Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds: How Much It Costs, Quotes & FAQs
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This is the most comprehensive guide to finding the best pet insurance for German Shepherds.
You know how expensive routine vet visits and everyday preventive care can be if you have a German Shepherd. But what if your GSD stumbles and breaks his ACL while playing? The veterinary cost can go through the roof and hurt your wallet! To offset the costs of keeping your GSD in excellent health, pet insurance can ease the financial burden of paying for your next vet bill.
Meet our top picks for the best pet insurance providers that offer adult and puppy German Shepherds coverage and learn why you need to consider German Shepherd pet insurance.
- Top Picks Insurance
- What Is Pet Insurance?
- How Much Will I Pay?
- Is GSD Pet Insurance Worth It?
- Best German Shepherd Pet Insurance Reviews
- Average Cost of Healthy Vet Visits & Emergencies
- Pet Insurance For German Shepherd Puppy
- Pet Insurance Types
- What Is Not Covered
- How to Pick Pet Insurance
- German Shepherd Pet Insurance
Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds
Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for German Shepherds.
You can click this link to go to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision about getting pet insurance for your German Shepherd.
What Is German Shepherd Pet Insurance?
Getting pet insurance for your German Shepherd dog is equivalent to getting health insurance for yourself. Pet Insurance is designed to reimburse dog owners for unexpected veterinary expenses and related fees, giving them peace of mind and protecting their savings.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost For German Shepherds?
German Shepherd’s dog insurance prices will be based on your pet’s pre-existing health conditions, gender, age, location, and other factors.
Keep in mind rising vet costs due to technological advances and an increasing number of claims in your location, which can increase your monthly payment. For instance, if your German Shepherd is quoted at $45 per month today, that price is subject to change.
We compared quotes for plans for German Shepherds with three popular pet insurance providers to help you find the best fit for you in terms of monthly premiums and coverage. We chose three German Shepherds at different stages in their life.
Check out our Pet Insurance Comparison table for German Shepherds below.
Pet Insurance Quotes For German Shepherds
| Company | Deductible | Reimbursement | Annual Reimbursement Limit | Monthly Price | Location | Gender | Breed | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $70.30 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 5 years |
| Lemonade | $500 | 70% | $100,000 | $40.58 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 5 years |
| Spot Pet Insurance | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $67.22 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 5 years |
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $36.52 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Lemonade | $500 | 80% | $100,000 | $20.92 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Spot Pet Insurance | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $45.21 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $37.64 | North Carolina (zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
| Lemonade | $500 | 70% | $100,000 | $29.39 | North Carolina (zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
| Spot Pet Insurance | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $68.94 | North Carolina (zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
How Much Is German Shepherd Canine Insurance?
If you get Pet Insurance for your German Shepherd, you can expect to pay between $20 to $70 per month. Depending on where you live, what deductible, and the reimbursement percentage you choose, you may spend more or less.
NOTE: The quotes we ran were for dogs with no pre-existing conditions. All quotes are from November 2022
Is Pet insurance For German Shepherds Worth it?
Here are 3 main reasons why you should consider getting pet insurance for your German Shepherd.
1. Avoid Deciding Between Your Wallet & Your GSD
Too many dog owners have been forced to make the heartbreaking decision to elect for “economic euthanasia” because they didn’t have the resources to help their dogs.[1] With pet insurance, you can seek medical care for your ailing or injured GSD without having to worry about hurting your finances.
On average, the most common dog treatments cost $252.75. While a more severe condition like Hip dysplasia, the number one problem explicitly related to German Shepherds, alone can cost $1,500 – $6,000 to diagnose and treat.
2. Accidents
According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, nearly 70% of households in the U.S. own a pet, and it’s estimated that 1 in 3 will need emergency veterinary treatment every year.[2] So, how does that translate to German Shepherd’s numbers?
Well, in the U.S. alone, about 4.6% of all AKC-registered dogs are German Shepherds. This gives over 3.5 million German Shepherd dogs in the U.S. alone. So, unfortunately, 33% (1 in 3) of those GSDs will conventionally end up needing emergency care. This could lead to massive vet bills. In fact, the average cost of unexpected veterinary care for dogs is between $800 and $1,500.
A good pet insurance plan will cover most of the vet costs as most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 90% of total vet expenses after deductibles.
3. Common Health Issues for German Shepherds
Don’t think you need Pet Insurance for your German Shepherd? Not so fast!
In a study on German Shepherd disorders, The UK Kennel Club Breed Watch system categorizes the GSD as a “Category Three Breed,” or dog breed where dogs have visible conditions or exaggerations that can cause pain or discomfort.[3]
The research also revealed that GSDs have the highest predisposition to inherited diseases among the 50 most commonly registered Kennel Club breeds. Individual disorders with a reported predisposition in the GSD include hip dysplasia, haemangiosarcoma, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, degenerative myelopathy, anal furunculosis, and lumbosacral disease.
These are some of the most common health problems German Shepherds dogs are prone to develop. We also include the level of risk (susceptibility to each health condition) and how much you are expected to pay.
| Condition | Risk | Cost to Diagnose & Treat |
|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | High | $1500 - to $7,000 per hip |
| Perianal Fistula | High | $2000 - to $5,000 |
| Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (Bloat) | Medium-High | $1,500 - $7,500 |
| Elbow Dysplasia | High | $1,500- $4,000 |
| Cardiomyopathy | High | $500 - $1,500 |
| Degenerative Myelopathy | High | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder | Medium | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Megaesophagus | Medium | $400 - $500 |
| Osteochondrosis of the Knee/Spine | High | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Hyperparathyroidism | High | $2,000-$8,000 |
| Hemivertebrae | Medium | $2,500 - 6,000 |
| Compulsive Behaviors | High | $500 - $3,000 |
| Corneal Dystrophy | High | $300 - $3,000 |
| Cataracts | High | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Degenerative Disc Disease | Medium | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy | Medium | $200 - $1,500 |
| Epilepsy | Low | $200 - $5,000 (varies by amount of doses needed) |
| Aortic Stenosis | Medium | $500 - $1,500 |
| Allergies | Medium | $600 - $1,100 |
Data Source: AKC, Embrace Pet Insurance, Figo Pet Insurance
Other Reasons To Get Dog Insurance For Your German Shepherd
Pro Tip: If you know your dog breed is prone to develop certain health issues, we highly recommend getting a pet insurance policy when your dog is still healthy. If your dog does develop chronic conditions down the road, you’re guaranteed reimbursement for these issues throughout your dog’s life.
Pet Insurance for your German Shepherd can spare you financial trouble. Chronic health conditions, emergencies, and vet visits can rack up costs throughout your German Shepherd’s life.
Best Pet Insurance For German Shepherds
Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for German Shepherds.
We’ve reviewed each company based on specific breed needs, customer reviews, affordability, and other factors to help you choose the right company and coverage for your German Shepherd.
Best Overall — Healthy Paws
We named Healthy Paws our best overall pet insurance for your German Shepherd for its comprehensive coverage, pricing, availability, and customer service. There are no caps on payouts when you file a claim under a Healthy Paws insurance plan. A Healthy Paws insurance plan may cover accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, genetic conditions, and alternative care.
They have competitive premium prices. We ran a quote for a healthy German Shepherd at a $500 deductible, with 70% coverage. Depending on your location, pet’s age, and other factors, you can expect to pay between $36 and $70.
With Healthy Paws, you can start protecting your German Shepherd at 8 weeks old. You can protect them from anything like a pesky bee sting to parvo. Once you pay your deductible, there is no limit on the amount your policy can reimburse you. It also has fewer coverage exclusions compared to many competitors. Healthy Paws states that they pay 99% of claims in two days.
Pros
Cons
Best Value — Lemonade Pet Insurance
Lemonade offers excellent pet insurance coverage for your German Shepherd at the most affordable price. While your monthly premium cost will vary by location, pet’s age, gender, and other factors, Lemonade premiums usually start at just $10 a month, the lowest in the industry.
To estimate your monthly premium, we ran a few quotes for a healthy German Shepherd at a $500 deductible and 70%, 80%, and 90% coverage. Based on our research, you can expect to pay between $20 and $40.
We love that Lemonade is tech-forward, making it easy to manage your policy and file claims through an app. Their plans cover accidents and illnesses, including injuries, poisonings, broken bones, sprains, infections, general sicknesses, cancer, heart disease, hip dysplasia, hernias, skin conditions and more.
They also offer several add-ons to help pet owners pay for exam fees, physical therapy, and preventive care costs.
Pros
Cons
Most Customizable Plans — Spot Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance is ideal for German Shepherd dog owners who want a variety of ways to customize their policy. Spot offers seven annual limit options, three reimbursement levels, and five annual deductibles. They offer the lowest deductible in the industry ($100), meaning that when your German Shepherd gets sick, you pay less upfront before your plan starts paying. With so many customization options, this company it’s our top pick for finding a plan for meeting your specific financial needs and those of your pet.
Spot’s policies also cover some items, such as exam fees and microchipping, that many other pet insurance providers don’t offer. They also have one of the cheapest plans for accident-only coverage, making it perfect for pet owners who only need minimal coverage.
If you sign up with Spot Pet Insurance, based on our research, you can expect to pay between $45 and $68, but prices may vary depending on your location, your German Shepherd’s age, and other factors.
Spot covers you when your German Shepherd gets hurt unexpectedly, from tooth extractions to torn ligaments. They can also cover Perianal Fistula treatment, which German Shepherds are prone to, as long as they were diagnosed after coverage.
Pros
Cons
Great For Pre-Existing Conditions
If your German Shepherd suffers from a curable pre-existing condition Embrace Pet Insurance is your best choice! Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, but Embrace distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. They can cover curable conditions after 12 months of symptoms and are treatment-free.
German Shepherd Average Vet Bill Cost (Healthy Vet Visits vs Emergencies)
Aside from treatment costs for specific health conditions, here is a glance at the average price for common regular vet visits versus emergency visits. Without pet insurance, you should expect to pay similar amounts for either visit.
Healthy Vet Visits
Emergency Vet Visits
Sources: Emergency Vets USA & Rover
Pet Insurance For German Shepherd Puppy
Should you get pet insurance for your German Shepherd puppy? Here are the top reasons you should consider German Shepherd puppy insurance.
Types of Pet Insurance Coverage
What does pet insurance cover? It depends on your plan. There are two main types of pet insurance plans.
You can sign up for 1 or 2 (or both), but this will mostly depend on your German Shepherd’s needs and finances. Most pet insurance companies nowadays offer a single plan that includes accidents and illness.
In addition to that, pet insurance providers also offer wellness plans, also known as “routine” or “preventative.” care plans. It covers most routine vet visits, such as vaccinations. A wellness plan is not pet insurance.
The Most Common Items Covered Per Type of Pet Insurance
| Accident Coverage | Illness Coverage | Wellness Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Broken bones | Obesity | Flea, tick and worm treatments |
| Torn ligaments | UTIs | Rabies |
| Bite wounds | Cancer | Microchip |
| Poisoning | Hypothyroidism | De-worming |
| Injuries | Digestive Issues | teeth cleaning |
| Emergencies | IVDD | Routine testing |
| Eye Injuries | Vomiting and diarrhea | Annual exams |
| Snake Bite | Arthritis | Spay and neuter |
| Toxin food ingestion | Parasites | Urinalysis (ERD) |
*i. Not all pet insurance companies offer wellness plans. ii. Coverage items will depend and vary depending on the company and plan you choose.
What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?
Pet insurance doesn’t cover it all!
When buying Pet Insurance for your German Shepherd, you’ll need to carefully review the different plans to see what isn’t covered.
Most pet insurance policies exclude the following:
This exclusion will vary depending on your pet insurance company and plan.
Tip: Please always read your policy! Request the complete list of exclusions before getting pet insurance. This will ensure your German Shepherd is fully covered by the plan you pick and help you avoid surprises down the road.
How Do I Pick The Right Dog Insurance For My German Shepherd?
Here are eight tips to help you choose the best pet insurance policy for your German Shepherd.
Should I Get German Shepherd Pet Insurance?
If money is not an issue for you and you can pay for unforeseen pet health emergencies, you probably don’t need pet insurance.
But if you don’t have a couple of thousand dollars on hand for surgery, you should consider getting pet insurance for your GSD!
Having coverage will give you the freedom to make medical decisions for your beloved German Shepherd based on the quality of life, not finances. If you decide to get pet insurance, read the policy carefully, and understand the terms and conditions before buying.
