Best Pet Insurance for Older Dogs of 2025
Embrace emerges as the leading pet insurance provider for senior dogs in our assessment of 10 companies. As dogs age, they become more susceptible to age-related health issues such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, which can lead to expensive veterinary bills. Considering pet insurance for older dogs can offer a valuable safety net to manage these costs.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor
We conducted a thorough analysis of key coverage areas including pet insurance costs, the possibility of direct payment to the veterinarian, the accessibility of a 24/7 vet health line, and the availability of wellness plans. Our ratings are independently determined by our editorial team, and advertisers cannot influence them. We employ data-driven methods to assess insurance companies, ensuring a consistent evaluation approach. Our Editorial Guidelines and Methodology for the ratings are detailed further below.
Table of Contents
- Our Expert Picks
- Summary: Compare Best Pet Insurance For Older Dogs
- Is Senior Pet Insurance Different Than Pet Insurance for Puppies?
- When Is a Dog Considered Senior?
- How Much Does Senior Pet Insurance Cost?
- What Types of Policies Are Available for Senior Dogs?
- Is Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs Worth It?
- Methodology
- Older Dog Pet Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our Expert Picks
- Embrace
- ManyPets
- Pumpkin
Embrace
- Forbes Advisor rating for senior dog pet insurance: 5.0
- Our Expert Take: Best for Superior Benefits
- See Plans
ManyPets
- Forbes Advisor rating for senior dog pet insurance: 4.5
- Our Expert Take: Best for Low Monthly Rates
- See Plans
Pumpkin
- Forbes Advisor rating for senior dog pet insurance: 4.0
- Our Expert Take: Great for Reimbursement for Senior Dogs
- See Plans
Best Pet Insurance Companies for Older Dogs
BEST FOR SUPERIOR BENEFITS: Embrace
- Forbes Advisor Rating: 5.0
- Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited
- Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
- Average monthly cost for senior dog insurance: $103
Our Expert Take:
Embrace pet insurance is a great option for senior dogs, owing to its competitive pricing and strong coverage benefits. Customers also gain access to a 24/7 pet telehealth line, plus the ability to add a wellness plan. The policy also includes vet exam fee coverage.
- Pros: Offers an optional wellness plan. Provides 24/7 pet telehealth, covers vet exam fees for injuries and illnesses, and has a “diminishing deductible” that decreases the deductible by $50 each year without a claim. Features a low $100 deductible option.
- Cons: You may find lower monthly costs among top competitors, and fewer options for annual coverage and deductibles. The waiting period for orthopedic conditions is 6 months, although it can be waived with an orthopedic exam post-enrollment.
Plan Details
- Coverage type: Accident and Illness
- Upper age limit to buy a new policy: 14 years old
- Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Waiting periods: Accident coverage starts the day after policy purchase at 12:01 a.m. ET; illness coverage starts after 14 days; orthopedic conditions: 6 months (may be waived with an orthopedic exam)
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses: Included
- Multipet discount: 10%
- Vet exam fees: Included
- Microchipping: Yes (if you purchase a wellness plan)
BEST FOR LOW MONTHLY RATES: ManyPets
- Forbes Advisor Rating: 4.5
- Maximum annual coverage: Unlimited
- Deductible choices: $500, $750
- Average monthly cost for senior dog insurance: $77
Our Expert Take:
ManyPets offers some of the most affordable monthly rates for senior dogs when considering the unlimited annual coverage option. Additional benefits include reducing waiting periods for accidents and illnesses to 24 hours when transferring from an existing pet insurance plan, plus the coverage of vet exam fees and the option to purchase a wellness plan.
- Pros: Provides the lowest prices for unlimited annual insurance coverage, has an optional wellness plan, covers vet exam fees for illness and accident, and is accepted in more than 40 states.
- Cons: Lacks a 24/7 pet telehealth line and does not cover pet behavioral or alternative therapies (like many other plans).
Plan Details
- Coverage type: Accident and Illness
- Upper age limit to buy a new policy: 14
- Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%
- Waiting periods: 15 days for accidents and illnesses (or 24 hours if transitioning from another insurer); no specific condition waiting periods
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses: Included
- Multipet discount: None
- Vet exam fees: Included
- Microchipping: Not included
GREAT FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SENIOR DOGS: Pumpkin
- Forbes Advisor Rating: 4.0
- Maximum annual coverage: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, Unlimited
- Deductible choices: $100, $250, $500, $1,000
- Average monthly cost for senior dog insurance: $193
Our Expert Take:
Pumpkin stands out by providing either 80% or 90% reimbursement options for older dogs, which is not always available. The plan also skips the added waiting period for conditions such as knee injuries or hip dysplasia. While it covers vet exam fees and offers a wellness plan, it does not provide access to a 24/7 vet telehealth line.
- Pros: Offers 80% to 90% reimbursement levels for dogs aged 8 weeks and older, including seniors. It also covers vet exam fees for illness and accidental injuries, provides optional wellness coverage, and avoids specific waiting periods for problems like knee injuries or hip dysplasia. There are discounts when insuring multiple pets.
- Cons: Senior dog monthly costs are higher than some competitors, and the accident waiting period is 14 days (some have 1- or 2-day waiting periods). The policy lacks a 24/7 pet healthline and does not offer accident-only plans.
Plan Details
- Coverage type: Accident and Illness
- Upper age limit to buy a new policy: No upper age limit
- Reimbursement choices: 80% or 90%
- Waiting periods: 14 days for accidents and illnesses; no special waiting period for orthopedic conditions
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses: Included
- Multipet discount: 10%
- Vet exam fees: Included
- Microchipping: Included
Is Senior Pet Insurance Different Than Pet Insurance for Puppies?
Pet insurance for older dogs operates in the same way as it does for puppies; however, the main distinction lies in the cost. According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis, the most favorable prices for pet insurance for dogs are typically available after a dog’s first birthday and continue until around the age of 6. Pet insurers leverage age rating factors to account for the increased likelihood that your dog will require veterinary services at specific life stages, particularly puppies and senior dogs. By the time a dog reaches its ninth birthday, the age rating factor can generally be expected to double.
When Is a Dog Considered Senior?
A dog is considered a senior when it has reached the last 25% of its estimated life span, based on its breed, as defined by the American Animal Hospital Association. For example, a Chihuahua’s typical life span is 15 to 17 years, so it would be considered senior around 11 years of age. For a Golden Retriever, whose average lifespan is 11 to 13 years, the senior stage begins around age 7.
How Much Does Senior Pet Insurance Cost?
The typical expense for senior pet insurance is roughly $162 per month for a 10-year-old dog, based on our study. This estimate is for a plan featuring unlimited annual coverage, a $500 deductible, and a 90% reimbursement rate. The specific cost of your pet insurance is determined by various factors, including:
- Type of pet
- Breed
- Age
- Geographical location
- Coverage levels chosen
What Types of Policies Are Available for Senior Dogs?
Pet insurance plans generally fall into three categories, all of which are available for senior dogs.
- Accident and Illness Plans: This is the most popular type of available plan, covering a broad spectrum of health concerns. Coverage specifics vary by the provider, but these plans usually include:
- Broken bones
- Cancer
- Chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis, digestive disorders, and skin conditions
- Common illnesses such as diarrhea, ear infections, and vomiting
- CT scans or MRIs
- Diabetes
- Emergency care
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Hospitalization
- Ingesting foreign objects
- Lab tests
- Prescription drugs
- Procedures such as chemotherapy, nursing care, and surgeries
- Ultrasounds
- Urinary tract infections
- X-rays
- Accident-Only Plans: This kind of plan only covers accidents, such as broken bones and lacerations and won’t have coverage for illnesses like cancer or ear infections. These are less expensive because they cover emergency situations and exclude illnesses.
- Pet Insurance Wellness Plans: Typically, wellness plans are not standalone policies, but are add-ons to an accident and illness plan. They are not available as add-ons to accident-only plans. Pet insurance wellness plans can help cover expenses for services such as:
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Neutering and spaying
- Routine wellness exams
- Vaccinations
Is Pet Insurance for Senior Dogs Worth It?
We find that the best way to evaluate the value of pet insurance for an older dog is by considering how a big, unexpected vet bill would influence your finances. As an example, the average cost to treat canine cancer is $4,341, according to our assessment of vet visit costs. Pet insurance can cover the majority of this expense, barring the deductible and reimbursement level. Since senior dogs are more likely to require veterinary care than younger ones, pet insurance can be a smart choice to counterbalance substantial vet bills. If you’re uncertain, figure out the maximum amount you’re prepared to spend out-of-pocket on veterinary care and determine your payment plan. Should you have to depend on using a credit card, pet insurance might be a worthwhile investment.
Methodology
To identify the best pet insurance for senior dogs, we utilized data from PetInsurer.com to score each pet insurance company based on the following criteria:
- Pet insurance rates for senior dogs: Comprising 40% of the score.
- We calculated average rates for dogs for plans with unlimited coverage, a $500 deductible, and a 90% reimbursement level, or the closest available options.
- Special waiting period: 10% of score
- Several pet insurance providers have a unique waiting period for problems such as cruciate ligament issues and hip dysplasia. Plans with no waiting period, a waiting period shorter than six months, or an option to waive the waiting period, obtained higher scores.
- Direct payment to vet: 10% of score
- Pet insurance companies that facilitate direct payment to a vet earned more points.
- 24/7 vet healthLine: 10% of score
- Insurers that provide a 24/7 vet health line were rated highly in this category.
- Routine wellness plans: 10% of score
- Insurers offering optional wellness plans got extra points.
- Pays veterinary exam fees: 10% of score
- Not all insurers encompass exam fees, regardless if linked to an accidental injury or illness visit. Plans which cover vet exam fees earned higher scores.
- Euthanasia or end of life expenses: 5% of score
- Insurers that cover end-of-life costs like euthanasia, cremation, or burial fees, received a higher score.
- Multipet discount: 5% of score
- Several pet insurance companies provide a discount if you cover more than one pet. Insurers with a multi-pet discount received additional points.
Older Dog Pet Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is it difficult to get insurance for an older dog?
- Some pet insurance companies may deny you a policy once your dog reaches a particular age. For example, Healthy Paws and Trupanion enforce a maximum age limit of 14 years for senior dogs. However, you have the opportunity to purchase pet insurance before your dog reaches 14, which can offer lifetime coverage.
- Does pet insurance get more expensive with age?
- Yes, pet insurance tends to increase in price as pets get older. This is because older dogs frequently need veterinary attention compared to younger ones. We’ve found that the most affordable prices for insurance are from a dog’s first birthday until it’s about 6 years old. Around age nine, you can anticipate a notable increase in the cost of pet insurance.
- Does pet insurance cover euthanasia?
- Pet insurance policies sometimes include euthanasia services, where appropriate. For instance, Embrace, ManyPets, and Pumpkin cover end-of-life costs such as euthanasia.
- What is the oldest age you can insure a dog?
- Certain insurance providers impose no upper age limit, so you can insure a dog at any age. For instance, Pets Best imposes no upper age limit. Senior dogs are typically more expensive to insure because they are more likely to need care.
- Do I need vet records to insure my senior dog?
- Certain pet insurance companies may review your dog’s medical records or proof of a veterinary exam to check for pre-existing conditions before enrolling your pet. However, not all companies will require vet records to purchase a plan. For example, ASPCA does not require veterinary records or exams to process a plan.
