Do I need a vet appointment for pet insurance? I have a 10-year-old dog who hasn’t been to the vet in over a year. He’s super healthy, but I want to get insurance for him just in case something happens as he gets older. So, do I need a recent vet check-up to sign up for insurance? Also, how much do you pay monthly for coverage for older dogs, and would you recommend your insurer?
I signed up with ASPCA insurance for my puppy when he was just 10 weeks old. I had to take him to the ER Vet when he was 8 months because he was really sick. The bill was almost $900, and ASPCA tried hard to say it was a preexisting condition, even though my puppy wasn’t even born yet. They finally sent me a check for $560. I pay $36 a month with a $250 deductible and a 20% copay. They do cover some preventative care.
Thank you so much for this info Waff 
Some insurance companies do require a vet exam before they’ll cover your pet, while others don’t. With an older pet, some companies might not provide coverage at all, or the premiums could be pretty high. Getting a policy later in your dog’s life often means higher costs because older dogs usually need more care, and preexisting conditions might be excluded. It might help to get multiple quotes and check your vet records to see if anything could be excluded.
Some companies, like Healthy Paws, won’t cover certain conditions if your dog isn’t signed up before age 6. I think AKC only covers accidents, not illnesses, for pets over 9. ASPCA doesn’t require a medical exam upfront and doesn’t have many age restrictions, but their plans are capped, so for big expenses, like major surgery, the max payout is about $10k. Embrace is good for seniors, but you’ll probably pay more. Pets Best might be cheaper, but they take a while to process claims. It really depends on what kind of coverage you want and your budget.
That’s incredibly thorough and helpful, thank you
I got insurance for my puppy about a month after I got her. I did a lot of research before choosing Embrace because I liked their coverage and cost. They offer immediate coverage for ligament injuries as long as my vet certified there were no existing injuries. But I read that people were unhappy with them often had older pets or ones with unclear medical histories. If you don’t have a consistent vet, you might face delays when filing claims.
I had my vet send Embrace the records to ensure no preexisting conditions and to waive the waiting period for ortho claims just in case. Since then, every claim I’ve filed has been approved and reimbursed in about 10 days. I pay around $55 a month for 90% coverage with a $250 deductible. It’s smart to clarify everything upfront to avoid surprises or delays later on.