Your pet insurance costs will depend on factors like the type of pet, deductible and reimbursement percentage. To help you get an idea of how much you can expect to pay for pet insurance, we crunched more than 478,000 pet insurance rates.
How Much Is Pet Insurance?
The table below shows the average monthly cost of pet insurance for cats and dogs, Based on our analysis for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level.
| Type of Pet | Average Cost per Month |
|---|---|
| Dog | $56 |
| Cat | $24 |
How Much Is Pet Insurance for Dogs?
Pet insurance costs an average of $56 per month for a dog for $5,000 of annual coverage, based on our analysis. The average pet insurance cost for a dog is $87 per month for a policy with unlimited annual coverage. Dog owners can expect to pay anywhere from about $24 to $286 per month for pet insurance, depending on the dog’s age, the amount of coverage and the insurance company.
Compare Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by Age
Pet insurance costs for dogs increase with age. That’s because older dogs are more likely to develop health problems and need vet care as they get older. The table below shows the average monthly pet insurance cost for dogs depending on their age.
| Age | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3 months | $43 | $64 |
| Age 3 years | $41 | $64 |
| Age 5 years | $52 | $82 |
| Age 7 years | $74 | $114 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research based on plans with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.
Compare Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by Company
The table below shows the average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs by the top pet insurance companies.
| Company | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Chewy Essential Plus | N/A | $90 |
| Embrace | $53 | $77 |
| Figo | $42 | $66 |
| Healthy Paws | N/A | $61 |
| Lemonade | $32 | $47 |
| Pets Best Elite | $49 | $55 |
| Pets Best Plus | $48 | $54 |
| Pets Best Essential | $44 | $49 |
| Prudent Pet Essential | $46 | N/A |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate | N/A | $63 |
| Pumpkin | $47 | $195 |
| Spot | $46 | $95 |
| Trupanion | N/A | $135 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans with $5,000 annual coverage ($10,000 for Prudent Pet) and unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Chewy Essential Plus, Pumpkin and Trupanion do not offer an 80% reimbursement level, rates are based on a 90% reimbursement level.
Compare Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by Breed
Breed plays a major role in your dog insurance costs. Small mixed breed dogs are the cheapest to insure while Rottweilers are the most expensive.
The table below shows the average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs by breed.
| Breed | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost for (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Beagle | $46 | $62 |
| Bulldog | $78 | $101 |
| Dachshund | $35 | $42 |
| French bulldog | $85 | $112 |
| German shepherd | $51 | $70 |
| Golden shorthaired pointer | $46 | $64 |
| Golden retriever | $56 | $78 |
| Labrador retriever | $56 | $76 |
| Mixed breed (large) | $50 | $70 |
| Mixed breed (medium) | $50 | $56 |
| Mixed breed (small) | $32 | $53 |
| Poodle | $53 | $67 |
| Rottweiler | $88 | $107 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research based on plans with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level for dogs age 3.
Average Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by State
The table below shows the average monthly cost of pet insurance for dogs by state.
| State | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34 | $55 |
| Alaska | $52 | $79 |
| Arkansas | $33 | $51 |
| Arizona | $61 | $92 |
| California | $52 | $80 |
| Colorado | $61 | $93 |
| Connecticut | $63 | $94 |
| Delaware | $50 | $73 |
| Florida | $45 | $81 |
| Georgia | $43 | $65 |
| Hawaii | $53 | $81 |
| Idaho | $51 | $78 |
| Illinois | $52 | $79 |
| Indiana | $40 | $69 |
| Iowa | $39 | $62 |
| Kansas | $39 | $62 |
| Kentucky | $42 | $64 |
| Louisiana | $39 | $56 |
| Massachusetts | $59 | $95 |
| Maine | $45 | $68 |
| Maryland | $50 | $81 |
| Michigan | $47 | $72 |
| Minnesota | $48 | $76 |
| Missouri | $33 | $56 |
| Mississippi | $38 | $62 |
| Montana | $41 | $68 |
| Nebraska | $40 | $66 |
| Nevada | $37 | $57 |
| New Hampshire | $53 | $78 |
| New Jersey | $50 | $76 |
| New Mexico | $39 | $65 |
| New York | $54 | $77 |
| North Carolina | $42 | $62 |
| North Dakota | $35 | $53 |
| Ohio | $38 | $57 |
| Oklahoma | $30 | $52 |
| Oregon | $56 | $85 |
| Pennsylvania | $43 | $65 |
| Rhode Island | $42 | $63 |
| South Carolina | $40 | $61 |
| South Dakota | $47 | $66 |
| Tennessee | $41 | $67 |
| Texas | $41 | $60 |
| Utah | $46 | $71 |
| Virginia | $42 | $61 |
| Vermont | $47 | $67 |
| Washington | $63 | $86 |
| Wisconsin | $46 | $71 |
| West Virginia | $37 | $56 |
| Wyoming | $38 | $59 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research
How Much Is Pet Insurance for Cats?
Pet insurance costs an average of $24 per month for a cat for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level. A policy with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level costs $37 per month.
The insurer and age of the cat affects how much you will pay. Cat owners can expect to pay anywhere from about $18 to $87 per month for pet insurance, depending on the cat’s age, the amount of coverage and the insurance company.
Pet Insurance Cost by Cat Age
The table below shows the average monthly pet insurance cost for cats depending on their age. The policies used to calculated the rates below include a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level.
| | Average monthly cost for ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Age 3 months | $24 | $34 |
| Age 3 years | $12 | $34 |
| Age 5 years | $26 | $41 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research
Cost of Cat Insurance by Company
The table below shows the average monthly pet insurance cost for cats by the top pet insurance companies.
| Company | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Chewy Essential Plus | N/A | $43 |
| Embrace | $37 | $53 |
| Figo | $23 | $36 |
| Healthy Paws | N/A | $38 |
| Lemonade | $22 | $32 |
| Pets Best Elite | $28 | $31 |
| Pets Best Plus | $27 | $31 |
| Pets Best Essential | $25 | $28 |
| Prudent Pet Essential | $32 | N/A |
| Prudent Pet Ultimate | N/A | $38 |
| Pumpkin | $31 | $60 |
| Spot | $30 | $59 |
| Trupanion | N/A | $69 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on plans with $5,000 annual coverage ($10,000 for Prudent Pet) and unlimited annual coverage ($100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. Chewy Essential Plus, Pumpkin and Trupanion do not offer a 80% reimbursement level, rates are based on a 90% reimbursement level.
Cost of Cat Insurance by Breed
The table below shows the average monthly pet insurance cost for cats by breed
| Breed | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost for (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Abyssinian | $37 | $62 |
| Bengal | $31 | $54 |
| Bombay | $26 | $44 |
| British shorthair | $34 | $55 |
| Exotic shorthair | $34 | $61 |
| Maine coon | $33 | $62 |
| Mixed breed | $23 | $40 |
| Persian | $32 | $55 |
| Ragdoll | $28 | $47 |
| Russian Blue | $28 | $47 |
| Siamese | $27 | $47 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research based on plans with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level for cat age 3.
Average Cat Insurance Cost by State
The table below shows the average monthly pet insurance cost for cats by state.
| State | Average monthly cost ($5,000 annual coverage) | Average monthly cost (unlimited annual coverage) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $19 | $29 |
| Alaska | $26 | $40 |
| Arkansas | $17 | $26 |
| Arizona | $31 | $46 |
| California | $28 | $42 |
| Colorado | $30 | $47 |
| Connecticut | $33 | $49 |
| Delaware | $26 | $39 |
| Florida | $24 | $42 |
| Georgia | $23 | $34 |
| Hawaii | $29 | $42 |
| Idaho | $26 | $38 |
| Illinois | $27 | $41 |
| Indiana | $21 | $35 |
| Iowa | $20 | $32 |
| Kansas | $20 | $31 |
| Kentucky | $22 | $33 |
| Louisiana | $21 | $30 |
| Massachusetts | $32 | $47 |
| Maine | $23 | $34 |
| Maryland | $26 | $41 |
| Michigan | $24 | $37 |
| Minnesota | $24 | $38 |
| Missouri | $18 | $29 |
| Mississippi | $21 | $33 |
| Montana | $21 | $32 |
| Nebraska | $21 | $33 |
| Nevada | $19 | $29 |
| New Hampshire | $28 | $42 |
| New Jersey | $29 | $41 |
| New Mexico | $20 | $32 |
| New York | $28 | $40 |
| North Carolina | $24 | $34 |
| North Dakota | $19 | $28 |
| Ohio | $20 | $29 |
| Oklahoma | $17 | $28 |
| Oregon | $32 | $47 |
| Pennsylvania | $25 | $36 |
| Rhode Island | $22 | $33 |
| South Carolina | $21 | $32 |
| South Dakota | $24 | $34 |
| Tennessee | $22 | $35 |
| Texas | $22 | $32 |
| Utah | $25 | $38 |
| Virginia | $23 | $34 |
| Vermont | $25 | $36 |
| Washington | $37 | $48 |
| Wisconsin | $24 | $37 |
| West Virginia | $19 | $28 |
| Wyoming | $19 | $30 |
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 an 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
The table below shows the average cost for veterinary care in each state.
| State | Average cost for a veterinary visit for a dog | Average cost for a veterinary visit for a cat |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62 | $62 |
| Arizona | $69 | $69 |
| Arkansas | $62 | $62 |
| California | $89 | $89 |
| Colorado | $70 | $70 |
| Connecticut | $77 | $77 |
| Delaware | $79 | $79 |
| Florida | $67 | $68 |
| Georgia | $69 | $70 |
| Idaho | $64 | $64 |
| Illinois | $74 | $74 |
| Indiana | $63 | $63 |
| Iowa | $66 | $66 |
| Kansas | $59 | $59 |
| Kentucky | $64 | $64 |
Source: Banfield Pet Hospital
Average Cost of Medical Treatments for Cats and Dogs
The table below shows the average cost of medical treatments for different medical conditions that are common for cats and dogs.
| 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. This is the most expensive type of plan because it covers the most problems.
- 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. This is the cheapest type of plan because it covers the fewest problems.
- Routine wellness plans. This type of policy covers medical expenses for wellness exams, flea and heartworm prevention, vaccinations and other routine annual care. You can typically add this to your accident and illness plan. The average cost for a wellness plan for dogs is $24 per month and $22 per month for cats (that’s on top of the monthly cost for your pet insurance plan).
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. Reimbursement Levels
Pet insurance policies are reimbursement-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 reimbursement 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 reimbursement.
For example, say you have a pet insurance plan with a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement 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 reimbursement 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% |
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
The table below shows pet insurance discounts available by company.
| Company | Multi-pet discount | Military member discount | Annual payment discount | Other discounts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA | 10% | No | No | 10% for ASPCA employees |
| Chewy | 5% | No | 5% | 10% bundling discount with other Lemonade insurance policies |
| Embrace | 10% | 5% (not available in New York or Tennessee) | No | No |
| Fetch | No | 10% | No | 10% for AARP members |
| Figo | 5% | 5% (not available in Florida, New York, Tennessee or Washington) | No | No |
| Healthy Paws | No | No | No | No |
| Lemonade | 5% | No | 5% | 10% bundling discount with other Lemonade insurance policies |
| MetLife | 5% | Yes | No | Employer benefit discount, Affinity group discount, healthcare worker discount, animal care discount |
| Nationwide | 5% | No | No | 5% discount for a new pet insurance plan for current Nationwide customers |
| Pets Best | 5% | No | No | No |
| Prudent Pet | 10% | No | No | No |
| Pumpkin | 10% | No | No | No |
| Spot | 10% | No | No | No |
| Trupanion | No | No | No | No |
