Irish Wolfhound insurance in California: cost and what to look for
One of the largest breeds and one of the shortest-lived; heart disease and bone cancer dominate claims.
- $80–$134/mo est.Typical monthly premium in California (2 yrs, 80%, $250 deductible)
- $1,236/yr est.Estimated yearly cost at the midpoint
- 5Breed-linked conditions to check coverage for
Which insurer fits an Irish Wolfhound? See our top picks by priority →
Insurers for an Irish Wolfhound in California
Estimated monthly price for a 2-year-old at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible. These are BreedSure estimates, not quotes from the insurers; each insurer sets its own price.
Odie
Lowest est.14-day illness wait Limits $10,000 or $40,000 Exam fees extra Deductibles $250 or $500
$91/mo est.Plan details for OdieLemonade
14-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to $100,000 Exam fees extra Deductibles $100 / $250 / $500 / $750
$95/mo est.Plan details for LemonadePets Best
14-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to unlimited Exam fees included Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$98/mo est.Plan details for Pets BestEmbrace
14-day illness wait Limits $2,000 to unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $200 to $1,000
$103/mo est.Plan details for EmbraceSpot
14-day illness wait Limits $2,500 to unlimited Exam fees included Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$105/mo est.Plan details for Spot
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Fetch
15-day illness wait Limits $5,000 to $15,000 Exam fees included Deductibles $250 to $2,500
$108/mo est.Plan details for FetchHealthy Paws
15-day illness wait Limits $5,000, $7,000 or unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $100 to $1,000
$113/mo est.Plan details for Healthy PawsTrupanion
30-day illness wait Limits Unlimited Exam fees extra Deductibles $0 to $1,000 per condition
$129/mo est.Plan details for Trupanion
Estimates updated Sep 2026 · How we estimate
Waiting period. How long after the policy starts before accidents, and then illnesses, are covered. Anything that begins during the wait is excluded. More in the glossaryAnnual limit. The most the policy pays in one policy year. "Unlimited" means there is no yearly cap. More in the glossaryExam fees. The vet's charge for the visit itself, usually $50 to $150, separate from tests and treatment. Some insurers include it; others sell it as an add-on. More in the glossaryDeductible. What you pay yourself before the insurer starts paying. Most reset every policy year; some insurers charge it once per condition. More in the glossaryWhat Irish Wolfhound owners claim for
- Heart disease (DCM / MVD)[1]very commonCardiomyopathy or valve disease; diagnostics and lifelong medication.$1,100–$2,500[2]
- $3,000–$10,000[4]
- $2,000–$7,500[5]
- Hip dysplasia[3]commonMalformed hip joint leading to arthritis. Treatment ranges from pain management to total hip replacement.$1,000–$6,000[6]
- Elbow dysplasia[7]occasionalDevelopmental elbow joint disease common in large breeds, often needs arthroscopic surgery.$1,500–$4,000[8]
What an Irish Wolfhound costs to insure by age in California
Insured as a puppy, an Irish Wolfhound costs about 44% less per month than one enrolled at 8 (modeled). Conditions diagnosed before enrollment are excluded as pre-existing.
Low, typical and high estimates by age
| Age | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 1) | $72/mo est. | $93/mo est. | $120/mo est. |
| 2 years | $80/mo est. | $103/mo est. | $134/mo est. |
| 5 years | $96/mo est. | $123/mo est. | $160/mo est. |
| 8 years | $128/mo est. | $165/mo est. | $214/mo est. |
| 11 years | $176/mo est. | $226/mo est. | $294/mo est. |
Pet insurance in California
California has regulated pet insurance since 2015. SB 1217, effective January 1, 2025, requires insurers to disclose if premiums or coverage change based on a pet's age or a move to a new location, whether a medical exam is required, and any waiting periods, summarized in a standalone 'Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions' document.
California Department of Insurance handles insurance complaints and consumer questions in California, including about pet insurance.
The average routine vet visit for a dog in California costs about $94.
Source: CareCredit
Under California's AB 1399 (effective January 1, 2024), licensed veterinarians can establish a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship over telehealth/video.
Irish Wolfhound insurance in other states
Questions people ask about insuring an Irish Wolfhound
How much does pet insurance cost for an Irish Wolfhound?
About $80 to $134 a month in California for a 2-year-old at 80% reimbursement and a $250 deductible, in our model. Older dogs, lower deductibles and higher reimbursement cost more; each insurer sets its own price. How we estimate.
Does pet insurance cover Irish Wolfhound health problems like heart disease?
Yes, as long as they are not pre-existing. Accident-and-illness plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, including the ones Irish Wolfhounds are known for: heart disease, cancer and bloat. All 8 insurers we compare cover hereditary conditions.
At what age should I insure an Irish Wolfhound?
As young as you can. A puppy has no pre-existing conditions yet, and premiums rise with age: in our model about $103 a month at 2 years and $165 at 8. When to insure, by age.
Is pet insurance worth it for an Irish Wolfhound?
For breeds with known expensive conditions, it usually is if you enroll young and keep the policy. One cancer bill can run $3,000 to $10,000, several years of premiums. The full math.
Why is the estimate different in California?
Our model scales premiums by a state index built from each state's published average dog insurance premium. Insurers set their own prices, so this is an estimate, not a quote.
Questions owners of Irish Wolfhounds ask
Sources
- Multiple Loci Are Associated with Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Irish Wolfhounds. PLOS ONE, 2012.
- 11 Most Expensive Dog Health Problems. MetLife Pet Insurance, 2025.
- Irish Wolfhound. VCA Animal Hospitals.
- Dog Chemotherapy Cost: How Much Is Dog Cancer Treatment?. Embrace Pet Insurance, 2025.
- Bloat in Dogs: What Pet Parents Need to Know. MetLife Pet Insurance.
- Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Costs. Pets Best.
- Hound Group Health Testing Requirements. American Kennel Club.
- Elbow Dysplasia. Embrace Pet Insurance, 2021.
How we choose and check sources: Sources we use.
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