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Nerdy takeaways
- The average cost of dog insurance is about $62 per month.
- The average cost of cat insurance is about $32 per month.
- Pet insurance is more expensive for older animals and those in areas with high veterinary costs.
- Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats.
A pet insurance policy can reimburse you for vet bills if your furry friend gets sick. But buying insurance adds another expense to your monthly budget. So how much is pet insurance, and can it save you money in the long run?
How much is pet insurance?
Below are the average costs of the two main types of pet insurance, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
| Type of policy | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Accident and illness |
|
|
| Accident-only |
|
|
| 2024 average premiums courtesy of NAPHIA. | ||
Accident and illness insurance is the most common type of pet insurance, covering your pet if they get sick or hurt. Accident-only plans won’t pay to treat illnesses like cancer, allergies or kidney disease.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
Neither type of plan will cover checkups, vaccines or other routine care unless you add wellness coverage. The price of your pet's insurance may be higher or lower than these averages. Your cost will depend on factors like where you live and how old your pet is.
How much is pet insurance for dogs?
To get a better idea of how much you might pay to insure a dog, we gathered sample pet insurance rates based on different locations, breeds, ages and insurers.
Pet insurance cost for dogs by city
The cost of veterinary care varies by region. If you live in a place with higher vet costs, you can expect to pay more for pet insurance.
To see how this varies, we compared quotes for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog in cities across the U.S. We found that you could pay as little as $27 a month in Grand Rapids, Michigan, or as much as $63 a month for the same dog in New York City.
| City | Figo | Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | $37 | $58 |
| Charlotte, N.C. | $30 | $37 |
| Chicago | $47 | $51 |
| Columbus, Ohio | $28 | $34 |
| Dallas | $33 | $44 |
| Denver | $35 | $52 |
| Grand Rapids, Mich. | $27 | $33 |
| Jacksonville, Fla. | $32 | $32 |
| Los Angeles | $42 | $43 |
| New York | $46 | $63 |
| Philadelphia | $39 | $40 |
| Phoenix | $30 | $43 |
| Seattle | $38 | $41 |
Pet insurance cost for dogs by breed
Some breeds are prone to certain medical conditions, which can increase the cost of coverage. For example, French bulldogs are at higher risk than most other breeds of developing breathing problems.
To see how rates vary from one breed to another, we gathered sample monthly rates from Nationwide and Pets Best for some of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. All sample dogs were 2 years old with the same ZIP code and coverage limits.
| Breed | Nationwide | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| French bulldog | $82 | $88 |
| German shepherd | $51 | $48 |
| Golden retriever | $50 | $54 |
| Labrador retriever | $53 | $54 |
| Medium mixed-breed dog | $43 | $32 |
| Poodle | $53 | $46 |
Pet insurance cost for dogs by age
As dogs grow older, they’re more likely to develop medical conditions such as arthritis or heart disease. Because older pets tend to need more vet care, pet insurers usually charge them higher rates. Keep this in mind if you plan to adopt an older pet from a shelter. And remember — even if your puppy is cheap to insure now, you’ll likely pay more in the future.
Below you can see how different your monthly rates might be when insuring a 2-year-old dog vs. an 8-year-old one.
Pet insurance cost for dogs by company
Each pet insurer has its own way of calculating rates. Below you can see a range of sample monthly costs from more than a dozen pet insurance companies for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog living in Katy, Texas.
» MORE: The best cheap pet insurance
How much is pet insurance for cats?
Cats tend to be cheaper to insure than dogs, but their rates still vary based on their location, breed and age. Below are sample rates to help you gauge how much your cat insurance policy might cost.
Pet insurance cost for cats by city
We checked sample monthly rates from two major insurers for a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat in cities across the U.S. Rates ranged from $12 to $34 per month.
| City | Figo | Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | $18 | $25 |
| Charlotte, N.C. | $15 | $17 |
| Chicago | $22 | $23 |
| Columbus, Ohio | $12 | $16 |
| Dallas | $16 | $21 |
| Denver | $17 | $24 |
| Grand Rapids, Mich. | $13 | $14 |
| Jacksonville, Fla. | $15 | $14 |
| Los Angeles | $21 | $24 |
| New York | $21 | $34 |
| Philadelphia | $17 | $20 |
| Phoenix | $14 | $19 |
| Seattle | $22 | $25 |
Pet insurance cost for cats by breed
As with dogs, your cat’s breed can influence the price you pay for pet insurance. Below are sample monthly rates from two major insurers for several popular cat breeds.
| Breed | Nationwide | Pets Best |
|---|---|---|
| Devon rex | $30 | $30 |
| Domestic shorthair | $19 | $20 |
| Exotic longhair | $32 | $25 |
| Maine coon | $32 | $28 |
| Persian | $32 | $27 |
| Ragdoll | $23 | $25 |
Pet insurance cost for cats by age
Because older cats tend to develop more health problems, you’ll generally pay more to insure your cat as they age. Check out sample monthly rates for domestic shorthair cats at age 2 vs. age 8 from four major pet insurers.
Pet insurance cost for cats by company
To give you an idea how pet insurance prices can vary from one insurer to another, we gathered sample monthly rates from more than a dozen companies for a 2-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat.
The cost of veterinary care
The cost of vet care has gone up more than 5% since last year, according to the most recent consumer price index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s significantly higher than the overall inflation rate of 3.3%.
Beyond inflation, you may also find yourself paying more as veterinary medicine becomes increasingly sophisticated. Having more tests and treatments to choose from is good news for your furry pal’s health, but can also lead to bigger bills.
Here’s how much dog and cat owners spend on various types of visits to the vet each year, according to the American Pet Products Association:
| Type of vet visit | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | $285 | $215 |
| Sick | $285 | $246 |
| Emergency | $451 | $343 |
| Surgical | $505 | $338 |
| Specialty | $326 | $238 |
Of course, these numbers are just averages. You could pay for nothing but a checkup one year and then shell out $2,300 for knee surgery the next. If you’d have trouble handling a surprise emergency vet bill, buying pet insurance might be a good idea.
Another alternative is building up your savings so you have a pot of money available for vet expenses. To help you weigh your options, see whether pet insurance is worth the cost for you.
How pet insurance pays vet bills
While pet insurance can help cut your costs, it won’t reimburse you for every dollar you spend at the vet. A policy will typically pay 70% to 90% of your costs after you meet your deductible, which can range from $0 to $1,000 or more. A deductible is the part of your vet bill you’re responsible for.
In most cases, you’ll need to pay the bill upfront and then file a claim with your insurer for reimbursement.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
A few pet insurance companies, such as Trupanion and Pets Best, can pay your vet directly, so you don’t have to come up with the funds yourself. When buying pet insurance, it’s important to read the terms and conditions carefully. For instance, many companies have waiting periods before your coverage starts, and not all of them cover the same types of treatments. Learn more about pet insurance coverage.
How to lower your pet insurance cost
To minimize your pet insurance bill, the following tactics can help.
Customize your plan
You can often lower your price by changing the terms of your policy. For example, choosing a higher deductible will generally reduce your monthly cost. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to cover more of Fluffy’s vet bills before your insurer starts reimbursing you.
Similarly, you can try lowering your reimbursement percentage. For example, you could have your insurer pay 70% or 80% of your vet bills rather than 90%. Choosing a lower annual coverage limit can also reduce your price.
Check for discounts
Some pet insurance companies offer savings for insuring multiple pets or serving in the military. Certain insurers charge installment fees if you pay your bill monthly, so making one annual payment can also save you a few bucks.
You might get a discount if you buy pet insurance along with another policy from a company that sells multiple types of insurance. For example, existing Nationwide policyholders can save 5% on a new pet insurance plan.
Finally, check whether your employer offers pet insurance as a benefit. You may be eligible for a discounted rate.
Shop around
Compare quotes from at least three insurers for similar amounts of coverage, and go with the option that works best for your budget.
It can be hard to make fair comparisons because not all companies offer the same coverage options and deductibles. For example, one insurer may have 90% reimbursement on all plans while another company offers a maximum of 80% for your pet. It’s up to you to decide which features might be worth paying a little more for.
Here are a few more things to check when comparing pet insurance costs:
- What’s not covered? Some plans won’t pay for prescription food, exam fees or treating dental illnesses. A plan that looks more expensive might end up being a better value if the company includes more coverage.
- What are the waiting periods? A waiting period is the time between when you buy your policy and when your coverage starts. With some plans, you might have to wait six months to a year for certain types of coverage.
- How much will the plan pay? Check whether there are limits on how much your plan will pay per year or per incident.
- Does the plan include a 24/7 vet helpline? Having this service available can save you money on emergency visits when your own vet isn’t open.
Nerdy Perspective
Shopping around is most important when you first buy your policy because pet insurers usually don't cover pre-existing conditions. That makes it less appealing to switch plans during your pet’s lifetime. Say Company A has insured your dog for three years. During that time she developed allergies, and Company A has paid for her medication. If you decide to switch to Company B, the allergies would be a pre-existing condition and your new plan wouldn’t cover any treatments for them.
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Ready to buy a policy? Check out NerdWallet’s list of the best pet insurance companies.
See the best pet insurance in select states
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance cost increase with age?
Yes, most insurers will raise the cost of your plan with each annual renewal. This is because vet care costs go up a little each year, and older pets are more likely to develop medical problems than younger ones.
If I buy pet insurance, do I have to switch vets?
No. You can generally take your pet to any licensed vet in the U.S.
How long are pet insurance waiting periods?
Some pet insurance plans (particularly wellness add-ons) don’t have any waiting period before your coverage starts. However, you’ll typically have to wait at least a few days for accident coverage and a couple of weeks for illness coverage. Longer waiting periods of six months to a year may apply for certain conditions such as knee injuries.
Methodology
To find sample rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and don't include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons.
Each plan had a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. We customized the plans as necessary when those limits weren't available.
Unless otherwise stated, our sample pets were a 2-year-old, medium-sized, mixed-breed dog and a 2-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets in select ZIP codes. Your own rates will be different.
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- 1. North American Pet Health Insurance Association. Average Premiums Year Over Year. Accessed May 1, 2026.
- 2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index. Accessed May 1, 2026.
