Dog Insurance for Puppies: The Guide

The puppy has arrived, the chaos is immense, and the joy is even greater. Amid all the initial supplies, vaccination appointments, and the first puddles on the hardwood floor, one question quickly arises: Does my puppy already need insurance?

But what exactly is a puppy? A puppy is a young dog from birth until about four months of age. It spends its first few weeks with its mother and breeder; at eight to twelve weeks, it usually moves in with its new family. As the puppy’s teeth change—when the baby teeth fall out and the permanent teeth come in—it becomes a young dog. The transition is gradual and begins for most dogs between four and five months of age. Your four-legged friend is then considered a young dog until it reaches sexual maturity, which occurs between six and twelve months of age, depending on the breed. Small breeds are often fully grown by eight to nine months, Labradors and Golden Retrievers by twelve to fifteen months, and very large breeds only by one and a half to two years.

In this guide, you'll learn what's important when it comes to dog insurance for puppies and young dogs—from waiting periods and pre-existing conditions to costs.

When should a puppy be insured?

It’s best to do this as early as possible. With Calingo, you can insure your furry friend starting at 8 weeks of age—which is usually when they first come to live with you. There are good reasons for this. A puppy doesn’t have a medical history yet. The sooner you take out a policy, the more conditions will later be classified as “newly occurring” and be covered as standard—unlike the pre-existing conditions that an older dog often has.

On top of that, puppies are curious, boisterous, and prone to accidents. Calingo covers accidents starting on the first day of coverage, with no waiting period. And if your puppy’s breeder partners with Calingo, your puppy is covered for 30 days free of charge starting on the first day it arrives at its new home with you.

Are you a breeder yourself, or would you like to recommend a breeder?

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And don't worry if your dog has already outgrown his puppy shoes: At Calingo, there's no age limit. So you can insure him just the same as a young dog.

What are some particularly important services for puppies?

In the Swiss insurance jungle, you’ll come across various terms: accident insurance, health insurance, prevention. At Calingo, you get a Accident & health Insurancethat combines surgeries, emergencies, and illnesses into one package. For puppies, it’s worth taking a look at these coverage options:

Surgery and Emergencies: A swallowed foreign object, a fall, or a bite while playing—what starts out as harmless can, unfortunately, sometimes end on the operating table. Emergency treatment is covered for CHF 3'000 to CHF 12'000, depending on the coverage level. With comprehensive coverage, advanced treatments are additionally covered up to CHF 12'000.

Illnesses: Gastrointestinal infections, ear infections, and skin problems are more common in young dogs than you might think. Depending on your coverage, the annual coverage amount is CHF 3,000, CHF 6,000, or CHF 12,000. Dental treatments and behavioral therapy are also covered. The latter can help, for example, if your puppy is very anxious or experiences significant stress when left alone.

Prevention: You can include preventive treatments in your coverage with optional supplemental coverage up to CHF 200 per year. This can be especially worthwhile during a child’s first year of life, when there are many checkups.

On top of that, you get the freedom to choose your own veterinarian, worldwide coverage, and 24/7 online veterinary advice—all of which are always included with Calingo. Telemedicine can be especially helpful if this is your first puppy and you have questions about your young furry friend’s health or behavior.

What are the waiting periods and exclusions for puppy insurance?

For illnesses, Calingo has a 30-day waiting period starting from the policy’s effective date. During this time, we do not cover the costs of diagnosing or treating illnesses, including hereditary diseases and congenital disorders. Accidents and preventive treatments, however, are covered from the start of the policy. For puppies, this means one thing above all: don’t wait until your tummy starts growling. If you wait to take out coverage until the first symptoms appear, you’ll still have to go through the waiting period.

For example, cosmetic surgery, veterinary visits during the waiting period and the exclusion period, as well as treatments not prescribed by a veterinarian, are not covered. You can find the complete list in the insurance terms and conditions.

Which congenital conditions and pre-existing conditions must be reported?

When signing the contract, you must truthfully disclose any conditions your puppy has already been diagnosed with or treated for. This applies to congenital conditions as well as everything else. Typical examples include heart defects, an umbilical hernia, undescended testicles, or patellar luxation—that is, a dislocated kneecap. If the veterinarian noticed anything during the first vaccination appointment, that should be included in the information. It’s best to ask the breeder for the vaccination record and any examination findings right away.

Calingo does not distinguish between hereditary diseases and normal conditions, but only between a newly occurring condition and a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is any condition that has been diagnosed or treated within the last 24 months. A healed ear infection or a resolved gastrointestinal infection, on the other hand, does not count as a pre-existing condition.

You can include known medical conditions in your coverage through the “Pre-existing Conditions” rider, with a coverage amount of CHF 1,500. You must select this rider when you take out the policy. It cannot be added later. And very important: Providing incorrect or incomplete information may result in benefits being denied in the event of a claim. Honesty is the best policy here.

Special Conditions by Breed

At Calingo, all breeds are covered, whether they’re purebreds or mixed-breed dogs. The terms are the same for everyone: There are no breed exclusions, and even hereditary conditions are covered after the 30-day waiting period. Still, it’s worth taking a look at your breed, because some dogs have typical health issues, and you should know early on what that means for your insurance. You can find more information about individual breeds in our dog breed guide.

Australian Labradoodle

• Common health issues: hip dysplasia, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), and ear infections, because their thick fur creates a warm, moist environment in the ear canal.
• For insurance purposes: Any condition diagnosed before the policy begins is considered a pre-existing condition. Any new conditions that arise afterward are covered after the waiting period. Regular ear and eye checkups help detect problems early.‍

Bolonka Zwetna

• Common Health Issues: It is considered a fairly hardy breed, but it is prone to the typical health issues of small breeds: patellar luxation, tartar buildup, and cataracts.
• For insurance purposes: Small dogs often live to a ripe old age. That’s why it’s an advantage that Calingo’s premiums don’t go up over the years. Regular dental care and checkups pay off.

French Bulldog

• ‍Common health issues: Breathing problems due to a short nose (brachycephalic syndrome, including heat sensitivity), reflux and stomach problems, spinal deformities and herniated discs, skin fold infections, eye problems (entropion, cherry eye, corneal ulcers), ear infections, and difficult births often requiring a cesarean section.

• Regarding insurance: Many medical conditions are hereditary or congenital, meaning they are covered only after the waiting period—and only if they were not previously diagnosed. Previously diagnosed respiratory problems or spinal abnormalities are considered pre-existing conditions. For expensive surgeries, check to see if comprehensive coverage is available. Pregnancy and infertility are not covered.

Golden Retriever

• Common conditions: hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, skin problems, and an increased risk of cancer.
• For insurance purposes: Many of these conditions don’t appear until later in life, when veterinary costs rise. With Calingo, the premium remains constant and does not increase with age.

Jack Russell Terrier

• Common health issues: He is very active and, as a result, has many accidents (jumps, scuffles, foreign objects). Other issues include patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (a condition affecting the femoral head, most commonly seen in young dogs), lens luxation (displacement of the eye lens), and allergies.
• For insurance purposes: Accidents are covered starting on the first day; illnesses are covered only after the waiting period.

Labrador Retriever

• Common issues: Joint problems (hip and elbow dysplasia—abnormal joint development—as well as cruciate ligament tears). Being overweight puts additional strain on the joints. Ear infections are also common.
• For insurance purposes: Dysplasias are hereditary and often become apparent during growth. They are covered only after the waiting period, but only if they were not diagnosed beforehand. Physical therapy and osteopathy are covered under complementary medicine, up to 1,000, 1,500, or 2,500 CHF , depending on the coverage level.

Miniature Poodle

• Common conditions: patellar luxation, tartar, PRA (retinal disease), and cataracts.
• For insurance purposes: Ask the breeder about genetic tests and test results. Any condition that has already been diagnosed counts as a pre-existing condition. Any new condition that arises is covered after the waiting period.

Mixed-breed dogs

• Common Issues: When a puppy's background is unknown, no one knows exactly what traits it has. A DNA test can provide some clues.
• Regarding insurance: Calingo insures all dogs, including mixed-breed and purebred dogs (select “Mixed-breed” in the premium calculator). Because risks are difficult to predict, it’s a good idea to take out a policy early, before any pre-existing condition is discovered.

Pomeranian

• Common conditions: patellar luxation, dental problems (tartar, baby teeth that don’t fall out), tracheal collapse, Alopecia X, heart valve disease, eye problems (watery eyes, PRA), hypoglycemia in puppies, neurological conditions (open fontanelle, hydrocephalus).
• Regarding insurance: Many medical conditions are hereditary or congenital, meaning they are covered only after the waiting period—and only if they were not diagnosed prior to that. Ask the breeder about the results of any medical examinations. Dental treatment is covered under standard coverage in cases of illness; for more extensive procedures, check the comprehensive coverage options.

Yorkshire Terrier

• Common conditions: patellar luxation, dental problems (tartar, baby teeth that don’t fall out), tracheal collapse (coughing that sounds like a goose honking), hypoglycemia in small puppies, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, congenital hepatic shunt, eye diseases (PRA, cataracts), and digestive issues ranging from sensitive digestion to pancreatitis.
• For insurance purposes: A liver shunt diagnosed before the policy begins is considered a pre-existing condition; if it develops later, it is covered after the waiting period. Ask the breeder about any medical findings. Dental treatment is covered under standard coverage in the event of illness; for complex procedures, check the comprehensive coverage options.

How much does puppy insurance cost?

The premium depends on the breed, age, coverage level, and deductible. You choose the deductible yourself: CHF 0, 300, 500, 1,000, or 2,000. You don’t pay a copay per vet visit, except with the “Pre-existing Conditions” supplemental coverage. And because the premium at Calingo doesn’t increase with your dog’s age and remains constant, you can plan for the long term.

Here’s an example from our website: Rocky, a two-month-old Jack Russell Terrier, costs 300 with a deductible of CHF under Basic Coverage CHF 18.70 per month, under Standard Coverage CHF 28.10, and under Comprehensive Coverage CHF 31.90. If you insure multiple pets or pay annually, you’ll save even more with the multi-pet discount (up to 10% off) and the annual payment discount (up to 5% off). Starting at age 10, you’ll be responsible for at least 20% of the veterinary costs. You can see exactly how much your furry friend will cost with just a few clicks in the premium calculator:

Checklist: How to Find the Right Insurance for Your Puppy

When comparing offers, these questions will help you:

1. Age of Enrollment: Can my puppy be insured as early as 8 weeks old, and is there an age limit?
2. Coverage: Are surgeries, emergencies, dental treatments, behavioral medicine, and preventive care covered, and up to what amount?
3. Waiting Periods: How long is the waiting period for illnesses, and does it also apply to hereditary diseases and congenital disorders?
4. Pre-existing conditions: Are they covered, and what are the rules regarding the maximum coverage amount and deductible?
5. Deductible and Co-Pay: Can I choose both myself, and how much do I pay per vet visit?
6. Premium: Does it stay the same, or does it go up as my dog gets older?
7. Cancellation: Can I cancel flexibly? With Calingo, you can do so on a monthly basis.
8. Service: Can I submit veterinary bills electronically, and is there an online veterinary consultation service?

Our tip: Especially when your puppy is young, questions come up that can’t wait until the next business day. With Calingo Telemedicine, you can reach veterinarians around the clock via chat, phone, or video—with unlimited access and no appointment needed.