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 coverage for adult and puppy German Shepherds 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
The Best Pet Insurance Companies For German Shepherds
Here are Canine Bible’s top 3 picks for the best pet insurance for GSDs.
You can click this link to go straight to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading so you can make a more informed decision about getting pet insurance for your GSD.
- Pets Best: Best value for your wallet.
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Great for curable pre-existing conditions.
- Healthy Paws: Best overall pet insurance for your German Shepherds
What Is 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 peace of mind and protecting your savings.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost For German Shepherds?
Dog insurance costs for German Shepherds will be based on your dog’s pre-existing health conditions, gender, age, and other factors.
We ran quotes for plans for German Shepherds with the top 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. An adult German Shepherds (3 years old), a young German Shepherds (1-year-old), and a puppy German Shepherds (3 months old).
Due to the vet costs rising and an increasing number of claims in the location you live, your monthly premium may be subject to increase. Your GSD may be quoted at $30 per month today, but the price may increase in the future.
Pet Insurance Quotes For German Shepherds
| Company | Deductible | Reimbursement | Annual Reimbursement Limit | Monthly Price | Location | Gender | Breed | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $57.97 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 3 Year Old |
| Embrace | $500 | 80% | $30000 | $47.02 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 3 Year Old |
| Pets Best | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $41.77 | California (zip code: 94203) | Male | German Shepherd | 3 Year Old |
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $31.30 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Embrace | $500 | 80% | $10000 | $39.43 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Pets Best | $500 | 80% | Unlimited | $28.56 | Kansas (zip code: 64030) | Female | German Shepherd | 1 Year Old |
| Healthy Paws | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $33.95 | North Carolina (zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
| Embrace | $500 | 70% | $10000 | $51.81 | North Carolina (zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
| Pets Best | $500 | 70% | Unlimited | $25.39 | North Carolina(zip code: 28105) | Female | German Shepherd | 3 Month Old |
So, how much are you expected to pay for canine insurance for your GSD?
If you get Pet Insurance for your German Shepherd, you can expect to pay between $25 to $57 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 2020.
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 will be able to seek out 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 Shepherds 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 GSD 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.
Having a good pet insurance plan will cover the majority of the vet costs as most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% 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 “Category Three Breed” or dog breeds 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
- Delivers peace of mind
- Can cover your pet’s hereditary condition
- Avoid veterinary rising cost
- Can help you find your missing/stolen pet
- Can cover third-party liabilities
- Helps you save money
PRO TIP: We strongly recommend getting pet insurance when your dog is healthy if the breed you own has a tendency to develop certain health conditions. Even if your dog develops chronic conditions in the future, you will be reimbursed for these issues throughout your dog’s lifetime.
German Shepherd insurance can prevent a lot of financial hardship for you. A dog’s chronic health issues, emergencies, and frequent vet visits can rack up costs throughout his lifetime.
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 GSD.
Healthy Paws (Best Overall)
Why is Healthy Paws a good choice for your German Shepherds?
When you file a claim under a Healthy Paws insurance plan, there are no caps on payouts.
Among the benefits provided by Healthy Paws are hospitalization, diagnostic testing, supplies, surgeries, and prescription medication. Healthy Paws covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, including hip dysplasia.
They have competitive premium prices. We ran a quote for a healthy German Shepherd at a $500 deductible, with 70% and 80% coverage. You can expect to pay between $31 and $57, respectively, depending on your location, pet’s age, and other factors.
With Healthy Paws, you can start protecting your precious German Shepherd puppy at just 8-weeks old and make sure 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.
Embrace Pet Insurance Review (Great For Curable 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 diseases after 12 months of symptom and treatment free.
Embrace offers one comprehensive policy with fair and honest coverage, including breed-specific, congenital, and chronic conditions and all associated costs.
Embrace has you covered when your German Shepherd gets injured from broken bones surgery and hospitalization to prescription medications. They also covered breed-specific conditions such as hip dysplasia, which is common in GSDs.
Based on our research, if you sign up with Embrace, you can expect to pay between $39 and $51, but prices may vary depending on your location, GSD’s age, and other factors.
Claims are processed relatively quickly. It may take 10 to 15 business days to get reimbursed. Centers for after-hour treatment are included in emergency care coverage.
One cool feature about Embrace is that your GSD’s annual deductible goes down $50 each year you don’t receive an accident or illness claim reimbursement.
*Wellness Rewards not available in Rhode Island.
Pets Best Review (Best Value)
Pets Best offers great pet insurance coverage for your GSD, but that’s also affordable.
To give you an estimate of your monthly premium, we ran a few quotes for a healthy German Shepherd at a $500 deductible and a 70% and 80% coverage. Based on our research, you can expect to pay between $25 and $41, depending on your location, pet’s age, gender, and other factors.
There is no upper age limit, so you can enroll your aging German Shepherd in a plan no matter how old they are. Rates will go up the older your pet gets.
Pets Best dog insurance plans offer coverage for accidents, emergencies, illnesses, cancer, hereditary and congenital conditions, and much more.
They have a reasonable claim repayment time averaging 8 days. Due to the high demand in claims, it may be longer than that.
Average Cost of German Shepherds Vet Bills (Vet Visit 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 type of visit.
Healthy Vet Visits
- Puppy vaccinations: $75-100
- Flea & tick prevention: $40-200
- Heartworm prevention: $24-120
- Spay or neuter surgery: $200-800
- Annual exam: $240-600
- Teeth cleaning: $200-500
- Microchip: $40
Emergency Vet Visits
- General consultation/exam: $100-$150
- General bloodwork: $80-200
- X-rays: $150-$250
- Ultrasound: $300-$600
- 1-2 day hospitalization: $600-$1,700
- 3-5 day hospitalization: $1,500-$3,500
- Wound treatment & repair: $800-$1,500
- Emergency surgery: $800-$2,500
- Oxygen therapy: $500
Sources: Emergency Vets USA & Rover
Pet Insurance For German Shepherd Puppy
Do you need to insure your German Shepherd puppy? Here are the top reasons why you should get German Shepherd puppy insurance.
- Lower Premiums. The cost of insuring younger pets is lower than that of older ones. Due to the fact that pet insurance rates are based on age, breed, and location, puppies will have a lower premium.
- Covering Future Conditions. If you know your dog breed is presdisposed to certain health issues, it’s best to insure your puppy before he shoes shows any symptoms or is diagnosed with an illness or issue. Most pet insurance provides won’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, if your puppy develops one (i.e. cancer, allergies, diabetis) when insured, your pet insurance company will cover the cost and any future expenses.
- Puppies Get In Trouble. GSD puppies will eat, chew and lick pretty much anything. They are more prone to suffer from accidents and bacteria, virus infection.
- Puppy Vet Bills. When you get a puppy for the first time, there are a lot of expenses associated with rasing a puppy. From toys, food to vet-related expenses. In fact, 81% of pet parents spend up to $500 on vet visits in the first year of having a puppy. While, the upfront costs for first-year pet ownership typically cost over $1,000 says the ASPCA.
Types of Pet Insurance Coverage
What does pet insurance cover? There are 2 main types of pet insurance plans.
Accident Plans: Covers accident-related medical care such as ingestion of foreign objects, poisoning, or if your GSD was hit by a car.
Illness Plans: Coves unexpected sickness, disease, and any changes to your dog’s normal healthy state (i.e., allergies and cancer)
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 accident 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.
Take a look at the table below to see the most common items covered by each type of pet insurance plan.
| 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 GSD, you’ll need to carefully review the different plans to see what isn’t covered.
Most pet insurance policies exclude the following:
- Grooming
- Pre-existing conditions
- Unrelated veterinary services
- Behavioral training, therapy or treatment
- Breeding and pregnancy
- GSD Foods or dietary or nutritional supplements
- Boarding and transportation
This exclusion will vary depending on which pet insurance company and plan you choose.
Pro Tip: Please always READ your policy! Request the full 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 running into surprises down the road.
How Do I Pick The Right Dog Insurance For My German Shepherd?
Here are 8 tips to help you choose the best pet insurance policy for your German Shepherd.
- Compare the coverage under each plan with your German Shepherd’s specific health concerns.
- Research what illnesses are prevalent in your dog’s breed and pick your plan accordingly (Use our table above for the most common German Shepherd health issues).
- Speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s aging health concerns.
- Pick a plan based on the right cost and coverage benefits, not price alone.
- Obtain at least three quotes based on the information you provide about your GSD’s age, health, gender, and needs.
- The earlier you sign your German Shepherd for pet insurance, typically means lower the monthly premiums
- Evaluate and pick the monthly premium, deductibles, and reimbursement amount that best fits your needs.
- Narrow down your choices with our recommended top 3 providers.
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 what the terms and conditions mean before you buy.
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Resources & References: [1] USA Today, [2] CNBC, [3] NCBI
