As we mentioned before, veterinary pet insurance generally does not cover congenital diseases—conditions that are present at birth. Many large dogs are prone to such defects, including hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as other bone and joint problems. Also large breeds tend to be more active and accident-prone, and for this reason, pet health insurance providers generally charge more to cover them. It’s a simple concept, really: the greater the risk, the more you have to pay for coverage.

If you have a large breed—like a Doberman or a Labrador retriever—there are certain things you should consider to determine whether or not insurance is a smart choice. Is your dog aggressive? Does he spend a lot of time outside without supervision? Are you able to pay for costs associated with the congenital conditions listed above?

Keep in mind that most veterinary health insurance policies reimburse you after you pay for treatment. That means you have to have the full amount up front, and then will get some of it back. If you can’t afford to do that, health insurance might not make sense. It might be better to take the $25–40 you would spend monthly and put it in an account. This way you might have the amount you need when your dog needs medical care.

Tags: large dogs pet insurance