How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (2024)

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Compare Pet Insurance Quotes

See How Much Pet Insurance Costs From Top Insurers

See My Rates

Key takeaways:

  • The average cost of pet insurance for a dog is $51 a month and $27 a month for a cat (for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt level).
  • The factors that affect pet insurance costs are breed, age of pet, where you live and the amount of coverage you choose.
  • Finding the best pet insurance can be done by comparing quotes and coverage.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Guides

How Much Is Pet Insurance on Average?

The average pet insurance costs $51 per month for dogs and $27 per month for cats, based on our analysis. That’s for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursem*nt level.

A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursem*nt level costs an average of $76 per month for dogs and $37 per month for cats.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Lemonade

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (1)

Get the coverage your pet needs

Save big on tests, vaccines and essential care

Maximum annual coverage

$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000

Reimbursem*nt choices

70%, 80%, 90%

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (2)

Learn More How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (3)

On Lemonade's Website

Save big on tests, vaccines and essential care

70%, 80%, 90%

Average Cost of Pet Insurance for Dogs and Cats

Average monthly cost fo $5,000 annual coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt

Puppy

$42

$58

Dog

$51

$76

Kitten

$23

$30

Cat

$27

$37

Source: Forbes Advisor research

How Much Is Pet Insurance for Dogs?

Pet insurance costs an average of $51 per month for a dog for $5,000 of annual coverage, based on our analysis. The average pet insurance cost for a dog is $73 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage. Dog owners can expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $150 per month for pet insurance, depending on the dog’s age, the amount of coverage and the insurance company.

Average Pet Insurance Cost by Dog Age

Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt Average monthly cost for unlimited coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt

Age 3 months

$42

$58

Age 2 years

$40

$58

Age 5 years

$52

$80

Age 7 years

$71

$108

Source: Forbes Advisor research

Average Cost of Dog Insurance by Company

ASPCA pet health insurance has the cheapest prices for dogs for both policies with $5,000 in annual coverage ($25 per month) and unlimited annual coverage ($35 per month). Pumpkin has the most expensive dog insurance for policies with $5,000 in annual coverage ($69 per month). Trupanion is the most expensive for unlimited annual coverage (averaging $150 per month).

Company Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a puppy Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a dog Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a puppy Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a dog

AKC

$36

$48

$43

$56

ASPCA

N/A

$25

N/A

$35

Chewy Value

$42

$52

N/A

N/A

Chewy Essential Plus

N/A

N/A

$66

$114

Embrace

$47

$54

$66

$76

Fetch

$39

$58

$51

$77

Figo

$31

$38

$48

$60

Healthy Paws

N/A

N/A

$39

$55

Lemonade

$28

$34

$43

$52

ManyPets

N/A

N/A

$39

$49

MetLife

$41

$47

$54

$63

Nationwide

$46

$64

$49

$69

Paw Protect

$46

$53

$67

$77

Pets Best

$34

$42

$38

$48

Prudent Pet Essential

$49

$63

N/A

N/A

Prudent Pet Ultimate

N/A

N/A

$64

$83

Pumpkin

$69

$87

$98

$124

Spot

$38

$48

$77

$97

Trupanion

N/A

N/A

$88

$150

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Not all pet insurers offer unlimited annual coverage. Unlimited rates are based on $10,000 annual coverage for ASPCA and Metlife, $15,000 annual coverage for Fetch, and $5,000 annual accident coverage and $10,000 annual illness coverage for Nationwide.

Average Cost of Dog Insurance by Breed

Breed plays a major role in your dog insurance costs. Small mixed breed dogs are the cheapest to insure ($34 for policies with $5,000 annual coverage and $51 for policies with unlimited annual coverage) while Rottweilers are the most expensive ($88 for policies with $5,000 annual coverage and $154 for unlimited annual coverage).

Breed Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a puppy age 3 months Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a puppy age 3 months Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for dog age 3 years Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a dog age 3 years

Beagle

$49

$73

$49

$81

Bulldog

$83

$124

$83

$137

Dachshund

$39

$58

$39

$64

French bulldog

$82

$124

$83

$137

German shepherd

$54

$83

$55

$92

Golden retriever

$58

$84

$59

$93

Labrador retriever

$57

$85

$58

$94

Mixed breed (large)

$48

$72

$49

$78

Mixed breed (medium)

$40

$58

$41

$64

Mixed breed (small)

$34

$47

$34

$51

Poodle

$53

$77

$53

$84

Rottweiler

$87

$138

$88

$154

Source: Forbes Advisor research

Average Dog Insurance Cost by State

Georgia and Texas are the cheapest states for dog insurance for $5,000 in annual coverage ($44 per month). Georgia is the cheapest state for unlimited annual coverage ($57 per month). Connecticut is the most expensive state for $5,000 in annual coverage ($62 per month) and Maryland is the most expensive state for unlimited annual coverage ($91 per month).

State Average monthly pet insurance cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a dog Average monthly pet insurance cost for unlimited annual coverage for a dog

Arizona

$55

$86

California

$55

$75

Connecticut

$62

$90

Florida

$47

$80

Georgia

$44

$60

Illinois

$53

$81

Indiana

$45

$67

Maine

$50

$76

Massachusetts

$59

$88

Maryland

$59

$91

Michigan

$53

$71

Minnesota

$47

$77

New Hampshire

$56

$81

North Carolina

$47

$68

New York

$56

$85

Ohio

$45

$67

Oregon

$56

$80

Pennsylvania

$46

$70

Texas

$44

$67

Utah

$48

$68

Virginia

$53

$77

Washington

$49

$77

Wisconsin

$49

$73

Source: Forbes Advisor research

How Much Is Pet Insurance for Cats?

Pet insurance costs an average of $27 per month for a cat for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursem*nt level. A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursem*nt level costs $37 per month.

The insurer and age of the cat influence how much you will pay. Cat owners can expect to pay anywhere from $14 to $65 per month for pet insurance, depending on the cat’s age, the amount of coverage and the insurance company.

Average Pet Insurance Cost by Cat Age

Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt Average monthly cost for unlimited coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt

Age 3 months

$23

$30

Age 2 years

$22

$30

Age 5 years

$27

$38

Age 7 years

$35

$50

Source: Forbes Advisor research

Average Cost of Cat Insurance by Company

ASPCA pet health insurance has the cheapest prices for cats for both policies with $5,000 in annual coverage ($14 per month) and unlimited annual coverage ($20 per month). Pumpkin has the most expensive cat insurance for policies with $5,000 in annual coverage ($38 per month). Trupanion is the most expensive for unlimited annual coverage ($65 per month).

Company Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a kitten Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a cat Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a kitten Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a cat

AKC

$22

$26

$29

$33

ASPCA

N/A

$14

N/A

$20

Chewy Value

$22

$27

N/A

N/A

Chewy Essential Plus

N/A

N/A

$28

$45

Embrace

$21

$26

$29

$37

Felix Cat Plus

$31

$34

N/A

N/A

Felix Cat Fancy

N/A

N/A

$38

$43

Fetch

$24

$31

$29

$40

Figo

$15

$16

$23

$26

Healthy Paws

N/A

N/A

$16

$22

Lemonade

$17

$18

$25

$28

ManyPets

N/A

N/A

$24

$30

MetLife

$23

$26

$28

$32

Nationwide

$23

$29

$25

$31

Paw Protect

$21

$26

$30

$38

Pets Best

$21

$24

$23

$27

Prudent Pet Essential

$27

$35

N/A

N/A

Prudent Pet Ultimate

N/A

N/A

$31

$41

Pumpkin

$32

$38

$50

$59

Spot

$20

$24

$39

$46

Trupanion

N/A

N/A

$40

$65

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Not all pet insurers offer unlimited annual coverage. Unlimited rates are based on $10,000 annual coverage for ASPCA and Metlife, $15,000 annual coverage for Fetch, and $5,000 annual accident coverage and $10,000 annual illness coverage for Nationwide.

Average Cost of Cat Insurance Cost by Breed

A cat’s breed plays a major role in pet insurance costs. Mixed breed cats are the cheapest breeds to insure ($24 per month for policies with $5,000 annual coverage and $34 per month for policies with unlimited annual coverage) while Maine Coons are the most expensive cats to insure ($30 per month for policies with $5,000 annual coverage and $45 per month for policies with unlimited annual coverage).

Breed Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a kitten age 3 months Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a kitten age 3 months Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a cat age 3 years Average monthly cost for unlimited annual coverage for a cat age 3 years

Abyssinian

$27

$38

$27

$40

Bengal

$27

$38

$27

$40

Bombay

$26

$35

$25

$36

British shorthair

$28

$38

$28

$40

Exotic shorthair

$28

$39

$28

$41

Maine coon

$30

$43

$30

$45

Mixed breed

$24

$32

$24

$34

Persian

$30

$40

$29

$42

Ragdoll

$27

$36

$26

$37

Siamese

$26

$35

$26

$37

Source: Forbes Advisor Research

Average Cat Insurance Cost by State

Indiana and Texas are the cheapest states for cat insurance for $5,000 in annual coverage ($23 per month). Georgia is the cheapest state for unlimited annual coverage ($29 per month). Connecticut is the most expensive state for $5,000 in annual coverage ($33 per month) and unlimited annual coverage ($45 per month).

State Average monthly pet insurance cost for $5,000 annual coverage for a cat Average monthly pet insurance cost for unlimited annual coverage for a cat

Arizona

$28

$41

California

$31

$41

Connecticut

$33

$45

Florida

$24

$41

Georgia

$23

$29

Illinois

$27

$39

Indiana

$23

$31

Maine

$25

$36

Massachusetts

$30

$42

Maryland

$29

$42

Michigan

$25

$33

Minnesota

$26

$35

New Hampshire

$30

$40

North Carolina

$24

$33

New York

$30

$43

Ohio

$24

$32

Oregon

$28

$40

Pennsylvania

$24

$35

Texas

$23

$32

Utah

$25

$34

Virginia

$27

$36

Washington

$28

$40

Wisconsin

$25

$35

Source: Forbes Advisor Research

Average Cost of Veterinary Care and Medical Treatments for Cats and Dogs

The average vet visit cost is $70, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of veterinarian costs. But your vet bills could quickly add up depending on the types of services your pet needs, including vaccinations or treatments for accidents and illnesses. Here’s a look at the average cost of a veterinary visit in different states.

Cost of Veterinary Care by State

State Average cost for a veterinary visit for one dog Average cost for a veterinary visit with additional dog Total cost for a veterinary visit with two dogs

Alabama

$62

$48

$110

Arizona

$69

$54

$123

Arkansas

$62

$48

$110

California

$89

$70

$159

Colorado

$70

$55

$125

Connecticut

$77

$60

$137

Delaware

$79

$61

$140

Florida

$67

$53

$120

Georgia

$69

$54

$123

Idaho

$64

$50

$114

Illinois

$74

$58

$132

Indiana

$63

$49

$112

Iowa

$66

$52

$118

Kansas

$59

$46

$105

Kentucky

$64

$50

$114

Louisiana

$65

$51

$116

Maine

$77

$60

$137

Maryland

$83

$65

$148

Massachusetts

$81

$63

$144

Michigan

$68

$53

$121

Minnesota

$75

$59

$134

Mississippi

$64

$50

$114

Missouri

$68

$53

$121

Nebraska

$61

$47

$108

Nevada

$72

$57

$129

New Hampshire

$77

$60

$137

New Jersey

$83

$64

$147

New Mexico

$65

$51

$116

New York

$79

$61

$140

North Carolina

$67

$52

$119

Ohio

$68

$53

$121

Oklahoma

$63

$49

$112

Oregon

$73

$57

$130

Pennsylvania

$75

$59

$134

Rhode Island

$77

$60

$137

South Carolina

$66

$52

$118

Tennessee

$63

$49

$112

Texas

$66

$52

$118

Utah

$67

$52

$119

Virginia

$70

$55

$125

Vermont

$74

$58

$132

Washington

$77

$60

$137

West Virginia

$67

$52

$119

Wisconsin

$70

$55

$125

Wyoming

$70

$55

$125

Source: Banfield Pet Hospital

Average Cost of Medical Treatments for Cats and Dogs

The average cost of a pet’s medical treatment can be thousands of dollars, depending on the problem, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of vet visit costs.

Condition Average cost of treatment for dogs Average cost of treatment for cats

Cancer

$4,341

$3,204

Ingested foreign objects

$5,106

$4,636

Diabetes

$3,055

$1,959

Broken bone

$2,898

$2,772

Heart murmur

$881

$790

Arthritis

$740

$656

Dental disease

$1,038

$1,186

Bladder infection/UTI

$513

$846

Eye conditions

$1,059

$758

Kidney disease

$1,813

$1,409

Source: Pets Best, based on claims data from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023

7 Factors That Impact Pet Insurance Prices

Pet insurance companies use multiple factors when setting rates.

1. Coverage Type

One of the biggest factors determining pet insurance cost is the coverage. For example, a comprehensive policy that covers a range of treatments and also routine care will cost more than an accident-only policy.

Your coverage choices depend on the pet insurance company. Here are the common types of pet insurance plans:

  • Comprehensive pet insurance plan. A comprehensive pet insurance plan will combine an accident and illness policy with a routine care plan.
  • Accident and illness coverage. This type of policy helps pay for vet bills for unexpected incidents, such as sprains from accidents, poisonings and common illnesses, such as ear infections. This might also cover lab tests, surgeries, hospitalization, prescription medications and emergency care.
  • Accident-only coverage. This type of policy covers certain medical expenses if your pet suffers an accident, such as a broken bone. Coverage might include diagnostic tests, surgeries, X-rays, hospitalization, prescription medications and emergency care.
  • Routine wellness plans. This type of policy covers medical expenses for wellness exams, flea and heartworm prevention, vaccinations and other routine annual care. These plans are typically add-ons.

2. Deductibles

A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket every year to a veterinarian before coverage starts. You can typically choose a pet insurance deductible that ranges from $0 to $1,000.

The higher your deductible amount, the less you pay in pet insurance costs.

3. Reimbursem*nt Levels

Pet insurance policies are reimbursem*nt-based, meaning you usually have to pay up front for your pet’s medical bills and submit a claim to the pet insurance company.

Once you meet the deductible for your plan by paying out-of-pocket, coverage kicks in at the level outlined in the plan. You can typically choose reimbursem*nt options of 70%, 80% or 90% of the pet medical expenses that are covered by the plan.

Pet insurance costs are higher for better levels of reimbursem*nt.

For example, say you have a pet insurance plan with a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt level:

  • If the pet has a medical procedure that costs $1,500 and it’s your first claim of the policy period, you would first pay $1,500 to the vet.
  • The first $500 of that is your deductible.
  • Then you’d be reimbursed 80% of the remaining $1,000, for a reimbursem*nt of $800.

4. Pet’s Breed

Your pet’s breed is a factor in determining pet insurance costs. That’s because some breeds are predisposed to illnesses, which typically translates to more veterinary visits and higher medical bills. For example, some larger breeds of dogs are more susceptible to heart and hip issues.

In our analysis of filings by pet insurers to state regulators, we found many pricing levels based on dog breeds but little variation for cats.

Cats are cheaper to insure than dogs. And birds, reptiles, rabbits and ferrets cost less to insure than cats.

5. Age of Pet

A pet’s age is another piece of the pet insurance cost puzzle. As your pet gets older, the chances of illness and injury increase, which results in higher pet insurance costs. We analyzed age rating factors for a Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. policy and found that the best prices were after a pet’s first birthday until around age six. By the pet’s ninth birthday, you can expect its age rating factor to more than double.

Age of pet Dogs Cats

0 – 11 months

Base rate + 77%

Base rate + 88%

1 year

Base rate

Base rate

2 years

Base rate

Base rate

3 years

Base rate + 9%

Base rate + 8%

4 years

Base rate + 23%

Base rate + 17%

5 years

Base rate + 38%

Base rate + 29%

6 years

Base rate + 55%

Base rate + 43%

7 years

Base rate + 71%

Base rate + 58%

8 years

Base rate + 90%

Base rate + 76%

9 years

Base rate + 115%

Base rate + 95%

10 years

Base rate + 143%

Base rate + 117%

11 years

Base rate + 173%

Base rate + 124%

12 years

Base rate + 205%

Base rate + 168%

13 years

Base rate + 229%

Base rate + 197%

14 years

Base rate + 253%

Base rate + 225%

15 years

Base rate + 281%

Base rate + 248%

16 years

Base rate + 312%

Base rate + 257%

17 years

Base rate + 347%

Base rate + 266%

18 years

Base rate + 388%

Base rate + 276%

19 years

Base rate + 435%

Base rate + 285%

20+ years

Base rate + 450%

Base rate + 295%

Source: State insurance filings from Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

6. Location

Where you live and the local cost of veterinary care will affect pet insurance costs. For instance, pet owners in urban areas may pay more for pet insurance due to higher average vet costs.

7. Discounts

Pet insurance companies sometimes offer discounts such as:

  • Multi-pet discount
  • Bundling multiple policies like pet and home insurance
  • Membership in organizations such as AARP
  • Military member
  • Annual pay discount

Pet Insurance Discounts by Provider

What Is the Cheapest Pet Insurance?

Pets Best, Fetch and Lemonade offer the best cheap pet insurance, based on our analysis of 10 policies.

Our expert takeCompanyCompany - LogoAverage monthly cost for unlimited coverageForbes Advisor RatingForbes Advisor RatingLearn More CTA textLearn more CTA below textLEARN MORE
Best overallPets BestHow Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (4)$44 for dogs
$26 for cats
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (5)5.0Compare Plans
Good for boarding feesFetchHow Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (6)$47 for dogs
$62 for cats
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (7)4.9Compare Plans
Great prices for dogs and catsLemonadeHow Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (8)$46 for dogs
$22 for cats
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (9)4.9Compare Plans
Great for unlimited annual coverageHealthy PawsHow Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (10)$52 for dogs
$25 for cats
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (11)4.6Compare Plans
Great for short waiting period for accident coverageFigoHow Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (12)$59 for dogs
$33 for cats
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (13)4.3Compare Plans

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet insurance is generally reimbursem*nt-based. You’ll pay up front for your pet’s vet expenses and submit a claim for reimbursem*nt. Unlike health insurance, veterinarians aren’t in a provider network, so you can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian.

Here’s an example of a typical pet insurance claim:

  • You take your dog to the vet for a problem, such as a skin infection.
  • You pay the veterinarian bill.
  • You submit a pet insurance claim to your pet insurance company. The claim should include a copy of the vet’s invoice and the dog’s medical record.
  • The pet insurance company reviews the claim. If the problem is covered by your policy, the insurer will send you reimbursem*nt.

How much you are reimbursed will depend on your policy’s reimbursem*nt level. Many pet insurance companies allow you to choose a reimbursem*nt level. Common reimbursem*nt levels are 70%, 80% and 90%.

What pet insurance covers will depend on the type of plan you purchase. Review a plan’s benefits, coverage types and limits before buying to make sure it fits your needs.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

If you can’t afford to pay for a large unexpected vet bill out of pocket, pet insurance is worth it for the financial safety net it provides.

You can also buy add-on plans that help cover expenses for wellness and preventive care.

You may instead decide to set money aside for your pet’s care. But an unforeseen vet bill could set you back thousands of dollars. For example, the average cost to treat an ingested foreign object for a dog is $5,106, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of vet visit costs.

Methodology

We used data from Forbes Advisor research. Rates are based on dogs and cats of various ages and breeds. We collected rates for two different types of plans, where available.

  • $5,000 in annual coverage, $250 deductible, 80% reimbursem*nt level
  • Unlimited annual coverage, $250 deductible, 80% reimbursem*nt level

For pet insurers that did not have these coverage profiles, we substituted the following:

  • ASPCA: Does not offer unlimited annual coverage. Rates are based on $10,000 of annual coverage.
  • Chewy: Does not offer $5,000 of annual coverage, rates are based on $20,000 of annual coverage through the Value plan. Rates for unlimited annual coverage are based on the Essential Plus with a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursem*nt level.
  • Felix: Available only for cats. Rates for $5,000 of annual coverage are based on the Cats Plus plan. Rates for unlimited annual coverage are based on the Cat Fancy plan with $10,000 of annual coverage.
  • Fetch: Does not offer unlimited annual coverage, rates are based on $15,000 of annual coverage. We used a $300 deductible in states where a $250 deductible was not available.
  • Healthy Paws: $750 for dogs and 70% reimbursem*nt level in several states. Healthy Paws only offers unlimited annual coverage.
  • Lemonade: Does not offer unlimited annual coverage, rates are based on $100,000 of annual coverage.
  • ManyPets: $500 deductible for dogs and cats in several states.
  • MetLife: Does not offer unlimited annual coverage. Rates are based on $10,000 annual coverage.
  • Prudent Pet: The Essential plan does not offer $5,000 of annual coverage, rates are based on $10,000 of annual coverage. Unlimited annual coverage is based on quotes from the Ultimate plan.
  • Pumpkin: Does not offer $5,000 in annual coverage. Rates are based on $10,000 annual coverage. Rates for unlimited annual coverage are based on a $250 deductible and 90% reimbursem*nt level.
  • Trupanion: Rates are based on a 90% reimbursem*nt level. Trupanion only offers unlimited annual coverage.

Compare Pet Insurance Quotes

Compare 10+ Leading Pet Insurers In Minutes

Compare Quotes

Pet Insurance Cost Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will pet insurance offset the average cost of medical treatments?

Pet insurance plans will pay for many types of treatment and some pay for the cost of a vet visit, but whether you come out ahead will depend on how much you’ve been paying in premiums vs. how much you get back in claims. It will also depend on your deductible and reimbursem*nt percentage.

Do dogs really need insurance?

Medical bills for dogs can quickly add up if they are injured or fall ill. Pet insurance can be a good way to cover unexpected health care costs that pop up.

When considering if your dog needs pet insurance, run the numbers. Estimate the cost of veterinary services for medical issues that could arise and get quotes for pet insurance for your specific dog. You may find a cheap pet insurance plan is your best bet or instead decide to put money aside in a savings account for potential medical costs.

Does pet insurance cost increase with age?

Pet insurance costs typically increase with a pet’s age. Older pets are more likely to fall ill or be injured, so pet insurance companies raise rates as a pet ages. Your costs will usually go up at renewal time. You may be able to find a better price by comparing pet insurance quotes among several different insurers.

Are pet vaccinations covered by pet insurance?

Pet vaccinations are not typically covered by pet insurance. But some insurers offer an optional wellness plan that you can add to an accident and illness policy to help cover the cost of vaccinations.

For example, the Wellness Rewards plan from Embrace pet insurance will reimburse you the cost of preventative care, including vaccinations, up to the reimbursem*nt amount that you select.

Can pet insurance be used at any veterinarian?

Pet insurance companies typically reimburse you for bills from any licensed vet. This includes emergency visits and hospitalizations.

Can you get pet insurance for birds, reptiles or other exotic pets?

Most pet insurers limit coverage to dogs and cats, but you can get exotic pet insurance through Nationwide for pets such as amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles and small mammals such as rabbits and chinchillas. Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses, such as broken bones, poisoning, feather loss and internal parasites.

Helping You Make Smart Insurance Decisions

Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.

Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Advisor Community!

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policyand Terms of Serviceapply.

By providing my email I agree to receive Forbes Advisor promotions, offers and additional Forbes Marketplace services. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024) (2024)

FAQs

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (2024)? ›

Most pet insurance carriers account for factors such as your pet's breed, health, and especially their age when calculating a price. As those risk factors increase, you can expect your premiums to increase too.

How much does the average person spend on pet insurance per month? ›

Average Pet Insurance Costs by State, Monthly
StateAverage Premium for CatsAverage Premium for Dogs
California$31.97$61.29
Colorado$28.78$47.56
Connecticut$31.56$52.63
Delaware$27.68$45.70
46 more rows

Does pet insurance get more expensive each year? ›

Most pet insurance carriers account for factors such as your pet's breed, health, and especially their age when calculating a price. As those risk factors increase, you can expect your premiums to increase too.

At what age should you take out pet insurance? ›

"We advise all paw-rents to insure their pet at a young age," Spot says. "You can enroll your pet in a plan from Spot as soon as they're 8 weeks old. Don't let your pet develop a 'pre-existing condition' before they're insured."

What is the average excess on pet insurance? ›

This is not included as standard with every policy but is very common with insurance for older pets. It is a contribution you will pay towards vet bills and is typically 10-20% depending on your policy.

Does pet insurance cover a lot? ›

Reimbursem*nt Rate is the amount a pet insurance company pays you back for the cost of care. The most comprehensive pet health coverage will reimburse 80% to 100% of your total vet bill (after your deductible is met).

Do pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions? ›

Pet insurers generally don't cover pre-existing conditions. They also may require waiting periods before your pet is eligible for different types of coverages. It's best to get pet insurance early in your pet's life to help ensure any conditions they develop later in life will be covered.

What is the most expensive pet to insure? ›

Generally, the bigger your dog, the more expensive its pet insurance premiums. The most expensive breeds to insure include Newfoundland, Dogue De Bordeaux, and Jack Russell terrier. You can cut pet insurance premiums by paying your premium in full and shopping around for pet insurance.

Do pet insurance premiums go up with age? ›

While some pet insurance companies may occasionally claim to not increase with a pet's age, you'll still find that those premiums increase over time. These policies may attribute these increases to other factors like rising veterinary costs or inflation, but they'll still go up over time.

Is lifetime pet insurance worth it? ›

Lifetime policies can be a great option for insuring your senior pet, as they provide cover towards your vet bills every year, which can help if your pet develops chronic conditions as they get older. Many pets develop ongoing conditions as they get older so this kind of policy works well for senior animals.

What age is pet insurance cheapest? ›

Average Pet Insurance Cost by Dog Age
Average monthly cost for $5,000 annual coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*ntAverage monthly cost for unlimited coverage, $250 deductible and 80% reimbursem*nt
Age 3 months$42$58
Age 2 years$40$58
Age 5 years$52$80
Age 7 years$71$108
Aug 8, 2024

How long after getting pet insurance can you use it? ›

The typical waiting period is 14 days, particularly for illness coverage. Some pet insurance providers have a waiting period of only a few days for accident coverage. Hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia typically have much longer waiting periods — up to a year.

What to do before getting pet insurance? ›

Before you officially sign up for a plan, don't hesitate to reach out to the insurance provider you are considering. They can answer any additional questions you may have. Some companies also allow you to get a free quote for your pet before you sign up, providing transparency on how much insurance will cost.

What is a normal deductible for pet insurance? ›

Common options include deductibles between $100, $250, $500 and $1,000. Some insurers offer deductibles as low as $0, such as Trupanion and TrustedPals. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly pet insurance premiums. That's because your insurer will pay out less if you file a pet insurance claim.

How much should I be spending on pet insurance? ›

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost on Average? According to our research, pet insurance costs $720 a year for dogs and $384 for cats, with an overall average monthly cost of around $46 per month.

What does 90% reimbursem*nt mean on pet insurance? ›

For example, if you have a 90% reimbursem*nt percentage, that means the company will pay 90% of the vet bill after the deductible is met, and you will pay 10%. So, let's say you have a policy, assuming all billed items are eligible for coverage by your pet insurance plan.

How much do people spend on pet care per month? ›

Annual Cost of Dog Ownership

According to our survey of more than 1,000 dog owners, most spent an average of $40 to $290 per month on their dogs — or an average of $480 to $3,470 annually. But this number will vary depending on your dog's individual needs, size, pet insurance plan's costs, and health status.

How much does the average pet owner spend on vet bills? ›

Overall vet costs including wellness check-ups, dental care, lab tests and vaccines can total between $700 and $1,500 per year.

What are the average pet expenses? ›

Annual Costs

According to our data, the average U.S. dog owner spends about $2,524 per year on recurring pet costs, including: Pet food: $447. Toys and treats: $221. Boarding costs (assuming 15 days per year): $681.

How much do you plan to spend on your pet annually? ›

The annual costs of caring for a dog can range from $1,000–$5,225 a year, while the typical monthly cost of owning a dog lies between $80-$440. This is an annual increase of $100 on average from 2023 to 2024.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5709

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.