Picking up my golden retriever puppy next week! Breeder says shes healthy but I know goldens can have expensive health issues later. When should I sign up for insurance? Right away? After the first vet visit? I dont want to mess this up and have something be considered pre-existing because I waited too long.
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Sign up BEFORE the first vet visit. I made the mistake of waiting until after and my puppys ear infection from the first checkup was flagged as pre-existing. Its been excluded from coverage for 2 years now even though it was just a minor thing. Get the policy in place first, then do your vet visit.
oh wow I didnt think about that. So literally the day I bring her home?
I would even do it a few days before pickup if possible. Most companies will backdate coverage to the application date. That way theres zero gap.
Fellow golden parent here. Get insurance immediately. Goldens are wonderful but theyre prone to so many things - hip issues, cancer, ACL tears. We have 3 goldens and insurance has paid out over $15k in claims across them. One cancer surgery alone was $8,000. Monthly premiums hurt less than those bills.
Just be aware most policies have a 14 day waiting period for illnesses and 48 hours for accidents. So even if you sign up today, illness coverage doesnt kick in for 2 weeks. Still worth doing early but know that limitation exists.