Considering pet health insurance to protect your furry friend? Understanding the Cost Vs. Coverage In Pet Insurance is crucial for pet owners. The monthly premium is a significant factor when deciding if pet insurance is a worthwhile investment. The price of pet insurance can fluctuate considerably based on factors like your pet’s breed, age, and where you live.
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As a leading platform for comparing pet insurance options, trusted and recommended by veterinarians, Pawlicy Advisor provides access to real-time cost data from top insurance providers. We analyze thousands of quotes from pets across the nation to bring you comprehensive insights.
We’ve compiled a detailed dataset to illustrate the average cost variations in pet insurance based on breed, age, and state.
Use the following table of contents to navigate directly to the sections that are most relevant to you:
Understanding the Average Cost of Pet Insurance in the US
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)’s latest report, the average monthly pet insurance premium in the US is $49.51 for dogs and $28.48 for cats.
Similar to human health insurance, pet insurance requires consistent monthly premiums to maintain an active policy. For many pet owners in the United States, these premiums are the initial point of consideration when evaluating different plans.
Pet insurance typically offers two primary types of coverage for cats and dogs, each impacting the overall cost:
Accident & Illness plans are the most common choice among pet owners. Consequently, the data presented below will primarily focus on Accident & Illness premiums. It’s important to remember that Accident Only plans are available at a lower price point, but they offer significantly less comprehensive coverage.
Average Monthly Pet Insurance Premiums (US), Year-Over-Year
| Year | Dog, Accident & Illness | Cat, Accident & Illness |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $49.51 | $28.48 |
| 2019 | $48.78 | $29.16 |
| 2018 | $46.57 | $29.11 |
| 2017 | $45.40 | $28.53 |
| 2016 | $43.13 | $26.77 |
Important Note: It’s crucial to understand that these national averages are just benchmarks. Pet insurance premiums can vary widely depending on the specific characteristics of your dog or cat. For a more accurate understanding, it’s essential to examine costs broken down by breed, age, and geographic location.
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Average Pet Insurance Costs by State, Monthly
| State | Average Premium for Cats | Average Premium for Dogs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $26.09 | $42.60 |
| Alaska | $28.35 | $46.89 |
| Arizona | $31.96 | $53.22 |
| Arkansas | $27.52 | $41.10 |
| California | $31.97 | $61.29 |
| Colorado | $28.78 | $47.56 |
| Connecticut | $31.56 | $52.63 |
| Delaware | $27.68 | $45.70 |
| Florida | $21.87 | $39.70 |
| Georgia | $22.44 | $35.61 |
| Hawaii | $28.15 | $45.82 |
| Idaho | $25.92 | $41.87 |
| Illinois | $26.90 | $43.71 |
| Indiana | $21.99 | $36.77 |
| Iowa | $22.54 | $37.34 |
| Kansas | $24.68 | $41.14 |
| Kentucky | $24.47 | $41.13 |
| Louisiana | $21.41 | $35.18 |
| Maine | $24.19 | $40.64 |
| Maryland | $30.17 | $50.02 |
| Massachusetts | $28.04 | $47.56 |
| Michigan | $21.71 | $36.79 |
| Minnesota | $23.05 | $46.58 |
| Mississippi | $19.46 | $34.17 |
| Missouri | $19.77 | $39.21 |
| Montana | $22.68 | $39.21 |
| Nebraska | $22.87 | $37.90 |
| Nevada | $26.08 | $42.72 |
| New Hampshire | $28.02 | $46.27 |
| New Jersey | $25.98 | $48.63 |
| New Mexico | $24.67 | $40.11 |
| New York | $30.30 | $61.05 |
| North Carolina | $23.84 | $40.07 |
| North Dakota | $23.25 | $39.90 |
| Ohio | $24.67 | $40.15 |
| Oklahoma | $21.77 | $35.71 |
| Oregon | $27.85 | $45.65 |
| Pennsylvania | $26.90 | $42.85 |
| Rhode Island | $25.85 | $42.43 |
| South Carolina | $24.63 | $38.07 |
| South Dakota | $23.72 | $39.00 |
| Tennessee | $24.35 | $40.92 |
| Texas | $20.68 | $41.65 |
| Utah | $23.90 | $40.40 |
| Vermont | $22.66 | $37.88 |
| Virginia | $27.14 | $45.46 |
| Washington | $26.46 | $43.63 |
| West Virginia | $21.61 | $36.95 |
| Wisconsin | $25.86 | $42.11 |
| Wyoming | $19.35 | $33.97 |
Average Dog Insurance Costs by State and Age, Monthly
| State | Average Premium for 6-month Puppy | Average Premium for 18-month Dog | Average Premium for 5.5-year Dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39.43 | $39.43 | $48.95 |
| Alaska | $43.41 | $43.41 | $53.85 |
| Arizona | $49.25 | $49.25 | $61.17 |
| Arkansas | $38.01 | $38.01 | $47.28 |
| California | $56.56 | $56.56 | $70.76 |
| Colorado | $43.96 | $43.96 | $54.76 |
| Connecticut | $48.66 | $48.66 | $60.58 |
| Delaware | $42.28 | $42.28 | $52.55 |
| Florida | $36.69 | $36.69 | $45.73 |
| Georgia | $32.45 | $34.00 | $40.38 |
| Hawaii | $42.37 | $42.37 | $52.73 |
| Idaho | $38.67 | $38.67 | $48.28 |
| Illinois | $40.38 | $40.38 | $50.38 |
| Indiana | $34.03 | $34.03 | $42.25 |
| Iowa | $34.55 | $34.55 | $42.93 |
| Kansas | $38.03 | $38.03 | $47.35 |
| Kentucky | $38.07 | $38.07 | $47.24 |
| Louisiana | $32.49 | $32.49 | $40.55 |
| Maine | $37.61 | $37.61 | $46.69 |
| Maryland | $46.30 | $46.30 | $57.46 |
| Massachusetts | $43.97 | $43.97 | $54.73 |
| Michigan | $33.98 | $33.98 | $42.41 |
| Minnesota | $43.21 | $43.21 | $53.33 |
| Mississippi | $31.58 | $31.58 | $39.34 |
| Missouri | $36.27 | $36.27 | $45.10 |
| Montana | $36.27 | $36.27 | $45.09 |
| Nebraska | $35.05 | $35.05 | $43.59 |
| Nevada | $39.49 | $39.49 | $49.17 |
| New Hampshire | $42.79 | $42.79 | $53.23 |
| New Jersey | $44.98 | $44.98 | $55.93 |
| New Mexico | $37.12 | $37.12 | $46.08 |
| New York | $56.47 | $56.47 | $70.22 |
| North Carolina | $37.07 | $37.07 | $46.08 |
| North Dakota | $36.89 | $36.89 | $45.92 |
| Ohio | $37.13 | $37.13 | $46.18 |
| Oklahoma | $33.03 | $33.03 | $41.09 |
| Oregon | $42.18 | $42.18 | $52.58 |
| Pennsylvania | $39.63 | $39.63 | $49.29 |
| Rhode Island | $39.27 | $39.27 | $48.75 |
| South Carolina | $35.23 | $35.23 | $43.76 |
| South Dakota | $36.00 | $36.00 | $45.00 |
| Tennessee | $37.88 | $37.88 | $46.99 |
| Texas | $38.51 | $38.51 | $47.94 |
| Utah | $37.33 | $37.33 | $46.54 |
| Vermont | $35.08 | $35.08 | $43.47 |
| Virginia | $42.00 | $42.00 | $52.38 |
| Washington | $43.31 | $39.37 | $48.22 |
| West Virginia | $34.17 | $34.17 | $42.51 |
| Wisconsin | $38.93 | $38.93 | $48.46 |
| Wyoming | $31.40 | $31.40 | $39.10 |
Average Cat Insurance Costs by State and Age, Monthly
| State | Average Premium for 6-month Kitten | Average Premium for 18-month Cat | Average Premium for 5.5-year Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $24.59 | $24.59 | $29.08 |
| Alaska | $26.73 | $26.73 | $31.59 |
| Arizona | $30.12 | $30.12 | $35.63 |
| Arkansas | $25.94 | $25.94 | $30.68 |
| California | $30.05 | $30.05 | $35.80 |
| Colorado | $27.11 | $27.11 | $32.13 |
| Connecticut | $29.73 | $29.73 | $35.23 |
| Delaware | $26.09 | $26.09 | $30.87 |
| Florida | $20.58 | $20.58 | $24.44 |
| Georgia | $20.88 | $21.72 | $24.71 |
| Hawaii | $26.53 | $26.53 | $31.41 |
| Idaho | $24.40 | $24.40 | $28.95 |
| Illinois | $25.34 | $25.34 | $30.04 |
| Indiana | $20.72 | $20.72 | $24.52 |
| Iowa | $21.24 | $21.24 | $25.13 |
| Kansas | $23.25 | $23.25 | $27.54 |
| Kentucky | $23.07 | $23.07 | $27.28 |
| Louisiana | $20.15 | $20.15 | $23.91 |
| Maine | $22.80 | $22.80 | $26.96 |
| Maryland | $28.44 | $28.44 | $33.62 |
| Massachusetts | $26.41 | $26.41 | $31.29 |
| Michigan | $20.44 | $20.44 | $24.26 |
| Minnesota | $21.74 | $21.74 | $25.68 |
| Mississippi | $18.33 | $18.33 | $21.74 |
| Missouri | $18.61 | $18.61 | $22.10 |
| Montana | $21.36 | $21.36 | $25.30 |
| Nebraska | $21.54 | $21.54 | $25.51 |
| Nevada | $24.57 | $24.57 | $29.10 |
| New Hampshire | $26.40 | $26.40 | $31.26 |
| New Jersey | $24.46 | $24.46 | $29.01 |
| New Mexico | $23.26 | $23.26 | $27.50 |
| New York | $28.52 | $28.52 | $33.86 |
| North Carolina | $22.47 | $22.47 | $26.60 |
| North Dakota | $21.90 | $21.90 | $25.96 |
| Ohio | $23.25 | $23.25 | $27.52 |
| Oklahoma | $20.52 | $20.52 | $24.29 |
| Oregon | $26.23 | $26.23 | $31.09 |
| Pennsylvania | $25.36 | $25.36 | $30.00 |
| Rhode Island | $24.37 | $24.37 | $28.81 |
| South Carolina | $23.22 | $23.22 | $27.46 |
| South Dakota | $22.33 | $22.33 | $26.51 |
| Tennessee | $22.95 | $22.95 | $27.14 |
| Texas | $19.45 | $19.45 | $23.12 |
| Utah | $22.51 | $22.51 | $26.69 |
| Vermont | $21.37 | $21.37 | $25.24 |
| Virginia | $25.55 | $25.55 | $30.31 |
| Washington | $26.46 | $25.14 | $27.78 |
| West Virginia | $20.36 | $20.36 | $24.11 |
| Wisconsin | $24.36 | $24.36 | $28.85 |
| Wyoming | $18.22 | $18.22 | $21.60 |
Average Dog Insurance Costs by Breed and Age, Monthly
| Dog Insurance Breeds | Average Premium for 6-month Puppy | Average Premium for 18-month Dog | Average Premium for 5.5-year Dog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Shepherd | $51.86 | $51.86 | $61.42 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | $85.45 | $85.45 | $122.30 |
| Border Collie | $46.22 | $46.22 | $58.49 |
| Boxer | $74.88 | $74.88 | $100.68 |
| Chihuahua | $38.45 | $38.45 | $47.27 |
| Corgi | $56.49 | $56.49 | $71.56 |
| Dachshund | $45.16 | $45.16 | $55.70 |
| English Bulldog | $86.69 | $86.69 | $118.62 |
| French Bulldog | $86.70 | $86.70 | $110.52 |
| German Shepherd | $60.89 | $60.89 | $77.14 |
| Golden Retriever | $67.33 | $67.33 | $84.90 |
| Great Dane | $84.83 | $84.83 | $122.45 |
| Labrador Retriever | $65.36 | $65.36 | $82.60 |
| Pit Bull | $62.30 | $62.30 | $78.88 |
| Poodle | $51.07 | $51.07 | $64.75 |
| Pug | $59.22 | $59.22 | $72.91 |
| Rottweiler | $88.76 | $88.76 | $128.38 |
| Shiba Inu | $41.73 | $41.73 | $50.25 |
| Shih Tzu | $39.00 | $39.00 | $48.94 |
| Siberian Husky | $51.30 | $51.30 | $64.71 |
Didn’t see your breed list above? You might find it on our dog insurance directory page.
Average Cat Insurance Costs by Breed and Age, Monthly
| Cat Insurance Breeds | Average Premium for 6-month Kitten | Average Premium for 18-month Cat | Average Premium for 5.5-year Cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssinian | $30.44 | $30.44 | $36.61 |
| American Shorthair | $26.00 | $26.00 | $29.37 |
| Bengal | $27.18 | $27.18 | $32.72 |
| Bombay | $24.96 | $24.96 | $27.25 |
| British Shorthair | $32.41 | $32.41 | $36.05 |
| Burmese | $30.96 | $30.96 | $34.32 |
| Devon Rex | $29.17 | $29.17 | $36.13 |
| Exotic Shorthair | $26.16 | $26.16 | $31.55 |
| Himalayan | $32.27 | $32.27 | $37.87 |
| Maine Coon | $31.05 | $31.05 | $37.36 |
| Munchkin | $30.53 | $30.53 | $36.57 |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | $29.95 | $29.95 | $36.70 |
| Oriental Shorthair | $32.85 | $32.85 | $36.49 |
| Persian | $32.09 | $32.09 | $35.51 |
| Ragdoll | $28.09 | $28.09 | $34.67 |
| Russian Blue | $28.53 | $28.53 | $31.68 |
| Savannah | $27.18 | $27.18 | $32.72 |
| Siamese | $27.79 | $27.79 | $30.73 |
| Siberian | $25.08 | $25.08 | $31.02 |
| Sphynx | $33.88 | $33.88 | $39.77 |
Didn’t see your breed list above? You might find it on our cat insurance directory page.
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Factors That Influence Pet Insurance Costs
The price of pet insurance is determined by several factors, some of which you can adjust to manage the cost, while others are inherent to your pet and location.
Pet Insurance Price Factors: Control vs. Uncontrollable
| Factor Impacting Premium Cost | Control Level |
|---|---|
| Breed | Low – Predetermined |
| Age of pet | Low – Predetermined |
| Zip code | Low – Location Dependent |
| Company partner discounts | Low – Limited Availability |
| Provider/Carrier Selection | High – Choice of Insurer |
| Plan/Coverage Type | High – Plan Customization |
| Deductible Amount | High – Policy Customization |
| Reimbursement Percentage | High – Policy Customization |
| Payout Limit | High – Policy Customization |
| Billing Schedule (Monthly vs Annual) | Medium – Payment Preference |
| Number of Pets Enrolled | Medium – Multi-pet Options |
Your pet’s breed, age, and geographic location are significant factors influencing insurance costs. Generally, insuring dogs tends to be slightly more expensive than insuring cats. As pets age, the likelihood of needing veterinary care increases, leading to higher premiums. Certain breeds are also predisposed to specific health issues, which can also elevate insurance costs.
Pro Tip: Utilize Pawlicy Advisor to explore quotes from leading providers and find a plan that fits your financial plan, all conveniently in one place.
For those looking to insure multiple pets, many providers offer a multi-pet discount, often around 10% for each additional pet. Furthermore, some insurers provide a small discount for choosing an annual payment schedule over monthly installments.
Understanding Reimbursements and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
When evaluating pet insurance, it’s crucial to pay close attention to the plan’s annual deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual coverage limit. Your deductible is the initial amount you must pay out-of-pocket each year before your insurance coverage begins to reimburse expenses. A lower deductible generally means less out-of-pocket expense when you need to use your insurance.
The reimbursement percentage determines the portion of covered veterinary costs that will be reimbursed by the insurance company. For instance, with a 90% reimbursement rate and a $1,000 vet bill (after meeting your deductible), you can expect to receive $900 back from your insurer.
Lastly, the annual coverage limit represents the maximum amount your insurance provider will reimburse within a single policy year. Some plans offer “Unlimited” annual coverage, providing peace of mind without any reimbursement caps. Other plans may have annual limits ranging from $2,500 to $25,000.
These factors directly impact both your monthly premium costs and your potential out-of-pocket expenses for pet care. Choosing a plan with a lower reimbursement percentage, for example, might reduce your monthly premium, but it will mean a higher out-of-pocket cost if your pet requires veterinary treatment. Therefore, finding the right balance between cost and coverage is key.
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Projecting Lifetime Pet Insurance Costs
As with any insurance product, premiums are adjusted based on the perceived risk of needing to utilize the coverage. This explains why breeds with a higher predisposition to injuries or illnesses typically have higher insurance premiums compared to breeds considered generally healthier. Similarly, premiums often increase as your pet gets older. However, the rate of premium increase can vary significantly among different insurance companies.
Some providers may maintain stable monthly premiums for a set period after you enroll, while others might not increase premiums due to age at all, but instead adjust them after each claim is filed.
It’s important to realize that the plan with the lowest upfront cost today may not be the most economical option over your pet’s entire lifespan.
To address this, Pawlicy Advisor developed a free tool designed to help you compare pet insurance options and analyze long-term costs. This tool calculates and presents a Lifetime Price Score, providing a projection of how total insurance costs might compare between different plans over the duration of your pet’s life.
The Lifetime Price Score is personalized based on your pet’s specific details and is displayed within your search results on Pawlicy Advisor:
This score estimates and ranks the expected total cost of insurance over your pet’s lifetime, factoring in potential premium increases as your pet ages. A higher Lifetime Price Score indicates better long-term value, suggesting you could save significantly over the years.
Strategies to Balance Insurance Costs and Secure Optimal Coverage
Choosing the right pet insurance that aligns with your needs can be challenging when navigating the options alone. To effectively compare policies, assess providers, and secure appropriate coverage at the best possible price, traditionally you would need to:
- Create detailed comparison spreadsheets.
- Fill out numerous forms on each insurance provider’s website.
- Document quote details, coverage specifics, exclusions, and waiting periods.
- Scrutinize policy fine print to identify exclusions relevant to your pet’s breed and health profile.
… Alternatively, you can leverage Pawlicy Advisor to simplify this process and save considerable time and effort.
By simply completing one form, Pawlicy Advisor analyzes hundreds of policies from top-rated providers. You’ll receive a personalized recommendation based on ideal coverage and lifetime cost projections tailored to your pet’s breed, age, and location.
How to Find the Most Affordable Pet Insurance Rates
If your primary focus is finding the lowest premium, Pawlicy Advisor allows you to easily sort plans by price, presenting all available options from the least expensive upwards.
Moreover, Pawlicy Advisor automatically applies any eligible discounts to your quotes, ensuring you receive the best possible rates.
Pet owners deserve a streamlined way to review the diverse range of pet insurance plans available, empowering them to make informed decisions for their beloved companions.
Avoid spending countless hours navigating individual provider websites. Utilize Pawlicy Advisor to simplify the pet insurance buying process and make it 100x easier.
It’s the most efficient approach to identify the ideal policy that aligns with your budget and your pet’s health needs.
