Rottweilers have been a top-10 most popular dog breed for over a decade. They are beloved for their playful, loyal, and protective personalities. While the robust, courageous Rottie may appear invincible, this breed is unfortunately prone to many serious health issues, such as heart defects, hip dysplasia, eye conditions, CCL tears, and bone cancer.
Dealing with your pup’s health problems can take a massive toll on your emotions and your finances. No pet parent wants to decide between necessary veterinary treatment or their wallet. However, pet insurance can relieve some of these burdens by covering a significant portion of your dog’s vet costs.
As a pet insurance expert for over 10 years, I can help you find the ideal insurance policy for your furry family member. I’ll also provide you with the potential health concerns and associated vet costs for Rottweilers. Pet insurance policies certainly aren’t one-size-fits-all, so I’ll recommend the best providers based on your Rott’s specific needs and your budget.
Best Pet Insurance For Rottweilers
I conducted extensive research into all the top pet insurance companies to narrow down the best policies for Rottweilers based on their needs. I selected these insurers based on many factors, including the dog’s age, coverage, specific health conditions, premium pricing, and more.
Best Value: Pets Best
- Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
- 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 is an excellent choice for Rottweiler owners, providing comprehensive coverage at competitive prices compared to many competitors. Rottweilers can be costly to insure due to their predisposition to severe diseases. Still, with Pets Best, you can customize your plan to fit your Rott’s needs and budget. Pets Best is also one of the few insurers to offer an accident-only plan, which is a good option if you have a tight budget.
Pets Best offers shorter waiting periods than the industry average and covers curable pre-existing conditions once healed or cured. You can enhance your coverage with an affordable monthly wellness plan that includes routine and preventative care, such as annual exams, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and more, to ensure the best possible health for your Rottweiler.
Expert Price Analysis
When I ran quotes for various Rottweiler ages and locations, Pets Best premiums fell fairly far below average for younger Rotts compared to other insurers and about mid-range for those aged five and older. Even when factoring in the exam fees upgrade, Pets Best is a fantastic value for its affordable premium prices and comprehensive coverage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers an accident-only plan and 3 different accident and illness plans | Claims processing time is longer than average (18-30 days) |
| 5% multi-pet discount | No coverage for alternative therapies |
| Wellness plan add-on available | Accident-only plan doesn’t cover CCL tears |
| Many customization options for annual deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout | |
| Ability to upgrade accident and illness plans to include exam fees, rehab, acupuncture, and chiropractic | |
| No upper age limits | |
| Waiting period for accidents is 3 days, and 14 days for hip dysplasia coverage (much shorter than average) |
In-Depth Review Of Pets Best
Be sure to read my full review of Pets Best to learn more about this provider, including what’s covered and excluded, the reimbursement process, and much more.
Best For Unique Benefits: Fetch
- Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
- Deductible Options: $300, $500, $700
- Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%
Why I Picked Fetch
Fetch offers comprehensive pet insurance policies with no add-ons required. It also provides unique features that distinguish it from other pet insurance providers. These benefits include virtual vet appointments (up to $1,000 per year), trip cancellation coverage if your pet becomes ill, and coverage for your pet’s boarding fees if you require hospitalization. Additionally, Fetch is committed to your Rottweiler’s safety. If your pet gets lost or stolen, Fetch will cover advertisement and reward fees and provide up to $1,000 if you cannot reunite with your furry friend.
Fetch’s policies also cover several items often excluded by competitors, such as sick vet exam fees, behavioral therapies, alternative therapies, and treatable pre-existing conditions after one year. Moreover, it provides the convenience of procedure and cost estimate pre-approval before treatment. This feature is designed to give you peace of mind, knowing your Rott has already been approved for treatment.
Expert Price Analysis
Fetch is a provider you really need to run quotes for yourself. This insurer was more unpredictable in premium pricing — sometimes falling below average or about average and other times on the higher end. It all depends on your Rotty’s age and location. This was the case with the quotes I ran for Rottweilers using the same deductible, reimbursement, and payout rates for comparison.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Policies are all-inclusive, covering exam fees, gum disease, behavioral therapies, and alternative therapies | 15-day waiting period for accidents is longer than average |
| Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 1 year | Waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage is 6 months |
| 3 optional wellness plans available | No multi-pet discount |
| Claim processing averages 5-6 days | |
| Can enroll puppies as young as 6 weeks old |
In-Depth Review Of Fetch
My full review of Fetch gives you more in-depth details about this insurer’s coverage, exclusions, unique benefits, wellness plans, and more.
Best For Unlimited Payouts: Healthy Paws
- Policy Options: Accident & Illness
- Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
- Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Why I Picked Healthy Paws
One key advantage of Healthy Paws is that all policies offer unlimited annual and lifetime payouts, a feature that doesn’t always come with a higher price tag. Compared to other providers, Healthy Paws typically has more affordable policies with unlimited annual caps, the same deductible, and reimbursement. Sometimes, it can even be more cost-effective than policies with lower payouts. Unlimited caps are significant for Rottweiler owners because the breed is predisposed to many costly health problems.
Healthy Paws offers more than just excellent pet insurance for Rotty parents. The company is known for its exceptional customer service, with fast response times and an average claim processing time of just two days. Choosing Healthy Paws means you won’t have to worry about hitting an annual cap, and you’ll get your reimbursement quickly after paying your vet bill.
Expert Price Analysis
It’s difficult to compare Healthy Paws’ premium prices with those of its competitors because it only offers unlimited annual payouts for all plans. Still, when I ran quotes for Rottweilers, I found that Healthy Paws’ premiums were less expensive than some companies’ policies with a $5,000 annual payout and a similar reimbursement and deductible. However, this insurer has some limitations in customization options and exclusions in coverage availability for some ages and locations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All plans give you unlimited payouts | Customization options can be minimal for older dogs |
| Often has the lowest prices compared to other providers’ unlimited annual coverage | Some Rotts may not be insurable depending on age and location |
| Claim processing is much faster than most (2 days) | No option for vet exam-fee coverage |
| Shorter than average CCL surgery waiting period (15 days) | Hip dysplasia coverage is excluded for pets enrolled after 6 years of age |
| Gets excellent customer reviews | Longer hip dysplasia waiting periods than average (12 months) |
In-Depth Review Of Healthy Paws
For more specific details about coverage, exclusions, limitations, the reimbursement process, and more, be sure to read my comprehensive review of Healthy Paws.
Best Customizable Plans: Figo
- Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
- 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’s goal is to offer you a variety of choices for a pet insurance policy that suits your Rottie’s needs and your budget. They provide three accident and illness plans, including an affordable Value Plus plan. Additionally, you can customize a plan by selecting your preferred annual deductible, reimbursement, and payout. Figo also stands out by offering the option of unlimited annual payouts and 100% reimbursement, which is uncommon in the pet insurance industry.
All Figo plans cover behavioral and alternative therapies, gum disease, and curable pre-existing conditions if there have been no signs or symptoms within the last year. With excellent customer service and a three-day claim processing average, Figo is an excellent choice for Rottweiler owners.
Expert Price Analysis
For the quotes I ran comparing top insurers for Rottweiler premiums across varying ages and locations, Figo came out above average for policies with a $5,000 annual payout, $500 deductible, and 90% reimbursement. However, when I adjusted the policies for less coverage ($750 deductible, 70% reimbursement, and $5,000 payouts), Figo offered very competitive pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many customizations to design your own plan or the convenience of 3 set plans you can choose from | Must pay extra for exam fee coverage |
| 5% multi-pet discount | Waiting period for hip dysplasia is 6 months |
| Very short accident waiting period of 1 day | |
| 2 optional wellness plans | |
| For each year you’re claim-free, your deductible decreases by $50 | |
| Claims processing timeline is much shorter than average at 3 days |
In-Depth Review Of Figo
If you want to learn more about Figo’s multiple plan offerings, coverage, reimbursement process, and my personal experience, I encourage you to read my comprehensive review of Figo.
Best For Rottweiler Puppies: Embrace
- Policy Options: Accident-Only, Accident & Illness, Wellness
- 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
With Embrace, you can enroll puppies as young as six weeks old, among the earliest in the industry. But even older puppies can benefit from Embrace’s reasonable pricing and comprehensive coverage — with fewer exclusions than many other providers. All of Embrace’s accident and illness policies include coverage for behavioral therapy, alternative therapy, and $1,000 annually for dental illness (some other companies require add-ons for these types of coverage).
Embrace offers an accident-only plan for pet owners on a tight budget. You’ll benefit from a deductible that decreases each claim-free year. With top-notch customer support and a swift, five-day average claim reimbursement process, Embrace is a dependable choice for insuring your Rottweiler puppy for the long term.
Expert Price Analysis
I ran multiple quotes for many Rottweiler ages and locations and found that Embrace’s premium pricing for puppies and many older dogs fell on the lower end to mid-range. It’s important to note that Embrace offered no coverage for a 5-year-old Rottie residing in Sacramento, CA.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Among the lowest pricing for Rottie puppies and senior Rotts | Some Rotties are uninsurable, depending on age and location |
| Industry-leading 10% multi-pet discount | 6-month waiting period for hip dysplasia coverage |
| Each year you don’t receive a claim payment, your deductible decreases by $50 | Wellness plans aren’t the best value compared to other providers |
| Policies include $1,000 for dental illness coverage each year | Exam fees and prescription drugs for covered conditions are add-ons |
| Accident-only plan covers CCL tears and canine bloat (potential Rottie health issues) |
In-Depth Review Of Embrace
Check out my thorough review of Embrace to learn more about this provider’s policy options, coverage, reimbursement process, wellness plans, FAQs, and more.
Most Affordable: Lemonade
- Policy Options: Accident & Illness, Wellness
- 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 often plays a significant role in decision-making. This is especially true for Rottweilers, as insuring this breed can be more expensive. Lemonade, frequently one of the most affordable insurers for Rotties, offers a unique advantage. However, it’s essential to consider the potential trade-off between coverage and premium cost.
With Lemonade, additional premium costs are required to cover exam fees, extensive dental care, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. However, each is an individual add-on, giving you many options to tailor your pet’s coverage. This flexibility allows you to manage your budget without compromising your pet’s most crucial health needs.
It’s important to mention that Lemonade, which introduced its pet insurance offerings in 2020, has a less long-standing reputation and history than the other insurance companies I recommend in this article. However, it’s worth noting that Lemonade has garnered good customer feedback, which should instill confidence in potential customers. It also manages claims quickly and efficiently and covers treated pre-existing conditions declared cured after one year.
Expert Price Analysis
In many cases, Lemonade had the lowest insurance premiums for the quotes I ran for Rottweilers in varying locations and ages (using the same deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout). When adding on exam fee coverage, Lemonade was still quite competitively priced. However, I did find that an eight-year-old Rott in Newark, NJ, was uninsurable through Lemonade.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| In many cases, the most affordable pricing for Rottweilers | Only available in 37 states and Washington, DC |
| Many customizations to build a plan that fits your budget | Coverage for exam fees, higher dental coverage, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy require add-on fees |
| 5% multi-pet discount | No coverage for alternative therapies |
| Claim processing averages only 2 days | Breed restrictions based on age |
| 2 optional wellness plans to choose from | |
| Hip dysplasia waiting period is only 14 days |
In-Depth Review Of Lemonade
See my thorough review of Lemonade for more information about this provider’s coverage, customization options, wellness plans, FAQs, and more.
Best For Bilateral Conditions: Trupanion
- Policy Options: Accident & Illness
- Deductible Options: $0 – $1,000 (in $5 increments)
- Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Why I Picked Trupanion
Trupanion stands out from other insurers’ policies with no exclusions for bilateral conditions (conditions that can affect both sides of the body). Why does this matter for Rottweilers? Rotties are prone to many bilateral conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, cataracts, entropion, and CCL tears. These health problems can be expensive to treat and often occur on both sides of the body.
However, most pet insurance providers exclude these if they occur on the other side of the body before your insurance is in effect. For example, this means that coverage for hip dysplasia on the right side will be excluded if your Rott is diagnosed with hip dysplasia on the left side of the body before a policy’s effective date. Trupanion’s policies do not have this exclusion. If your Rottweiler has already experienced any of these conditions on one side of their body, it’s wise to consider Trupanion.
Expert Price Analysis
Trupanion consistently has much higher premiums for Rottweilers of all ages and locations than its competitors. In some cases, its policy premiums are triple those of other insurers for the same dog — even compared to unlimited payouts and high reimbursement rates with competitors.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited payouts with all plans | No coverage available for exam fees |
| Offers direct vet pay for participating veterinarians | Consistently most expensive premiums for Rotts compared to other insurers |
| Option of $0 deductible and 100% reimbursement in some states | Longer than average illness waiting period (30 days) |
| Covers pre-existing bilateral conditions for the other side of the body | |
| Averages 2-day claim processing | |
| 30-day waiting period for hip dysplasia and CCL surgery coverage (below average) |
In-Depth Review Of Trupanion
Check out my detailed review of Trupanion to learn more about this company’s coverage, exclusions, reimbursement process, FAQS, and more.
What Type Of Pet Insurance Plan Is Best For Rottweilers?
Pet insurance providers offer two types of plans: accident-only and accident and illness. Some also offer wellness plans as an optional add-on. Wellness plans are not insurance products but can enhance your Rottie’s ability to get routine and preventative care.
| Accident-Only | Accident & Illness | Wellness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injuries (canine bloat, CCL tears, broken bones, wounds, eye trauma, etc.) |  |
|
|
| Diseases (cancer, hip dysplasia, heart problems, hypothyroidism, eye conditions, panosteitis, etc.) | |
||
| Preventative (annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleaning, etc.) | |
What Are Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans?
An accident-only plan covers emergency costs from injuries and accidents. Examples include cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, canine bloat, foreign body ingestion, and lacerations. These plans don’t cover any illnesses or hereditary diseases. However, they can be a good option for pets with many pre-existing conditions that insurers won’t cover. It’s important to note that only a handful of providers offer accident-only plans.
Pricing Tip – Accident-only plans are often more affordable than accident and illness plans because they only cover injuries.
What Are Accident & Illness Pet Insurance Plans?
Accident and illness plans are better if you want the most comprehensive coverage for your pup. In addition to accidents and injuries, accident and illness plans cover hereditary diseases and illnesses that Rotties are prone to, such as hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, subaortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, cataracts, cancer, hypothyroidism, panosteitis, parvovirus, and more.
What Are Wellness Plans?
Wellness plans are available as an optional add-on to a pet insurance policy or as a standalone product. They cover a portion of the costs for routine preventative care, including vaccinations, annual checkups, parasite prevention, professional dental cleanings, and more. A wellness plan can be a great way to help you budget for the necessary routine vet care to keep your Rottweiler as healthy as possible.
Wellness plans are not pet insurance products and don’t cover any costs related to illnesses or accidents.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover & Exclude?
Items covered or excluded depend 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, I urge you to read the fine print of any policy before signing. Why? Specific items 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 |
Learn More About Pet Insurance Coverage
My comprehensive guide on what pet insurance covers gives you more details about the confusing subject of pet insurance coverage and exclusions.
What Determines The Cost Of Pet Insurance For Rottweilers?
Pet insurance pricing can be complex. Each pet insurance policy’s premium is based on several factors, including your Rott’s age, where you live, a company’s underwriting criteria, and more. However, here are some general factors that affect premium pricing.
- Age always plays a primary role in pet insurance pricing. Typically, younger dogs are less at risk of experiencing diseases, so premiums are lower. In contrast, insuring older Rotties is more expensive because they’re likely to face more (and more serious) health problems.
- Another significant factor in premium pricing is the cost of living in your area. Why? Veterinarians in your area are subject to the same cost fluctuations in office rentals, staff salaries, equipment, and other needs as you are for home pricing, groceries, and other expenses. Therefore, if the cost of living is high in your area, then chances are your pet insurance premium and vet bills will be higher, too.
- Breed type is also a major factor, as some breeds are prone to more health conditions than others. Also, purebreds typically have more health problems than mixed breeds, so purebreds like Rotties can be more expensive to insure.
- Male dogs can be more expensive to insure than female dogs. With many breeds, including Rotties, males are typically larger, requiring higher doses of medication and additional medical supplies than females. However, not every insurance provider has a noteworthy disparity between females and males.
While you don’t have control over the factors above, you have some ability to influence your policy’s premium pricing. Customization options vary by provider, but many allow you to adjust your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual payout to find a premium that suits your needs. I’ll explain how this all works below.
Customization Options Affect Cost & Benefits
Most pet insurance providers give you several customizable options to fit your budget. First, you must decide whether you want an accident-only or accident and illness policy. Then, you can customize your maximum payout, deductible, and reimbursement percentage, but it’s essential to know how all of these adjustments affect your benefits.
What Is The Maximum Payout & Why Does It Matter?
Most pet insurance companies offer annual payouts, but a few offer lifetime payouts. What’s the difference? A lifetime payout is the maximum amount a provider will reimburse you over the entire time your pet is insured with the company. In contrast, an annual payout is the highest amount the provider will reimburse you each year of your policy. The most common yearly payout options are $5,000, $10,000, and unlimited.
Pricing Tip – Consider your annual maximum limit carefully. While choosing a lower payout amount reduces your premium, you’ll be responsible for higher out-of-pocket expenses should your Rottie incur expensive vet bills.
Is The Deductible Annual Or Per-Incident?
The deductible is the fixed amount you must pay before the insurance provider begins to cover the remaining costs of your vet bills. It’s important to understand the difference between annual and per-incident deductibles. While these may vary depending on the insurance provider, most insurers have annual deductibles. The most common options are $100, $250, and $500.
What’s the difference between annual and per-incident deductibles? An annual deductible requires you to pay a set amount once yearly for your policy, regardless of the number of treatments your pup needs. This can make budgeting for your pup’s healthcare costs easier.
Per-incident deductibles mean you have to pay the deductible amount for each new emergency or health issue your pet experiences. This can become costly if your Rott has multiple different health issues in a single year. However, if your Rottweiler is diagnosed with a chronic condition like hip dysplasia, you only have to pay the deductible once for that condition throughout your pet’s entire insured lifetime.
Pricing Tip – Choosing a higher deductible reduces your monthly premium, so you’ll pay more out-of-pocket if your pup requires treatment.
What’s The Reimbursement Percentage?
Choosing a reimbursement rate for your pet insurance determines the percentage of vet expenses the provider will cover after you’ve paid your deductible. For example, if you select a 90% reimbursement rate, you’ll be responsible for paying 10% of the total vet costs after meeting your deductible. Popular reimbursement options are 70%, 80%, and 90%.
Pricing Tip – A lower reimbursement percentage decreases your monthly premium but results in higher out-of-pocket expenses for treatment.
Learn More About Pet Insurance Costs
Read my extensive guide on pet insurance costs to learn how these factors affect your premium and benefits.
How Much Is Pet Insurance For A Rottweiler?
To find the best price for pet insurance for your Rottweiler, enter your zip code and your dog’s details below. Then, we’ll supply you with personalized insurance quotes tailored to your Rottie from several top insurance providers. If you want a general idea of prices, I’ve compiled some quote comparisons below. However, remember that your pup’s insurance costs may vary based on where you live and your dog’s needs.
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).
I ran multiple quotes for Rottweilers of varying ages and locations to give you a ballpark idea of policy pricing for some top pet insurance companies.
*70% reimbursement; †50% reimbursement and $1,000 deductible (no other options); ‡$0 deductible; §Unlimited annual payouts
Rottweiler Insurance Cost: Lowest & Highest Amounts
I also gathered a range of the lowest and highest monthly costs for Rottweiler pet insurance from the same top companies, 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$38-$234 | $65-$401 | $25-$158 | $42-$270 | $28-$177 | $45-$285 | $25-$143 | $41-$231 | $26-$164 | $45-$281 |
|
$58-$151 | $119-$315 | $52-$117 | $97-$223 | $60-$138 | $110-$258 | $34-$73 | $59-$133 | $51-$114 | $92-$210 |
 |
$76-$114 | $110-$167 | $67-$81 | Uninsurable | $41-$107 | $69-$191 | $69-$83 | $101-$121 | $77-$92 | $113-$135 |
|
$43-$255 | $56-$332 | $38-$290 | $50-$378 | $30-$230 | $44-$334 | $26-$200 | $38-$290 | $45-$292 | $59-$380 |
 |
$40-$314 | Uninsurable | $47-$293 | $48-$300 | $35-$166 | $46-$216 | $33-$156 | $44-$204 | $47-$222 | $62-$290 |
|
$37-$217 | $64-$410 | $42-$218 | $62-$311 | $29-$202 | $48-$344 | $32-$145 | $33-$166 | $38-$181 | $57-$264 |
|
$90-$392 | $158-$709 | $85-$367 | $148-$660 | $241-$445 | $514-$952 | $91-$396 | $184-$827 | $114-$505 | $238-$1,078 |
How Does Pet Insurance For Rottweilers Work?
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of vet treatment for your insured Rott’s condition. Before coverage begins, you’ll have waiting periods for accidents and illnesses to be covered. Once waiting periods are over, the pet insurance process is extremely straightforward.
- Take your Rottweiler to the vet and pay the bill at the time of treatment.
- 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.
- 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 Rottweiler Pet Insurance?
Waiting periods are the duration between enrolling in a pet insurance policy and when coverage begins. Each pet insurance provider has its own specific waiting periods. Typically, there are waiting periods for accidents (ranging from 0 to 15 days) and illnesses (usually 14 days). Some companies may also impose waiting periods (up to one year) for orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia, which Rotties are prone to.
*Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
Learn More About Waiting Periods
My comprehensive guide on pet insurance waiting periods explains why insurers have waiting periods and other important information.
Common Health Issues In Rottweilers
Rottweilers generally live an average of 8-10 years. This breed is predisposed to many hereditary conditions and other potential health problems. Below are some common potential health issues that Rotties face and their associated costs.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia are chronic conditions where the joints become too loose, causing pain, lameness, and arthritis. Often, surgery is required to improve the quality of your dog’s life. Surgery ranges from $1,700 to $4,500+.
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is an inherited developmental disorder often found in young Rotties. OCD occurs when cartilage separates from the bone in a joint. This painful condition most commonly occurs in the shoulder, knee, and ankle joints. Diagnosis and surgery can range from $2,000 to $4,000 or more.
- Rotties are at a higher risk of suffering cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears due to their large size and high energy levels. A CCL is similar to a human’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Orthopedic surgery is the best option to fix a torn CCL in dogs, and costs can range from $1,600 to $6,000 or more.
- A severe life-threatening illness, canine bloat or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), occurs when dogs eat too fast or too much, causing the stomach to expand and twist. Immediate emergency treatment is necessary, and the cost can be as high as $3,000 or more.
- Rotties are predisposed to osteosarcoma, an aggressive and painful type of bone cancer. It’s a fast-spreading cancer that requires early diagnosis and treatment. Costs to diagnose and treat osteosarcoma can exceed $10,000.
- Rottweilers are prone to several eye issues, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, entropion, and more. The only way to treat cataracts is surgery, which costs an average of $2,700-$4,000. Entropian treatment costs anywhere from $300 to $1,500. Unfortunately, PRA is untreatable.
- The two most common heart problems that affect this breed are dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and subaortic stenosis (SAS), a congenital heart defect. In severe cases of DCM, surgery, ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, is required to prevent heart failure. In moderate to severe cases of SAS, lifelong medication is typically needed.
- Hypothyroidism, a condition that arises from inadequate thyroid hormone production, is a common concern for Rottie owners. This chronic disease necessitates life-long medication and testing. Monthly medication costs average $20 to $50, and annual re-testing ranges from $50 to $100.
- Canine parvovirus is an extremely contagious intestinal illness that Rotties are more susceptible to contracting than many other breeds. Parvo most commonly affects puppies between six weeks and six months. While there’s a vaccine to prevent it, your Rott puppy could contract parvo before they’re fully protected. Depending on the severity, Parvo treatment costs range from $1,000 to $2,100.
- Panosteitis is a condition that affects young, fast-growing large breeds like Rotties. It’s a very painful inflammation of the shaft of one or more long leg bone. 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 Rottweilers?
Yes, according to a survey by Liberty Mutual Insurance, 63% of pet owners stated that they couldn’t afford unexpected medical care for their pets. It’s important to note that you need to sign up for insurance before an emergency occurs. Coverage for pre-diagnosed health issues for your Rottweiler cannot be guaranteed, so it’s crucial to get your dog covered as soon as possible.
5 Steps To Find The Best Pet Insurance For Rottweilers
Given their propensity to several serious health problems, it’s vital to find the ideal insurance plan that meets your Rottweiler’s current and future potential needs. Here are the most important factors to consider when selecting the best insurance policy for your Rottie.
- Learn about the insurance companies’ reputations. Companies with years of experience are more stable than brand-new insurers.
- Consider the health issues Rotts can potentially face and familiarize yourself with the terms associated with coverage for those conditions.
- Decide if you want accident-only or accident and illness coverage.
- Know how claim reimbursement works and each provider’s average processing time.
- Get pet insurance quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.
Methodology
To determine the best pet insurance for Rottweilers, 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 highlight 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
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.
