Last Updated on August 21, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Pet Insurance for Your Prancing Pony Maremma
Every Prancing Pony Farm Maremma family is required to have active pet health insurance for a minimum of 30 days, beginning no later than the day your puppy leaves our care. This is a condition of your Health Guarantee — not just a suggestion. Failure to obtain insurance voids your health guarantee. This page tells you what's required, why it matters, and exactly how to get started.
The Requirement, In Plain Terms
You have two options, and either satisfies the requirement:
- Use our free 30-day Trupanion offer (details below) — no cost, no obligation to continue after the trial.
- Choose your own insurance provider — any reputable company, as long as coverage is active for a minimum of 30 consecutive days beginning no later than the day your puppy leaves our care.
Either way, you'll need active coverage before your puppy leaves our premises or is released to a transporter. We strongly encourage keeping coverage beyond the first 30 days — the risks below don't disappear after day 30 — but the 30-day minimum is what's required to keep your 24-month Health Guarantee valid.
Your Free 30-Day Trupanion Trial
As a Trupanion breeder partner, we can send every Prancing Pony Farm puppy home with 30 days of free coverage — no credit card required, no commitment to continue.
Here's how it works:
- You activate the offer using our breeder code on or within one day of pickup
- Waiting periods are waived — coverage starts immediately
- The trial covers new, unexpected illness and injury
- After 30 days you decide whether to continue; there's no obligation
To receive the breeder code:
It will be included in your go-home information. You can also download it on this page. If you have any issues activating it email kim@prancingponyfarm.com for help.
Important:
The offer must be activated on pickup day or within one day before or after. It cannot be activated retroactively. Don't wait.
Why We Require Pet Insurance for Livestock Guardian Dogs
A health guarantee from a reputable breeder is meaningful protection — but it has limits. If your puppy develops a condition covered under the guarantee, we'll honor it. What we can't do is cover your veterinary bills, which can easily exceed the original purchase price of the dog.
LGDs also face risks that suburban pets don't. Working outdoors around livestock, predators, farm equipment, and rough terrain, they are more likely to need emergency care than a dog living primarily indoors. The first year is statistically the highest-risk period for puppies — accidents, illness, and unexpected injuries don't wait for a convenient time.
A few real examples from our experience:
- A dog degloving her thigh in the pasture overnight — cause never determined, emergency bill over $2,200
- A dog swallowing squeaker from a a toy whole, requiring emergency surgery to remove it — $3,600
- A dog breaking a leg on a fence — weeks of stall rest and rehabilitation costs
- A dog snagging his belly on a tiny nail on a tree stake, requiring emergency surgery at an ER vet to repair it.
- A puppy mysteriously ripping his abdomen open on the weekend, requiring an expensive trip to the ER vet, and then chewing out the stitches a few days later, requiring a second surgery.
- Injuries from dog fights, foxtails getting embedded in skin, etc
None of these were predictable. None were preventable. All of them were expensive. Emergencies always seem to happen outside of normal business hours, requiring trips to specialty ER clinics, which will be more expensive that your regular vet. Some emergencies can easily exceed the price paid for the puppy. Insurance exists for exactly these situations, allowing the puppy to get the medical care they need without causing undo financial burden and stress for the owner.
What Trupanion Covers
- New, unexpected injuries and illnesses
- No payout limits — no cap on how much they'll pay per condition or over your dog's lifetime
- Lifetime per-condition deductibles — you pay the deductible once per condition, not annually
- Direct payment to your veterinarian at checkout is available at participating clinics, so you don't pay upfront and wait for reimbursement
What it doesn't cover:
Pre-existing conditions, routine and preventive care (vaccines, flea/tick prevention, wellness exams), and elective procedures.
For full policy details: trupanion.com
Figo: A Second Option Worth Considering
If you're a Costco member or want to compare options before committing, Figo is worth a look.
- Costco members receive a 15% discount on premiums
- Processes over 80% of claims within 2–3 business days
- Mobile app lets you file claims, access vet chat, and store medical records
There are other insurance companies worth considering, but Trupanion and Figo are the only two we have experience with.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Average monthly cost for dogs runs around $60, but your actual premium depends on your dog's age, your location, the deductible you choose, and the reimbursement percentage you select. Most policies reimburse 70–90% of covered costs after your deductible.
A rough example: $4,000 surgery, 80% reimbursement policy, $500 deductible → you pay $1,200 out of pocket. Without insurance, you pay $4,000.
The monthly premium is small compared to a single emergency vet visit. For a working dog whose job is protecting your livestock — and whose injury or illness puts your animals at risk — it's one of the smarter investments you can make.
The Most Important Thing
Enroll as early as possible. Insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, so any illness or injury that occurs before enrollment is permanently excluded. The Trupanion trial waives waiting periods — which is exactly why activating it on pickup day matters. Don't let the first week go by uninsured and don't void your health guarantee by failing to secure insurance.
Questions about the breeder code or which option is right for you?
Already have your code and ready to enroll?
Ready to Protect What You Love?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals and family are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics ✅ Lifetime support included
