Intelligent and devoted, the German Shepherd (GSD) is undeniably one of the most loyal and beautiful breeds out there, so it’s no wonder that they are so popular!
But the unfortunate part of owning any animal, particularly a purebred, is that medical emergencies and conditions do happen. The expense of these issues can be quite high, so investing in pet insurance for your German Shepherd could help cover any unexpected costs.
Here, we look at the top pet insurance companies that offer the best coverage for German Shepherds. This will hopefully help keep your GSD happy and healthy for the longest time possible.
A Quick Comparison of the Winners for 2024
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Best Overall
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Embrace |
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Best Value
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Lemonade |
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Trupanion |
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Healthy Paws |
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Spot |
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The 10 Best German Shepherd Pet Insurance Providers
1. Embrace Pet Insurance — Best Overall
Embrace has been in the insurance business since 2003 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio. It offers an excellent incentive that gives you $50 off your annual deductible for every year that you don’t file a claim. It’s also one of the better insurance companies when it comes to pre-existing conditions.
Most insurance companies will not cover any of a pet’s pre-existing conditions, but Embrace only reviews the previous 12 months of your dog’s medical records. It covers breed-specific genetic disorders and offers customizations, including a wellness add-on, and multiple plans to choose from.
But there is a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions, like your pet’s hips and knees, and it doesn’t cover prescription food.
2. Lemonade — Best Value
Lemonade offers affordable coverage that will work well for tech-savvy GSD owners. It uses AI to pay your claims, which can be done quite speedily. It also offers customization, which includes add-ons like preventative care, such as vaccines and dental care, but the price will go up with the more add-ons and customizations that you choose.
It also covers congenital and chronic conditions, and the reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90%.
However, at this point, Lemonade is only available in 37 states, and it doesn’t provide coverage for alternative or behavioral therapies. It also doesn’t cover prescription food.
3. Trupanion
Trupanion originated in Canada in 1999 and later branched into the U.S., where it is based out of Seattle. One of its greatest features is that it’s one of the only insurance companies that pay the vet directly rather than you paying and then waiting for the reimbursement. This does depend on whether your vet uses Trupanion software, however.
It offers 90% reimbursement and a per-incident lifetime deductible instead of the usual yearly one. You can enroll your GSD at any age up to 14 years old, and it covers breed-specific health conditions.
But it doesn’t have much flexibility, as it only offers one benefit limit and one plan, so if you’re looking for options, Trupanion might not be for you. It also doesn’t cover wellness exams or preventative care, and it’s a bit on the pricey side.
4. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws is affordable and offers plans with reimbursement rates up to 90%, which are based on your dog’s age. It also covers breed-specific and inherited conditions and any conditions requiring lifetime medications and care (after successful enrollment).
It has several deductible options, and the claims and reimbursement process is simple due to the easy-to-use app, with an average reimbursement of 2 days. There are no annual limits and it has unlimited lifetime payouts.
But GSDs are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia, and Healthy Paws has a 12-month waiting period for this coverage. Additionally, there is no wellness or preventative care coverage, and restrictions are based on your pet’s age.
5. Spot Pet Insurance
Spot offers several options, including accident and illness and accident only; an add-on preventative care is also available. There are various customizations with the deductible, reimbursements, and annual limit options.
The company offers coverage of inherited and chronic conditions in addition to behavioral and alternative treatments. The bonus here is that unlike many other companies, it covers microchipping, exam fees, and prescription food for a covered medical condition. Spot also has no age restrictions.
Unfortunately, there is a 14-day waiting period for accidents, and the premiums are fairly high compared to most other insurance companies. Additionally, if your German Shepherd has a knee injury before enrollment or during the waiting period, Spot won’t cover any injury to a second leg, which is considered a bilateral condition.
6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a newer insurance company, founded in New York in 2019, that offers several coverage options, including an add-on wellness package called Preventative Essentials. It has a 90% reimbursement with several annual limits and deductible options.
You can submit your claims online or through the Pumpkin app. If you have more than one pet, you will receive a 10% discount for each pet added to the policy. Most importantly, there isn’t an extra-long waiting period for hip and knee issues.
But there is a 14-day waiting period for accidents, and an accident-only plan isn’t available. Also, 24/7 support isn’t available, unlike many other insurance companies.
7. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
The ASPCA is well-known for its excellent work rescuing animals, and it launched its own pet insurance in 2006. The plans are affordable and give you options of accident-only and accident-and-illness coverage, and there are also a few wellness plans available as add-ons.
It covers inherited and chronic conditions and offers multiple deductibles, annual limit options, and reimbursements. Dental and behavioral issues treatments, exam fees, diagnostics, and even acupuncture are all covered. It has a 30-day money-back guarantee and can reimburse you with direct deposit, which can speed up the repayment process.
However, the maximum annual limit is only $10,000, which might be problematic if your GSD runs into a serious health problem, and there’s a 14-day waiting period for accidents. Also, there’s a bilateral exclusion for knee injuries.
8. Figo Pet Insurance
Figo is one of the only insurance companies that consider covering a pre-existing condition if it’s curable and has presented no symptoms within 1 year of the last treatment. It gives you different plan options and something called “powerups,” which cover wellness, exam fees, and incidentals like property damage and stolen or lost pets.
Claims are processed quickly, typically in less than 3 business days, and you’ll have 24/7 access to licensed veterinary professionals. Figo offers up to 100% reimbursement, which makes it the only company that provides full reimbursement.
But there’s a 6-month waiting period for knee and hip conditions, and it doesn’t offer an accident-only plan. The premiums also increase as your German Shepherd ages.
9. Fetch by The Dodo
Fetch was originally Petplan Canada but partnered with The Dodo website in early 2022 and now has locations in NYC, Pennsylvania, and Winnipeg. Fetch offers affordable coverage and includes things like dental, office visits, medication, and surgeries.
Submitting a claim can be as easy as taking a picture of your veterinarian’s documents and sending them in. Reimbursement is 70% to 90%, and you receive it usually within 2 business days.
It doesn’t provide any preventative care, and there’s a 6-month wait for any knee or hip conditions. Also, the coverage for older dogs is more limited.
10. Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide is one of the biggest insurance companies for things like homes and cars. But it has also added pet insurance, which means it can give you discounts if you bundle all your insurance plans.
It has comprehensive coverage that includes most things like congenital and hereditary conditions, exam fees, and wellness care. It offers up to 90% reimbursement and has a 24/7 telehealth line.
Part of the problem with a large company, even an experienced one, is not always getting the right kind of customer service. It also doesn’t offer end-of-life services and won’t start coverage for pets over the age of 10.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance Provider for Your German Shepherd
What to Look For in Pet Insurance for German Shepherds
There’s so much to choose from in pet insurance. What one pet owner finds appealing might not be all that important to another. Since you’re shopping for a German Shepherd, you need to consider your dog’s current health, age, and activity level.
Be familiar with what health issues your GSD might face somewhere down the road. You will also need to factor in your budget and how long it takes the insurance company to reimburse you if these are an issue.
Policy Coverage
Read the fine print, and ensure that the policy covers precisely what you need it to cover for your German Shepherd. Focus on hereditary and breed-specific disorders, as GSDs are prone to hip dysplasia. Know about the inherited conditions that your breed is prone to.
Avoid companies with a 6-month or longer wait for hip and knee conditions. That’s a long time in the world of a dog. If you’re hoping for a plan that will cover wellness, you might end up paying extra money that won’t cover all your expenses, anyway.
Customer Service & Reputation
Dealing with a company that has excellent customer service is quite important. Make a point to read online reviews, both from reputable sources and other customers. Remember that some people write bad reviews because they don’t always understand the policies. But clearly, the more bad reviews of a company, the more likely that you want to consider looking elsewhere.
Try calling and speaking to a representative before you enroll. This can be an excellent way to determine how they handle their clients.
Claim Repayment
For some of us, this is a vital part of enrolling in pet insurance. The tighter your budget, the more critical the repayment. Insurance companies pay you once your claim is processed, but you are expected to pay the vet yourself. Trupanion is the only insurance company that pays the vet directly, but you’ll need to ensure that your vet is set up with the software.
If you end up with a company that reimburses you, check how quickly they process claims. Some companies can send your payment quickly, so see what the claim repayment process is like before you sign up. Additionally, many companies will send a check, so you might want to ask about direct deposit if that’s an important feature for you.
Price of Policy
The less you pay, the less coverage your dog will receive. Part of what determines how much you pay will be the breed and age of your dog and where you live. Then, you’ll need to consider what kind of plan you want to enroll in.
The more bells and whistles there are, the more you’ll pay. Since you can’t predict your dog’s future health, you’ll need to decide how much insurance you need to get. Also, if you want any add-ons, like preventative care, this will increase the overall amount that you’ll need to pay.
Plan Customization
Customizing a plan is available through most pet insurance companies, but keep in mind that some companies only have one plan. Premium plans with extra add-ons will give you top-tier coverage but for a higher price. Higher deductibles with lower annual limits will typically provide you with cheaper monthly payments.
Opting for insurance companies that give you many options can be overwhelming, but it is worth shopping around if you have a tight budget. Be sure to get quotes from several different companies to find the right plan that can give you the right coverage for a price that you can afford. Don’t forget to check the reviews!
FAQ
Can I Sign Up for Insurance If My Dog Already Has a Medical Condition?
No, most pet insurance companies will not cover any pre-existing medical conditions. For example, if your German Shepherd is treated for an ear infection before your policy takes effect, if they go to the clinic for another ear infection after your policy is active, the insurance company could consider it a chronic condition and will never cover any of your dog’s future ear infections.
If My Dog Needs Treatment After I’ve Applied for Insurance, Will It Be Covered?
Pet insurance companies all have a waiting period while your application is processed. If your GSD needs treatment, it won’t be covered during this period. Coverage only begins once your insurance is active.
What Happens If I Decide to Switch Insurance Companies?
This is tricky to do because if your dog has been diagnosed with a condition under the original insurance company’s plan, the new company will not cover this condition due to it being pre-existing.
Most pet insurance companies will follow this method if you stay with the company but want to switch plans. A new plan turns those conditions into pre-existing conditions and won’t necessarily be covered under a new plan.
What the Users Say
Just like almost everything that you see online, reviews tend to be quite mixed from clients. Even companies with mostly positive reviews will also have harsh reviews, which might be from clients who didn’t fully understand how their policy worked. But the more negative reviews with the same issues there are, the more you should keep looking at your options.
Unfortunately, you can’t know what will happen to your German Shepherd’s health throughout their lifetime. Many clients believe that their insurance helped pay for treatments that they otherwise couldn’t afford, that it essentially saved their pet’s life. Again, get as many quotes as possible and research your top choices.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
We addressed many of the features that you should look for when researching pet insurance companies. Not only should the insurance provider cover inherited and genetic conditions, but you should also try to find one that covers the cost of prescription food, chronic conditions, medications, and possibly behavioral therapy. These are all potential issues that might crop up when owning a German Shepherd. The importance of any other features that these companies have will be up to you and what suits your needs best.
Conclusion
ConclusionOur favorite insurance company is Embrace. We love that it gives you a $50 discount every year if you don’t submit a claim, and it has a bit of leniency with pre-existing conditions. Lemonade is budget friendly and has comprehensive coverage, and finally, Trupanion is the only insurance provider that pays the veterinarian directly.
Pet insurance can make the difference between being able to pay a costly vet bill or making a difficult decision, but it’s ultimately up to you. Be sure to read the policy carefully once you’ve settled on an insurance company, as it can lead to misunderstandings if you don’t know all the details.
Featured Image Credit: unclepepin, Shutterstock
