Pet insurance for French Bulldogs…
Do you need it, what’s it going to cost, and who is the best provider?
There is a constant back and forth battle in the minds of French Bulldog owners about whether or not pet insurance is worth it. Due to their well-reported health issues, insurance companies place a lot of stipulations and exclusions on Frenchies as a breed, which means some common ailments aren’t covered in the standard policies.
So let’s start by addressing that question head on…
Should I Get Pet Insurance For My French Bulldog?
Yes, whilst some common Frenchie conditions are excluded from standard insurance policies, we still recommend getting insurance. Here’s why…
You see, pet insurance isn’t only about the month-to-month vet bills and medications you need for your Frenchie. Even though it can help with these ongoing costs, the true value of pet insurance comes when disaster strikes.
What if your pup gets bitten by a snake? Eats something funky in the garden and gets a bad bout of gastro? Or is struck down with a serious illness?
Can you afford to pay the $5-10,000 in vet bills required to help them recover and be healthy again?
Most of us don’t have that kind of money sitting around, which is why pet insurance can provide peace of mind that you’re covered if those bad times come.
It wasn’t long ago that Frankie was struck down with gastro herself – uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea left us helpless and seriously concerned for her life. She ended up staying at the vet hospital overnight to be treated and monitored. Fortunately, she made a full recovery and because of our pet insurance, we were able to get back almost 80% of the entire bill. That alone is worth the monthly payments for a couple of years!
Ok, so pet insurance can be extremely important, but which insurance provider should you go with? Let’s compare some of the best.
French Bulldog Pet Insurance Provider Comparison
Here is a high-level comparison of the leading pet insurance providers for French Bulldogs in the United States, scroll down to see a more in-depth analysis of each provider.
| Title | Description | Price | Rating | ||
| Embrace |
| $$$ | *** | |
| Pets Best |
| $$ | ***** | |
| Petplan |
| $$$ | **** | |
| PetFirst |
| $$$$ | ** |
Embrace
Affordability: $$$
Overall Rating: 3/5
As with any of the pet insurance providers mentioned in this article, Embrace doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. To start a policy with Embrace you are required to have had a veterinary exam within 12 months of the policy start date, and they also conduct a medical review of the history of your pet.
Some things they cover:
- Cancer
- Chronic conditions (if not pre-existing)
- Accidents
- Illness
- Breed-specific and genetical conditions
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Drugs
- Vaccinations and ongoing preventative care
Some things they don’t cover:
- Anything related to breeding and pregnancy
- Cosmetic procedures
- Injury from fighting or neglect
- Pre-existing conditions
When you’re getting a quote from Embrace you have the option to choose an annual maximum claim limit, deductible, and reimbursement percentage. Obviously, the lower your max claim limit and reimbursement percentage the lower your monthly premium.
After signing up with Embrace you will need to serve waiting periods before you can make a claim on any condition – 14 days for illness, 2 days for injuries, and 6 months for orthopedic conditions.
Pets Best (Our Top Pick)
Affordability: $$
Overall Rating: 5/5
Pets Best insurance is our top pick because it ticks a lot of the most important boxes for French Bulldog owners. The price is usually reasonable, compared to other providers, and they provide excellent policy coverage and fast claims turnarounds. Some other cool features of Pets Best is the pet transfer of ownership coverage and a 24/7 pet helpline.
Some things they cover:
- Emergency visits and surgeries
- Accidents and injuries
- Travel to certain destinations
- Breed-specific and genetical conditions
- Cancer
- Hospitalization and rehab
- Medications
- Foreign object ingestion
Some things they don’t cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Organ transplants
- Stem cell therapy
The waiting times are fairly standard, with 14 days for illness, 3 days for injuries, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.
Petplan
Affordability: $$$
Overall Rating: 4/5
Petplan is a very competitive insurance option for French Bulldogs due to its policy coverage, claims turnaround times, and excellent reputation and customer service. The only reason it has been pipped by Pets Best in this article is that customers have shown displeasure at the premium increases they experience year-on-year. With that being said, there is still a lot to like about it.
Some things they cover:
- Injuries, accidents, and illness
- Dental coverage
- Non-routine vet exams
- Behavioral treatment – including anxiety disorder
- Chronic and hereditary conditions
- Cancer
- Prescription medicines
Some things they don’t cover:
- Preventative and routine care
- Elective treatments
- Non-curable pre-existing conditions
Wait times are fairly standard with 5 days for accidents, 15 days for illness, and 6 months for cruciate and patella conditions.
PetFirst
Affordability: $$$$
Overall Rating: 2/5
PetFirst tends to be one of the more expensive insurance options on this list. Yes, they have no waiting time for accident cover and don’t require a pre-cover examination, but whether or not these differentiators are worth the extra premium is up to you.
Some things they cover:
- Accidents
- Illness
- Hospitalization and surgeries
- Emergency care
- Medications
Some things they don’t cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Elective procedures
- Preventative parasite treatment – ticks and fleas
- Behavioral training
- Routine wellness and care
Which Pet Insurance Is Right For Your Frenchie?
Each Frenchie owner is going to be unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all insurance provider we would recommend. It all comes down to what you care about most, and perhaps what your Frenchie is like.
Is price a big factor? Do you care more about claims turnaround times? Or maybe wait times and specific condition coverage is important to you?
Take a moment to write a list of your must-haves and then compare providers from that reference point.
Good luck with your search!
Disclaimer: The information on this page about pet insurance providers may be changed at any time by the insurance company – that is beyond our control. We have published this article to provide reference and guidance as you explore your options, but please review your policy in detail prior to signing up for a new pet insurance contract.
Will is the proud co-owner of Frankie, a Female Brindle French Bulldog, with his wife Michelle. We share our Frenchie experiences with the world to help health-conscious French Bulldog owners who want a happy, healthy, and long-living dog.
