Last updated: October 2026
If you’ve started getting quotes, you’ve probably noticed the number jumps around a lot depending on the site, the pet, and the plan you pick. That’s because pet insurance pricing isn’t one number — it’s a formula built from your pet’s age, breed, where you live, and how much risk you choose to keep yourself.
Quick answer: As of early 2026, the US average is about $43/month for dogs and $23/month for cats (roughly $33/month blended across both). Your actual quote can land anywhere from $15 to $100+/month depending on the factors below. [enlace: #1]
How much pet insurance costs on average
| Average monthly premium | Average annual premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | $43 | $749–$836 |
| Cats | $23 | $386–$435 |
| Blended national average | ~$33 | — |
Figures from Insurify’s monthly pet insurance rate report and NAPHIA’s 2025 State of the Industry report.
What actually moves your price
- Age. Insurers price pets in brackets — roughly under 1 year, 1–7 years, and 7+. Older pets cost more because they’re statistically more likely to need care; enrolling young locks in a lower starting rate. [enlace: #2]
- Breed and size. Larger dogs and breeds with known hereditary conditions (hip dysplasia in big breeds, breathing issues in flat-faced breeds) usually cost more to insure than mixed-breed cats or small, low-risk dogs.
- Location. Vet costs vary a lot by region, so premiums do too — see the state breakdown below.
- Deductible. A higher deductible ($500 or $1,000 instead of $250) lowers your monthly premium, since you’re absorbing more of the small stuff yourself. [enlace: #4]
- Reimbursement rate. Choosing 70% reimbursement instead of 90% also lowers the premium — you’re accepting a smaller payout on claims in exchange for cheaper coverage. [enlace: #5]
- Plan type. Accident-only plans are cheaper than accident & illness plans; adding a wellness/routine-care rider raises the price further.
Cost by state: most and least expensive
| State | Avg. dog/month | Avg. cat/month |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (highest) | $58 | $31 |
| Massachusetts | $55 | $30 |
| New York | $54 | $29 |
| Arkansas (lowest) | $29 | $14 |
Data from Insurify, March 2026. The gap tracks local vet costs — states with pricier vet care generally have pricier premiums, not the other way around.
Accident-only vs. accident & illness vs. wellness
- Accident-only is the cheapest tier — it covers injuries (broken bones, swallowed objects, car accidents) but not illnesses like diabetes or cancer.
- Accident & illness is the standard, most-purchased plan type and the one the averages above describe — it adds coverage for diseases and chronic conditions.
- Wellness/routine-care add-on costs extra on top (often $10–$30/month more) and reimburses routine items like vaccines and annual exams — it’s a budgeting tool more than real insurance, since you’re pre-paying for costs you’d have anyway.
A real-world quote example
Take a 3-year-old mixed-breed dog in a mid-cost state, on an accident & illness plan:
| Deductible | Reimbursement | Approx. monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| $250 | 90% | $55–$65 |
| $500 | 80% | $35–$45 |
| $1,000 | 70% | $20–$28 |
Same pet, same plan type — the deductible and reimbursement choice alone can roughly triple or cut the price depending on which end you pick. [enlace: #4] [enlace: #5]
How to get it cheaper
- Enroll young. Rates are locked in lower before age-based increases and before anything can become a pre-existing exclusion.
- Raise the deductible. Going from $250 to $500 or $1,000 is usually the single biggest lever on price.
- Lower the reimbursement rate from 90% to 70% if you can absorb more of a big bill yourself.
- Skip the wellness add-on if you’re mainly insuring against emergencies, not budgeting for routine visits.
- Compare multiple insurers for the same pet — pricing for identical coverage can vary 2–3x between companies for the same animal. [enlace: #11]
- Ask about multi-pet discounts if you’re insuring more than one animal.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my quote higher than the national average?
Usually age, breed, or state. A senior large-breed dog in a high-cost state like Alaska or New York will price well above the $43/month national dog average; a young mixed-breed cat in a low-cost state can come in well under $23/month.
Does the price go up every year?
Yes, typically at renewal, mainly due to the pet’s increasing age and rising vet care costs industrywide — not usually because of claims you filed.
Is a cheaper plan ever the better deal?
Not always. A lower premium from a higher deductible or lower reimbursement can cost you more overall if you end up filing a large claim, since you absorb more of that bill yourself. [enlace: #2]
Do multi-pet households get a discount?
Many insurers offer a 5–10% discount per pet when you insure more than one animal on the same account — it’s worth asking for even if it’s not advertised.
The bottom line
There’s no single «price» for pet insurance — only a formula. Expect roughly $43/month for a dog and $23/month for a cat as a starting point, then adjust up or down based on your pet’s age and breed, your state, and how much deductible and reimbursement risk you’re willing to keep yourself. The fastest way to find your real number is to get quotes for your actual pet rather than relying on the averages. [enlace: #11]
This article is for general information and isn’t personalized financial advice. Prices change; get current quotes before deciding.
Sources
- Insurify, Average Pet Insurance Rates, March 2026
- NAPHIA, 2025 State of the Industry Report