What does pet insurance for Assistance Dogs cover and is having it worthwhile? Will it cover accidents, illnesses, dental and liability insurance for Assistance Dogs? These are great questions to ask if your dog supports your disability.

Not only can vet treatment bills be costly but you don’t want to end up worrying about costs when you could be caring for your dog. Your dog supports your independence. The sooner they’re treated and recover, the better for them and you.

In this article, Blue Badge Insurance explains what’s covered by pet insurance for Assistance Dogs. We share some key factors to help you choose a plan and what you should consider about your dog’s health.

4 types of pet insurance for Assistance Dogs

When it comes to pet insurance for Assistance Dogs, there are generally four levels of cover. Each one offers the same basics, and as you increase your cover, you pay more but you also get a wider range of cover and larger annual defined limit.

Let’s take a look at what each of these four types of pet insurance for Assistance Dogs are and how they’re different from one another. This will help you decide which plan is worth it for your dog and your budget.

1.Accident Plan

Accident cover is the most budget-friendly and foundational option. This type of pet insurance for Assistance Dogs is designed to help cover the costs of accidents leading to injuries which can easily happen to dogs.

Even the most minor accidents can lead to large bills. Imagine your dog swallows something poisonous and lands up needing to be detoxed and stay at the vet clinic overnight. The costs could climb very quickly when you think about vet hospital stays, treatments and medication.

This plan covers a broad range of urgent medical procedures including X-rays, surgery, bloodwork and prescription medicine.

2.Classic Plan

The Classic Plan covers accidents like the Accident Plan and steps up the cover by a big notch. It extends protection to not only include accidents but also illnesses.

Just like humans do, dogs can also get sick and some illnesses are chronic and lifelong. If you have a Classic Plan when your Assistance Dog becomes sick then you can be reimbursed for many of the vet costs.

Imagine what a difference that could make if your dog has something like diabetes, hip dysplasia or any number of common hereditary conditions in animals.

Given the unpredictable nature of illnesses, which can linger, this plan can help protect your dog and your money in case of infections, diseases and allergies.

3.Deluxe Plan

The Deluxe Plan is the biggest safety net. Like the Classic Plan is covers both accidents and illness. In addition it also covers a range of specialised and often costly treatments.

If you’ve gone to the dentist recently then you’ll know it’s not only painful but also expensive. The same goes for your dog when they need a tooth removed or treatment for an abscess.

Dental care for concerns such as gum disease, tooth extraction and abscesses are all covered as part of the Deluxe Plan.

4.Liability insurance for assistance dogs

Now that we’ve looked at how the first three pet insurance plans for Assistance Dogs protect them, let’s look at another type of protection. Third-Party Liability is a type of insurance that protects you financially for any costs your dog accidentally causes someone else or their belongings.

We’re not talking about people who live with you, but about people outside your home. If for example, you go out with your dog and it accidentally damages someone’s garden, or their fence, or bites their cat then they could ask you to pay for the damage.

Remarkably, Blue Badge Insurance includes Third-Party Liability in all our pet insurance and Assistance Dogs Insurance plans. That means you can choose the Accident, Classic or Deluxe Plan and you’ll also be getting Third-Party Liability.

How much is pet insurance for my Assistance Dog?

Pet insurance can be affordable and protect your finances for vet bills. The cost of pet insurance for Assistance Dogs won’t be the same from one dog to the next since it’s not one set price.

That’s because each animal is insured based on their age, breed, health and lifestyle. A dog that’s young, fit and healthy for example, may have access to a more affordable plan because they’re at their optimum health.

The best way to find out how much it would cost for your dog is to get a quote. It’s free to get a quote and you only need to decide afterwards whether you want to buy a policy. What’s important to know is that you pay in a relatively small amount every month and each year you can claim up to the defined annual benefit limit you’ve chosen.

The value of the protection you get

If you ever need to make a claim for your dog’s unexpected trip to the vet, you will be reimbursed for health issues covered in your plan. You can claim up to a certain amount each year – this is known as your defined annual benefit limit.

Here are the defined annual benefit limits for each tier of Assistance Dog pet insurance:

• Accident Plan. Defined annual benefit limit of $ 5 000
• Classic Plan. Defined annual benefit limit of $ 10 000
• Deluxe Plan. Defined annual benefit limit of $ 20 000

Keep in mind there can sometimes be sub-limits for certain types of claims, so be sure to carefully read your product disclosure statement and your certificate of insurance.

Your certificate of insurance applies to your Assistance Dog only and you only get it once you buy a policy. It tells you what your dog is covered for.

Choosing pet insurance for my Assistance Dog breed

When you’re trying to make a choice about which level of pet insurance is worth it for your Assistance Dog, do some breed research. Different dog breeds are known to be more prone to specific hereditary health conditions.

For example, Labrador retrievers can be prone to obesity which can lead to diabetes in dogs. They also commonly experience ear infections and hip dysplasia among others.

If your dog breed has a lot of possible hereditary conditions that it might one day experience, then you might decide to select the plan that includes hereditary illness cover. Read more about the best guide and Assistance Dog breeds.

Blue Badge pet insurance for Assistance Dogs

Pet insurance for your Assistance Dog can be a valuable safety net to have if your dog gets into a car accident, experiences a skin condition, tick paralysis or any host of health troubles.

Importantly, you’ll be able to take your dog to the vet without thinking about the possible costs. You can focus on protecting them instead.

As Australia’s first disability and independence insurance specialist, Blue Badge offers 15% off pet insurance to people with a disability parking permit. Wonderful news is that we offer an even bigger discount – 25% – for Assistance Dogs insurance!

Contact us today on 1300 304 802 to start your quote for pet insurance for Assistance Dogs or companion animals. Or click below and begin your quote process online. It’s easy. 😊