically more likely to get their puppies treated right away instead of delaying due to cost, which can help lead to faster recoveries and better long-term outcomes.

 5. The earlier, the better for hereditary conditions

Certain breeds come with built-in quirks — and built-in vet bills. Dachshunds love to wiggle but are prone to back issues, while Bulldogs and Pugs love to socialize but snort their way through life with breathing troubles due to their brachycephalic snouts.

Breed-specific genetic disorders such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and seizures can show up at different ages and be very costly to treat. That’s why signing up early for insurance coverage can provide big benefits for purebred and mixed-breed pups that are at high risk for hereditary conditions. — so long as you choose the right plan.

Unlike some other pet insurance providers, Pumpkin plans don’t exclude treatments for common hereditary conditions or charge extra each month to cover breed-specific care. So, if you want to provide the best possible care for your new Frenchie or doodle puppy, learn more about the extensive accident & illness coverage available with Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans.

6. Younger pets have lower premiums

Age is a factor in determining the price of your pet insurance monthly premium. Since older pets are at a higher risk for developing several health conditions, younger pets tend to cost less to insure than older ones. (That said, older dogs can still benefit from pet insurance.)

7. Help with surprise vet bills

If your puppy needs urgent care or emergency surgery, you can easily end up with a vet bill that costs thousands of dollars. Of course, your puppy’s health is worth it, but that bill can still take a huge bite out of your savings. With puppy insurance plans from providers like Pumpkin, you can get paid back for up to 90% of covered emergency vet bills.

How does puppy insurance work?

Most dog insurance plans, including puppy insurance plans, offer accident & illness coverage. Like other types of insurance, these plans cover a percentage of eligible expenses up to a specific annual limit each year. However, unlike human health insurance, you typically have to pay your vet bill in full upfront and then submit a claim to get reimbursed later for covered costs. Dog insurance is designed to cover life’s unexpected accidents and illnesses that could happen in the future, and so it excludes pre-existing conditions. That means your insurance plan won’t cover any health issues your pup developed before enrollment or during a mandatory waiting period, which is why signing up early can be so beneficial. 

Put simply, the sooner you sign up for a pet insurance plan, the fewer potential exclusions you’ll face, and the more protection your pup will have when they need it most. Before signing up, learn more about how pet insurance works — and how it can help you give your best friend the care they deserve.

What does insurance for puppies cover?

At Pumpkin, all pet parents have the option of getting up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills and an annual coverage limit ranging from $5,000 to unlimited. But what types of bills are eligible?

Accidents

Puppies are masters of mischief, and accidents and injuries are bound to happen. Whether it’s a fracture from a fall or taking a bite out of your favorite throw pillow, pet insurance plans help cover the unexpected health incidents that often have expensive consequences.

Illnesses

From ear infections to diabetes and even cancer, serious health conditions can show up whether you’re ready or not. With Pumpkin Puppy Insurance plans, pet parents can get reimbursed for 80% or 90% of covered treatment costs. 

Diagnostic tests

Pet insurance plans don’t just help you pay for eligible treatment costs. If your vet needs to run X-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests, or MRIs to figure out what’s wrong, those bills can stack up fast. Puppy insurance plans can help cover the cost of diagnostic testing prescribed for covered accidents and illnesses.

Surgeries

Pet insurance plans for puppies can help you pay for the cost of eligible surgeries, medications, and rehab therapies. If your puppy needs a tooth pulled or takes a tumble, breaking a bone, that calls for orthopedic surgery, you can file a claim and get reimbursed for a large portion of eligible expenses. That means more belly rubs and less stressing over expensive surgical bills.

Behavioral issues & alternative therapies

Premium pet insurance plans for puppies can also help cover the cost of behavioral treatments for issues like anxiety, aggression, or compulsive behaviors — because sometimes out-of-control zoomies or separation anxiety can turn into something more serious. 

Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans also help pet parents pay for alternative therapies for covered conditions. That could include hydrotherapy, physical therapy, or even acupuncture.

What does puppy insurance not cover?

Pet insurance isn’t like human health insurance, which covers routine and preventive care. Before deciding if pet insurance is right for your new pup, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what plans exclude or charge extra for.

Routine care is typically not covered

Vaccinations, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, spay and neuter procedures, dental cleanings, health screening tests — and those all-important annual vet check-ups — are all part of routine vet care a.k.a. preventive care. Since pet insurance is designed for accidents and illnesses, most providers don’t cover these services in their standard insurance plans. That said, some do offer wellness plans as optional add-ons that can be purchased with insurance for an extra monthly fee. These plans can help pay for routine vet services that prevent illnesses and catch issues early. Depending on the state where you live, wellness plan options could be available to you. 

Pre-existing conditions are never covered

We’ll say it one more time — pet insurance providers typically don’t cover pre-existing conditions. That includes illnesses or injuries that occur before your pet insurance plan coverage starts or during a waiting period. The earlier you enroll your new pup in a plan, the fewer exclusions you’ll have to worry about down the line.

Hereditary conditions are not always covered

Budget-friendly pet insurance might seem like a good deal — until you realize it doesn’t cover common breed-specific hereditary conditions.

If you have a Labrador Retriever, hip dysplasia could be a major concern, and for French Bulldogs, breathing problems are common. Some “cheap” plans charge extra for breed-specific coverage, or exclude it altogether.Pumpkin believes all pets deserve extensive coverage.

That’s why Pumpkin pet parents can get help paying for hereditary conditions, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, and more — without surprise fees.

How much does puppy insurance cost?

The cost of puppy insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all – it depends on factors like breed, age, and location. Bigger dog breeds like Great Danes and German Shepherds, or those prone to health issues like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with heart problems, may have higher premiums depending on which pet insurance company you choose. 

Where you live also plays a role since vet costs vary by region. Beyond that, your plan choices, such as reimbursement rates, annual limits, and deductibles, will also affect the final price of your puppy insurance premium.

But what kind of figures are you looking at? On average, puppy insurance costs between $32 and $56 per month, according to a study from Bankrate. However, plans with broader coverage, high reimbursement rates, high annual limits, and low deductibles may cost more. 

If you’re looking for flexibility, Pumpkin plans offer customizable options, including annual deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000, reimbursement rates of 80% or 90%, and flexible annual coverage limits starting at $5,000 — all the way up to unlimited. This means you can tailor your plan to fit both your budget and your pup’s needs.

For multi-pet households, Pumpkin plans also provide a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet you enroll, making it more affordable to cover your whole fur family.

Ready to take the next step? Fetch a free quote from Pumpkin today and start building your own puppy insurance plan.