How Much Is Dog Insurance? Average Costs and What to Expect

Because learning to budget is the most important thing you can do, alongside getting insurance for your dog.

January 1, 1970

In This Article:

What Factors Affect the Cost of Dog Insurance? Types of Dog Insurance Plans Average Cost of Dog Insurance How to Choose the Right Dog Insurance Policy How to Save on Dog Insurance

Have you ever had to rush your dog to the vet after they swallowed something or because they are limping and holding up one paw at the park? If so, you know just how stressful and expensive pet emergencies can be. The good news is that pet insurance can help you manage those surprise vet bills and focus on getting your dog back to full health, instead of worrying about your credit card balance.

Of course, if you’re new to the whole pet insurance thing, you probably have questions. How much does dog insurance actually cost? And which factors determine what you’ll pay each month or year? The answers depend on your dog’s age, breed, health history, and where you live, along with the type of coverage you choose.

Before diving into numbers, it's helpful to understand the basics of what affects your pet insurance costs, the types of plans available, and how to find the right balance between affordability and peace of mind.

Dog insurance costs typically range from $25 to $70 per month, depending on factors such as breed, age, and the type of coverage. Puppies and healthy mixed breeds tend to cost less to insure than older dogs or breeds prone to health issues.
Location matters, because you’ll pay higher premiums if you live in an urban area where vet bills are more expensive.
Different types of policies, from accident-only to lifetime coverage, affect prices and which expenses the insurer will reimburse.
You can usually save on pet insurance by adjusting your deductible, reimbursement rate, or annual limit, or by bundling plans from the same provider.
Comparing multiple pet insurance companies is the best way to find the right policy for your dog’s needs and your budget.

How much do you spend on your pet per year?

What factors affect the cost of dog insurance?

When you start comparing pet insurance providers, the range of premiums can be confusing. Why does one company quote you $25 a month and another $90 for the same dog? Several factors go into determining the cost of pet insurance, and understanding them helps you make an informed choice.

Age of a dog

Your dog’s age is one of the biggest factors influencing insurance rates. As with human health insurance, younger dogs usually cost less to insure because they’re less likely to develop chronic health problems.

If you insure your dog as a puppy, you’ll often lock in lower premiums that increase gradually as they age. But if you wait until your dog is older, especially after their first health issue, the cost of pet insurance can rise pretty fast.

Puppies (under one year): Lowest rates, typically $20 to $35 per month for accident and illness coverage
Adult dogs (one to six years): Moderate rates, depending on breed and location
Senior dogs (seven or more years): Highest rates, often $60 per month or more, with some pet insurance companies limiting new policies for older pets

Insuring your dog early does help you save money, and it ensures that preexisting conditions won’t be excluded from future claims.

Breed of dog

Certain breeds are more prone to specific health issues, which means they’re riskier (and more expensive) for insurance companies to cover. For instance, large breeds like Great Danes or Bernese Mountain Dogs can face joint problems, while French Bulldogs and Pugs are infamous for developing respiratory conditions.

Because of this, the average cost of pet insurance can vary a lot by breed. Mixed-breed dogs usually have fewer inherited conditions and tend to fall on the lower end of the cost spectrum.

Here’s a quick example of approximate monthly averages:

Labrador Retriever: $45
French Bulldog: $65
German Shepherd: $50
Mixed breed (medium size): $35

If you’re curious about breed-related vet costs, learn more about the average vet bills for dogs for more context on what you should expect to pay.

Preexisting conditions

Most pet insurance policies don’t cover preexisting conditions. That means any illness or injury your dog had prior to the policy starting probably will not be covered. For example, if your dog had an ear infection before enrolling, any future ear-related treatments might not get reimbursed.

That’s why it’s a good idea to enroll early — before any long-term or recurring health issues appear. Some pet insurance providers make exceptions for “curable” preexisting issues that haven’t shown symptoms for a set time (often 12 months), so it’s worth checking the fine print.

Geographic location

Where you live can have a surprising impact on the cost of pet insurance. Urban areas with higher vet costs usually have higher premiums, while rural areas generally have lower ones.

For instance, pet parents in New York City or Los Angeles might pay 25 percent to 40 percent more for the same coverage than those who live in smaller towns or suburban regions. This isn’t because insurance companies are punishing city dwellers — it’s just a reflection of what vets charge in your area: The more vets charge for a treatment, the more the insurer has to pay.

Coverage options

The type of coverage you choose will influence your monthly or annual premium. Basic, accident-only plans cost the least, while comprehensive lifetime coverage costs the most.

You should consider your reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual limit. These are three important factors that dictate how much you’ll get back after filing a claim.

Reimbursement rate: Usually 70 percent, 80 percent, or 90 percent — higher reimbursement rates mean higher premiums. To put it another way, the more the insurer pays you back, the more you must pay them up front.
Deductible: This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in (typically $100 to $1,000). A higher deductible lowers your monthly cost. Again, it’s all about how much the insurer has to pay.
Annual limit: This is the maximum amount the insurance company will reimburse in a year. Lower limits mean cheaper premiums, but less protection.

To explore how these variables affect pricing, compare different pet insurance policies and insurers.

Types of dog insurance plans

Dog insurance plans aren’t all created equally. The type of plan you choose will determine which expenses are covered and how much flexibility you’ll have.

Accident-only plans

These are the most affordable options, covering only injuries such as broken bones or poisoning. They’re great if you mainly want protection against major emergencies but are planning to pay for regular care out of your own pocket.

Average cost: $15 to $30 per month

Time-limited policies

A time-limited plan will cover accidents and illnesses. However, it only does so for a specific period, usually 12 months from the date of diagnosis. After that time, the condition is no longer covered.

You don’t see these as often as other types of insurance policies. But they can still be found among some pet insurance companies offering budget-friendly coverage.

Average cost: $25 to $45 per month

Maximum benefit policies

These plans cover accidents and illnesses up to a certain dollar limit per condition (say, $5,000). Once you reach this cap, the specific issue won’t be covered again.

This can work well if your dog has occasional, but costly, issues that resolve completely.

Average cost: $35 to $60 per month

Lifetime coverage

The most comprehensive (and expensive) option, lifetime pet insurance covers ongoing and chronic conditions year after year, as long as you renew your policy.

If your dog develops issues such as diabetes or arthritis, lifetime coverage makes sure those treatments remain covered. Just note that there are still some variations. For instance, not all pet insurers cover cancer, so read the fine print before buying.

Average cost: $50 to $100 per month, depending on a dog’s breed and location

Average cost of dog insurance

Now that you know what affects the price, let’s look at the average cost of pet insurance in real numbers.

Cost by coverage type

Coverage type	Monthly average	Annual cost
Accident only	$15 to $30	$180 to $360
Accident and illness	$40 to $70	$480 to $840
Comprehensive (lifetime)	$60 to $100, or more	$720 to $1,200, or more

According to industry data, the average cost of dog insurance in the US for accident and illness coverage is around $53 per month or $640 per year. Cats tend to cost less (around $30 per month), because they’re smaller and less prone to certain injuries.

Cost comparison by dog breed

Breed-specific pricing can vary a lot. Below are average monthly premiums for popular breeds.

Breed	Average monthly premium
Labrador Retriever	$45
French Bulldog	$65
German Shepherd	$50
Golden Retriever	$48
Beagle	$35
Mixed Breed (medium)	$33

These numbers show average accident and illness coverage with an 80 percent reimbursement rate, $250 deductible, and $10,000 annual limit. Your actual numbers will vary.

Cost variation by age group

Dog’s age	Average monthly cost	Notes
Puppy (under one year)	$25 to $35	Cheapest, fewer health risks
Adult (one to six years)	$40 to $55	Balanced pricing and coverage
Senior (seven or more years)	$60 to $100	Highest risk and limited options

Remember: The earlier you enroll, the more affordable and inclusive your policy will likely be.

How to choose the right dog insurance policy

Struggling to choose the right pet insurance policy? Sure, you need to think about price, but you also need to make sure that your coverage matches your dog’s needs and your budget.

Here’s how to approach this decision.

Assess your dog’s risk factors: Consider their breed, age, and any known health issues.
Decide what you want covered: Are you looking for accident-only, illness, or lifetime care?
Compare multiple providers: Each company has different rates, deductibles, and exclusions. Use tools like our pet insurance comparison to view options side-by-side.
Review waiting periods and exclusions: Some policies won’t start immediately or may exclude certain conditions.
Check reimbursement methods: Some insurers pay vets directly. Others reimburse you after you’ve paid the bill.

It’s also worth reviewing what a pet insurance policy actually covers before committing, so you understand exactly what you’re buying.

How to save on dog insurance

Dog insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few ways to reduce your pet insurance costs without sacrificing quality coverage.

Start early: The younger your dog is when you enroll, the lower your premiums will be.
Increase your deductible: Raising it from $250 to $500 can noticeably drop your monthly payment.
Choose a lower reimbursement rate: Going from 90 percent to 80 percent can save around 10 percent to 15 percent per month.
Pick an appropriate annual limit: If you can handle some out-of-pocket expenses, consider a $10,000 annual limit instead of unlimited coverage.
Bundle or multi-pet discounts: If you have more than one pet, most insurance companies offer a five percent to 10 percent discount per additional policy.
Look for promotions: Some pet insurance providers offer the first month free or waive sign-up fees for online enrollment.

Struggling to justify the cost? Wondering if pet insurance is really worth it? There are pros and cons to paying for everything out of pocket rather than buying insurance. But understand that it’s ultimately a gamble against the chance your pet will develop serious, ongoing health problems.

Bottom line

So, how much is dog insurance? On average, you’ll spend somewhere between $25 and $70 per month, but the exact cost will depend on your dog’s age, breed, health, and where you live.
This might feel like another line in your budget, but it’s often a small price to pay for peace of mind, especially when you consider that a single surgery can easily cost $3,000 or more.
Just as you’d protect any family member, insuring your dog means you’re prepared for the unexpected. Whether you go for a basic accident plan or a full lifetime policy, investing in pet insurance helps you make sure your best friend gets the care they deserve without financial stress.

References

Canine Journal. “Pet Insurance Comparison.” www.caninejournal.com/pet-insurance-comparison.

Forbes Advisor. “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in 2025?” www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-cost.

MarketWatch Guides. “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in 2025?” www.marketwatch.com/insurance-services/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-cost.

North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). “2025 State of the Industry Report.” naphia.org/industry-data.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Consumer Expenditures on Pets.” www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics.

Valerie Mellema

Valerie Mellema has a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Equine Industry from West Texas A&M University. She has been a professional writer for the past 20 years, covering a wide variety of pet health and care topics before founding a nonprofit focused on mental health in children and thoroughbred aftercare. She has four Border Collies and eight retired racehorses.