Why I recommend pet insurance in the U.S. (especially for French Bulldogs like me)
- Coco
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
When I moved from Chile to the U.S., I quickly learned that life with a pet here comes with a new vocabulary, one of those new words was pet insurance.
In Chile, pet insurance is rare or just starting to appear. But in the U.S., it’s a rapidly growing industry, with millions of pets covered. As of 2025, about 24% of U.S. dog owners have some form of pet insurance (1,2).
If you’re new to the U.S. and own a dog, especially a breed like a French Bulldog, pet insurance can save you thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind.
1. What is pet insurance, anyway?
Pet insurance helps reimburse you for veterinary costs as accidents, illnesses, surgeries, medications, and hospitalization. Most policies work by reimbursing 70 %–90 % of covered expenses after you meet an annual deductible. Rather than paying the vet billing company directly, some providers (like Trupanion) now pay the vet directly.
Pet insurance works a lot like human health insurance:
You pay a monthly premium.
If your pet needs medical care, the insurance company reimburses you for a percentage of the bill (often 70–90%) after you meet your annual deductible.
Coverage usually applies at any licensed vet in the U.S., including emergency hospitals and specialists.
Some plans also offer optional wellness add‑ons for routine care like vaccinations, dental cleanings, preventive checkups, and microchipping, among others (3).
2. Why French Bulldogs are prime candidates for pet insurance
French Bulldogs (like me!) are adorable, compact, and full of personality, but they come with a high risk of health issues. This is true in Chile and the U.S. alike, because of their genetics and anatomy (4).
They are prone to:
Breathing issues from their short snouts (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). You can read more about my surgery here!
Skin allergies and infections in their folds
Spinal problems like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
Eye conditions and ear infections
One surgery for breathing correction can cost $3,000–$7,000 USD. Emergency spinal surgery? Often $5,000–10,000. Without insurance, these costs can be overwhelming (5).
Meanwhile, care-free Frenchies may still average $600–$1,200 per year in normal vet care, and over their 10–12 year lifespan, owning a Frenchie can cost $15,000–$20,000 or more. Recall that in one case in California, emergency bills for Frenchies reached $4,000–$6,000, expenses that owners were only able to cover thanks to having pet insurance (7,8).
Moreover, many pet owners in the U.S.—especially millennials and Gen Z—have gone into debt paying vet bills; one survey found 68 % of child‑free couples would incur debt to save their pet, and 33 % have already done so.
3. How much does it cost to insure a Frenchie?
This varies on coverage, location and your dog’s age. Typical monthly premiums:
$60–$80 for a young French Bulldog
Lower if you start as a puppy, higher if you wait
Discounts are sometimes available through employers or rescue groups
Remember: the younger and healthier your dog is when you enroll, the better your coverage and rates. If you sign your dog up young, the premiums tend to be lower, and coverage avoids pre‑existing condition exclusions (a real concern if you try to insure a dog after symptoms appear).
4. Benefits beyond emergencies: peace of mind and routine care
Freedom of choice: Well‑designed policies reimburse costs whether you visit your usual vet, an emergency clinic, or a specialist anywhere in the U.S. See any vet in the U.S., including specialists.
Predictable costs: Most providers offer customizable plans. You can choose your deductible, reimbursement rate, annual maximum, and whether to add preventive wellness coverage. Turn unpredictable emergencies into manageable monthly expenses.
Preventive care: Add wellness coverage for annual checkups, vaccines, and dental cleanings. Some companies provide perks like wellness rewards, exam‑fee coverage, or mobile‑app claims via Lemonade, Embrace, or Fetch (10).
Employers—including firms like Google, Adobe, Hilton, Lyft, and Workday—are offering pet insurance and vet telehealth as employee benefits here in the U.S., underscoring how pet care is being treated like human healthcare.
Peace of mind: You won’t have to choose between your pet’s health and your bank account.
Tips for choosing the right plan
Compare at least three companies (Fetch, Embrace, Lemonade, Pets Best, Figo, etc.) and compare premiums, reimbursements, annual limits, deductibles, and waiting periods.
Enroll early: typically, puppies can be covered from 8–10 weeks old. That way, you avoid pre-existing exclusions later.
Check breed-specific coverage: Choose a plan that includes hereditary & congenital coverage (Frenchies often have breed‑specific illnesses). Some insurers won’t cover BOAS, hip dysplasia, skinfold dermatitis, etc., unless you pick a higher tier plan (or they exclude them entirely).
Read the fine print: Consider an annual wellness add-on if you want preventive care covered (vaccines, checkups, dental). These bundles keep weekly costs manageable and help catch issues earlier.
Don’t switch casually: if your dog develops a condition and then switches, pre-existing conditions will likely not be covered by a new provider (11).
Takeways
Reason | Why It matters for a French Bulldog |
🐾 High health risk breed | Frenchies are genetically prone to expensive conditions like BOAS, skinfold infections, eye and spinal problems. |
💸 High potential vet costs | Without insurance, one emergency (e.g. $5,000 bill) could wipe out savings, or force emotional decisions |
🧾 Manageable monthly cost | $60–80/month is far less than thousands per incident, and gives you peace of mind. |
📍 U.S.-based support | Reimbursement works at any licensed vet clinic or emergency hospital anywhere in the U.S. |
🩺 Early enrollment matters | Starting young avoids exclusions and locks in better pricing. |
🌟 Many plans customize well | You can tailor deductible, reimbursement, wellness coverage, and annual limits. |
FAQ: Pet Insurance in the U.S.
Q: Do vets in the U.S. accept pet insurance directly? A: Usually, you pay the bill first and then get reimbursed. A few companies, like Trupanion, can pay vets directly.
Q: Can I get pet insurance after my dog gets sick? A: Yes, but pre-existing conditions won’t be covered. This is why early enrollment matters.
Q: Is pet insurance worth it if my dog is healthy? A: Yes, especially for high-risk breeds. Insurance is protection for the unexpected.
Q: Can I use it if I travel within the U.S.? A: Yes, most plans cover any licensed vet in the country.
Recommended U.S. pet insurance resources
Embrace Pet Insurance: Flexible coverage, good for breed-specific conditions
Fetch Pet Insurance: Broad coverage, customizable
Lemonade Pet: Fast digital claims, wellness add-ons
Pawlicy Advisor: Compare multiple providers easily
Final thoughts
If you’re coming from a country like Chile, pet insurance might feel strange at first, like a luxury. But in the U.S., where vet bills can rival human medical bills, it’s more of a necessity.
For me and my academic parents, it’s not just about saving money, it’s about buying peace of mind. Knowing I can get the best care without hesitation is worth every monthly payment.
So if you’re moving to the U.S. with a furry friend—especially a French Bulldog—consider making pet insurance one of your first investments. Your future self (and your pet) will thank you.
Related articles
2. MarketWatch
3. Lemonade
4. Compare.com
7. AP News
9. MarketWatch
10. New York Post
11. kiplinger.com
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