Best Pet Insurance For Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers, a top-five favorite breed in the U.S. for decades, are happy, playful, and eager to please. Unfortunately, this beloved breed is predisposed to many potential health issues, such as heart defects, hip dysplasia, patella luxation, various eye disorders, and a much higher risk of cancer than other breeds.

Any of these conditions can cause you not only a lot of emotional distress but also significant financial concerns, as many cost thousands of dollars to diagnose and treat. However, pet insurance can alleviate some of these burdens by covering many of your vet bills.

I’ll give you detailed information about the potential health concerns and associated vet costs for Goldens to better understand your pup’s challenges. Also, as a pet insurance expert for over a decade, I can assist you in finding the perfect insurance policy for your Golden Retriever. Pet insurance policies are not one-size-fits-all, and that’s where my expertise comes in. I’ll recommend the best providers based on your pup’s needs and budget.

Best Pet Insurance For Golden Retrievers

Like all purebreds, Golden Retrievers have unique insurance needs, so I’ve researched the best pet insurance for your precious pup’s breed. I selected these providers based on many factors, including the dog’s age, coverage, specific health conditions, premium pricing, and more.

Best For	Company	Get Quotes	Read In-Depth Reviews
Golden Retriever Puppies			Read Review
Unique Benefits			Read Review
Unlimited Payouts			Read Review
Customizable Plans			Read Review
Extensive Coverage			Read Review
Most Affordable			Read Review
Bilateral Conditions			Read Review

Best For Golden Retriever Puppies: Pets Best

• Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Pets Best

Pets Best offers extensive coverage at very reasonable policy rates for Golden Retrievers compared to many other insurers. Their pricing is exceptionally competitive for puppies. Its policies, which allow you to enroll your puppy as young as seven weeks, are also a fantastic value if you’re looking for a policy with a low deductible, high reimbursement, and unlimited payouts. Even if you have a tight budget, Pets Best provides many customization options to meet your budget. Moreover, they stand out as one of the few providers to offer an accident-only plan.

Pros	Cons
Provides 3 accident and illness plans and an accident-only plan	Claim processing is longer than most at 18-30 days
5% discount for multiple pets	Must pay extra for exam fee coverage and complementary therapies*
Optional wellness plan	CCL coverage is excluded in the accident-only plan
Flexible customization options
Covers curable pre-existing conditions once healed or cured
No upper age limits
Some waiting periods are shorter than average (3 days for accidents and 14 days for hip dysplasia coverage)

Best For Unique Benefits: Fetch

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $250, $300, $400, $500, $700
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Fetch

Fetch’s all-inclusive policies, which require no upgrades or add-ons, are designed to simplify selecting a pet insurance plan. Furthermore, its comprehensive policies cover expenses other insurers frequently exclude, such as sick exam fees, complementary therapies, and behavioral therapies.

However, Fetch’s distinctive coverage is what sets it apart from the competition. These unique benefits include virtual vet consultations, boarding costs for your pet if you’re admitted to the hospital, trip cancellation coverage due to your pet’s illness, lost pet assistance, and more. In an effort to ease your mind, Fetch also provides the convenience of pre-approval for procedures and cost estimates prior to treatment.

Pros	Cons
All policies cover sick exam fees, gum disease, complementary therapies, and behavioral therapies	15-day waiting period for accidents is longer than average
Curable pre-existing conditions are covered after 1 year symptom-free	Waiting periods for CCL injuries and hip dysplasia coverage are 6 months
Covers up to $1,000 in VirtualVet visits over video chat, call, or text	No multi-pet discount
3 wellness plan add-ons to choose from
Fast claim processing, averaging 5-6 days
Pre-approval of estimates/procedures before treatment

Best For Unlimited Payouts: Healthy Paws

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Healthy Paws

You won’t ever have to be concerned about your pet insurance benefits running out if you choose Healthy Paws as your provider. Why? Its policies all provide unlimited annual payouts. Furthermore, policies from Healthy Paws often cost less than competitors (while using the same deductible, reimbursement, and unlimited caps). In some instances, Healthy Paws may even be more economical than policies with smaller payouts. Unlimited caps can be significant for Golden Retriever owners because the breed is prone to many costly health problems.

Pros	Cons
All plans offer unlimited payouts	Limited customization options for older dogs
Low prices for plans with unlimited caps and comparable coverage	Some Goldens may not be insurable based on age and geographic location
Industry-leading 2-day claim processing average	Doesn’t offer coverage for vet exam fees
15-day waiting period for CCL injuries is shorter than average	Excludes hip dysplasia coverage for dogs enrolled after 6 years of age
Extremely high customer satisfaction	12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia is much longer than average

Best Customizable Plans: Figo

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

Why I Picked Figo

Figo provides a wide range of options to craft the ideal pet insurance plan for your cherished Golden. This insurer offers three plans for accidents and illnesses, including the economical Value Plus plan. If you prefer, you can personalize a plan by choosing the annual payout, reimbursement, and deductible that best suits your needs. Figo distinguishes itself in the pet insurance market by offering both unlimited annual payouts and 100% reimbursement.

Golden Retriever owners should consider Figo, which offers exceptional customer service and an average claim processing time of three days. All Figo plans cover gum disease, complementary and behavioral therapies, and curable pre-existing conditions, provided no symptoms have appeared in the previous year.

Pros	Cons
Offers a variety of customizations for deductibles, reimbursement, and annual payouts	Exam fee coverage requires added premium fees
5% multi-pet discount	Longer waiting period for hip dysplasia (6 months) than some competitors
Waiting period for accidents is only 1 day
2 wellness plan add-ons available
Reduces your deductible by $50 each year you’re claim-free
Speedy 3-day claim processing

Most Extensive Coverage: Embrace

• Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Why I Picked Embrace

Embrace offers comprehensive coverage at a fair price with fewer exclusions than many other providers. Embrace’s accident and illness policies cover $1,000 yearly for dental illness, behavioral therapy, and complementary therapy. Some other companies charge extra for these kinds of coverage. Additionally, your deductible decreases every year you don’t make a claim. Excellent customer service and a quick, five-day average claim reimbursement process make Embrace a solid option for your Golden.

Pros	Cons
Fewer exclusions than many other providers	Must pay extra for exam fees and prescription medication
10% discount for multiple pets	Some Goldens are uninsurable, depending on age and location
Your deductible decreases by $50 each year you don’t receive a claim payment	Hip dysplasia coverage has a 6-month waiting period
Excellent coverage for dental illness
Offers 3 optional wellness plans
CCL injuries and canine bloat, which Goldens are prone to, are covered in accident-only plan

Most Affordable: Lemonade

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
• Annual Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500
• Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
• Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%

Lemonade Pet Insurance Is NOT Available In: AK, AZ, DE, HI, ID, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MT, WV, WY

Why I Picked Lemonade

When choosing pet insurance, the cost of premiums is often a key factor. Lemonade, known for its affordability, offers an advantage for Golden owners who are concerned about pricing. With Lemonade, additional premium payments are required for exam fees, comprehensive dental care, behavioral therapy, and physical therapy. Still, each of these is a separate add-on, giving you a high level of flexibility to tailor your pet’s coverage. This flexibility allows you to manage your expenses while meeting your pet’s essential medical needs.

It’s important to know that Lemonade, which launched its pet insurance products in 2020, is less well-established than the other providers I recommend in this article. Despite being a newcomer, Lemonade has earned excellent customer feedback, partly due to its quick and efficient claims management.

Pros	Cons
Among the cheapest premiums for Goldens	Unavailable in 13 states
Many customizations to build a plan that fits your budget	Adds-ons required for exam fees, higher dental coverage, complementary therapy, and behavioral therapy
5% discount for multiple pets	Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
Fast 2-day claim processing average	6-month waiting period for CCL surgery
2 add-on wellness plans available
Shorter than average waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage (30 days)

Best For Pre-Existing Bilateral Conditions: Trupanion

• Policy Options: Accident & Illness
• Per-Incident Deductible Options: $0 – $1,000 (in $5 increments)
• Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
• Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%

Why I Picked Trupanion

Unlike other insurers, Trupanion’s policies do not exclude coverage for pre-existing bilateral conditions that can affect both sides of the body. This coverage is particularly significant for Golden Retrievers because this breed is prone to numerous bilateral conditions and diseases, such as luxating patella, CCL injuries, hip dysplasia, glaucoma, cataracts, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Treatment for these health issues, which frequently affect both sides of the body, can be costly.

Most pet insurance providers exclude bilateral conditions. What does this exclusion mean? For example, if your Golden is diagnosed with a luxating patella on the left side of the body prior to the effective date of a policy, coverage for hip dysplasia on the right side of the body won’t be covered. This exclusion does not exist in Trupanion’s policies. You may want to consider Trupanion if your Golden has already experienced any of these conditions on one side of their body.

Pros	Cons
All plans have unlimited annual payouts	No coverage for exam fees
Trupanion can pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement	Consistently most expensive premiums for Goldens compared to other insurers
Doesn’t exclude pre-existing bilateral conditions	30-day waiting period for illnesses is much longer than average
Speedy 2-day claim processing average
Below average waiting periods for hip dysplasia and CCL surgery coverage at 30 days

What Type Of Pet Insurance Plan Is Best For Golden Retrievers?

You have two types of pet insurance plans to choose from:

1. accident-only plans
2. accident and illness plans.

Some providers also offer optional wellness plans. Wellness plans, sometimes called preventative plans, are not insurance products but assist you in budgeting for preventative and routine care to help keep your Golden as healthy as possible.

	Accident-Only	Accident & Illness	Wellness
Injuries (CCL tears, canine bloat, broken bones, lacerations, eye trauma, etc.)
Diseases (cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, eye disorders, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, etc.)
Preventative (annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleaning, etc.)

What Are Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans?

An accident-only plan may be ideal for pet owners on an extremely tight budget or for pets with many pre-existing conditions that insurers won’t cover. However, it’s essential to understand their limitations. These plans, which cover emergency costs from injuries and accidents such as canine bloat, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, foreign body ingestion, and broken bones, don’t extend to illnesses or hereditary diseases. Additionally, it’s worth noting that only a handful of providers offer accident-only plans.

Pricing Tip – Accident-only plans typically save you more on monthly premiums.

What Are Accident & Illness Pet Insurance Plans?

By considering accident and illness plans, you’re taking a proactive step towards ensuring the best care for your Golden Retriever. These plans provide the most comprehensive coverage, including not only accidents but also illnesses and hereditary diseases that Goldens are prone to, such as hip dysplasia, arthritis, cancer, heart defects, epilepsy, osteochondritis dissecans, hypothyroidism, cataracts, and more.

What Are Wellness Plans?

Wellness plans, available as an optional add-on to a pet insurance policy or as a standalone product, offer a convenient way to manage your pet’s health. They cover a portion of the costs for routine preventative care, including annual checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, professional dental cleanings, and more. With a wellness plan, you can budget for routine vet care, ensuring your Golden Retriever’s health without the financial hassle.

Wellness plans are not pet insurance and don’t cover any costs related to illnesses or accidents.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover & Exclude?

Before signing any insurance policy, reviewing the fine print is essential. This step ensures that you are fully aware of the items covered or excluded, which can vary depending on the insurance provider and the type of policy you purchase. Most insurers’ accident and illness insurance plans cover the following items when deemed medically necessary. However, specific conditions can have limitations unique to each provider.

Covered	Excluded
Blood tests	Boarding
Cancer (chemo & radiation)	Cremation & burial costs
CT scans	Elective procedures (e.g., declawing, ear cropping, spaying/neutering, tail docking, etc.)
Chronic conditions	Food & supplements
Congenital conditions	Grooming
Emergency care	Pre-existing conditions*
Euthanasia	Pregnancy & breeding
Hereditary conditions	Vaccines
MRIs
Non-routine dental treatment
Prescription medications
Rehabilitation
Specialized exams & care
Surgery & hospitalization
Ultrasounds
X-rays

What Determines The Cost Of Pet Insurance For Golden Retrievers?

Pet insurance pricing can be complicated. The premium for each policy is influenced by various factors, including your Golden Retriever’s age, your location, the insurance company’s underwriting criteria, and more. Here are some general factors that impact premium pricing.

• Age is a significant factor in pet insurance pricing. Younger dogs have lower premiums due to decreased health risks, while insuring older dogs is more expensive.
• The cost of living in your area directly affects premium pricing. Veterinarians face the same cost fluctuations as you do, so if the cost of living is high, your pet insurance and vet bills will likely be higher.
• Breed type is a significant factor, as some breeds are more prone to health conditions than others. Additionally, purebred dogs generally have more health issues than mixed breeds, which can make insuring purebreds like Goldens more expensive.
• Male Goldens may have higher insurance costs compared to females. Why? Males require higher doses of medication, bigger medical equipment, and additional medical supplies than females because they are larger. However, this isn’t a substantial factor with all providers.

While certain factors impacting your policy’s premium pricing are beyond your control, it’s crucial to understand that you can influence your insurance policy’s cost. Customization options, which vary by provider, often include the ability to adjust your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual payout. Understanding this process is vital to finding a premium that suits your needs. I’ll explain how this all works below.

Customization Options Affect Cost & Benefits

Regarding pet insurance pricing, you have more control than you might realize. Most providers offer a range of customizable options, allowing you to tailor your policy to your budget and your pet’s needs. You can start by deciding whether you prefer an accident-only or accident-and-illness policy. Then, you can adjust your maximum payout, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. However, it’s essential to understand how these choices impact your benefits.

What Is The Maximum Payout & Why Does It Matter?

There are two types of payouts in pet insurance: annual and lifetime. An annual payout is the highest amount that the insurance company will reimburse during a policy period, while a lifetime payout is the maximum amount the insurer will reimburse over the pet’s insured lifetime. Most pet insurers offer annual payouts, with common amounts being $5,000, $10,000, and unlimited.

Pricing Tip – Consider the annual maximum limit carefully. Choosing a lower payout amount reduces your premium but increases your out-of-pocket expenses if your Golden incurs expensive vet bills.

Is The Deductible Annual Or Per-Incident?

The deductible is a set amount that you have to pay before your insurance provider starts covering the rest of your vet bills. It’s important to understand the distinction between annual and per-incident deductibles. Although these may differ depending on the insurance company, most insurers have annual deductibles. The most common choices are $100, $250, and $500.

What’s the difference between annual and per-incident deductibles? With an annual deductible, you pay a fixed amount once a year, regardless of the number of treatments your pet requires. Annual deductibles simplify budgeting for your pet’s healthcare costs and can potentially save you money in the long run.

On the other hand, a per-incident deductible means you’re responsible for the deductible amount for each new emergency or health issue your pet faces. This can become a financial strain if your Golden has multiple different health issues in a single year. Per-incident deductibles can be beneficial for chronic diseases like hip dysplasia, allergies, and hypothyroidism because you only have to pay the deductible once for that condition throughout your pet’s entire insured lifetime.

Pricing Tip – Choosing a lower deductible increases your monthly premium, but that means you’ll pay less out-of-pocket if your pup requires treatment.

What’s The Reimbursement Percentage?

When you choose a reimbursement rate for your pet insurance, you’re deciding the percentage of vet expenses the provider will cover after you’ve paid your deductible. For instance, if you opt for an 80% reimbursement rate, you will need to pay 20% of the total vet costs after meeting your deductible. Common reimbursement options include 70%, 80%, and 90%.

Pricing Tip – A policy with a lower reimbursement percentage decreases your monthly premium but results in higher out-of-pocket expenses for treatment.

How Much Is Pet Insurance For A Golden Retriever?

Enter your zip code and your dog’s details in the form below to find the best price for pet insurance for your Golden Retriever. We’ll then give you personalized insurance quotes tailored to your Goldie. Want a ballpark idea of premium pricing? Check out my quote comparison charts below. Just keep in mind that your specific pup’s insurance costs may vary based on where you live and other details.

According to NAPHIA (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), the average monthly premium for an accident and illness dog insurance policy in the U.S. is $56.30 ($31.94 for cats).

Here are multiple quotes I ran for Golden Retrievers of varying ages and locations to provide you a general idea of policy pricing. These quotes are from the top-rated insurance companies I reviewed above while comparing similar customization options.

Company	6mo old male 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	1yr old female 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	2yr old male 33604 (Tampa, FL)	5yr old female 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	8yr old male 07108 (Newark, NJ)
	$50.69	$31.79	$36.44	$47.37	$86.02
	$54.09	$46.39	$56.67	$52.92	$139.18
	$52.32*§	$38.37*§	$46.22§	$54.82*§	$86.95†§
	$55.48	$51.90	$41.48	$53.98	$138.18
	$46.60	$55.20	$37.57	$44.87	$92.48
	$37.79	$34.99	$24.84	$36.64	$65.63
	$83.67§	$94.09§	$286.93‡§	$156.25§	$296.16§

Golden Retriever Insurance Cost: Lowest & Highest Amounts

For another point of comparison, I compiled a range of the lowest and highest monthly costs for Golden Retriever pet insurance from the same top companies by factoring in annual payout, deductible, reimbursement, and add-on options (excluding wellness plans). I included two different ages to demonstrate how premiums vary based on a dog’s enrollment age.

Company	2mo old 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	5yr old 95818 (Sacramento, CA)	2mo old 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	5yr old 14211 (Buffalo, NY)	2mo old 33604 (Tampa, FL)	5yr old 33604 (Tampa, FL)	2mo old 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	5yr old 79404 (Lubbock, TX)	2mo old 07108 (Newark, NJ)	5yr old 07108 (Newark, NJ)
	$23-$141	$31-$190	$14-$90	$19-$122	$19-$120	$23-$148	$17-$97	$21-$120	$15-$94	$20-$127
	$36-$91	$74-$194	$33-$70	$57-$129	$37-$84	$67-$154	$22-$46	$37-$81	$32-$70	$56-$127
	$35-$69	$51-$101	$30-$48	Uninsurable	$28-$67	$45-$118	$32-$50	$46-$73	$36-$56	$52-$82
	$25-$144	$32-$187	$21-$162	$28-$211	$17-$129	$25-$187	$15-$112	$21-$162	$26-$165	$33-$215
	$23-$181	Uninsurable	$27-$169	$28-$173	$21-$97	$27-$126	$19-$91	$25-$119	$28-$129	$36-$169
	$29-$141	$28-$189	$26-$129	$27-$146	$16-$110	$21-$149	$31-$135	$27-$127	$20-$104	$24-$121
	$50-$208	$86-$373	$50-$207	$85-$370	$119-$220	$254-$470	$48-$197	$93-$408	$58-$243	$116-$514

How Does Pet Insurance For Golden Retrievers Work?

When you purchase a policy, you’ll have waiting periods for accidents and illnesses before coverage kicks in. Once the waiting periods are over, the pet insurance process is extremely straightforward.

1. Take your Golden Retriever to the vet and pay the bill at the time of treatment.
2. Submit a claim form and an itemized receipt to your insurance company. Some companies require a signature from your vet, so it’s a good idea to take a printed copy to your visit.
3. Once the claim is approved, the insurance provider will send your reimbursement* via your chosen payment method (check, direct deposit, etc.).

*The reimbursement timeline can vary from a few minutes to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of your claim and the promised processing time.

What Are Waiting Periods For Golden Retriever Pet Insurance?

Waiting periods are the intervals of time between enrolling in an insurance policy and the start of coverage, and they differ among providers. Accidents and illnesses typically have waiting periods of 0 to 15 days and 14 days, respectively. Note: certain insurance companies also have waiting periods for orthopedic issues (which Goldens are prone to), like hip dysplasia and CCL tears.

Common Health Issues In Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers generally live 10-13 years. But like all purebreds, they’re more predisposed to specific health concerns due to genetics and other factors. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with this breed’s many potential health issues and associated costs to determine if you want to protect your pup and your finances with pet insurance.

• Allergies are chronic conditions that can require various treatment options depending on their severity. Allergy testing, shots, medication, specialty diets, creams, and more can cost hundreds of dollars annually.
• Due to their heavy double coats and higher risk for allergies, many Golden Retrievers suffer from a host of skin problems, including skin infections and hot spots. This breed is also prone to a chronic skin disease called congenital ichthyosis, which causes skin scaling. Depending on the type of condition and severity, treatment can consist of oral medication and/or topical creams. The vet visit and treatment can cost $50 to $100 for each occurrence.
• Ear infections are common in Goldens due to their floppy ears, which trap moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Diagnostic testing, initial and follow-up vet visits, and medication can cost from $250 to $500 or more for each occurrence.
• An estimated 60% of Goldens suffer from cancer, which is almost twice the rate of cancer in dogs of all breeds. The most common cancers in this breed are hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. Costs to diagnose and treat cancer can exceed $10,000.
• Hip and elbow dysplasia are chronic conditions that occur when the joints become too loose, causing pain, lameness, and arthritis. Often, surgery, which ranges from $1,700 to $4,500 or more, is required to improve the quality of your dog’s life.
• Patella luxation is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. It often becomes a recurring problem that requires surgery, which can cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per knee.
• Arthritis is a chronic, degenerative joint disease that can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 or more each month to treat for moderate cases. Treatment options include medication and physical or alternative therapies. Surgery may be required in severe cases, costing thousands of dollars.
• Epilepsy is an inherited disorder in which your dog experiences uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain, which causes seizures. Simple diagnostics, medications, and monitoring for Goldens can run $500 or more a year. More expensive drug choices and increased monitoring can cost from $500 to $5,000 a year.
• Von Willebrand disease is a genetic blood disorder that results in inadequate production of von Willebrand factor (VWF), leading to excessive bleeding in dogs. Treatment may include blood transfusions, surgery (between $800 and $1,500), or administration of a synthetic hormone to temporarily boost VWF levels.
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is an inherited developmental disorder that often affects young Goldens. OCD occurs when cartilage separates from the bone in a joint, most commonly in the shoulder, knee, or ankle. Diagnosis and surgery can range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more.
• Due to their large size and high energy levels, Golden Retrievers are at a higher risk of suffering a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury. (when the knee joint breaks down, tears, or, in some cases, completely ruptures). Orthopedic surgery is the best option to fix a CCL injury in dogs, and costs can range from $1,600 to $6,000 or more.
• A life-threatening illness, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), also called canine bloat, occurs when dogs eat too fast or too much, causing the stomach to expand and twist. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary, and costs can be as high as $3,000 or more.
• Goldens are prone to several eye disorders, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, glaucoma, distichiasis, pigmentary uveitis, multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRD), and more. Treatment costs can vary depending on the condition. For example, cataracts require surgery, which costs an average of $2,700-$4,000, and surgery for distichiasis can run from $1,500 to $2,000. Unfortunately, PRA is untreatable.
• Hypothyroidism, which results from insufficient thyroid hormone production, is quite common in Goldens. This serious chronic disease requires life-long testing and medication. Initial diagnostic testing costs $50 to $150, and monthly medication costs average $20 to $50. Annual re-testing, ranging from $50 to $100, is required to ensure that medication continues to work.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) occurs when the heart muscles weaken and the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively. In severe cases of DCM, surgery, costing from $10,000 to $20,000, is required to prevent heart failure.
• Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is a congenital heart defect that requires lifelong medication and regular monitoring. Medication is fairly inexpensive, but each echocardiogram can cost as much as $500 to $600.
• Panosteitis is a very painful inflammation of the shaft of one or more long leg bones that affects fast-growing large breeds like Goldens. Diagnosis requires X-rays. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory and pain medications until the condition resolves itself naturally, which can take up to 2-1/2 years. Often, repeat X-rays are needed. In total, this condition can cost $1,500 or more to treat fully.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It For Golden Retrievers?

Golden Retrievers are prone to many costly health issues, making pet insurance a must-have. Investing in pet insurance can ensure your purebred Goldie lives the longest, healthiest life possible.

The crucial thing to remember is that you need to enroll your pup before an emergency or hereditary disorder arises. You cannot count on coverage for any pre-diagnosed health issues. So, getting your dog insured as soon as possible is key.

5 Steps To Find The Best Pet Insurance For Golden Retrievers

Here are the most important factors to consider when selecting the best insurance policy for your Golden.

1. Learn about the insurance companies’ reputations. Companies with years of experience are more stable than brand-new insurers.
2. Consider the health issues Goldens can potentially face and familiarize yourself with the terms associated with coverage for those conditions.
3. Decide if you want accident-only or accident and illness coverage.
4. Know how claim reimbursement works and each provider’s average processing time.
5. Get pet insurance quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.

Methodology

To determine the best pet insurance for Golden Retrievers, we analyzed more than 40 U.S. pet insurance companies to provide an unbiased breakdown of how providers compare against one another. Our in-depth research includes:

• Running thousands of price quotes
• Reading hundreds of customer reviews
• Scrutinizing every policy from top to bottom and reading all the fine print
• Scoping out the purchase process
• Speaking with customer service representatives
• Having firsthand experience submitting claims with companies
• Comparing plan customization details
• Examining how long it takes to receive reimbursement
• Factoring in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace
• Meeting with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings
• Requiring national experience for companies

Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also point out each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.

Additional Pet Insurance Resources

• Best Pet Insurance
• Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
• What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
• How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
• Best Pet Insurance For Pre-Existing Conditions

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to writer for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her vast list of resources. Kimberly also has extensive knowledge of dog health conditions, which can help her recommend pet insurance providers to pet owners with specific breeds.

Kimberly collaborated with Sally Jones, a seasoned health sciences communications professional with decades of experience. Sally specializes in dog health and is adept at producing content on technical topics such as pet insurance. Her wealth of knowledge and insight played a crucial role in this article’s thorough research and composition.

Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise to ensure accuracy and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing policies that are accurately represented.