The average cost of pet insurance in the U.S. is $49.51 per month or $594 per year for dogs and $28.48 per month or $342 per year for cats. This coverage is becoming more and more prevalent in the U.S., particularly as pet ownership has boomed during the coronavirus pandemic. According to recent reports, the number of insured pets has grown at an annual rate of 23.2% over the last five years.
Average Cost of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance premiums vary widely depending on a number of factors, including your location, the breed of pet, the age of the pet, prior health history, and more. Nationally, the average monthly premium for dogs is $49.51 for a policy covering both accidents and illnesses and $18.17 for a policy covering accidents only. For cats, the average monthly premium is $28.48 for an accident and illness policy and $11.13 for an accident-only policy.
| Coverage Type | Average Annual Growth Rate | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Accident & Illness) | 5.1% | $594.15 | $585.40 | $558.93 | $544.85 | $517.63 | $465.02 |
| Cat (Accident & Illness) | 1.6% | $341.81 | $349.93 | $349.34 | $342.37 | $321.27 | $316.30 |
| Dog (Accident Only) | 6.0% | $218.13 | $194.09 | $190.02 | $190.08 | $168.35 | $164.16 |
| Cat (Accident Only) | 0.0% | $133.61 | $126.08 | $140.87 | $152.66 | $149.51 | $135.85 |
The average annual growth rate of premiums over the last six years is 3.2%, with 3.3% growth in dog insurance premiums and 3% growth in cat insurance premiums.
Average Cost of Pet Insurance for Dogs
While nationally, the average pet insurance premium for dogs is $49.51 per month, this cost can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. In order to better understand how different variables—including the insurer you choose, your location, and your dog’s breed—impact the premiums you end up paying, we conducted a study using quote estimates from a variety of insurers.
We used a sample dog profile for our study, which was a male, 5-year-old labrador retriever in good health with no pre-existing conditions located in Chicago, Illinois. We sampled the top twelve pet insurers and found premiums ranged from a low of $49.08 to $165.11 per month. Premiums were based upon $10,000 in annual benefits, a 70% reimbursement level, and a $250 annual deductible.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for dogs by insurer.
| Insurer | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 24PetWatch* | $824 | $68.68 |
| ASPCA | $1,096 | $91.31 |
| Embrace* | $766 | $63.85 |
| Figo | $626 | $52.19 |
| Healthy Paws* | $830 | $69.13 |
| Lemonade | $589 | $49.08 |
| Nationwide | $1,455 | $121.21 |
| PetFirst | $1,108 | $92.35 |
| PetPartners | $741 | $61.79 |
| PetPlan* | $968 | $80.63 |
| Pets Best* | $744 | $62.03 |
| Trupanion* | $1,981 | $165.11 |
*Quote estimates based on slightly different plan options: 24PetWatch used an 80% reimbursement rate, Embrace used a $300 deductible, Healthy Paws and PetsBest used an unlimited annual maximum benefit, PetPlan used a $15,000 max benefit, and Trupanion used an unlimited max benefit and a 90% reimbursement rate.
Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by Breed
Depending on the breed of dog you own, your insurance premiums can vary widely. Some breeds may be more prone to health issues than others, and pricing typically reflects this risk. In our analysis, we found prices differed from a low of $52.47 per month for a Yorkshire terrier to a high of $124.12 per month for a Rottweiler.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for dogs for 15 of the most popular breeds in the U.S.
| Breed | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Shepherd | $706 | $58.81 |
| Beagle | $862 | $71.81 |
| Boxer | $1,238 | $103.19 |
| Dachshund | $771 | $64.29 |
| Doberman Pinscher | $1,347 | $112.24 |
| English Bulldog | $1,395 | $116.29 |
| French Bulldog | $1,328 | $110.70 |
| German Shepherd | $958 | $79.84 |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | $827 | $68.93 |
| Golden Retriever | $994 | $82.80 |
| Labrador Retriever | $1,022 | $85.15 |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | $909 | $75.77 |
| Poodle | $899 | $74.89 |
| Rottweiler | $1,489 | $124.12 |
| Yorkishire Terrier | $630 | $52.47 |
Pet Insurance Cost for Dogs by City
Location also plays a large role in the pricing of pet insurance. We found large variances in pricing, from a low of $47.52 per month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to a high of $87.53 per month in New York, New York.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for dogs in 25 of the most populated cities in the U.S.
| City | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, Texas | $830 | $69.15 |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $738 | $61.49 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $1,022 | $85.15 |
| Columbus, Ohio | $710 | $59.13 |
| Dallas, Texas | $849 | $70.78 |
| Detroit, Michigan | $803 | $66.94 |
| El Paso, Texas | $816 | $67.98 |
| Fort Worth, Texas | $812 | $67.69 |
| Houston, Texas | $799 | $66.61 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | $611 | $50.90 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | $579 | $48.28 |
| Los Angeles, California | $848 | $70.65 |
| Memphis, Tennessee | $693 | $57.72 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | $693 | $57.72 |
| New York, New York | $1,050 | $87.53 |
| Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | $570 | $47.52 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $716 | $59.64 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $776 | $64.68 |
| Portland, Oregon | $785 | $65.41 |
| San Antonio, Texas | $802 | $66.86 |
| San Diego, California | $799 | $66.60 |
| San Francisco, California | $854 | $71.19 |
| San Jose, California | $728 | $60.65 |
| Seattle, Washington | $692 | $57.70 |
| Washington, D.C. | $908 | $75.67 |
Average Cost of Pet Insurance for Cats
The average pet insurance premium for cats is $28.48 per month, but this cost varies across a wide range of factors. In our analysis, we looked at quote estimates from different insurers to understand how your pricing may vary depending on which company you purchase from.
The sample cat profile we used was a male, 5-year-old exotic in good health with no pre-existing conditions located in Chicago, Illinois. We sampled the top twelve pet insurers and found premiums ranged from a low of $19.83 to $80.84 per month. Premiums were based upon $10,000 in annual benefits, a 70% reimbursement level, and a $250 annual deductible.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for cats by insurer.
| Insurer | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 24PetWatch* | $481 | $40.12 |
| ASPCA | $590 | $49.19 |
| Embrace* | $496 | $41.36 |
| Figo | $306 | $25.53 |
| Healthy Paws* | $327 | $27.29 |
| Lemonade | $238 | $19.83 |
| Nationwide | $819 | $68.23 |
| PetFirst | $475 | $39.56 |
| PetPartners | $289 | $24.11 |
| PetPlan* | $470 | $39.15 |
| Pets Best* | $350 | $29.20 |
| Trupanion* | $970 | $80.84 |
*Quote estimates based on slightly different plan options: 24PetWatch used an 80% reimbursement rate, Embrace used a $300 deductible, Healthy Paws and PetsBest used an unlimited annual maximum benefit, PetPlan used a $15,000 max benefit, and Trupanion used an unlimited max benefit and a 90% reimbursement rate.
Pet Insurance Cost for Cats by Breed
We also took a look at the variances in cost by cat breed. Some breeds may be more prone to certain health conditions, and different breeds have different average lifespans, which results in variability in pricing. We found average premiums ranged from a low of $26.23 per month for a domestic shorthair to a high of $44.03 per month for an exotic.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for cats for 15 of the most popular breeds in the U.S.
| Breed | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Abyssinian | $473 | $39.41 |
| American Shorthair | $365 | $30.39 |
| Bengal | $425 | $35.44 |
| Bombay | $407 | $33.89 |
| British Shorthair | $434 | $36.15 |
| Devon Rex | $513 | $42.77 |
| Domestic Shorthair | $315 | $26.23 |
| Exotic | $528 | $44.03 |
| Maine Coon | $462 | $38.50 |
| Persian | $435 | $36.29 |
| Ragdoll | $394 | $32.86 |
| Russian Blue | $405 | $33.76 |
| Scottish Fold | $438 | $36.47 |
| Siamese | $360 | $29.97 |
| Sphynx | $440 | $36.65 |
Pet Insurance Cost for Cats by City
Our analysis found that pricing for pet insurance differed significantly by location, from a low of $24.44 per month in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to a high of $46.24 per month in New York, New York.
Below you’ll find our analysis of the average cost of pet insurance for cats in 25 of the most populated cities in the U.S.
| City | Average Annual Cost | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, Texas | $431 | $35.88 |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | $407 | $33.89 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $528 | $44.03 |
| Columbus, Ohio | $385 | $32.06 |
| Dallas, Texas | $438 | $36.51 |
| Detroit, Michigan | $422 | $35.21 |
| El Paso, Texas | $425 | $35.38 |
| Fort Worth, Texas | $423 | $35.26 |
| Houston, Texas | $418 | $34.84 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | $334 | $27.86 |
| Las Vegas, Nevada | $312 | $26.04 |
| Los Angeles, California | $435 | $36.27 |
| Memphis, Tennessee | $378 | $31.48 |
| Nashville, Tennessee | $378 | $31.48 |
| New York, New York | $555 | $46.24 |
| Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | $293 | $24.44 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $389 | $32.45 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $401 | $33.40 |
| Portland, Oregon | $426 | $35.48 |
| San Antonio, Texas | $419 | $34.92 |
| San Diego, California | $416 | $34.65 |
| San Francisco, California | $438 | $36.48 |
| San Jose, California | $387 | $32.23 |
| Seattle, Washington | $399 | $33.22 |
| Washington, D.C. | $495 | $41.26 |
Common Health Conditions for Dogs
While pet insurance may seem like another additional cost, for some pet owners, the investment ends up being well worth it. If your dog ends up suffering an accident or illness, veterinary costs can run incredibly high.
Below is data on some of the most common conditions that dogs are brought into the vet for, along with the highest covered claim amount for that ailment in 2019. It’s clear that in a worst-case scenario, you can end up paying upwards of $20,000 for treatment for your dog.
| Rank | Dog Health Condition | % of Top 10 Claims | Highest Covered Claim Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stomach issues | 26.0% | $29,086 |
| 2 | Skin conditions | 17.0% | $4,138 |
| 3 | Pain | 14.0% | $11,425 |
| 4 | Ear infections | 10.0% | $12,954 |
| 5 | Eye conditions | 7.7% | $7,637 |
| 6 | Growths (lumps) | 5.8% | $13,692 |
| 7 | Cancer | 5.0% | $21,644 |
| 8 | Cranial cruciate ligament injury | 4.8% | $12,972 |
| 9 | Urinary tract conditions | 4.8% | $9,115 |
| 10 | Heart conditions | 4.5% | $18,027 |
Common Health Conditions for Cats
Costs to treat cat ailments vary widely, from a few hundred dollars to treat a skin condition like folliculitis to tens of thousands of dollars to address congestive heart failure. Below, we’ve included data on some of the most common conditions that cats are brought into the vet for, along with the highest covered claim amount for that ailment in 2019.
| Rank | Cat Health Condition | % of Top 10 Claims | Highest Covered Claim Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stomach issues | 31.8% | $24,402 |
| 2 | Urinary tract conditions | 12.5% | $12,587 |
| 3 | Cancer | 8.4% | $11,643 |
| 4 | Heart conditions | 8.1% | $7,606 |
| 5 | Skin conditions | 7.2% | $1,695 |
| 6 | Eye conditions | 7.1% | $4,080 |
| 7 | Pain | 6.8% | $5,815 |
| 8 | Kidney conditions | 6.5% | $14,737 |
| 9 | Diabetes | 6.5% | $9,610 |
| 10 | Ear infections | 5.2% | $3,094 |
What’s covered by pet insurance and what’s not?
Pet insurance coverage differs significantly depending on the insurer and the particular product package you purchase. Each insurer has a variety of options and endorsements that you can add to your pet insurance policy and packages the policies differently, so when shopping for pet insurance, you’ll need to examine closely what an insurer may be offering you.
Broadly, however, pet insurance typically covers the following:
- Routine preventative care, including vaccinations
- Lab work
- Accidents, injuries, and illnesses
- Prescriptions
- X-rays
- Surgeries, including spay/neuter
- Hospitalizations
- Dental work
A common option that pet insurers provide is the choice between an “accident-only” and an “accident and illness” plan. Accident and illness plans are typically the most common plans, and they include coverage for when your pet suffers an injury or illness, while accident-only plans are less expensive and don’t offer coverage for illnesses such as digestive issues, allergies, and cancer.
In terms of exclusions, pet insurance typically does not cover pre-existing conditions and cosmetic procedures. Pet insurance also does not cover liability, in the case that your pet injures someone else or damages someone’s property. Pet liability coverage is more typically found in a homeowners or renters insurance policy.
What determines the cost of pet insurance?
Pet insurance pricing can vary widely depending on a number of variables. Your best bet is to understand the type and level of coverage you’re looking for and gather quotes from a variety of insurers. To better understand what impacts the premium you’re quoted, the following are a few factors that affect pet insurance cost:
- Location. You’ll typically find that pricing in metropolitan areas is higher than in more rural areas. This can account for the fact veterinary costs are higher in more metropolitan areas, in addition to the fact that higher population density may mean increased risk of accidents for your pet.
- Species. Pet insurance is typically offered for dogs and cats, and generally, coverage for dogs is more expensive.
- Breed. Certain breeds may be more susceptible to genetic disorders or other health conditions, which in turn increases the premiums you’ll pay to insure riskier breeds.
- Age. Older pets will typically have more health issues than younger pets, meaning increased pricing as a pet ages.
- Gender. Male pets generally see higher pricing than female pets, as male pets typically see more claims overall.
- Coverage limits. Many insurers offer you the ability to choose your maximum benefit level, with higher limits corresponding with higher premiums.
- Deductible. The deductible amount is what you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket on a claim before the insurer starts to provide coverage. Generally, the higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be.
- Reimbursement rate. The higher the reimbursement rate, the less you’ll have to pay on a bill out-of-pocket. Typically, insurers offer between 60% and 90%, with lower reimbursement percentages equating to lower premiums.
Methodology
AdvisorSmith used data published by the North American Pet Health Insurance Association on the average premiums paid for pet insurance on cats and dogs between the years 2015 and 2020. This data was published in the NAPHIA’s State of the Industry Report 2021.
We also used quote estimates from 12 different insurers across 25 of the most populated U.S. cities and for 15 of the most popular breeds of dog and cat in the U.S. Quote estimates also made use of a sample dog and cat profile.
For the sample dog profile, we used a male, 5-year-old labrador retriever in good health with no pre-existing conditions located in Chicago, Illinois. For the sample cat profile, we used a male, 5-year-old exotic in good health with no pre-existing conditions located in Chicago, Illinois.
Coverage options were set at $10,000 in annual benefits, a 70% reimbursement level, and a $250 annual deductible, wherever applicable.
AdvisorSmith also used data published by the Healthy Paws Pet Insurance & Foundation on the most common dog and cat health conditions. This data was published in their 2019 Cost of Pet Health Care Report.
