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Key points

• Pet insurance costs an average of $36 for cats and $73 for dogs per month for unlimited accident and illness coverage.
• Your pet’s age, breed and species factor into the cost of pet insurance, as does the pet insurance company. 
• Pets Best, Lemonade and Healthy Paws are among the cheapest pet insurers for dogs. 

A recent ��ӣ����Ƶ Today BLUEPRINT survey revealed that almost all (91%) of the 1,000 survey respondents have felt financial stress over pet care expenses within the last year. More than half (51%) are delaying veterinary care for their furry friend due to finances. That’s not surprising, given that the cost of veterinary care has gone up 7.6% since this time last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

One way to offset the rising cost of veterinary expenses is with pet insurance, which reimburses a portion of your pet’s medical expenses if it gets injured or sick. The average pet insurance cost is $36 per month for a cat and $73 for a dog with unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement percentage.

How much does pet insurance typically cost? 

Pet insurance costs vary depending on several factors, including your pet’s species, age, breed and size. The pet insurance company, your coverage choices and ZIP code also affect your cost of pet insurance. We show how pet insurance costs differ for cats and dogs in the table below.

Pet insurance costs for cats vs. dogs

_{Average monthly pet insurance cost assumes a $250 deductible and a 80% reimbursement percentage for an accident and illness plan.}

How much is pet insurance for dogs? 

Dog pet insurance costs typically increase with age, as can the cost and frequency of veterinary care. The tables below break down the average cost of dog insurance by age, breed and pet insurer, according to our rate analysis.

Average cost of dog insurance by age

Average cost of dog insurance by breed

Average cost of dog insurance by company

How much is pet insurance for cats? 

Cat insurance is typically cheaper than dog insurance, but also generally increases as your feline ages. The tables below show the difference in the cost of cat insurance by age, breed and pet insurance company. 

Average cost of cat insurance by age

Average cost of cat insurance by breed

Average cost of cat insurance by company

Factors that affect the cost of your pet insurance 

Multiple factors affect the cost of pet insurance for your four-legged companion, from the pet insurance plan you choose to your pet’s age, breed and location. 

Coverage type

• Accident and illness plans: The most common type of pet insurance plan, accident and illness policies cover accident-related costs, like a torn ACL, and illnesses-related costs, like ear infections. 
• Accident-only plans: These plans are a more affordable option but only cover accident-related costs, like broken bones and lacerations. They do not cover any illness-related costs.
• Wellness plans: You can often add a wellness plan to an accident and illness plan to cover preventive care like routine exams and vaccinations.

Deductible

Your pet insurance deductible is the portion of covered veterinary bills you’ll pay before the insurance provider starts reimbursing you. 

For instance, if you have a $250 deductible and a covered vet expense of $300, you’ll pay $250, then the pet insurer will pay its agreed upon percentage of the remaining $50. But if you’ve already met $100 of your $250 deductible, you’ll pay $150 before the insurance company contributes. 

Most pet insurance companies offer a range of deductibles to customize your policy. The higher the deductible, the lower your plan premium because you take on more financial responsibility.

Reimbursement level

Your reimbursement percentage is the amount of covered veterinary costs your pet insurer will pay toward eligible claims after you’ve met your deductible. The remaining amount is your out-of-pocket cost, or copay. 

The most common reimbursement rate is 80% or 90%, though some insurers offer as low as 50% or as high as 100%. If you choose 80%, for instance, your provider will reimburse 80% of covered claims after you meet your policy deductible. 

You’ll get more back if you choose a higher reimbursement level, but your pet insurance premium will be higher. 

Pet age

Aging animals are more susceptible to illness and injury. Just like humans, as our pets age, they require more health care. Monthly pet insurance costs typically increase as pets age. 

It’s important to compare how pet insurers handle aging pets. While some, like ManyPets, won’t change your pet’s coverage, others might lower their coverage as they age. Some pet insurance companies might also have an upper age limit or only insure elderly pets on an accident-only plan. Embrace, for example, only offers accident-only plans for pets 15 and older.

Pet breed

Your pet’s breed is another determining factor in the price of pet insurance. Each breed has unique physical and personality characteristics, which may include a predisposition to certain illnesses. Large dog breeds, for instance, are predisposed to health problems, including heart disease and hip dysplasia, requiring more trips to the vet and higher overall vet bills. 

You may have noticed in the rate tables above that mixed breeds have some of the cheapest pet insurance premiums. That’s because they’re generally healthy and have a than purebreds. 

Location

Because vet care is more expensive in some states than others, the cost of your pet insurance may vary depending on which state you live in. State regulations may also mean that plan benefits and coverage options differ in each state.

Where you live within your state matters, too. For instance, living in an urban area usually means vet costs are higher, so pet insurance rates may be higher. Pet owners living in rural areas might see cheaper pet insurance rates since vet costs are typically lower than in urban areas.

How to save on pet insurance

Although pet insurance can be costly for some pet owners, here are some ways to make it more budget-friendly:

• Check for discounts. Many pet insurance companies offer discounts if you insure more than one pet, but you might also get a discount if you’re in the military or work with animals.
• Ask your employer if pet insurance is an available benefit. Although most employer-sponsored benefits are for humans, some companies provide voluntary benefits like pet insurance at a discounted rate.
• Weigh the cost of a wellness plan. Optional wellness plans can help you pay for your pet’s routine care to ensure it stays healthy, but might not be worth the cost if your cat or dog is already microchipped and spayed or neutered.
• Compare pet insurance quotes. Compare quotes from several pet insurance companies to ensure you find the best pet insurance for your needs and budget.
• Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more for an unexpected vet bill, you can save money on your pet insurance premiums with a higher deductible.

What pet insurance typically covers

Pet health insurance typically covers a wide range of situations from ear infections to diabetes. A standard pet insurance policy will help cover the costs of diagnostics, procedures and medications to treat a dog’s eligible accidents and illnesses. 

While every company and pet insurance plan differs in what it covers, most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover:

• Blood tests.
• Breed-specific, hereditary or congenital disorders.
• Chronic conditions.
• Diagnostics (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds).
• Hospitalization.
• Illnesses (such as diarrhea, urinary tract infections and vomiting).
• Labwork.
• Outpatient, emergency or specialty care.
• Prescription medication or injections.
• Stitches.
• Surgery. 
• Urinalysis.

What pet insurance doesn’t cover 

Pet insurance typically doesn’t cover expected costs like annual wellness visits and vaccines, unless you opt for a wellness plan add-on. Also not typically covered by pet insurance:

• Doggy daycare.
• Elective cosmetic procedures, like tail docking or ear cropping.
• Experimental treatments.
• Non-veterinary related expenses.
• Grooming.
• Incurable, pre-existing conditions.
• Pregnancy, whelping and birth.
• Routine veterinary care, such as wellness checkups, vaccines and spay or neuter surgery.
• Food and supplements.
• Sickness or injuries from cruelty, neglect, racing or fighting.

It’s incredibly important to read through the details of your pet insurance policy to know what you can expect when it comes time to file a claim and whether or not you will be reimbursed for the costs. 

Because pre-existing conditions are not typically covered, it is important to take out a pet insurance policy on your animal as early as possible. The younger your pet is, the healthier they usually are. As your pet ages, it will require more veterinary care, creating more pre-existing conditions that may not be covered by pet insurance. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How much does pet insurance cost on average?

Pet insurance costs an average of $73 per month for dogs and $36 per month for cats, according to our analysis of pet insurance plans. These rates are based on unlimited annual coverage with an 80% reimbursement rate and $250 annual deductible, or the nearest option available. 

Are there pet insurance discounts?

Yes, many insurers offer discounts that you may qualify for that will lower your monthly pet insurance rates. Some common discounts include multi-pet discounts if you insure multiple pets with one company, a veterinarian discount if you work in the vet field and military discounts if you’re an active military member or veteran.

Do pet insurance costs go up with age?

Pet insurance typically gets more expensive as your pet ages because it is more at risk for accidents and illnesses. 

Which are more expensive to cover, cats or dogs?

Dogs are typically more expensive to insure than cats because cats are generally healthier and require fewer costly procedures than dogs. Your pet insurance costs will also vary by breed and age of your pet. 

Is pet insurance worth it?

Whether or not pet insurance is worth it will depend on your own financial situation. Emergency medical costs for your pet can cost thousands of dollars depending on the severity of it. If you don’t have pet insurance, you won’t be reimbursed for any of your pet’s medical expenses.