French bulldogs are playful, smart, affectionate, and great with children. But they’re also prone to a number of health issues, including brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), heatstroke, birthing complications, skin issues, myriad eye conditions, back injuries, and hip and elbow dysplasia.
Caring for all these common health conditions over the course of your Frenchie’s life can be expensive. That’s why pet insurance for French bulldogs is so popular. With a full-coverage plan, caring for your Frenchie’s various health issues is never a financial concern.
Best pet insurance for French bulldogs
French bulldogs, known for their affectionate nature and unique health needs, require special care, especially when it comes to insurance. Here are the best pet insurance options that can help you keep your French bulldog healthy and happy.
Fetch
Lemonade
Embrace – Best for quick coverage
Spot
How much does French bulldog pet insurance cost?
The cost of pet insurance depends on several factors, including where you live, the type of policy you choose, the coverage options you select, and your dog’s age. Breed can also play a role in determining overall costs.
We ran several quotes from two top pet insurance companies to find out what French bulldog pet insurance costs. We discovered that, on average, pet insurance for French bulldogs costs $109.05 a month with a middle-of-the-road accident and illness policy (moderate deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit) for a 4-year-old dog.
The table below shows the quotes we retrieved from Fetch and Spot for various Frenchie ages. As you can see, the earlier you start your French bulldog with a pet insurance plan, the lower your monthly premiums will be.
We also ran quotes for male and female French bulldogs, but the quotes remained consistent. We chose a plan with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate, and $10,000 annual limit for a dog living in Cincinnati, Ohio.
To understand how much a French bulldog’s breed affects pet insurance premiums, we also grabbed quotes for a small 4-year-old mixed breed from both sample insurers:
- Fetch rate for 4-year-old mixed breed:$44.16
- Fetch rate for 4-year-old French bulldog:$136.23
- Spot rate for 4-year-old mixed breed:$28.29
- Spot rate for French bulldog:$81.87
French bulldog pet insurance is more expensive than insurance for the typical mix, given Frenchies’ long list of health conditions. On average, French bulldog pet insurance is about 300% more expensive than it is for a mixed breed of comparable size.
What does pet insurance cover?
The table below breaks down common pet insurance coverages for French bulldogs and other breeds.
Keep in mind that some pet insurance companies may have special policies that contradict the table above. For instance, some pet insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions (often with a great deal of fine print), and as we discussed, a few pet insurance companies, such as Fetch and Figo, may cover life-saving procedures related to pregnancy and breeding.
Accident and illness plans are the most common, and many insurers allow you to upgrade policies to include preventive care, end-of-life costs, grooming, dental work, and even flea, tick, and heartworm meds.
Is pet insurance for French bulldogs worth it?
Pet insurance for French bulldogs is expensive, but for many Frenchie parents, pet insurance is worth the cost given the long list of health conditions Frenchies are prone to (and how much they cost to treat).
Here’s a look at some of the conditions French bulldogs may develop over the course of their lives (10 to 12 years) and what the typical vet bill to treat the condition might look like:
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome:Up to $4,500
- Heatstroke:Up to $1,000—or $15,000 for severe cases requiring multi-day ICU stays
- Cesarean section:Up to $4,000
- Skin infection or allergies:$200 per treatment
- Ear infections:$200 per treatment
- Cataracts:Up to $4,000 per eye
- Corneal dystrophy:Up to $500
- Corneal ulcers:$1,000
- Ocular dermoids:Up to $3,000 per eye
- Distichiasis:Up to $2,000
- Entropion:Up to $2,000 per eye
- Retinal dysplasia:No treatment available, but will need an eye exam (up to $150) to diagnose
- Cherry eyes:Up to $2,500
- Intervertebral disc disease:Up to $4,000
- Hip dysplasia: Up to $7,000
These and other common French bulldog issues can be expensive to treat. While monthly premiums for French bulldog insurance policies may be higher than average, they’re much easier to budget for than unexpected surgery costs multiple times throughout the course of your Frenchie’s life.
How to find the right pet insurance for your French bulldog
Ready to sign your lucky French bulldog up for a policy that meets his or her needs? Here’s how to find the best pet insurance for French bulldogs:
1. Calculate your budget
First, figure out how much you can afford to spend in a given month on pet insurance costs. This will help you tailor coverage when getting quotes and rule out any companies or policies that are too expensive.
2. Research your pet’s needs
Talk with your vet about common issues they’ve seen or would expect to see over the course of a French bulldog’s life. Research pet insurance companies that cover French bulldog-specific conditions, particularly eye issues and BOAS. Only consider companies that also cover chronic conditions.
3. Get multiple quotes
Start with our roundup of the four best pet insurance companies for French bulldogs. Get a quote from each company to compare prices. Make sure the coverages are similar for a true comparison (same type of policy with the same deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit).
4. Sign up online
Once you’ve determined which policy you want to go with, don’t delay in signing up. A waiting period often applies for accidents and illnesses, so the sooner you get your French bulldog signed up for pet insurance, the better!
How we chose the best pet insurance for French bulldogs
Since 2018, LendEDU has evaluated insurance companies to help readers find the best pet insurance. Our latest analysis reviewed 357 data points from 17 companies, with 21 data points collected from each. This information is gathered from company websites, online applications, public disclosures, customer reviews, and direct communication with company representatives.
These star ratings help us determine which companies are best for different situations. We don’t believe two companies can be the best for the same purpose, so we only show each best-for designation once.
