Best Pet Insurance for English Bulldogs

Why should you consider pet insurance for your English Bulldog

With a mushy face that is prone to respiratory disorders, a gait that is predisposed to stiffness and a stacked body that is susceptible to further stacking (obesity), the question to ask is ‘Why shouldn’t you consider pet insurance for your English Bulldog?’ Medical bills for this breed are likely to be higher than for many other dogs.

Pet insurance is a recommended step towards financially securing ourselves and our pets for unknown and unpredictable pet medical emergencies.

Unexpected accidents, medical illnesses, and other situations have a tendency to come unannounced and leave an impact. Veterinary rounds, surgeries, and medications, obviously, do not come cheap. Insurance is a financial safety net to fall back on in cases of unexpected medical costs.  

Common health issues in English Bulldogs and approximate costs to treat them

Being a purebred, English Bulldogs don’t really have a wide gene pool. Furthermore, they have pinched nostrils, flat muzzles, and wrinkly faces, making them more prone to eye and ear infections, bacterial build-ups, and respiratory disorders. Here is a table listing possible health issues an English Bulldog may face in their lifetime.

Health issue	Approximate cost to treat
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia	$1200 – $5000
Patellar Luxation	$1500 – $3000
Tail problems	$200 – $2000 (depending on severity)
Cherry eye	$300 – $1000
Dry eye	$20 – $50 per month
Cleft Palate	$1000 – $3000
Entropion	$1400 – $2000
Brachycephalic syndrome	$500 – $5000 (depending on severity)
Allergies	$500+
Skin disease	$300 – $1500
Dental problems	$200- $2000

How much does pet insurance for an English Bulldog cost?

Here’s a table comparing English Bulldogs insurance quotes from major insurance providers. The monthly premiums will change depending on the age of the dog, and state (for example, average premiums are higher in New York and lesser in Beverly Hills, CA)

INSURANCE NAME	DEDUCTIBLE	AVERAGE MONTHLY PREMIUM	REIMBURSEMENT	Wellness Coverage
Spot	$100 – $1000	$40 – $70	70%, 80%, 90%	Yes
Lemonade	$100 – $500	$50 – $70	70%, 80%, 90%	Yes
Embrace	$200 – $1000	$45 – $80	70% – 90%	Yes
Trupanion	200$ – 1000$ (per condition)	$50 – $80	80% – 100%	No
ASPCA	$100 – $500	$52 – $90	70%, 80%, 90%	Yes
FIGO	$100 – $750	$40 – $80	70%, 80%, 90%, 100%	No

Different kinds of insurance focusing on different aspects

The English Bulldog is a dog that will require a lot of special attention and care throughout their life. The cost of pet insurance would vary depending on the type of pet insurance, coverage, deductibles, reimbursements, etc. Let’s take a look at the main types of insurance options for your English Bulldog.

1. Accident

Accident specifically covers the cost of emergency veterinary care and treatment for an unexpected accident such as being hit by a vehicle or a broken bone. Multiple insurance companies specialize in accident coverage and can be considered as an option if your English Bulldog is accident-prone.

2. Accident and Illness

This is a more comprehensive insurance policy and is the most popular option amongst pet parents as it provides a comprehensive coverage of accidents, but also medical illnesses such as diabetes or infections, and includes fees such as hospitalization, surgery and more.

3. Preventative/Wellness

With the rising competition in the pet insurance market, some companies have introduced plans that allow pet owners to pay flat monthly fees to cover regular care such as vaccinations and annual exams, flea and tick medication, heartworm preventative, and dental cleanings that can help keep your pet from getting sick

4. Catastrophic Illness Insurance

Catastrophic illness insurance is limited to particular illnesses that may require long-term hospitalization or advanced treatment techniques such as cancer. Several pet parents consider making a switch to catastrophic illness insurance as their dog ages.

5. Others

Wellness, rehabilitation, alternative therapies, acupuncture, cremation, burial, etc are those aspects of medical emergencies that several pet parents usually don’t account for but may add up eventually. Multiple pet insurance companies offer coverage for these in addition to the existing illnesses and accidents.

Pet insurance for an English Bulldog puppy vs an adult/ mature English Bulldog

Whether you have an American Bully, a French Bulldog or an English Bulldog, it is always a good idea to buy pet insurance when your pet is a puppy. This is when they are at the best of their health, thereby reducing the likelihood of a pre-existing medical condition. Several medical conditions such as heart diseases, and kidney and liver issues do not appear till the Bulldog is around 1-2 years of age, but some common Bulldog issues such as joint conditions and entropion can be discovered very early. Getting your pet insured whilst still a puppy reduces the potential of these conditions being diagnosed when not yet insured, and then classed as pre-existing. 

Getting your English Bulldog insured when he’s a puppy will not only cost you a cheaper monthly premium as compared to an adult English Bulldog but will also give you more lifetime value for your pet insurance. If they end up developing a serious health condition in the future, the right pet insurance will give them the financial protection and ability to provide them with the best health care.

Companies like Trupanion claim that they lock the monthly premium at the pup’s age it was bought. Meaning, if you buy Trupanion insurance for your 5-month-old English Bulldog, the aging dog will never be a contributing factor to increasing premiums in the future.

Factors that affect the cost of buying pet insurance for your English Bulldog

Understanding factors that affect pet insurance rates will enable you to make adjustments and plan effectively in advance to reduce costs. Here are some factors that affect the cost of the monthly premiums you’d pay when you buy pet insurance.

• Age of the dog

Age can be a factor in determining the price of your pet insurance monthly premium. Since older pets are at a higher risk for developing several health conditions – younger pets tend to be cheaper to insure than older ones. Eventually, you’d be paying a lower premium as compared to an English Bulldog pet parent whose dog has been enrolled at an older age.

• Breed of the dog

Did you know, English Bulldogs are considered potentially high-risk dogs when it comes to pet insurance? They have naturally shallow hip joints and punched-in snouts; physical traits that make them highly predisposed to health conditions such as hip dysplasia and brachycephalic syndrome as compared to several other breeds.

Securing your risky pup with pet insurance will help you to give them the best medical treatment when needed with less financial concern.

• Health history of the dog

A pet’s medical records are typically retrieved after submission of the first claim. Some companies may ask for this information beforehand. Pet insurance companies know about your pet’s past health history by processing and verifying these records

Say you decide to get insurance for your English Bulldog after they are diagnosed with hip dysplasia. This will be considered a ‘pre-existing’ condition and will not be eligible for coverage.

• Coverage limits

Every policy has a coverage limit, meaning, the highest amount of money an insurance policy will pay in the event of a claim. Some companies may have a per-claim limit whereas some companies may have an annual limit. It is something pet parents can choose before buying the insurance. Higher the coverage limit, the more the premium cost.

• Reimbursement %

Reimbursement % refers to the portion of the claim you are eligible to be reimbursed for. Most companies range between 70% to 100% of the total vet bill. Higher the reimbursement %, the costlier the premium.

• Deductibles

In simple words, a deductible is the amount the pet parent will have to pay to the veterinarian or animal hospital before the insurance policy kicks in and starts making payments for claims. Typically, deductibles range from $0 to $1000, the average being 100, $250, and $500. A higher deductible means that the buyer will have to pay a lower premium because they are choosing to cover a larger portion of their English Bulldog’s medical expenses out of pocket.

The deductible could be annual, or per condition.

Other Important things to look out for while buying pet insurance for an English Bulldog

1. Insurance waiting period

A pet insurance waiting period is the amount of time after the purchase of a policy that you must wait before making any claims. The waiting period is different for different companies and may range from 2 days to a month. Waiting periods help insurance companies prevent fraud by making it impossible to receive an insurance payout on a pre-existing condition or accident that occurred before the policy was purchased. Some inherited conditions, such as hip dysplasia, can have long waiting periods.

2. Exclusions

Knowing just what a pet health insurance company excludes from its policies can make all the difference in deciding which one could be right for you and your pet. For example, Fetch covers vet examination fees whereas Trupanion excludes it. However, they also make up for it by providing 100% coverage, unlike Fetch. Make sure to consider all these aspects and match them to your and your Bulldog’s needs.

3. Inclusions

Inclusions can be tricky to understand in some conditions. For example, dental coverage will vary from company to company. Most of them will only cover dental work resulting from an accident. Any cosmetic or aesthetic work may not be covered. Similarly, routine cleanings, removal of deciduous teeth, endodontics, caps, crowns, fillings, root canals, etc may not be covered. English Bulldogs are prone to dental problems due to their flat faces.

Inclusions are typically the first thing we must look at while buying pet insurance. Every insurance provider focuses on different kinds of medical emergencies such as illnesses, wellness, rehabilitation, accidents, etc. Pick one that best suits your and your dog’s needs.

4. Discounts

Multi-pet discounts, military discounts, senior discounts, service dog discounts, etc are some of the many types of discounts provided by insurance companies. Some policies are known to provide discounts to pet owners for routine procedures like spaying, neutering, vaccinations, etc.

5. Caps on illnesses or accidents

Multiple companies may have caps on illnesses or accidents, meaning, the maximum amount they would pay in the event of a claim. Anything over and above the cap would be paid out of pocket by the buyer. Companies that do not have caps or financial ceilings may choose to charge buyers a higher premium.

6. General review of the company

In these competitive times, every company will put its best foot forward when it comes to marketing and advertising. However, customer reviews and word of mouth are reliable ways to get an insight into a company’s business model and services. Make sure to read reviews of the companies, both positive and negative, while scouting for pet insurance.

What is covered and not covered?

Always make sure to read the fine print of any pet insurance plan you’re thinking about buying. These should be available online, on the company’s website. Read through the list of exclusions carefully to make sure you fully understand what’s covered and not covered. A comprehensive plan would come to your rescue and cover the following events –

• Accidents
• Alternative Treatment
• Blood Tests
• Cancer
• Chronic Conditions
• Congenital Conditions
• Diagnostic Treatment
• Emergency Care
• Hereditary Conditions
• Hospitalization
• Illnesses
• Prescription Medications
• Specialty Care
• Surgery
• Ultrasounds
• X-Rays

Exclusions are bubble-bursting needles that are an important part and parcel of every pet insurance. Exclusions are typically found in a section titled “What’s Not Covered” on the insurance company’s website. The following may be a part of it –

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• Pregnancy and C-sections (Bulldogs are often unable to give birth naturally)
• Birth of puppies
• Death of a pet
• Theft of a pet
• Bilateral conditions if your pet has already suffered the condition on one side of the body
• Preventable diseases like Parvovirus, Rabies, and Kennel Cough which could have been avoided with appropriate vaccinations
• Breed exclusions. Some insurance coverages may not apply to certain breeds due to their higher predispositions to some medical conditions
• Optional procedures such as anal gland expression, declawing, tail docking, etc
• Spaying and neutering
• Vaccinations
• Dog training
• Preventative medication such as flea and worming treatments

Finding a good deal on English Bulldog insurance

If you’ve reached this part of the article, you clearly care about your English Bulldog very much. We know how difficult it can be to choose the right insurance plan, given that each company has its own set of pros and cons. Hence, we have listed out some things to steer you in the direction of finding the best pet insurance. There are a number of steps to be followed before finalizing on one. Make sure to –

• Make a list of the aspects you need coverage for (illness, accidents, wellness, or all) including breed-related
• Get quotes from all major insurance companies. It is free of cost and highly customized
• Speak to other pet parents who have bought pet insurance
• Take recommendations from the vet
• Scout for discounts
• Speak to French Bulldog breeders

The Banfield Wellness plans are on the costly side compared to some, but they are extremely comprehensive. Regular pet insurance is recommended to cover those unexpected veterinary bills, but pet owners often underestimate the cost of routine care which is not covered by traditional pet insurance. All dogs are recommended to have certain preventative treatments, such as vaccinations and parasite prevention, which are hugely important to health and wellbeing. The expenses can mount up, however, so a wellness plan such as the Banfield options can give more financial certainty and allow the provision of optimal care without monetary constraint.

Dr. Lizzie Youens, Veterinary Surgeon