Best Pet Insurance for German Shepherds
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German Shepherds are more than just animals—they’re companions and members of our families. While there is no question that we love our pets, caring for our pets can be expensive.
Getting a pet insurance policy is a great way to make sure your German Shepherd is protected in case of injury or illness. It can also help protect your wallet by covering unexpected vet bills that may come up.
Best Pet Insurance Companies for German Shepherds
There are a number of providers to choose from when it comes to pet insurance for german shepherds. Below are a few of our partner providers for you to review.
Embrace: Best coverage
Deductible
$200, $300, $500, $750, or $1,000
Reimbursement
65%, 70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit Limit
$5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or $30,000
If your German Shepherd has a curable condition and is symptom and treatment-free for 12 months, Embrace will provide coverage for that condition. Also, with flexible coverage options, you can customize your plan to better meet your German Shepherd’s needs.
- Age limit: 6 weeks – 14 years
- Medical exam: Yes, if your pet hasn’t visited the vet in the past 12 months
- Discounts: 10% for each additional pet insured and a 5% military discount (military discount not available in NY & TN)
- Waiting period: 14 days for illness, two days for accidents, and six months for orthopedic conditions
- Policy options: Accident and illness, accident-only, and optional wellness coverage
- Benefits: $50 diminishing deductible each year you don’t receive a claim payment, will cover curable pre-existing conditions, and a 30-day money-back guarantee
Spot: Best for a limited waiting period
Deductible
$100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
Reimbursement
70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit Limit
$2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited
Spot—and chairman Cesar Millan of TV’s “The Dog Whisperer”— are working to not only provide insurance to pets across the country but also to educate owners as to why it’s so important to have. Your German Shepherd will be in good hands, with accidents, medications, exams, treatment, and more covered.
- Age limit: At least 8 weeks old
- Medical exam: Not required to enroll
- Discounts: 10% for each additional pet
- Waiting period: 14 days for both accidents and illnesses
- Policy options: Accident and illness, accident-only, and optional wellness coverage
- Benefits: Microchip implementation is covered, 30-day money-back guarantee, exam fees for covered conditions are reimbursed, distinguishes between incurable and curable pre-existing conditions
ASPCA: Best for an experienced company
Deductible
$100, $250, or $500
Reimbursement
70%, 80%, or 90%
Benefit Limit
$3,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or unlimited
ASPCA Pet Insurance offers customizable plans that you can adjust in order to provide the best coverage for your German Shepherd. Complete coverage includes exam fees, costs of diagnostics, and treatment for accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and behavioral issues.
- Age limit: At least 8 weeks old
- Medical exam: Not required to enroll
- Discounts: 10% for each additional pet
- Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illnesses
- Policy options: Accident and illness, accident-only, and optional wellness coverage
- Benefits: 30-day money-back guarantee and distinguishes between incurable and curable pre-existing conditions
German Shepherd Pet Insurance Costs
The cost of pet insurance for German Shepherds will depend on a number of factors, including the dog’s age, gender, and where you live. Online quote tools, such as the one offered by Spot, can help you determine the best coverage for your German Shepherd.
Let’s take a look at some sample monthly premium quotes for male German Shepherds of different ages with Spot.
| Age | Min Price | Max Price |
| 8 weeks | $38.48 | $135.66 |
| 4 years | $43.98 | $155.04 |
| 8 years | $76.96 | $271.31 |
Aside from the age of your dog, prices change based on the deductible, reimbursement level, and annual benefits limit that you choose.
What Illnesses Are Common in German Shepherds?
(Note: Common illnesses mentioned below were found by Trupanion.)
Dogs are prone to a variety of medical issues, but certain breeds are susceptible to particular health problems. This includes German Shepherds, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
Here are some common health issues for German Shepherds and the average vet bills:
- Vomiting and diarrhea – $600
- Lameness and limping – $900
- Ear infections – $200
- Allergies – $600
- Removing Masses – $1,000
What Pet Insurance Covers—And What It Doesn’t
The type of coverage that you will get with a pet insurance policy will depend on what policy you choose. Some policies only cover injuries caused by accidents, like collisions with cars, while others will cover both accidents and illnesses. Still, others offer wellness coverage for certain types of routine care, such as annual exams and vaccinations.
The answer as to what your pet insurance will cover will, therefore, depend on the type of policy that you purchase. Most pet owners buy accident and illness policies, which cover both catastrophic injuries as well as the more routine ailments that may arise, such as masses in German Shepherds.
However, most pet insurance policies do have standard exclusions. This includes denials for pre-existing conditions, which means any health condition that occurred before the policy’s start date. If your German Shepherd has a pre-existing condition, like allergies, then it may be excluded if it was diagnosed before you purchased the insurance policy. While there are some exceptions, most policies also exclude routine care and wellness visits, as well as examination fees.
Finding the Right German Shepherd Insurance
For most pet owners, finding the best pet insurance is a matter of comparison shopping. There are a number of pet health insurance companies out there, each with varying levels of coverage and premium levels. Using online quote tools can help you gather information from a number of companies before making a decision.
Be sure to look at policy terms and conditions—and not just prices—before making a decision about what dog insurance you should choose.
When searching for pet health insurance, be aware of how German Shepherds’ unique characteristics may make them more susceptible to certain illnesses. For example, in addition to allergies, German Shepherds may suffer from lameness and limping due to a number of hereditary conditions, such as hip dysplasia. Be sure to consider the cost of treating these conditions when choosing pet insurance for your German Shepherd.
Ultimately, having pet insurance can help you provide the best possible care for your German Shepherd—and give you peace of mind. With pet insurance, you don’t have to worry that a medical emergency will derail your savings. You can rest easy knowing that your pet’s health is covered.