Pet insurance for older dogs

Pet insurance for wise old Fidos

Dog insurance is designed to ease the financial burden of veterinary care.* If you insure your canine buddy later in life, there are a few things to know before barking up the pet insurance tree.

  • Dogs up to age 14 can enroll!
  • No additional fees 
  • 30 days risk-free** — cancel for a full refund if no claims filed 

What is pet insurance for older dogs?

Technically, ManyPets doesn’t offer “senior dog insurance” as a separate product — it’s all just dog insurance! However, you’ll likely encounter higher prices — and perhaps more exclusions for pre-existing conditions — if you buy dog insurance for an older pet. Learn more about our insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions.

ManyPets covers newly insured dogs up to 14 years old. And if your dog was insured before they turned 14-plus-one-day, there’s no age limit so long as you keep them continuously insured and routinely cared for by a vet.

dog with ball in his mouth

When are dogs considered "older" or "senior?"

You know your dog is a bona fide senior citizen when they start dispensing wise advice to younger pups, like "never pass up a good belly rub" or "chasing your tail is just a waste of energy."

But what about the actual number cutoff? Unlike cats, which are generally considered seniors around 7–10 years old, dog's seniority can be influenced by their size.

For a small dog, that could be around 11 years, for medium-sized dogs, it's 10ish years, and for large breeds, it's around 8 years.

Remember, proper preventative care can make your dog's senior years much healthier and happier. (Keep those teefers clean!)

two people with their dog

Is pet insurance for older dogs worth it?

It's best to start insuring your pup when they're still bouncing off the walls with energy. But if you’ve already waited until they’re older, well, hindsight is 20/20! Insuring an elderly dog can still be worth it — potentially. You'll need to weigh some important considerations first.

Let's start with the biggest factor: pre-existing conditions. There isn’t always much benefit to buying pet insurance for older dogs with pre-existing conditions, since past conditions usually aren’t eligible for coverage unless they’ve been fully cured for 18 months**. Premiums for older dogs are likely to be higher, since they're more prone to developing health conditions.The bottom line is that it all comes down to your finances and your pet's health status.

Forbes Advisor 2023. America's best pet insurance company. ManyPets was awarded 5 stars

Forbes' #1 Pet Insurance Company for 2023

ManyPets insurance facts

ManyPets offers coverage* for accidents and illnesses at competitive prices with no hidden fees. ManyPets may also cover certain items — like accident/illness exams and treatments for dental disease — that some of our competitors don’t. And unlike many other companies, ManyPets doesn’t place annual caps on reimbursement for approved claims.
small pink house with cross on it

Choose any vet

— no networks!

Heart with arrow around it

No annual or lifetime limits on payouts

for approved claims

cell phone with money sign

Direct deposit reimbursements

straight to your bank account

Umbrella

Covered treatments some companies exclude

including accident/illness exams and treatments for dental disease

How does ManyPets pet insurance compare to the competition?

When you choose insurance for your cat or dog, it's important to do you your homework. Here's how ManyPets stacks up against other pet insurance plans:

Policy Details ManyPets Nationwide PetsBest Fetch HealthyPaws Trupanion
All Plans Feature no Annual Limit ✔️ N/A - No unlimited option N/A - No unlimited option ✔️ ✔️
No Fees (Sign-up, Payment Installment, etc) ✔️ 2 months due at signup + $2/month installment fee $2/month installment fee $3.48/month installment fee $25 fee to sign-up $50 fee to sign-up
No Condition-Specific Waiting Periods ✔️
Accident & Illness Coverage ManyPets Nationwide PetsBest Fetch HealthyPaws Trupanion
Vet Specialists & ER Visits ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
All Plans Cover Sick Visit Exam Fee ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
All Plans Cover Rx Medication ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Dental Illness ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Hereditary Conditions ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Treatment of Pre-existing Conditions Covered if 18 months no signs or symptoms 12 months Covered if 18 months no signs or symptoms
Cancer Treatment ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Diagnostic Testing ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Wellness Coverage ManyPets Nationwide PetsBest Fetch HealthyPaws Trupanion
Total Annual Benefit $600 $500 $535 No Wellness Plan Available No Wellness Plan Available No Wellness Plan Available
No "Filler", One-Time-Use Benefits ✔️ Microchip Microchip, Spay/Neuter
Up to $150 for Vaccines ✔️ $75 max $40 max
Up to $150 for Vitamins + Supplements ✔️ Not included Not included
Up to $150 for Dental Cleanings ✔️ Not included ✔️
Up to $150 for Tests + Parasite Prevention ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Customer Support ManyPets Nationwide PetsBest Fetch HealthyPaws Trupanion
Speak with US-based Agents in Seconds ✔️ ? ? ? ? ?
Live Chat Available ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
24/7 Tele-Vet Coming Soon ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

Comparisons are based on quotes manually taken from each competitor's website in 2022. These are subject to change at any time.

Pet insurance should be easy — and now it is

How dog insurance claims work*

Green house with cross on it

Visit any vet

Pick a vet, any vet. No networks, no restrictions.

Cell phone

Claim online

File a claim online anytime during or after your pet's vet visit.

Painless money

Get up to 80% of your vet bill back*

No, really. 80%.

drawing of dog brushing teeth

Save big on your senior pup's preventative care

ManyPets Wellness Plan designed for senior dogs

All the items your senior dog needs, including:
  • Dental care: professional cleanings and at-home dental care
  • Vaccines and boosters
  • Routine health check-ups
  • Parasite prevention: flea, tick, heartworm
  • Vitamins, supplements, and more

$600 in wellness benefits for $46.04 $34.99/mo

A pile of puppies climbing on each other in a pyramid

Insurance for all your woofs and meows.

ManyPets offers insurance* for dogs and cats of all ages, including puppies and kittens, adult dogs and cats, and older dogs and cats. Get information on options for the whole furry family.

Dogs

Cats

We've got answers

Frequently asked questions

Everything else you may want to know about ManyPets insurance for older doggos.

Is pet insurance for older dogs worth it?

It's best to start insuring your dog when they're still young. But if you’ve already waited until they’re older, well, hindsight is 20/20! Still, insuring an elderly dog can still be worth it — potentially.

There isn’t always much benefit to buying pet insurance for older dogs with pre-existing conditions, since past conditions usually aren’t eligible for coverage unless they’ve been fully cured for 18 months**. Additionally, premiums for older dogs are likely to be higher since they are more prone to developing health conditions.

The bottom line is that it all comes down to your finances and your pet's health status. Do your homework before signing up!

Why get pet insurance for older dogs?

Pet insurance can often ease the burden of paying for vet care, especially if your cat requires costly emergency or specialty care. If your dog doesn’t have any major chronic conditions — or if any of their past conditions have been fully cured for a significant period of time period** — it might be worth it to purchase pet insurance, despite the higher premiums.

But if your dog's primary health conditions are likely to be considered pre-existing, pet insurance may not be worth it. Do your research!

Is pet insurance more expensive for older dogs?

Age is just one of several factors that influence your premium. All other factors being equal, a premium for an older dog is indeed likely to be higher than a premium for a younger one. Since older dogs are significantly more likely to develop serious health conditions.

Do dog insurance plans cover end-of-life services?

ManyPets pet insurance does indeed offer coverage for euthanasia and cremation related to accidents and illnesses that qualify for coverage. Not all pet insurance companies can say the same. But for now, let’s just think about keeping your furry family member happy, healthy, and frisky well into their senior years.

Does pet insurance cover senior dogs?

Yes, ManyPets covers newly-insured dogs until they’re 14 years old (plus one day). But if you insure your dog when they’re younger, you can keep them insured no matter how old they get, so long as you keep them continuously insured and routinely cared for by a vet.

How much does insurance for senior dogs cost?

Since breed and location also impact prices, there’s no universal answer to this question. But you can easily find out your exact price. Just get a quote!

What can pet insurance cover for my senior dog?

Pet insurance can cover any conditions that aren’t excluded under your ManyPets policy.

Such exclusions include pre-existing conditions, conditions that arose during your waiting period, and preventative care, though preventative care may be covered under our optional (non-insurance) Wellness Plan.

Again, keep in mind that older dogs are likelier to suffer from pre-existing conditions.

What’s the difference between a pet health insurance policy and a pet wellness plan?

The ManyPets pet health insurance policy covers treatments and healthcare costs for accidents or illness, while the wellness plan provides reimbursement for routine and preventative care. Speaking of which...

Join the ManyPets pack

We cover over 400,000 pet parents across the globe

*ManyPets analyzes every claim on its own merits, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. Exclusions apply, including those for pre-existing conditions. Only claims unrelated to an excluded treatment or condition are eligible for coverage.

**Risk-free period, waiting period, duration before cured conditions cease to be considered pre-existing, and other policy details may vary by state due to relevant regulatory rules and changes. Always refer to your own state’s policy wording.