Best pet insurance for older dogs

Our pet insurance picks for older dogs

Below, we compare some of the top-rated dog insurance options on age limits, annual deductibles and availability.

As with all types of insurance policies, plan coverage differs from company to company. You’ll need to compare coverage types, levels and pricing to determine which one will work best for your senior pet's needs.

• Spot: Our pick for easy claims process
• Figo: Our pick for unlimited annual benefits
• ASPCA Pet Insurance: Our pick for low deductibles
• Embrace: Our pick for multi-pet discounts

When you sign up for Spot dog insurance, you don’t have to worry about upper age limits. The basic coverage offers reimbursement for vet care needed to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses — even on an emergency basis. You can also add preventive care coverage to your pet insurance policy to help pay for routine care. The only caveat is that it doesn’t cover preexisting illnesses or injuries, so it helps to sign up as soon as you can.

“I'm very happy with Spot Pet insurance. I've used many others and the coverage was lacking to say the least. Not only do they provide the necessary coverage at a reasonable price, but the customer service is outstanding,” a reviewer in Tennessee told us.

For a 10-year-old Lab in Dallas, we were quoted between $64.13 and $156.34 per month. The most popular quoted plan costs $104.80 per month — it has 80% reimbursement, a $250 deductible and a $4,000 annual limit.

Figo provides comprehensive illness and injury coverage for dogs of all ages. For accidents and illnesses, coverage kicks in within a week or two (varies by state). All policies cover diagnostic testing and cancer treatments. However, Figo reimburses emergency visit and chronic and hereditary condition costs at the rate you select. The company also has an app for 24/7 live chats with a vet.

“I absolutely love Figo. I have been with Figo for two years now, and I am very thankful for the quick way they process my reimbursements. I have an older Golden Retriever and they have always taken care of his medical bills,” a reviewer in Missouri told us.

For a 10-year-old Lab in Dallas, we were quoted $60.22 per month for a plan with 70% reimbursement, a $750 deductible and a $10,000 annual benefit. It costs $154.83 for a plan with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and no annual limit.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, provides insurance coverage for dogs and cats of any age. Although the company doesn’t have age limits for new customers, the price increases with your dog’s age, so it’s wise to sign up as early as possible.

The plan covers accidental injuries, illnesses, hereditary conditions, behavioral health issues and dental diseases. If you’d like to get reimbursed for routine veterinary care, you’ll have to add the preventive care coverage to your pet insurance policy.

“ASPCA is straight up the best animal pet insurance company that I have had for my dog. I took out the more pricey insurance because our dog is older, but claims are processed in a timely manner and overall has given me the peace of mind that my dog will get the best care with this insurance,” a reviewer in Illinois told us.

For a 10-year-old Lab in Dallas, we were quoted $104.80 per month for the Complete Coverage plan. It has a $4,000 annual limit, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. You can also get a plan with a $100 deductible, 90% reimbursement and a $10,000 annual limit for $221.59 per month.

Embrace offers full accident and illness insurance for senior dogs as long as you sign up for a plan before they turn 15. Otherwise, you can only get accident-only coverage.

With accident and illness coverage, you can get reimbursed for the cost of diagnostic tests and treatments needed to keep your dog in great health throughout the years. The coverage applies to chronic conditions, congenital ailments and dental trauma.

“I've been with Embrace for over 5 years. Communication is wonderful, Web Portal is simple and easy to use and understand. They are professional and quick to respond to their email. Claims are completed in a timely manner,” a reviewer in California told us.

For a 10-year-old Lab in Dallas, Embrace quoted us $55.19 per month. This plan has a $5,000 annual limit, a $750 annual deductible and a 70% reimbursement rate. You can get a plan with a $200 deductible, 90% reimbursement and a $30,000 annual limit for $172.51.

There’s also a 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets, a 5% military discount and a $50 discount on your deductible for each year you don’t get a claim reimbursement.

What to consider when insuring an older dog

As you look at all the different dog insurance plans, you’ll need to keep the following factors in mind:

• Age: The older your dog, the more their pet insurance premiums will cost — you can pretty much count on this.
• Preexisting conditions: No pet health insurance plan we’ve found offers immediate coverage for preexisting conditions, but some will reimburse for future care 180 days after your dog recovers.
• Plan coverage: All plans differ in what their policies cover, so read the fine print to get the right level of coverage for you and your dog.

Cost of pet insurance for older dogs

Generally, pet insurance costs start anywhere from $10 to $50 per month. Insuring an older dog starts at the high end of this range, though, and goes up from there. At up to $546 per month, it’s simply more expensive to insure a senior dog due to their elevated risk of illnesses and injuries.

As dogs age, they’re more likely to need vet care, physical therapy and prescription medication, after all. To offset this risk, insurance providers charge a higher monthly premium, effectively splitting the increased costs with you.

Compare pet insurance costs

With pet insurance companies, what you pay each month in premiums depends mostly on your plan’s deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit. As you can see below, the cheapest premiums also have the highest deductibles and lower reimbursements.

	Starting monthly cost	Deductible	Annual limit	Reimbursement
	$64.13	$500	$2,500	70%
	$51.64	$750	$5,000	70%
	$104.80	$250	$4,000	80%
	$55.19	$750	$5,000	70%

Quotes were collected to insure a 10-year-old male Labrador retriever in Dallas, Texas, on July 16, 2021.

	$64.13	$500	$2,500	70%
	$51.64	$750	$5,000	70%
	$104.80	$250	$4,000	80%
	$55.19	$750	$5,000	70%

How to care for older dogs

When a pet owner provides an aging dog with excellent care, the animal’s quality of life improves while the occurrence of common illnesses and injuries grows less likely. Just follow these dog care tips to help avoid preventable issues in your dog’s later years:

• Minimize the risk of falls by putting down throw rugs or using dog booties.
• Take leisurely walks around the neighborhood every day to preserve joint health.
• Brush your dog’s teeth daily to keep them cavity-free and feeling great.
• Keep them to a healthy diet and eliminate table scraps if necessary.
• Look your dog over on a daily basis and report all changes to your vet for prompt care.

Bottom line: What is the best pet insurance plan for older dogs?

In order to find the best pet insurance plan for older dogs, you’ll want to consider your policy needs. If you’d like a plan with low out-of-pocket costs, then you’ll probably prefer ASPCA Pet Health Insurance — but if you want one-on-one vet support on the go, then Figo is probably your best bet. It all depends on your expectations and the level of care your senior dog requires. Just make sure to get a quote from each pet insurance company to see what your exact rates and coverage levels will be before making the final decision.