Best Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs
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French Bulldogs are the most popular dog breed in the U.S. High demand means high cost, and some pet parents spend several thousand dollars to purchase a Frenchie. If you’re spending that kind of money to have the breed be part of your family, you should consider insuring the dog to help them live as happy and healthy as possible.
As pet insurance experts, we’ll help you select the best pet insurance for your French Bulldog and point out any potential saving opportunities for you. Let’s dig into our Frenchie insurance guide to see why we think Pets Best, Fetch, Healthy Paws, Embrace, Figo, Lemonade, and Trupanion are among the best.
Best Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs
Our experts researched the best pet insurance for French Bulldogs based on common household needs. We chose the best pet insurers for Frenchies based on the dog’s age, premium price, coverage, specific health conditions, and more to help you find the best policy for your dog.
Best Customizable Plans: Pets Best
- Deductible Options: $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
- Annual Payout Options: $5,000, Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%
In-Depth Review Of Pets Best
Why We Picked Pets Best
Pets Best offers several policy types, including Accident-only, Essential (accident and illness coverage), Plus (Essential plan with exam fee coverage), and Elite (Plus plan with rehab, acupuncture, and chiropractic coverage). It also offers a variety of deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout options to help customize your plan to fit you and your Frenchie’s needs. With so many options, finding a plan from Pets Best that fits your budget and coverage needs is easy.
Expert Price Analysis
Pets Best premiums typically fall on the lower to middle range of the pricing spectrum. Pricing really varied based on Frenchie’s age and location. So, a quote for your French Bulldog could be among the lowest or fall more in the middle of the pack.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customize your plan to fit your budget and needs with different deductible, reimbursement, and payout options | Longer than average claim processing averages (7-14 days) |
| May have option for Pets Best to pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement | Excludes alternative/holistic therapies and C-sections |
| Accident-only plan available | |
| Optional wellness plans available as an add-on | |
| Shorter than average waiting periods (3 days for accidents and 14 days for hip dysplasia) | |
| Consistently among the lowest prices |
Best For Puppies: Fetch
- Deductible Options: $300, $500, $700
- Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%
In-Depth Review Of Fetch
Why We Picked Fetch
Fetch begins enrolling puppies as young as six weeks old, one of the earliest in the industry. Other insurers require pets to be at least eight weeks old at enrollment. One unique feature Fetch offers is up to $1,000 for virtual vet visits. Fetch is an outstanding pet insurance option for that brand-new Frenchie you bring home.
Expert Price Analysis
Fetch was consistently among the least expensive insurers when using the same deductible, reimbursement, and annual payout for young Frenchies.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customize your plan to fit your budget and needs with different deductible, reimbursement, and payout options | Can’t have Fetch pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement |
| Behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, C-sections, sick visit exam fees, and gum disease are included in coverage | No accident-only plan available |
| Optional wellness plans available as an add-on | Longer than average accident waiting period (15 days) |
Best For Unlimited Payouts: Healthy Paws
- Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
- Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
In-Depth Review Of Healthy Paws
Why We Picked Healthy Paws
Healthy Paws has unlimited annual payouts in all its policies. When comparing Healthy Paws against other insurers with the same deductible, reimbursement, and unlimited payouts, Healthy Paws is often more affordable. Frenchies are predisposed to many costly health conditions, and with unlimited annual payouts for your policy, you don’t have to worry about hitting a limit. Healthy Paws policies are wonderful for pet parents who want peace of mind they won’t hit an annual cap on their coverage.
Expert Price Analysis
Healthy Paws charges more for male French Bulldogs than females (the typical difference is less than $10/month). I also noticed Healthy Paws has many policy coverage restrictions for Frenchies. For example, a 5-year-old Frenchie residing in Buffalo, NY, wasn’t insurable through Healthy Paws. Lastly, many other Frenchie pet insurance quotes had no customizations available (typically limited to 70% reimbursement with a $500 deductible).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| May have option for Healthy Paws to pay your vet directly and avoid waiting for reimbursement | Limited customization options based on your pet’s age |
| Shorter than average CCL surgery waiting period (15 days) | No accident-only plan available |
| Shorter than average claim processing (2 days) | Not enrolling pets older than 14 years old |
| Unlimited payouts for all plans | Excludes behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, C-sections, exam fees, and gum disease |
| Longer hip dysplasia waiting periods than average (12 months) and pets enrolled after age 6 are ineligible for hip dysplasia coverage (MD doesn’t have this age limitation) | |
| Longer than average accident waiting period (15 days) |
Most Extensive Coverage: Embrace
- 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%
In-Depth Review Of Embrace
Why We Picked Embrace
Embrace’s accident and illness policies are among the most comprehensive, with the fewest exclusions. Policies include $1,000 for dental illness coverage annually, something that is likely to get used with Frenchie’s predisposition to overcrowding of teeth, leading to infection and tooth decay. Embrace also includes coverage relating to exam fees, behavioral therapy, and alternative/holistic therapy in all plans. Meanwhile, other companies may require an add-on for this type of coverage. Embrace is an excellent insurer for parents wanting nose-to-tail coverage for their Frenchie.
Expert Price Analysis
For one of the many French Bulldog quotes I ran, Embrace offered no coverage. The quote was for a 5-year-old Frenchie residing in San Diego, CA. With Frenchies being the most popular breed and California being the state with the most insured pets and gross written premiums in the U.S., I anticipated there would be coverage options for a pet with those specifications.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customize your plan to fit your budget and needs with different deductible, reimbursement, and payout options | Restricted to accident-only coverage if you enroll your dog after their 15th birthday |
| May have option for Embrace to pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement | C-sections are excluded |
| Optional wellness plans available as add-on | |
| Shorter than average accident waiting period (2 days) and claim processing (5 days) | |
| Behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, exam fees, gum disease, and tooth extractions are included |
Best Value: Figo
- Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500, $750
- Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
In-Depth Review Of Figo
Why We Picked Figo
Figo offers extensive coverage with lower pricing. It also has excellent customer service and averages three days for claim processing. Plans are customizable, and you can add one of two wellness plans. Conditions that are often excluded are included in Figo’s coverage (e.g., behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, and C-sections). With competitive pricing and comprehensive coverage, Figo is an excellent option for Frenchie parents.
Expert Price Analysis
Figo’s lowest coverage plan ($750 deductible, 70% reimbursement, $5,000 annual payout) consistently resulted in the lowest price for Frenchies compared to other insurers. Additionally, Figo charges more for males than females, sometimes $20 more per month for males compared to a female Frenchie.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customize your plan to fit your budget and needs with different deductible, reimbursement, and payout options | Can’t have Figo pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement |
| Optional wellness plans available as an add-on | No accident-only plan available |
| Shorter than average accident waiting period (1 day) | |
| Consistently among the lowest prices | |
| Shorter than average claim processing (3 days) | |
| Behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, and C-sections are included in coverage | |
| Diminishing deductible for each year a policyholder is claim free, decreasing by $50 until it is $0 |
Most Affordable: Lemonade
- Deductible Options: $100, $250, $500
- Annual Payout Options: $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000
- Reimbursement Options: 70%, 80%, 90%
In-Depth Review Of Lemonade
Why We Picked Lemonade
Several elements are important in choosing a pet insurance provider, but pricing is often a leading deciding factor, especially for Frenchies, because the breed can be more expensive. For French Bulldogs, Lemonade is often one of the most affordable insurers, making it a good place to start your search if price is your primary concern. Lemonade has only been selling pet insurance since 2020, and health conditions that are included in other insurers’ basic policies are additional fees through Lemonade. However, if you’re okay with skipping out on coverage for some conditions to pay a lower premium and the product’s newness doesn’t bother you, then Lemonade may be a good fit for your Frenchie.
Expert Price Analysis
Lemonade consistently had some of the lowest pet insurance prices for French Bulldogs when using the same deductible, annual payout, and reimbursement.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customize your plan to fit your budget and needs with different deductible, reimbursement, and payout options | Can’t have Lemonade pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement |
| Optional wellness plans available as an add-on | No accident-only plan available |
| Shorter than average waiting periods (2 days for accidents and 14 days for hip dysplasia) | Only available in 37 states and Washington DC |
| Shorter than average claim processing (2 days) | Breed restrictions based on age |
| Behavioral therapies, alternative/holistic therapies, exam fees, and gum disease coverage are available for an extra fee |
Lemonade Pet Insurance Is Only Available In: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, District of Columbia
Best For Bilateral Conditions: Trupanion
- Deductible Options: $0 – $1,000 (in $5 increments)
- Annual Payout Options: Unlimited
- Reimbursement Options: 90%
In-Depth Review Of Trupanion
Why We Picked Trupanion
Trupanion’s policies have no bilateral exclusions (any condition or disease that could affect both sides of the body). Examples of bilateral conditions include hip dysplasia and patella luxation, which French Bulldogs are predisposed to. Many pet insurance providers have bilateral exclusions, so, for example, if your Frenchie is diagnosed with hip dysplasia on the left side, then it will be excluded on the right side. Bilateral conditions can be very costly, so having coverage for these can save you significant money, making Trupanion a worthy consideration.
Expert Price Analysis
Trupanion was one of the few insurers that charged different amounts for male and female French Bulldogs. Sometimes, males cost more, and other times, females cost more. Additionally, Trupanion had the highest premiums for Frenchies by far, sometimes costing hundreds of dollars more than other pet insurers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 90% reimbursement with unlimited payouts for all plans | No accident-only plan available |
| May have option for Trupanion to pay your vet directly to avoid waiting for reimbursement | Pets older than 14 are ineligible for enrollment |
| Shorter than average CCL surgery and hip dysplasia waiting periods (30 days) | Longer than average illness waiting period (30 days) |
| Shorter than average claim processing averages (2 days) | Consistently among the most expensive |
| Behavioral therapies, C-sections, and tooth extractions are included in coverage | Exam fees are excluded |
What Type Of Pet Insurance Plan Is Best For French Bulldogs?
There are two types of pet insurance plans: accident-only and accident and illness. Some insurers offer optional wellness plans for an extra fee, but these are not insurance products. However, because insurers offer wellness plans during enrollment, we include them here to inform you of your options for your Frenchie.
What Are Accident-Only Pet Insurance Plans?
Accident-only plans cover the cost of emergencies due to accidents and injuries. Examples include broken bones, bite wounds, cranial cruciate ligament tears, eye trauma, and more. These are true emergency-only plans, but not all insurance companies offer them.
Pricing Tip – Accident-only plans are typically more affordable than accident and illness plans because they don’t cover illnesses.
What Are Accident & Illness Pet Insurance Plans?
Accident and illness plans are the most common pet insurance plan. They cover injuries, such as foreign body ingestion, poisoning, and other emergencies listed in the accident-only plans, and disease-related conditions, such as allergies, ear infections, diarrhea, brachycephalic syndrome, and more. These policies are more comprehensive than accident-only plans.
What Are Wellness Plans?
Wellness policies are purchased as add-ons or standalone products and have monthly or annual premiums. Preventative-related items are included in this coverage, such as annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, spay/neuter procedures, and more. Wellness plans help you budget for routine procedures to help maintain your French Bulldog’s health and prevent illnesses. French Bulldog parents who opt for wellness coverage are often more proactive with their Frenchie’s health because they take advantage of more preventative items.
Wellness plans are not pet insurance and do not assist with costs related to accidents or illnesses.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover & Exclude?
Pet insurance coverage varies based on the policy type and the company you choose. Most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover the following items when deemed medically necessary. However, this coverage may have limitations, so please check your policy.
| Covered | Excluded |
|---|---|
| Blood tests | Boarding |
| Cancer (chemo & radiation) | Cremation & burial costs |
| CAT 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 French Bulldogs?
Pet insurance pricing is based on many things, including your French Bulldog’s details (e.g., age, breed, location). Generally speaking:
- Younger Frenchies are less likely to experience an accident or illness, resulting in older French Bulldogs being more expensive than young Frenchie pups to insure
- Purebreds (like French Bulldogs) incur more health problems than mixed breeds, resulting in purebreds being more expensive than mixed breeds to insure
- Males require higher doses of medication, larger medical equipment, and additional medical supplies than females because they are larger, resulting in males being more expensive than females to insure
- The cost of supplies, office space, staff, etc., directly correlate to the cost of vet care, so if the cost of living is high in your area, then chances are your pet insurance premium and vet bills will be higher, too
The items above are less adjustable because you can’t change the age of your French Bulldog, whether they’re male or female, or where you live (well, you can change where you live, but the cost of your pet insurance premium most likely won’t be the sole decision factor). However, your plan is within your control and can allow you more control over what you spend on your French Bulldog’s pet insurance plan.
Plan Details & Coverage Matter
Whether you choose an accident-only or accident and illness pet insurance policy will impact your premium. The maximum payout, deductible, and reimbursement percentage also influence your pet insurance premium.
Learn More
What Is The Maximum Payout & Why Does It Matter?
There are two types of payouts: annual and lifetime. An annual payout is the maximum amount the insurance company will reimburse during the policy period. A lifetime payout is the highest amount the insurer will reimburse over the pet’s insured lifetime. Most pet insurers have annual payouts, which the most common are $5,000, $10,000, and unlimited.
Pricing Tip – Maximum payout is something you’ll want to consider carefully because lower payouts will lower your premium but also means you’re responsible for more expenses if your Frenchie has expensive vet treatment.
Is The Deductible Annual Or Per-Incident?
The deductible is important because it’s the portion of the vet bill you’re responsible for paying before the insurance company reimburses you. The most common deductibles are $100, $250, and $500.
An annual deductible requires you to pay the deductible once per policy term. A policy with an annual deductible can be easier to budget for because you know you’ll only need to meet the deductible once during the year. Most pet insurance companies have annual deductibles.
A per-incident deductible requires you to pay the deductible once for each new emergency your pet encounters. A policy with a per-incident deductible can be more expensive if your Frenchie is diagnosed with many conditions. However, if your French Bulldog is diagnosed with a chronic condition, you’ll only pay the deductible for that condition once over the Frenchie’s insured lifetime.
Pricing Tip – A policy with a higher deductible often results in a lower monthly premium.
What’s The Reimbursement Percentage?
The reimbursement percentage is the amount of money the insurance company covers after your deductible is met. The most common reimbursement percentages are 70%, 80%, and 90%. The remaining percentage is your copay, so if you choose an 80% reimbursement, you’ll be responsible for 20% after the deductible is met.
Pricing Tip – Choosing a lower reimbursement percentage results in a lower premium.
How Much Is Pet Insurance For A French Bulldog?
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 $53.34 ($32.25 for cats).
Below is a pet insurance price comparison to give you an idea of what a policy could cost for your French Bulldog. Listed are some of the best pet insurance companies and their monthly premiums for each sample Frenchie.
* 70% reimbursement
† 50% reimbursement and $1,000 deductible (no other options)
‡ $0 deductible
§ Unlimited annual payouts
French Bulldog Insurance Cost: Lowest & Highest Amounts
We gathered the lowest and highest monthly costs for French Bulldog pet insurance from each insurer below. We included two different ages to help show how costs can vary based on when you sign up for Frenchie insurance.
| Company | 2mo old 92121 (San Diego, CA) | 5yr old 92121 (San Diego, CA) | 2mo old 14211 (Buffalo, NY) | 5yr old 14211 (Buffalo, NY) | 2mo old 33604 (Tampa, FL) | 5yr old 33604 (Tampa, FL) | 2mo old 78703 (Austin, TX) | 5yr old 78703 (Austin, TX) | 2mo old 07108 (Newark, NJ) | 5yr old 07108 (Newark, NJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42-$261 | $56-$352 | $24-$152 | $32-$205 | $20-$143 | $27-$192 | $36-$207 | $45-$255 | $24-$156 | $33-$211 |
| $46-$119 | $98-$259 | $44-$100 | $83-$192 | $51-$117 | $94-$219 | $54-$121 | $97-$224 | $50-$113 | $91-$210 |
| $55-$82 | $80-$121 | $59* | Uninsurable | $64-$134 | $113-$243 | $89* | $130* | $67* | $98* |
 | $33-$203 | Uninsurable | $32-$193 | $32-$197 | $31-$113 | $41-$148 | $41-$148 | $54-$194 | $41-$148 | $45-$161 |
| $39-$180 | $51-$234 | $34-$214 | $44-$278 | $11-$144 | $15-$187 | $13-$167 | $17-$208 | $20-$211 | $26-$274 |
| $40-$194 | $62-$262 | $29-$99 | $40-$134 | $25-$141 | $34-$190 | $43-$129 | $30-$100 | $33-$111 | $87-$381 |
| $112-$496 | $199-$898 | $79-$345 | $138-$619 | $129-$239 | $234-$434 | $62-$266 | $121-$540 | $87-$381 | $180-$811 |
States chosen were based on the top five states to have the most insured pets and highest gross written premiums for pet insurance, according to NAPHIA. The cities chosen were based on the most pet-friendly cities in the most popular states above, according to WalletHub.
How Does Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs Work?
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of vet treatment for the insured Frenchie’s condition. Before coverage kicks in, you’ll need the waiting periods to be over. Then, your reimbursement depends on your plan’s maximum payout, deductible, and reimbursement percentage (which we explain more below). Fortunately, using pet insurance is super simple.
- Take your French Bulldog to the vet and pay the bill at the time of service.
- Submit a completed claim form and an itemized receipt to your insurance company. Some companies require a signature from your vet, so it is wise to take a printed copy of your claim form to your visit.
- Once the claim is approved, the insurance company 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. The reimbursement amount depends on your policy details, including deductible, annual payout, reimbursement percentage, coverage, and exclusions.
What Are Waiting Periods For French Bulldog Pet Insurance?
Waiting periods are the time between enrollment and when your Frenchie’s coverage kicks in. Each pet insurance provider’s waiting periods differ, but the most common waiting periods are for accidents (typically 0 to 15 days) and illnesses (typically 14 days). However, some companies require additional waiting periods (up to one year) for orthopedic conditions like cranial cruciate ligaments and hip dysplasia (both of which French Bulldogs are predisposed to).
*Waiting periods for California, Maine, and Mississippi are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
What Are Common Health Issues For French Bulldogs?
Below are some of the most commonly diagnosed health issues for Frenchies. We have categorized the health issues, but some conditions fall into multiple categories. Depending on the cause and how your vet diagnoses a condition will determine what category it falls into.
Is Pet Insurance Worth It For French Bulldogs?
The Royal Veterinary College found that 72.4% of French Bulldogs under vet care in 2013 had at least one health issue documented. Additionally, in 2013, French Bulldogs were the 11th most popular dog breed, according to AKC. Frenchies have risen in popularity, topping the charts as the #1 most popular dog breed in 2022. The breed’s increasing popularity can only mean more of our beloved pups will require medical care.
Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are predisposed to countless breed-specific health issues, so pet insurance is essential for the breed. If you spend the money on a purebred Frenchie, insurance can help them live their longest, healthiest life.
5 Steps To Find The Best Pet Insurance For French Bulldogs
When shopping around for the best pet insurance for Frenchies, remember that a French Bulldog’s life expectancy is 10 to 12 years. You’ll want to choose right the first time. Here are some things to keep in mind to find the best plan for your pooch (you may want to grab a notepad to make a list).
- Learn about the insurance companies’ reputations. Companies with years of experience are more stable than brand-new insurers.
- Consider the health issues Frenchies are predisposed to and know the terms associated with coverage for those conditions.
- Decide if you want accident-only or accident and illness coverage.
- Know how claim reimbursement occurs and the average processing time.
- Get pet insurance quotes from at least three companies to compare pricing.
Methodology
To determine the best pet insurance for French Bulldogs, we analyzed more than 40 pet U.S. 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.
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