How much is pet insurance?

According to NAPHIA, (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), the average accident and illness plan pet insurance premium in 2024 was $62.44 per month for dogs, and $32.21 for cats. For accident-only pet insurance, the average premium was $16.10 for dogs and $9.17 for cats. Keep in mind that the cost of pet insurance varies based on your pet's location, breed, age, the coverage/plan you choose, and other factors.

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What's the average cost of pet insurance?

According to NAPHIA, (North American Pet Health Insurance Association), the average accident and illness plan pet insurance premium in 2024 was $62.44 per month for dogs, and $32.21 for cats. For accident-only pet insurance, the average premium was $16.10 for dogs and $9.17 for cats. As you can see, cats are typically less expensive to insure than dogs, and pet insurance rates for accident-only plans (which cover things like broken bones or poisoning) can be significantly lower than rates for comprehensive accident and illness plans (which cover treatment for both accidental injuries and illnesses).

What factors affect the cost of pet insurance?

  1. Your location

    Veterinary care is more expensive in certain parts of the country. For instance, if you're living in rural Wyoming, you'll probably pay less for pet insurance than someone in New York City.

  2. Your pet's age

    The likelihood of your pet becoming ill increases with age, which could mean higher vet costs and insurance premiums as your pet grows older. Learn how pet insurance works for senior pets.

  3. Your pet's breed

    Your dog or cat may have a predisposition for certain illnesses based on size and genetics. For example, Abyssinians are one of the most expensive cat breeds to insure, as they're more prone to periodontal disease and retinal atrophy. Regarding dog breeds, your pet insurance cost will likely be higher for larger breeds — they're vulnerable to heart and hip issues, and medication costs can be higher.

  4. Your deductible and reimbursement level

    Choosing a higher pet insurance deductible lowers the cost of your plan but increases your out-of-pocket costs at the vet. A lower deductible increases your plan's price, but you'll be reimbursed more on your claim. Your level of reimbursement also affects your rate. For instance, a plan with a 90% reimbursement amount costs more than a plan that pays you back for 70% of your eligible vet costs.

  5. Plan type

    The type of plan you have is one of the biggest cost factors. Typically, a plan that covers both accidents and illnesses costs the most, while plans that only cover accidents cost a lot less. The most affordable plan type is a wellness plan which covers routine care, like vaccinations and checkups.

Tips for choosing the right pet insurance

While researching the average cost of pet insurance is important, price is not the only consideration. If you want to select the appropriate pet insurance policy that ensures your pet receives adequate medical care without breaking the bank, consider the following tips when choosing coverage for your furry friend.

  • Familiarize yourself with the different types of pet insurance coverage offerings to find pet insurance rates that meet your needs and budget.
  • Consider your pet's age and health and whether they have pre-existing conditions to find the policy that offers adequate coverage.
  • Evaluate several providers to find the best value.
  • Review how different policies cover vet exams, surgeries, hospital care, medications, and specialized treatments.
  • Choose a reputable provider with positive customer reviews.

Learn more about how to shop for pet insurance.

Important note: Pre-existing conditions, serious injuries, and unexpected emergencies are all handled differently based on the insurance company and type of policy you choose. Reference your policy to determine what's covered, your out-of-pocket costs, and your level of reimbursement. Learn more about how a pet insurance policy works.

How does pet insurance reduce your vet costs?

You can typically use pet insurance with any licensed veterinarian. Your pet insurance plan will reimburse you for a percentage of your out-of-pocket costs, after subtracting your deductible. Be sure to review your policy details to see how your pet insurance company handles reimbursement.

Is pet insurance worth it?

If you're concerned about affording vet care for your pet, especially if they were to suffer an accident or major illness, then pet insurance is worth considering. Pet insurance plans can help absorb the cost of expensive care, including foreign object removal, CCL surgery, and treatments for a wide range of medical conditions. Pet insurance can also pay for routine preventative care, helping you avoid some of those costly vet bills altogether.

Learn more about the benefits of pet insurance.

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Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.

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Progressive offers pet insurance through three separate programs:

Some Progressive Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates (“Progressive”). This program is administered by Companion Protect Agency, LLC, a licensed insurance agency known nationwide (except in CA) as “Companion Protect Agency, LLC” (Iowa license #1002314428) (FL License # L106403); in California, it is known as “CP Pet Insurance Services, LLC” (CA license #0N14138). It is located at 11460 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Ste 300, Leawood, KS 66211. Progressive is not affiliated with Companion Protect. Companion Protect receives a commission from Progressive for policies underwritten in this program. Progressive will use your information in accordance with its own privacy policy, which is available at https://www.progressive.com/privacy/. Companion Protect underwrites and adjusts claims on behalf of Progressive under this program, which is not offered by or sponsored by Companion Life Insurance Company or its affiliated companies. Premium is paid monthly in advance of coverage. A service or payment fee may also apply if premium is paid by credit/debit card. (See your billing statement.) A deductible and copay are applied to claims. Policyholders have the option of an annual coverage benefit of $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000. You can cancel coverage at any time; a pro-rated refund may apply. This description of the pet insurance coverage provided by Progressive is for informational purposes only. No representation is made with respect to coverage in any specific fact, situation, or circumstance. Discounts vary based upon eligibility. Price, coverage, and coverage terms vary by state and depend upon policy provisions. Please refer to your policy for details.

Progressive Advantage Agency, Inc. (PAA) refers some consumers seeking Progressive® Pet Insurance to Companion Protect for placement with the insurer Old Republic Insurance Company (“ORIC”) for such coverage. Neither Companion Protect nor ORIC is affiliated with Progressive. Companion Protect receives a commission on policies underwritten in this program. Premium is paid monthly in advance of coverage. A service or payment fee may also apply if premium is paid by credit/debit card. (See your billing statement.) A deductible and copay are applied to claims. Policyholders have the option of an annual coverage benefit of $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000. You can cancel coverage at any time; a pro-rated refund may apply. For a copy of Companion Protect’s privacy policy, please visit your customer portal at progressive-my.petscovered.com. This description of the pet insurance coverage provided by ORIC is for informational purposes only. No representation is made with respect to coverage in any specific fact, situation, or circumstance. Companion Protect underwrites and adjusts claims on behalf of ORIC under this program. ORIC’s program administered by Companion Protect is not offered by or sponsored by Companion Life Insurance Company or its affiliated companies. PAA receives compensation from Companion Protect that may vary based on the policy you buy. Call Progressive at 855-347-3139 for more details. Discounts vary based upon eligibility. Discounts may not be cumulative. Price, coverage, and coverage terms vary by state and depend upon policy provisions. Please refer to your policy for details.

PAA also refers some consumers to Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC who offer and administer pet insurance coverages underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company (NAIC #12190), a New York insurance company headquartered at 6100 4th Ave. S. Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98108, or Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), a Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254, or MS Transverse Insurance Company (NAIC #21075), located at 15 Independence Blvd. Suite 430, Warren, NJ 07059. Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC (NPN #8889658, CA agency #0F37530) is a licensed insurance agency located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd. #160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Please refer to your declarations page to determine the underwriter for your policy. Terms and conditions apply. See your policy for details. Pets Best and the insurers are not affiliated with Progressive. PAA and Progressive are not responsible for insurer or coverage selections, policies issued, claims, the content or operation of others' websites, or how others handle or use your information. Information you provide to others is subject to their privacy policies and website terms of use and may be shared with us. PAA (NPN: 11658436; CA license #0F50053) is a licensed insurance agency. PAA does not underwrite pet insurance or pay claims but receives compensation on sale and/or renewal. Call Progressive at 855-347-3139 for more details. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits, and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit www.petsbest.com/policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. More information is available at checkout. Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address. Price, coverage, and coverage terms and conditions may vary between insurers. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states and situations. Eligible expenses and coverages may vary, depending on your plan selection. All coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions.