Maggie the MerleFrench Bulldog pet insurance compare
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Not insurance advice. These are facts each insurer publishes, as of 2026-10-21. Terms vary by state and change over time. Your actual policy documents are what count. Blank cells mean we couldn't verify that item on the insurer's own site.
| Insurer | Accident waiting period | Illness waiting period | Orthopedic / hip / knee | Hereditary & breed-specific | BOAS / breathing (explicit mention) | Exam (visit) fees | Annual limit options | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade Pet Get a quote | 0 or 2 days (varies by state) source ↗ | 14 days source ↗ | 30 days for orthopedic conditions; some policies list 6 months for cruciate ligament events source ↗ | Covered if it develops after enrollment and waiting periods ("no breed exclusions") source ↗ | Named as a covered breed-specific illness on Lemonade's French Bulldog page, if not pre-existing source ↗ | Not in base policy; optional Vet Visit Fee add-on source ↗ | not verified | 43 states + Washington, D.C. source ↗ |
| Trupanion Get a quote | 5 days (injuries) source ↗ | 30 days source ↗ | No separate condition-specific waiting periods (per Trupanion) source ↗ | Hereditary and congenital conditions covered in the standard policy if no prior signs source ↗ | not verified | Not covered (Trupanion says this is deliberate) source ↗ | No payout limits source ↗ | not verified |
| Healthy Paws Get a quote | 15 days in most states; none for accidents in CA, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT, WA source ↗ | 15 days source ↗ | Hip dysplasia: 12 months if enrolled at age 5 or below (30 days, waivable, in the states listed above); must enroll before age 6 for hip coverage source ↗ | Covered if signs first appear after enrollment and waiting periods source ↗ | "Brachycephalic Syndrome" listed as an example of a covered hereditary condition source ↗ | Not covered source ↗ | Annual limit of $5,000, $7,000, or unlimited source ↗ | not verified |
| Embrace Get a quote | not verified | 14 days source ↗ | Dogs only; varies by state source ↗ | Hereditary, congenital and breed-specific conditions covered if not pre-existing source ↗ | not verified | Optional add-on (not on all policies) source ↗ | You choose an annual maximum; no lifetime maximum source ↗ | not verified |
| Fetch Get a quote | None (begins on the effective date) source ↗ | 15 days source ↗ | 180-day orthopedic exclusion; knee/cruciate part can be waived with a vet exam, hip cannot (may vary by state) source ↗ | Covered, with no breed restrictions (Fetch cites "breathing issues in French Bulldogs" as an example of a hereditary condition) source ↗ | Fetch's coverage page uses "breathing issues in French Bulldogs" as its example of a covered hereditary condition source ↗ | Sick-visit exam fees covered as standard source ↗ | not verified | not verified |
Last checked 2026-10-21. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll recheck it against the insurer's page.
How to read this for a Frenchie
- Hereditary coverage matters most. BOAS, spinal disc disease and allergies are common concerns in the breed. Lemonade's French Bulldog page, for example, names BOAS and IVDD.
- Orthopedic waiting periods vary a lot, from none listed (Trupanion) to 30 days (Lemonade) to 180 days (Fetch) to 12 months for hip dysplasia at Healthy Paws in most states.
- Exam fees add up. If they aren't covered, you pay that fee at every sick visit, on top of your deductible.
- Read the sample policy for your state. All five insurers note that terms can differ by state.
FAQ
Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery for French Bulldogs?
It can, if signs first appear after you enroll and after the waiting periods. Healthy Paws lists "Brachycephalic Syndrome" among covered hereditary conditions, Lemonade names BOAS on its French Bulldog page, and Fetch uses "breathing issues in French Bulldogs" as its example of a covered hereditary condition. Any signs before enrollment make it pre-existing, and pre-existing conditions are excluded.
When should I insure my Frenchie?
Before any symptoms show up. Every insurer we checked excludes pre-existing conditions, and signs that appear during a waiting period count as pre-existing.
Which insurers cover exam fees?
Fetch includes sick-visit exam fees as standard. Lemonade and Embrace offer them as optional add-ons. Healthy Paws and Trupanion say they don't cover exam fees.
Why are some cells blank?
We only fill in a cell when the insurer's own website states the fact. A blank means we couldn't verify it, not that the coverage is missing. Get a quote and read the sample policy for your state.
Is this a recommendation?
No. It's a side-by-side of published facts. Prices depend on your dog's age, your ZIP code and the options you choose, and terms vary by state. Read the policy before you buy.