Quick answer
Industry data puts the average monthly cost of accident & illness coverage at about $62/month for dogs and $32/month for cats (NAPHIA 2024 averages), with most quotes landing between $17–$101 for dogs and $10–$62 for cats. Accident-only plans average roughly $16/month for dogs and $9/month for cats. Your rate depends mainly on your pet’s age, breed, location, deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limits.
Why the range? Different sources use different datasets (quotes vs policies in-force), and plan settings can change premiums significantly.
Published 2026 estimates, accident & illness:
- $62.44/month (NAPHIA 2024 industry average)
- $56/month for $5,000 annual coverage (NerdWallet)
- $87/month for unlimited annual coverage (NerdWallet)
- $17–$101/month typical quote range (NerdWallet)
Use these as ballpark benchmarks, not a guarantee of your price.
Published 2026 estimates, accident & illness:
- $32.21/month (NAPHIA 2024 industry average)
- $10–$62/month typical quote range (NerdWallet)
- $9.17/month for accident-only coverage (NAPHIA)
Cats are often cheaper to insure, but age and breed still matter.
Monthly vs annual cost (easy math)
| Monthly premium | Annual premium | What that feels like |
|---|---|---|
| $25/mo | $300/yr | Often a lower-coverage cat plan or higher deductible |
| $40/mo | $480/yr | Common mid-range plan settings |
| $60/mo | $720/yr | Common for many dog quotes; richer coverage increases cost |
| $90/mo | $1,080/yr | Older pets, certain breeds, low deductible, higher limits |
What affects the cost the most
- Age: Older pets usually cost more to insure.
- Breed: Some breeds are more prone to certain conditions.
- Where you live: Vet pricing varies by region/ZIP.
- Plan type: Accident-only is usually cheaper than accident & illness.
- Deductible: Higher deductible → lower premium (usually).
- Reimbursement %: 70% vs 80% vs 90% changes premiums.
- Annual limit: Higher limits (or unlimited) can increase cost.
- Add-ons: Wellness/routine care add-ons raise the premium.
Most policies reimburse you after you pay the vet. Always read the policy for definitions, waiting periods, and exclusions.
How to lower your pet insurance premium
- Raise your deductible (e.g., $500 instead of $250).
- Lower the reimbursement percentage (e.g., 80% instead of 90%).
- Choose an annual limit that matches your risk tolerance.
- Skip wellness add-ons unless you’ve run the numbers.
- Compare at least 3 quotes with the same settings (apples-to-apples).
Tip: Keep deductible, reimbursement %, and annual limit the same when comparing—otherwise you’re comparing different products.
Costs by breed
Breed is one of the biggest premium drivers. See typical monthly costs for popular breeds:
More cost guides
FAQ
Is pet insurance worth it?
It depends on your budget and risk tolerance. Pet insurance can help smooth out large, unexpected vet bills, but you’ll still pay premiums and a deductible. Many owners compare insurance vs building a dedicated pet emergency fund.
What’s the cheapest type of pet insurance?
Accident-only plans are typically cheaper than accident & illness plans. The trade-off is that accident-only won’t cover most illnesses (and those can be expensive).
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Many policies exclude pre-existing conditions. Always read the policy definitions and waiting periods before buying.
Sources (so you can verify)
- NAPHIA State of the Industry Report (2024 average premiums).
- NerdWallet 2026 pet insurance cost guide (quote ranges and coverage-level averages).
- Forbes Advisor 2026 pet insurance cost analysis.
- Insurance Information Institute (NAPHIA-referenced averages).
Note: numbers vary by source and by plan settings. Treat averages as a starting point for getting your own quotes.