Dog Health Insurance: Is It Really Worth It? Costs and the Unexpected
What unexpected surgery for your dog costs, and what a yearly policy costs. Excesses, cover limits and when insuring your dog really pays off.
In Brief
- Surgery for a ruptured cruciate ligament or a swallowed foreign body costs on average between €1,200 and €2,800.
- A dog health policy in Italy costs on average between €15 and €40 a month, depending on age and size.
- It pays to take one out in the dog's first 3-4 years, before conditions appear and get excluded as pre-existing.
- Pay close attention to the annual cover limit (at least €2,000 - €3,000 to be useful) and the age limit for renewal.
- Routine visits, vaccines and parasite treatments are never covered by standard policies.
Doing the Sums: Insurance vs a Personal Savings Fund
Many owners wonder: "Is it better to pay €300 a year for insurance or put €30 a month in a piggy bank?"
The deciding factor is unpredictable timing. If the dog swallows a ball or is injured in its first 6 months, the piggy bank will hold only €180 against a €2,000 clinic bill. Insurance transfers the risk of rare events with a devastating financial impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insure an older dog of 9?
Most insurers set the entry limit at under 8 years. Past that age it is very hard to find full health policies, while liability cover can be taken out at any age.