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Average Pet Insurance Cost in 2025
Pet insurance premiums vary significantly based on your pet's species, breed, age, and location, along with the coverage level and deductible you choose. On average, dog insurance costs more than cat insurance, since dogs statistically generate higher-cost claims across their lifetime.
| Pet Type & Age | Accident-Only | Accident + Illness | + Wellness Add-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young dog (under 3) | $10-$18/mo | $25-$50/mo | $40-$75/mo |
| Older dog (7+) | $20-$35/mo | $55-$110/mo | $75-$140/mo |
| Young cat (under 3) | $8-$14/mo | $15-$30/mo | $30-$50/mo |
| Older cat (7+) | $14-$22/mo | $30-$60/mo | $50-$80/mo |
What Actually Drives Your Premium
- Age at enrollment: The single biggest cost factor — premiums rise substantially as pets age, which is why enrolling young locks in lower rates.
- Breed: Breeds prone to hereditary or chronic conditions (certain large dog breeds, brachycephalic breeds) cost more to insure than mixed breeds with fewer known risk factors.
- Location: Veterinary costs vary regionally, and insurers price premiums to reflect local vet pricing.
- Deductible and reimbursement rate: A higher deductible or lower reimbursement percentage (70% vs 90%) lowers your monthly premium.
- Annual coverage limit: Unlimited annual coverage costs more than a capped limit (e.g., $10,000/year).
Cost by Coverage Type
Accident-only plans are the cheapest, covering only sudden injuries — no illness coverage. Accident + illness is the standard recommended coverage most owners choose, covering the widest range of realistic scenarios. Wellness add-ons cover routine costs like vaccines and annual exams, but aren't true "insurance" in the traditional sense — they function more like a pre-paid routine care plan.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Annual premium increases: Most insurers raise rates at renewal, sometimes significantly as your pet ages — factor this into your long-term budgeting.
- Waiting periods: No coverage during the initial waiting period, but you're still paying the premium.
- Exam fees: Some plans don't cover the vet exam fee itself, only the treatment that follows.
How to Lower Your Premium
- Enroll while young: Locks in lower rates and avoids pre-existing exclusions for issues that develop later.
- Choose a higher deductible: Meaningfully reduces monthly cost if you can absorb more out-of-pocket risk.
- Skip wellness add-ons if you don't need them: Often cheaper to pay for routine care directly.
- Compare multiple insurers: Pricing for identical coverage can vary 30%+ between providers for the same pet profile.
- Ask about multi-pet discounts: Most insurers offer 5-10% off for insuring more than one pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Premiums typically rise at renewal as your pet ages, since older pets statistically require more veterinary care. Rising veterinary costs generally also contribute to annual rate increases across the industry, not just for your specific pet.
Generally, yes — cats typically cost less to insure than dogs, since dogs statistically generate higher average claims across their lifetime, driven partly by size-related conditions and higher injury rates.
No — wellness/routine care coverage is typically a separate optional add-on, not included in standard accident + illness pricing. Adding it increases your monthly premium but covers costs like vaccines and annual exams that standard plans exclude.