When is a pet considered “senior”?
There’s no precise definition of a senior pet, in part because each insurance company is free to define their own maximum age limits and price ranges based on age. There’s also no clear definition biologically. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, both cats and dogs are often considered senior after age seven, but it may depend on the breed.
Is it difficult to get insurance for a senior dog or cat?
The older your pet, the more difficult it may be to find insurance. Pet insurers with maximum age limits for new policies often set them at 10 years old, so if your pet is older than 10, you’ll want to look for a company with a higher age limit or no limit.
Pet insurance for older dogs and cats likely will also be more expensive than a policy for a younger animal. It may also rise in cost every time you renew your policy due to the increased likelihood of filing a claim. If monthly cost is a concern, look for flexible policies that offer the ability to customize your coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement percentage to create a policy you can afford.
Is insurance worth it for an older pet?
If you’re thinking about buying pet insurance for an older dog or cat, consider the following to see if it’s worth it:
- Life expectancy: Having an idea of how much longer you expect to have your pet can help you weigh the costs more effectively. Cats generally live longer than dogs (around 15 years, on average), while the life expectancy of dogs varies widely by breed. Tiny dogs like Chihuahuas can reach 15 or 20 years old, but the largest breeds, like Great Danes, have an average lifespan of only seven years.
- Covered conditions: Most policies will cover accidents and acute illnesses (such as a respiratory infection), but senior pet owners should also prioritize comprehensive plans with coverage for common illnesses that show up with age, like organ (kidney/liver/heart) disease, cancer, and arthritis.
- Quality of care/service: Make sure you’ll be happy with the provider and policy you select in the long term. Switching companies later can be a problem due to coverage restrictions on pre-existing conditions. If you buy a policy tomorrow and your pet develops a covered condition next year, the policy will pay for it. However, if you switch after the condition develops, the new provider will probably see that condition as “pre-existing,” and you may lose coverage.
