Our Experience With Bulldog Pet Insurance
We get a lot of questions about Bulldogs, their health, and Bulldog pet insurance. The big three:
- Does my Bulldog need pet insurance?
- What’s the best pet insurance for Bulldogs?
- Is pet insurance worth it for Bulldogs?
Quick note: this post shares our experience, not financial or insurance advice. Every dog, policy, and provider is different—please do your own research.
We’re asked so often that we wanted to share exactly what has worked for us—and why.
Does your French Bulldog need pet insurance?
Do Bulldogs Need Pet Insurance?
Bulldogs aren’t inexpensive to raise—and unexpected vet bills can add up fast. Bulldogs also tend to see the vet more often than many breeds. For us, carrying pet insurance has been worth it. We think of it as a “forced savings” that’s there the day we need it.
Pet Insurance Policy Basics
Pet policies are a lot like human plans: you choose deductible, reimbursement %, annual limits, and optional wellness add-ons. More coverage and lower deductibles usually mean higher monthly cost. Enrolling younger generally lowers the premium.
Example for a young English Bulldog:
- $5,000 annual coverage
- $200 deductible
- 90% reimbursement
- Core benefits: accidents, illnesses, cancer, hereditary conditions, surgeries, emergency care, take-home prescriptions, accident & illness exam fees, rehab, acupuncture & chiropractic
- $55–$65/month (varies by age/location/provider)
Premiums can rise with age and after large claims. Ours stayed steady for the first 5–6 years. Read the fine print—some conditions have waiting periods. If you’re unsure, call the insurer and ask directly about your concern.
Blue the Bulldog
Our Experience With Pet Insurance
Meet Blue. She’s athletic (for a Bulldog), very smart, very stubborn, and marches to the beat of her own drum. About 65 lbs. Sweet one minute, rascal the next. She knows right from wrong… and sometimes chooses “wrong” anyway.
Blue played hard at the beach almost daily her first two years. We even considered dropping insurance because she seemed bulletproof. Thank goodness we didn’t.
Blue scouting her next adventure
One evening just after turning two, Blue went down the stairs to the yard and didn’t come back up. I found her sitting in the grass, calm but unwilling to walk. She tried a couple steps, limped on her hind legs, and sat back down.
The next morning: same. Our vet did X-rays—two torn ACLs. A specialist confirmed and recommended two surgeries, six weeks apart. Each surgery was about $3,500; roughly $7,000 total with follow-ups.
On the way to the surgeon
How the Insurance Paid Out
Simple process: surgery → clinic filed paperwork → we paid → insurer reimbursed 90% minus the $200 deductible.
- Surgery #1: ~$3,500 billed; reimbursed ~$2,970 within ~14 days (after deductible)
- Surgery #2: ~$3,500 billed; reimbursed ~$3,150 (deductible already met)
Total savings on surgeries: about $6,000. Over 6+ years we’ve paid roughly $4,320 in premiums and received about $6,500 in benefits (including an ear infection and routine items), so we’re still net positive by ~$2,000—plus the peace of mind.
Blue’s leg after surgery
Back to Blue
Blue was an excellent patient—no complications, no cone needed, and she avoided jumping on her own. Total healing took about 12 weeks. She gained a little weight during recovery but shed it once back to normal life. At six, she’s calmer but still loves the beach.
Blue, four years post-op—happy and healthy
So—Is It Worth It?
Does my Bulldog need pet insurance? Only you can decide based on age, health, budget, and risk tolerance.
What’s the best pet insurance for Bulldogs? One you can afford, that covers what you care about most, from a reputable provider.
Is it worth it? In our experience, yes—financially and for peace of mind.
We hope you picked up something useful about caring for your Bulldog today.
If you’d like to learn more about Bulldogs, please visit The Bulldog Blog, presented by Bulldog Grade.
