Pet Insurance Costs by Pet Type and Coverage: 2025 Premium Guide
Pet insurance helps manage unexpected veterinary costs, but premiums vary widely based on your pet’s species, breed, age, and the coverage you choose. This guide breaks down what you can expect to pay.
Key Takeaways
- Dogs average $35-60/month; cats average $20-35/month
- Large breed dogs cost 30-50% more than small breeds
- Premiums increase 8-12% annually as pets age
- Accident-only plans cost $10-20/month; comprehensive $35-60+/month
- Higher deductibles and lower reimbursement rates significantly reduce premiums
Dog Insurance Costs by Breed Size
Average Monthly Premiums (Accident + Illness, $500 Deductible, 80% Reimbursement)
| Breed Size | Age 1 | Age 5 | Age 8 | Age 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 20 lbs) | $32 | $42 | $58 | $78 |
| Medium (20-50 lbs) | $38 | $52 | $72 | $95 |
| Large (50-90 lbs) | $45 | $62 | $88 | $118 |
| Giant (90+ lbs) | $55 | $78 | $112 | $145 |
Rates vary by insurer and location. Giant breeds have shorter lifespans and higher treatment costs.
Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Insure
| Breed | Avg Monthly Premium | Why More Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| English Bulldog | $75-95 | Breathing issues, skin problems, joint disease |
| French Bulldog | $70-90 | Brachycephalic syndrome, spinal issues |
| Great Dane | $65-85 | Short lifespan, bloat risk, heart disease |
| Rottweiler | $60-80 | Hip dysplasia, cancer risk, heart conditions |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $60-80 | Cancer prone, short lifespan |
| German Shepherd | $55-75 | Hip/elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy |
Least Expensive Dog Breeds to Insure
| Breed | Avg Monthly Premium | Why Less Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Breed (small) | $28-38 | Hybrid vigor, fewer hereditary issues |
| Chihuahua | $30-40 | Long lifespan, few major health issues |
| Beagle | $32-42 | Generally healthy breed |
| Australian Cattle Dog | $34-44 | Hardy, fewer hereditary conditions |
| Border Collie | $35-45 | Active, healthy breed |
Cat Insurance Costs
Average Monthly Premiums (Accident + Illness, $500 Deductible, 80% Reimbursement)
| Cat Type | Age 1 | Age 5 | Age 8 | Age 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Breed | $22 | $28 | $38 | $55 |
| Domestic Shorthair | $24 | $30 | $42 | $60 |
| Purebred (average) | $28 | $38 | $52 | $75 |
| High-risk Breeds | $35 | $48 | $68 | $95 |
Cat Breeds with Higher Insurance Costs
| Breed | Premium Impact | Common Health Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Persian | +25-35% | Kidney disease, breathing issues |
| Maine Coon | +20-30% | Heart disease (HCM), hip dysplasia |
| Bengal | +15-25% | Heart disease, eye problems |
| Ragdoll | +15-25% | Heart disease, bladder stones |
| Siamese | +10-20% | Respiratory issues, dental disease |
Exotic Pet Insurance Costs
Average Monthly Premiums
| Pet Type | Accident Only | Accident + Illness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | $12-18 | $20-35 | Limited insurer options |
| Bird (parrot) | $10-15 | $18-30 | Few insurers offer coverage |
| Reptile | $8-15 | $15-25 | Very limited availability |
| Ferret | $10-18 | $22-38 | Available from specialty insurers |
| Guinea Pig | $8-12 | $15-25 | Limited options |
Note: Exotic pet insurance is offered by fewer companies (Nationwide is the largest provider). Coverage limits are typically lower than dog/cat policies.
Coverage Level Comparison
What Each Plan Type Covers
| Coverage Type | Monthly Cost | What’s Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Accident Only | $10-20 | Broken bones, lacerations, poisoning, car accidents |
| Accident + Illness | $35-60 | Above + cancer, infections, allergies, chronic disease |
| Comprehensive + Wellness | $60-100+ | Above + vaccines, checkups, dental cleaning, flea/tick |
Cost vs Coverage Trade-offs
| Plan | Dog (Medium, Age 3) | Cat (Age 3) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident Only | $15/month | $10/month | Budget-conscious, young healthy pets |
| Standard (80%, $500 ded) | $42/month | $26/month | Most pet owners |
| Premium (90%, $250 ded) | $58/month | $38/month | Comprehensive protection seekers |
| With Wellness | $75/month | $52/month | Those wanting preventive care covered |
How Deductibles Affect Cost
Annual Deductible Impact on Monthly Premium
| Deductible | Dog Premium | Cat Premium | Savings vs $250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $68 | $42 | +20% more |
| $250 | $55 | $35 | Baseline |
| $500 | $45 | $28 | -18% less |
| $750 | $38 | $24 | -30% less |
| $1,000 | $32 | $20 | -42% less |
Pro tip: If your pet rarely needs vet care, a higher deductible saves money. If your pet has ongoing issues, lower deductibles provide better value.
How Reimbursement Rate Affects Cost
Reimbursement Level Impact on Monthly Premium
| Reimbursement | Dog Premium | Cat Premium | Your Cost on $1,000 Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | $38 | $24 | $300 + deductible |
| 80% | $45 | $28 | $200 + deductible |
| 90% | $55 | $35 | $100 + deductible |
| 100% | $68 | $42 | $0 + deductible |
Cost by Location
States with Highest Pet Insurance Costs
| State | Premium vs National Avg | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| California | +15-25% | High vet costs, especially urban areas |
| New York | +15-25% | NYC vet prices among highest |
| Massachusetts | +10-20% | High cost of living |
| Washington | +10-15% | Seattle vet prices elevated |
| Colorado | +5-15% | Growing pet ownership, vet demand |
States with Lowest Pet Insurance Costs
| State | Premium vs National Avg | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | -15-20% | Lower vet costs |
| Arkansas | -15-20% | Lower cost of living |
| Mississippi | -10-20% | Lower vet costs |
| Oklahoma | -10-15% | Lower cost of living |
| Iowa | -10-15% | Rural areas, lower overhead |
Age-Related Premium Increases
How Premiums Change Over Pet’s Lifetime
| Age | Dog (Medium Breed) | Cat | Increase from Year 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38 | $24 | Baseline |
| 3 | $45 | $28 | +18% |
| 5 | $55 | $34 | +45% |
| 7 | $68 | $42 | +79% |
| 9 | $85 | $55 | +124% |
| 11 | $105 | $70 | +176% |
| 13 | $130 | $88 | +242% |
Important: Most insurers won’t cover pets over age 10-14 for new policies. Enroll while your pet is young.
Comparing Major Pet Insurers
Premium Comparison (3-Year-Old Mixed Breed Medium Dog)
| Insurer | Monthly Premium | Deductible | Reimbursement | Annual Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $32 | $500 | 80% | $50,000 |
| ASPCA | $38 | $500 | 80% | Unlimited |
| Healthy Paws | $45 | $500 | 80% | Unlimited |
| Embrace | $48 | $500 | 80% | $30,000 |
| Trupanion | $55 | $500 | 90% | Unlimited |
| Pets Best | $42 | $500 | 80% | $50,000 |
Rates vary by location. Get personalized quotes for accurate pricing.
What Affects Pet Insurance Costs Most
Cost Factors Ranked by Impact
| Factor | Impact | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Species | 40-60% | Dogs cost 50%+ more than cats |
| Breed | 20-50% | Bulldog costs 2x a mixed breed |
| Age | 8-12%/year | 10-year-old costs 2-3x a puppy |
| Location | 10-25% | NYC costs 25% more than rural Iowa |
| Coverage level | 15-40% | 90% reimbursement costs 25%+ more than 70% |
| Deductible | 15-40% | $1,000 deductible costs 40% less than $250 |
| Annual limit | 5-15% | Unlimited costs more than capped |
How to Save on Pet Insurance
1. Enroll Young
Puppies and kittens have the lowest rates, and you avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.
2. Choose Higher Deductible
Raising deductible from $250 to $500 saves 15-20% on premiums.
3. Consider 70-80% Reimbursement
Unless you want maximum coverage, 70-80% reimbursement is good value.
4. Skip Wellness Add-ons
Wellness coverage rarely pays for itself. Budget separately for routine care.
5. Look for Multi-Pet Discounts
Most insurers offer 5-10% off for insuring multiple pets.
6. Pay Annually
Many insurers discount 5-10% for annual vs monthly payment.
7. Compare Multiple Quotes
Rates vary 30-50% between insurers for the same pet. Always shop around.
When Pet Insurance Makes Sense
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Young puppy/kitten | Strongly recommended - lowest rates, no pre-existing conditions |
| Purebred with known issues | Recommended - higher risk of expensive hereditary conditions |
| Mixed breed, healthy | Consider it - good value, especially accident + illness |
| Senior pet (8+) | Maybe - higher premiums, but still protects against catastrophic costs |
| Exotic pet | If available - limited options but can help with specialty vet costs |
| Tight budget | Accident-only - affordable protection against emergencies |
Frequently Asked Questions
See FAQ section above for detailed answers to common pet insurance cost questions.
Rates shown are national averages for illustrative purposes. Your actual premium depends on pet’s breed, age, location, and coverage choices. Get quotes from multiple insurers for accurate pricing.
Last updated: December 2025
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