Key takeaways
If your furry companion gets hurt or sick, pet insurance for dogs can help reimburse eligible vet expenses minus your deductible
Unexpected vet care can put stress on you and your budget, but dog insurance may provide financial support when your dog needs care
What does dog insurance cover?
Comprehensive dog insurance plans generally cover accidents and illnesses and may also cover hereditary and congenital conditions (as long as symptoms develop after your policy starts). Covered vet expenses may include:
| Coverage | Examples |
|---|---|
| Accidents | ExamplesSwallowed objects, broken bones, and accidental injuries |
| Illnesses | ExamplesSkin infections, ear infections, digestive issues, and more |
| Emergency care | ExamplesHospital stays, emergency surgeries and treatments |
| Diagnostics | ExamplesX-rays, specialist visits, and more |
| Chronic conditions | ExamplesAllergies, diabetes, and other incurable conditions that need lifelong management |
| Hereditary conditions | ExamplesHip dysplasia, cancer, and others |
| Prescription medications | ExamplesMedications prescribed to treat covered conditions |
Some insurers offer optional wellness plans that you may add to your accident and illness policy. These typically provide coverage for:
- Routine care
- Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives
- Vaccinations
- Heartworm, blood, fecal, and urine testing
Learn more about how pet insurance works and get a pet insurance quote to protect your dog.
What isn't covered by dog insurance?
Dog health insurance policies typically don't cover pre-existing conditions that your pet develops before your policy starts or during the mandatory waiting period. Depending on your specific plan, dog insurance may not cover:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic procedures
- Costs related to breeding
- Spaying/neutering
How much is dog insurance?
According to a report from North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), the average monthly cost in 2025 was about $69 for an accident and illness plan for dogs, while the average monthly cost was $16 for an accident-only plan for dogs.
Dog insurance costs vary based on factors like breed, location, age, selected coverage level, deductible amount, and reimbursement rate.
Mixed breeds and puppies may cost less to insure than senior dogs and pure-bred dogs (e.g., Great Danes, Bulldogs) that are more prone to hereditary conditions that tend to increase premiums. Learn more about pet insurance costs.
Is dog insurance worth it?
Dog insurance may be worth it if you're concerned about unexpected vet costs. An emergency surgery or last-minute medical care for an illness might not always be in your budget — especially because costs for diagnostics, overnight monitoring, and procedures can be hard to predict and add up quickly.
Here are average costs, according to CareCredit, for some common procedures for dogs:
| Condition or Procedure | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Blood test | Average Cost $164 |
| Diabetes (initial treatment) | Average Cost $520 |
| Hospitalization (emergency clinic) | Average Cost $1,323 |
| Skin infection (atopic dermatitis) | Average Cost $968 |
Dog insurance may also be worth it if your dog's breed is predisposed to certain hereditary or congenital conditions, like hip dysplasia, diabetes, thyroid disease, or cancer.
For example, cancer is common in Golden Retrievers, so having puppy insurance may provide protection and peace of mind if you just brought home an eight-week-old Golden Retriever. You may also want to consider other common scenarios:
Example: Breaking even
Your German Shepherd dog accumulates $840 in eligible vet bills in one year. You would pay $840 out of pocket without dog insurance. With insurance, you may pay around the same amount after you add your $420 annual premium, $250 deductible, and the 20% of the vet bill you're responsible for after the insurance company covers the 80% reimbursement rate.
You could roughly break even with pet insurance in this example scenario.
Example: Emergency surgery
Your Beagle puppy eats one of your child's toys, and you're concerned about intestinal blockage. Emergency surgery costs $5,000. You'll pay the total out of pocket without puppy insurance. With puppy insurance, your deductible costs you $250 and your annual premiums equal $420. Your insurer reimburses you 80%, and you pay the rest of the vet bill at $1,250.
Your yearly cost would total $1,670 with insurance and $5,000 without insurance in this example.
Example: Chronic illness
After your policy starts, your Mastiff develops arthritis in her knees. Treatment, including medication, joint supplements, and follow-up care, costs $2,400 per year for five years. You'll pay the total out of pocket without dog insurance. With dog insurance, your deductible is $250 and your annual premiums come to $420. Your insurance company reimburses you 80% of the vet bill; you pay the remaining $730.
Your total cost for five years of arthritis treatment for your dog would be $5,750 with insurance and $12,000 without insurance in this example.
When is the best time to buy dog insurance?
Consider insuring your dog early (as a puppy or right after adoption) before a chronic illness, diagnosis, or pre-existing condition develops. Most pet insurance plans don't cover pre-existing conditions. Enrolling early can help you get coverage before your dog develops symptoms, especially if their breed is at risk for hereditary or congenital issues.
Some dog breeds that may be predisposed to certain health problems include:
- German Shepherds
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Great Danes
- Rottweilers
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- French Bulldogs
- Boxers
- Beagles
- Shar-Peis
Learn more about how dog breed impacts pet insurance.
Frequently asked questions about dog insurance
Find answers to common questions pet parents have about dog insurance:
Are genetic and congenital conditions covered?
Pet insurance companies may offer coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, glaucoma, epilepsy, luxating patella, and cherry eye. Different pet insurance plans cover different things, so check your policy to understand what's covered.
Remember, pet insurance plans don't cover pre-existing conditions — meaning if symptoms develop before your plan starts or during the waiting period, the condition may be excluded from coverage.
Can I use any veterinarian?
Depending on your plan, you may be able to use any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., including emergency clinics.
Is prescription dog food covered by insurance?
Some pet policies cover prescription food, while others don't. If your vet has prescribed a specific diet for your dog's arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, or food allergies, check the details of your policy.
Are service dogs covered by dog insurance?
Pet insurance may cover emergency care, illnesses, and injuries for service dogs, depending on your policy and insurer. It doesn't cover the cost of obtaining the service animal or training expenses.
How to choose the right dog insurance plan for you
Choosing a dog insurance plan for you and your pet involves understanding your coverage, knowing how much your insurer agrees to pay, and learning if your dog has an increased risk that may raise your premium.
Before you choose a plan, consider learning more about:
- Deductibles: A pet insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket for a covered claim before your insurance pays.
- Reimbursement percentages: This is the percentage of each claim your pet insurer agrees to pay, typically 70%, 80%, or 90%.
- Annual limits: This is the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for covered care after meeting your annual deductible. If your covered expenses exceed this limit, you'll pay the remainder of your vet costs out of pocket.
- Waiting periods: Plans may require a waiting period before coverage begins. It varies by policy and state, but it may take a few days to a few months. For orthopedic waiting periods, you may wait 6 to 12 months.
- Breed considerations: Learn about your dog's breed and health problems they may face, including how expensive certain treatments or surgeries could be. For example, larger dogs tend to have more health problems than smaller dogs, according to PetMD.
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