Pet insurance costs range from $16-100+ per month, with national averages of $62.44 for dogs and $32.21 for cats in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Your final premium depends on your pet's breed, age, location, and coverage level.
"Veterinary costs are rising dramatically due to inflation and corporate pricing. This affects pet owners, veterinarians, and our practices," says Dr. Loke Jin Wong, Associate Veterinarian at Greenfield Veterinary Hospital.
"I often hear owners say, 'I wish I'd gotten pet insurance before my pet was diagnosed with allergies or cancer.' Once your pet's diagnosed with a chronic condition, it's automatically pre-existing and won't be covered. As veterinarians, we're caught in the middle—delivering bad news about costs while facing owners' frustration. Pet insurance can help alleviate these issues for everyone."
This guide breaks down pet insurance costs by coverage type, explains pricing factors, and helps you find affordable coverage from our best pet insurance companies that fits your budget while ensuring your pet receives quality care when needed.
Key Insights
- Dogs cost more to insure than cats, with average monthly premiums of $60 for dogs versus $32 for cats.
- Age dramatically impacts pet insurance costs, with puppies starting at $16 monthly while senior pets can cost $80-120 monthly for identical coverage.
- Geographic location creates significant cost variations, with urban areas averaging 40-60% higher premiums than rural locations.
- Early enrollment before age 2 prevents pre-existing condition exclusions and locks in lower lifetime premium rates.
What Factors Affect Pet Insurance Costs?
Pet insurance premiums depend on six primary factors that insurers use to calculate risk and determine your monthly costs. Understanding these variables helps you anticipate pricing and find opportunities to reduce expenses.
Your pet's characteristics: Your dog or cat's breed, age, and species all affect your premium. Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats, and certain breeds with known health issues will increase your monthly payment.
Where you live: Your zip code matters more than you might think. If you live in an expensive city, like New York or Los Angeles, expect to pay 20-30% more than pet owners in rural areas due to higher veterinary costs in your region.
The coverage you choose: You control much of your premium through the pet insurance deductible, reimbursement percentage, and coverage limits you select. Higher deductibles mean lower monthly payments, but you'll pay more when you file a claim.
Your pet insurance plan type: You can choose from basic accident-only pet insurance, comprehensive accident-and-illness coverage, or add wellness riders for routine care. More coverage means higher premiums, but better protection when your pet needs care.
Why Pet Insurance Costs Keep Rising
Pet insurance premiums are climbing faster than general inflation due to broader economic pressures affecting the veterinary industry.
"Tariff wars create huge instability for veterinary supply costs," explains Dr. Wong. "According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the US veterinary services market relies on foreign-sourced supplies that are subject to tariff increases, which leads to price fluctuations and increases."
Corporate practices commonly raise prices by 6% annually—far exceeding the 2.7% general inflation rate. "Owners feel it when basic exam fees increase from $75 to the low $90s over 2-3 years," notes Dr. Wong. "Insurance companies face a tough decision trying to keep up with these vet industry price increases, especially since premiums also depend on pet age and breed."
This explains why early enrollment is critical—costs will only continue rising.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost by Coverage Type?
Understanding typical premium ranges helps you budget effectively and compare quotes from different providers. The tables below show how costs vary between pet insurance plan types, how coverage limits affect your premiums, and what you can expect to pay with major insurance companies.
Pet Insurance Monthly Costs by Plan Type
Plan Type | Dogs | Cats | What’s Covered |
Comprehensive (Accident & Illness) | $45-85/month ($540-1,020 annually) | $25-55/month ($300-660 annually) | Accidents, illnesses, diagnostic tests, surgeries, medications, specialist treatments |
Accident-Only | $15-30/month ($180-360 annually) | $10-20/month ($120-240 annually) | Injuries from accidents, broken bones, cuts, poisoning, foreign object ingestion |
Wellness Add-On | +$10-25/month | +$10-25/month | Annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, preventive medications |
Pet Insurance Cost Comparison by Coverage Limits
Coverage Limit | Dogs (80% Reimbursement) | Cats (80% Reimbursement) |
$5,000 annual cap | $46/month | $28/month |
$10,000 annual cap | $58/month | $35/month |
Unlimited coverage | $66/month | $42/month |
Pet Insurance Provider Cost Comparison
Provider | Small Dog (Monthly) | Large Dog (Monthly) | Cat (Monthly) | Key Features |
$25 - $45 | $45 - $75 | $15 - $35 | Unlimited coverage options; 14-day waiting period for accident & illness; 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues (related to hip dysplasia). No upper age limits. | |
$30 - $50 | $50 - $80 | $20 - $40 | 25% multi-pet discount; no upper age limits; comprehensive coverage options. | |
$20 - $40 | $40 - $70 | $15 - $30 | Covers dental illness; includes behavioral and alternative therapy coverage; no multi-pet discount; does not cover exotic pets. Discounts available for active military & shelter adoptions. | |
$25 - $45 | $45 - $75 | $18 - $35 | Offers accident-only plans; 30-day money-back guarantee; wellness add-ons available; multi-pet discounts vary. |
Costs based on comprehensive coverage, $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $10,000 annual limit. Actual premiums vary by location, breed, and provider.
Pet Insurance Costs by Age, Breed, and Location
Your pet's age, breed, and location can significantly impact the cost of your insurance. Pet insurance companies use years of claims data to set prices, which means some pets cost significantly more to insure than others. Understanding these factors helps you anticipate costs and budget for your pet's coverage over their lifetime.
How Pet Age Affects Insurance Costs
Young pets (under 2 years): Represent the lowest insurance risk with premiums starting at $15-25/month. Early enrollment prevents pre-existing condition exclusions and locks in favorable rates.
Adult pets (2-7 years): Experience moderate premium increases as age-related conditions become more likely. Monthly costs typically range from $35-65, depending on breed and coverage.
Senior pets (8+ years): Face the highest premiums due to increased disease risk and shorter life expectancy. Costs often exceed $80-120/month for comprehensive coverage.
Pet Insurance Costs by Breed Risk Level
If you have a breed that's known for certain health problems, you'll pay more for insurance. Insurance companies analyze extensive claims data to assess genetic risks and group breeds into categories that determine your premium increase.
Risk Level | Example Breeds | Typical Premium Impact | Common Health Conditions |
High-Risk | French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Persian Cat | 30–60% higher than base/mixed breed rates | Hip dysplasia, breathing issues, cancer, kidney disease |
Moderate-Risk | Labrador Retriever, Border Collie, Maine Coon Cat | 10–25% above base/mixed breed rates | Joint problems, epilepsy, some hereditary issues |
Low-Risk | Mixed breeds, most healthy small dogs/cats | Base rates (lowest premiums) | Routine accidents and illnesses |
According to Embrace Pet Insurance, a French Bulldog's monthly premium averages $35.85 compared to just $11.16 for a Chihuahua—more than triple the cost for pets of the same age and coverage level. Mixed breeds typically receive the lowest rates since they have fewer genetic health issues than purebred dogs.
"French Bulldogs have a lot of airway problems. From overly narrow nostrils to elongated soft palates, despite costing quite a bit to buy a purebred puppy, Frenchies have been known to cost owners even more with their congenital defects and medical conditions," explains Dr. Wong.
"These costs range from $100-200 monthly for long-term medications to $1,000 to $10,000 for brachycephalic airway surgery. Other common breeds that are prone to certain conditions are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and even Boxers—who are predisposed to certain cancerous tumors like mast cell tumors where surgery can cost easily $2-3,000."
Pet Insurance Costs by Geographic Location
Where you live significantly affects your pet insurance costs. If you're in a big city, expect to pay 40-60% more than pet owners in rural areas because veterinary care is more expensive in urban markets.
Location Type | Cost Variation Relative to National Average | Example Cities / Areas | Notes / Reasons |
High-Cost Metro | +20% to +55% | San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Los Angeles | Urban centers have higher veterinary costs and more claims due to dense populations and advanced medical care. |
Moderate-Cost Cities | +5% to +15% | Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix | Mid-size metro areas with moderately priced veterinary care. |
Rural Areas | -10% to -30% | Small towns, agricultural regions | Lower vet service demand and lower costs reduce premiums. |
Pet Insurance Cost vs. Self-Funding
Deciding between pet insurance and saving money yourself comes down to one key question: what happens when your pet needs expensive care? Let's look at a real-world scenario to see how the numbers work out.
Pet Insurance Cost-Benefit Example
Scenario: Medium-sized dog with comprehensive coverage
Imagine your dog swallows a toy and needs emergency surgery costing $3,000. Here's how much you'd actually pay with and without insurance:
Your coverage details:
Annual premium: $600 ($50/month)
Deductible: $250
Reimbursement rate: 80%
Cost Comparison | With Pet Insurance | Without Pet Insurance |
Emergency treatment | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Insurance deductible | $250 | $0 |
Your 20% coinsurance | $550 | $0 |
Annual premium | $600 | $0 |
Total out-of-pocket | $1,400 | $3,000 |
Net savings | $1,600 | $0 |
Self-Funding Alternative
If you skip insurance and save money instead, you'd need to set aside $75-100 monthly to build an emergency fund of $3,000-5,000. That takes 30-50 months of consistent saving before you have adequate coverage.
"Foreign body surgery and pyometra are the two most common emergency surgeries I see," says Dr. Wong. "Foreign body surgeries typically cost $2-3,000, but if patients need overnight or 24-hour post-operative care, bills can easily reach $4-5,000. Bloat surgery is another emergency we see regularly—these cases often start at $3-5,000 because patients are usually very ill and require intensive, round-the-clock care."
How to Save Money on Pet Insurance
Pet insurance doesn't have to break your budget. There are several smart strategies you can use to lower your premiums while still getting the coverage your pet needs.
Pet Insurance Savings Through Early Enrollment
Insure young pets: Start coverage when your pet is young and healthy to lock in the lowest rates. Since premiums go up every year as your pet ages, getting started early saves you money over your pet's lifetime.
Avoid coverage gaps: Keep your coverage continuous, even when switching companies. Any new pet health issues that develop during a gap could be considered pre-existing conditions and excluded from your new policy.
Pet Insurance Coverage Optimization for Lower Costs
Adjust deductibles strategically: Choose a higher deductible to lower your monthly payments. If your pet has ongoing health issues, an annual deductible usually saves more money than paying per incident.
Select appropriate reimbursement rates: Pick a reimbursement percentage between 70-90% that fits your budget. Lower percentages mean smaller monthly bills, but you'll pay more when filing claims.
Choose coverage limits wisely: Compare annual caps versus unlimited coverage based on your pet's breed risks and your comfort level. Higher limits cost more monthly but provide better protection for expensive treatments.
"Personally, I think having a side account/savings fund for your pet is a great idea. Pet emergencies can happen at any time and the chance of it happening only increases as your pet ages," advises Dr. Wong. "Other strategies include getting a medical/vet bill credit card such as Scratchpay or Care Credit. These payment options allow owners to pay the full amount of their emergency vet bills on the spot and then space out their payments for months after the incident."
Pet Insurance Discounts and Savings Opportunities
Multi-pet discounts: If you have multiple pets, you can save 5-10% by insuring them all with the same company. Most insurers give you a discount on your second pet and additional savings for each pet after that, which really adds up for households with several animals.
Employer benefits: Check with your HR department to see if your company offers pet insurance discounts. Some employers negotiate group rates or include pet insurance in their benefits package, which could save you money on your premiums.
Professional affiliation discounts: If you work in certain professions, like veterinary care, military, education, or first responders, you might qualify for 5-15% discounts. You'll need to verify your profession with the insurance company, but the savings can be significant.
Dr. Wong notes additional savings opportunities: "It's always cheaper to get insurance when your pet's young. You'll also pay less for mixed-breed animals compared to purebreds. Check with your local vet practice about introductory deals—companies like Embrace and Trupanion have offered promotions for newly adopted or rescued pets."
Expert Analysis: Pet Insurance Value in Modern Veterinary Care
"As a veterinarian that has practiced for almost 10 years, it truly is eye-opening to see how far we have come with treatments for different pet illnesses. From curing a terminal illness like FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) to coming up with injections (Stelfonta) to treat mast cell tumors that are at very unfortunate locations that can often lead to amputation or euthanasia. Along with these advancements comes the cost of the research and production of these medications, which is then passed onto the pet owners."
"We all know that human health insurance is key and vital to living a stress-free and prosperous life—so why not adopt the same for our furry family members? What if we took the next step and attempted to look into introducing legislation where they have made it mandatory for pet owners to get pet insurance for their pets so they are able to receive the care they need, when they need them."
Pet Insurance vs. Self-Funding: Making the Right Choice
The big question isn't whether your pet will need expensive care—it's whether you'll be financially ready when it happens. Your decision between insurance and saving money yourself depends on your budget, your pet's health risks, and how you handle financial surprises.
Pet insurance makes sense if you:
Have a young, healthy pet without existing health problems
Own a breed known for expensive health issues
Prefer knowing exactly what you'll pay each month
Don't have $3,000+ sitting in savings for emergencies
Saving money yourself works better if you:
Are disciplined about setting aside money every month
Have an older pet with health issues that won't be covered anyway
Have multiple pets (insurance for several animals gets expensive)
Don't mind the uncertainty of not knowing what you might owe
The key is being honest about your situation before your pet gets sick. Get quotes from several companies, read what's actually covered, and pick the option that won't leave you scrambling when your pet needs care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors affect my pet insurance premium the most?
Your pet's age has the greatest impact on your premium, with costs increasing by 10-20% annually after the age of 3. Your pet's breed comes second—high-risk breeds like French Bulldogs pay 30-50% more than mixed breeds. Your location is third, with urban areas costing 40-60% more than rural areas.
Is accident-only coverage worth it?
Accident-only coverage is worth it if you have a young, healthy pet and can afford to pay for illnesses out of pocket. Since illnesses represent 70% of veterinary claims, you're taking on significant financial risk. It works best as temporary coverage while building an emergency fund.
Can wellness coverage make insurance cheaper long-term?
No, wellness coverage doesn't make insurance cheaper—it costs an additional $10-$25 monthly. However, it can provide value by spreading routine care costs throughout the year and covering $200-400 worth of annual preventive care, making it worthwhile if you consistently maintain your pet's routine care.
Do premiums rise as my pet ages?
Yes, premiums increase every year as your pet ages, typically rising 10-20% annually after age 3. These increases are permanent and built into all insurance pricing models. A policy costing $30/month for a 2-year-old dog might cost $80-120/month by age 10.
How much should I budget for pet insurance?
Budget $30-70 monthly for most pets, or about 2-4% of your household income. Also set aside money for your annual deductible ($100-500) and any treatments that exceed your coverage limits. Factor in premium increases as your pet ages when planning long-term.
Bottom Line: How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Pet insurance costs $15-85 monthly depending on your pet's age, breed, location, and coverage level. With veterinary emergencies often exceeding $5,000, insurance provides valuable financial protection when you need it most.
"Read all the fine print of every policy," advises Dr. Wong. "If your veterinarian partners with a company, that's a good sign—especially if you trust your vet. Be wary of promises like 'we won't raise your premium for the first year.' If something seems too good to be true, it probably is." Compare quotes from multiple providers and understand exactly what's covered before your pet needs expensive care.
Methodology
Cost data sources: All veterinary cost estimates in this article are based on real-world practice experience from Dr. Loke Jin Wong, Associate Veterinarian at Greenfield Veterinary Hospital, who has extensive experience in both emergency and general practice settings. Cost ranges reflect typical pricing observed in clinical practice and may vary by geographic location and specific veterinary facility.
Insurance coverage information: Pet insurance coverage details, exclusions, and policy features are compiled from publicly available information from major pet insurance providers' websites, policy documents, and regulatory filings. Coverage percentages and reimbursement rates represent typical industry standards as of 2025.
Industry statistics: Pet insurance adoption rates and premium data are sourced from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), the industry's primary trade organization that tracks market data and consumer trends.
Verification process: All claims and recommendations in this article have been reviewed by our veterinary expert for accuracy and clinical relevance. Cost estimates are presented as ranges to account for regional variations and individual case complexity.
Transparency note: BestMoney.com is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information to help consumers make informed decisions about pet insurance.
