German shepherd insurance
Thinking about insurance for your German Shepherd? The good news is that every US insurer we compare will insure German Shepherds, and none of them excludes the breed. What's most useful to know is which health problems German Shepherds claim for most often, so you can check a policy covers them well. Here they are by life stage, with what each one typically costs to treat in a year, along with how long German Shepherds usually live.
What health problems do German Shepherds have?
These are the conditions most often claimed for German Shepherds at each stage of life, from Trupanion's claims data, with the typical cost of treatment in a year. "Likely" compares German Shepherds with the average dog in Trupanion's data. Each bar shows the cost range on the same scale, so you can see which problems cost most.
As a puppy
- Hip dysplasiaa hip joint that doesn't develop properly$400 to $600 a year2.5 times as likely as the average dogDoes pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?
- Allergies$300 to $500 a yearAbout as likely as the average dogNationwide's 2025 claims: 80% of skin allergies claims cost up to $286 in the first 30 days and $891 in the first year.
- Broken tooth$600 to $1,200 a year65% more likely than the average dogDoes pet insurance cover dental?
As an adult
- Torn cruciate ligamenta knee injury that often needs surgery$3,200 to $4,400 a year20% more likely than the average dogWaiting periods for cruciate ligament cover
- Allergies$300 to $500 a year35% more likely than the average dogNationwide's 2025 claims: 80% of skin allergies claims cost up to $286 in the first 30 days and $891 in the first year.
- Lumps and masses$300 to $700 a yearAbout as likely as the average dog
As a senior
- Bloat (gastric torsion)a twisted stomach, an emergency$3,900 to $5,100 a year8.5 times as likely as the average dog
- Adenocarcinomaa cancer of glandular tissue$1,800 to $3,500 a yearTwice as likely as the average dogDoes pet insurance cover cancer?
- Lymphomaa cancer of the lymph system$3,100 to $5,600 a year70% more likely than the average dogDoes pet insurance cover cancer?
Source: Trupanion, Commonly Claimed Conditions (US claims data, June 2019); Nationwide's most common claims of 2025. Costs are Trupanion's average yearly cost of treatment, in US dollars.
What to check in a policy for a German Shepherd
Some of the conditions above have their own rules in pet insurance policies, such as longer waiting periods or exclusions if signs show early on. These guides show how each insurer handles them.
Which insurers cover German Shepherds?
All of these US insurers will insure a German Shepherd. Click a name to see what that policy covers.
Your questions answered
Can you get insurance for a German Shepherd?
Yes. All 9 US insurers we compare will insure a German Shepherd, and none of their policies excludes the breed.
How long do German Shepherds live?
The American Kennel Club gives a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years for the German Shepherd. It's worth choosing cover that stays with your dog for life, because the conditions German Shepherds claim for most tend to change as they get older.
Is German shepherd insurance more expensive?
We don't list prices, because they depend on your dog and where you live. Insurers do price by breed: Figo, for example, says premiums are based on the species or breed of your pet. The best way to compare is to get quotes and check how each policy covers the conditions German Shepherds are most likely to need.
What health problems are German Shepherds prone to?
In Trupanion's US claims data, the costliest conditions claimed for German Shepherds include lymphoma, bloat and torn cruciate ligament. The full list by life stage is above.
Health data from Trupanion's US claims (June 2019) and Nationwide's 2025 claims; lifespan from the American Kennel Club; which insurers cover the breed from each insurer's own documents and exclusion lists, read in October 2026. Check the policy before you buy.
More guides to dog insurance: Pet insurance for senior dogs · Puppy insurance · Multi-pet insurance · Dog insurance by breed · Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions · Does pet insurance cover dental? · What does dog insurance cover? · Pet insurance waiting period · Pet insurance deductible · Does pet insurance cover hip dysplasia? · Does pet insurance cover cancer? · Does pet insurance cover surgery? · Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites? · Costco dog insurance · PetSmart dog insurance · USAA dog insurance · State Farm dog insurance · Geico dog insurance · Trupanion vs Pets Best · Healthy Paws vs Trupanion