Updated: August 2026

Finding cheap pet insurance sounds simple.

You might search for the lowest monthly premium, choose the first affordable quote, and assume you have found the best deal.

But that approach can be misleading.

A policy with the lowest monthly price may have a higher deductible, lower reimbursement, smaller annual limits, or exclusions that leave you paying much more when your pet actually needs treatment.

The better goal is not simply to find the cheapest pet insurance.

It is to find the lowest-cost policy that still provides the protection you actually need.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends comparing pet insurance based on coverage, deductibles, payment limits, exclusions, reimbursement methods, waiting periods and other policy terms—not just price.

This guide explains how to compare affordable pet insurance, where you can potentially save money, what you should not sacrifice to reduce the premium, and how to calculate the real cost of a policy.

Important: This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not insurance, financial, veterinary, or legal advice. Pet insurance prices, coverage, exclusions, eligibility requirements and state regulations can change. Always obtain a current quote and read the applicable policy documents before purchasing.

Quick Answer: What Is the Cheapest Pet Insurance?

There is no single company or policy that is the cheapest for every pet owner.

Your price can depend on factors such as:

• Dog or cat
• Breed
• Age
• Location
• Coverage level
• Deductible
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual limit
• Optional benefits
• Insurer-specific pricing factors

NAIC identifies species, breed, gender, age, location, selected coverage and deductible among factors that can affect pet insurance premiums.

So the cheapest policy for one pet may not be the cheapest policy for another.

More importantly, the cheapest premium is not always the cheapest overall option.

Cheapest vs. Best Value Pet Insurance

These are two different concepts.

Cheapest premium

The policy with the lowest recurring price.

Cheapest overall protection

The policy that provides the coverage you need while keeping your total expected financial exposure manageable.

For example:

	Policy A	Policy B
Monthly premium	$25	$40
Annual premium	$300	$480
Deductible	$1,000	$500
Reimbursement	70%	90%
Annual limit	$5,000	$15,000

Policy A saves $180 per year in premiums.

But Policy B provides a substantially different level of financial protection.

Therefore, simply choosing Policy A because it costs $25 per month would not be a complete comparison.

Why the Lowest Premium Can Be Misleading

Imagine two policies.

Plan A

$22/month

Plan B

$42/month

Plan A looks much cheaper.

But suppose Plan A has:

• $1,000 deductible
• 70% reimbursement
• $5,000 annual limit

while Plan B has:

• $500 deductible
• 90% reimbursement
• $15,000 annual limit

If your pet needs expensive treatment, the cheaper premium may not translate into the lower total cost.

This is why you should compare:

Premium + deductible + reimbursement + limits + exclusions

rather than premium alone.

How Pet Insurance Pricing Works

Pet insurance companies use different pricing models and policy structures.

NAIC explains that the cost of a policy can vary based on the animal’s species, breed, gender, age, location, coverage and deductible.

This means two otherwise similar pets can receive different quotes.

For example:

A young mixed-breed dog

May receive one quote.

An older purebred dog

May receive another.

Even if both owners select the same insurer, their premiums may differ.

What Factors Affect Pet Insurance Cost?

1. Your Pet’s Species

Dog and cat insurance can have different pricing.

Recent NAIC research notes that cats tend to be less expensive to insure than dogs, although individual prices vary based on many other factors.

2. Your Pet’s Age

Age can affect pricing.

Older pets may cost more to insure, and some insurers may have age restrictions for new enrollment.

If you are trying to minimize cost, obtaining quotes earlier in your pet’s life may give you more options.

However, never buy a policy solely because it is cheap when you have not checked its coverage.

3. Breed

Breed can affect premiums and coverage considerations.

Some breeds may have higher risks for particular medical conditions.

Before choosing a policy, check whether hereditary or congenital conditions are excluded or limited.

NAIC notes that many pet insurers exclude pre-existing conditions and may exclude or limit hereditary or congenital conditions.

4. Location

Where you live can affect your quote.

Veterinary costs vary by geographic area, and NAIC identifies location as one of the factors that can influence pet insurance pricing.

Therefore, an online article quoting one monthly price should not be treated as a universal price for every state or ZIP code.

5. Coverage Level

A policy covering only accidents may cost less than broader accident-and-illness coverage.

NAIC generally identifies three broad categories:

• Accident-only
• Accident and illness
• Wellness

Each can have different covered services, exclusions and prices.

6. Deductible

Your deductible can have a significant effect on the price.

A higher deductible may reduce the premium, but it also means you may have to pay more yourself before reimbursement applies.

NAIC’s regulator guidance explains that higher deductibles can result in lower premiums.

7. Reimbursement Percentage

Some plans offer different reimbursement levels.

For example:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

A higher reimbursement percentage may increase the premium.

But it can also reduce your share of eligible expenses after the policy’s deductible and other rules are applied.

8. Annual Limit

A higher annual limit can increase the premium.

But a very low annual limit can leave you exposed during a major medical event.

NAIC explains that policy limits can be applied per incident or on an aggregate basis, and some policies may also use lifetime limits.

The Three Main Types of Pet Insurance

Before looking for the cheapest policy, decide what type of protection you actually need.

Accident-Only

This generally focuses on eligible accidental injuries.

Examples can include certain:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Foreign-object ingestion
• Accidental injuries

Because the coverage is narrower, accident-only policies may be less expensive.

Best for

Owners who primarily want protection against unexpected accidents and are willing to handle illness expenses themselves.

Accident-and-Illness

This provides broader protection.

Depending on the policy, eligible expenses may include:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Surgery
• Diagnostic testing
• Hospitalization
• Emergency treatment
• Prescription medication
• Specialist care
• Certain cancer treatments

NAIC identifies these types of expenses among treatments that some pet health insurance policies may cover.

Wellness or Preventive-Care Coverage

Wellness options may help with routine care such as:

• Vaccinations
• Wellness examinations
• Preventive testing
• Other routine services

Do not assume that adding wellness benefits automatically saves money.

Calculate the cost of the add-on against the services you actually expect to use.

How to Find Cheap Pet Insurance Without Buying Bad Coverage

Use this process.

Step 1: Decide What Risks You Want to Insure

Ask yourself:

What veterinary expenses would be difficult for me to pay?

Maybe your biggest concern is:

• Emergency surgery
• Cancer
• Major illness
• Accidental injury
• Hospitalization

Your answer should determine the coverage you compare.

Step 2: Set a Maximum Monthly Budget

For example:

“I can comfortably spend up to $40 per month.”

That gives you a starting point.

But don’t automatically choose the cheapest policy below $40.

Instead, compare the policies within that budget.

Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes

Don’t rely on one insurer.

Get several quotes using the same:

• Pet information
• Location
• Coverage type
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limit

This makes the comparison more meaningful.

Step 4: Compare Equivalent Coverage

This is one of the most important steps.

Suppose:

Company A

$25/month with a $1,000 deductible

Company B

$35/month with a $500 deductible

Company A is cheaper.

But they are not equivalent policies.

Before calling one “cheaper,” make the coverage settings as similar as possible.

Step 5: Compare the Annual Premium

Convert monthly pricing into annual pricing.

Example

$30/month × 12

= $360/year

Another policy:

$45/month × 12

= $540/year

Difference:

$180/year

Annual comparisons make the financial difference easier to understand.

Step 6: Compare the Deductible

Suppose:

Policy A

$1,000 deductible

Policy B

$500 deductible

If Policy A saves you $15/month:

$15 × 12 = $180/year

You are saving $180 annually but accepting an additional $500 of deductible exposure.

That trade-off may or may not be worthwhile.

Step 7: Compare Reimbursement

Suppose:

Policy A

70%

Policy B

90%

The 90% policy may cost more.

But if you have a large eligible claim, the difference in reimbursement can become significant.

Never choose the reimbursement percentage without considering the premium.

Step 8: Compare Annual Limits

Suppose:

Plan A

$5,000 annual limit

Plan B

$15,000 annual limit

If your primary goal is catastrophic protection, the additional limit may be worth paying for.

Step 9: Read the Exclusions

A cheap policy is not useful if it excludes the conditions you are most worried about.

Check for exclusions involving:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Dental care
• Behavioral treatment
• Preventive care
• Elective procedures
• Breed-specific conditions

NAIC specifically recommends comparing exclusions before buying.

Step 10: Check Waiting Periods

Coverage may not start immediately.

Waiting periods can apply to:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Certain conditions

NAIC advises consumers to check whether there is a waiting period before coverage becomes effective.

Step 11: Understand the Claim Process

Many pet insurance policies work on a reimbursement basis.

That may mean:

Veterinary treatment

↓

You pay the veterinarian

↓

Submit claim

↓

Insurer reviews claim

↓

Eligible amount reimbursed

NAIC notes that reimbursement methods differ among companies and that owners are often responsible for paying veterinary expenses before reimbursement.

This means you still need emergency cash even if you have insurance.

How to Calculate the Real Cost of Cheap Pet Insurance

Don’t calculate only the premium.

Use:

Annual premium

Monthly premium × 12

Then consider:

Potential claim costs

Deductible + your share of eligible expenses + non-covered expenses

Example: $30 Monthly Policy

Suppose:

• Premium = $30/month
• Annual premium = $360
• Deductible = $500
• Reimbursement = 80%

Your annual premium is:

$30 × 12 = $360

Now suppose your pet has a $3,000 eligible veterinary bill.

Simplified example:

$3,000 − $500 = $2,500

80% of $2,500:

$2,000

Illustrative owner share:

$1,000

Then your annual premium was:

$360

So your total cash cost in this simplified example would be:

$1,360

This is an illustration, not a prediction.

Actual claims depend on the policy’s reimbursement methodology, exclusions, limits and deductible structure.

Why the Cheapest Policy Can Cost More During a Claim

Consider two hypothetical policies.

	Cheap Plan	Higher-Cost Plan
Monthly premium	$25	$45
Annual premium	$300	$540
Deductible	$1,000	$500
Reimbursement	70%	90%
Annual limit	$5,000	$15,000

The cheap plan saves:

$240/year

But the higher-cost plan may provide considerably more protection if your pet develops a serious illness.

The lesson:

Don’t optimize for the lowest premium. Optimize for the best protection you can sustainably afford.

Five Practical Ways to Reduce Pet Insurance Cost

1. Compare Several Companies

Pricing can differ between insurers for the same pet.

Shopping around is one of the simplest ways to identify a lower quote.

NAIC explicitly advises consumers to shop around and compare policy benefits, deductibles, limits and exclusions.

2. Consider a Higher Deductible

If you have enough emergency savings, compare a higher deductible.

For example:

$500 deductible

versus

$1,000 deductible

If the higher deductible produces meaningful premium savings, it may be worth considering.

But don’t select a deductible you cannot afford.

3. Adjust the Reimbursement Percentage

Compare:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

A lower reimbursement percentage may reduce the premium.

But you will potentially pay more when you make an eligible claim.

4. Choose an Appropriate Annual Limit

A very high limit can increase cost.

A very low limit can reduce protection.

Choose a limit based on the size of veterinary expense you are trying to protect against.

5. Avoid Paying for Benefits You Don’t Need

If a wellness add-on costs more than the routine services you expect to use, it may not be worthwhile.

Likewise, don’t pay for coverage you don’t understand.

What You Should NOT Do to Save Money

Saving money on insurance is useful only if the policy still works for you.

Avoid reducing:

Important illness coverage

If illness is your main financial concern, don’t choose accident-only coverage simply because it is cheaper.

Annual limits

Don’t choose an extremely low limit if your goal is catastrophic protection.

Emergency affordability

Don’t choose a deductible that you cannot pay.

Essential coverage

Don’t ignore conditions that are particularly relevant to your pet’s age or breed.

Cheapest Pet Insurance for Dogs

If you own a dog, compare:

• Breed
• Age
• Location
• Coverage
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limit

Do not assume the same insurer will be cheapest for every dog.

A quote for a young mixed-breed dog may be very different from one for an older purebred dog.

Cheapest Pet Insurance for Cats

Cats can have different insurance pricing from dogs.

Recent NAIC research notes that cats tend to be less expensive to insure than dogs, although pricing still varies by breed, age, health, location and policy design.

For cats, compare:

• Accident coverage
• Illness coverage
• Dental provisions
• Prescription coverage
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limits
• Pre-existing-condition rules

Cheapest Pet Insurance for Puppies

Puppies may have lower starting premiums than older dogs, but breed and location can make a significant difference.

When comparing puppy plans, pay special attention to:

• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Orthopedic conditions
• Waiting periods
• Deductible
• Annual limits

The cheapest puppy policy is not automatically the best long-term choice.

Cheapest Pet Insurance for Kittens

For kittens, compare:

• Accident coverage
• Illness coverage
• Hereditary conditions
• Congenital conditions
• Waiting periods
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limits

If you plan to keep the policy for many years, also consider whether the premium is sustainable as your cat gets older.

Cheapest Pet Insurance for Senior Pets

Senior pets can be more difficult to insure.

NAIC notes that some insurers may not accept pets after a certain age.

If you have an older pet, check eligibility before comparing price.

Then review:

• Existing medical conditions
• Pre-existing-condition exclusions
• Premium
• Deductible
• Annual limits
• Waiting periods

Pre-Existing Conditions Can Change the Value of a Cheap Policy

Suppose your pet already has a chronic condition.

You find a very cheap insurance policy.

But the policy excludes that condition.

If that condition is the reason you wanted insurance, the low premium may not provide the protection you expected.

This is why pre-existing-condition rules should be checked before price.

NAIC notes that most pet insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

Some policies may exclude or limit hereditary and congenital conditions.

This can be particularly important for certain breeds.

Ask the insurer:

• Is the condition covered?
• Is it considered hereditary?
• Is it considered congenital?
• Is there a breed-specific exclusion?
• Is there a waiting period?
• Is there a benefit limit?

Do not rely only on marketing language.

Read the actual policy terms.

Dental Coverage

Dental coverage varies.

Some policies may cover certain dental illnesses or accidental injuries.

Routine dental care may be treated differently.

NAIC specifically recommends asking whether dental care is covered and reviewing exclusions.

If dental care is important to you, compare it directly rather than assuming it is included.

Prescription Medication

If your pet develops a chronic condition, prescription medication can become a recurring expense.

Before purchasing, ask:

• Are prescriptions covered?
• Are there limits?
• Does the medication need to treat a covered condition?
• Are prescription diets included?

NAIC includes prescription drugs among the questions consumers should ask when evaluating a pet policy.

Can You Use Your Own Veterinarian?

Check the policy.

Some insurers allow broad veterinarian choice, while some plans may have network requirements.

NAIC recommends checking veterinarian-network rules before purchasing.

If you already have a veterinarian you trust, confirm that your intended policy works with that provider.

Cheap Pet Insurance vs. Pet Emergency Fund

Insurance is not the only way to reduce financial risk.

You can also build your own emergency fund.

Insurance

You pay a recurring premium.

The insurer may reimburse eligible expenses according to the policy.

Advantages

• Potential protection from large eligible bills
• Predictable recurring premium
• Transfers part of the financial risk

Disadvantages

• Premium continues even when there are no claims
• Deductibles apply
• Exclusions apply
• You may pay part of the veterinary bill
• Pre-existing conditions may be excluded

Emergency Savings

Instead of paying insurance premiums, you save money yourself.

Advantages

• Money remains yours
• No claim process
• No policy exclusions
• Flexible use of savings

Disadvantages

• You accept the entire financial risk
• A major veterinary bill could exceed your savings
• Building the fund takes time

A Hybrid Strategy

You can also combine:

Pet insurance + emergency savings

Insurance may help with eligible major expenses.

Your savings can cover:

• Deductibles
• Non-covered expenses
• Routine care
• Waiting-period expenses
• Immediate veterinary bills

Use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator to estimate how much emergency savings may be appropriate for your situation.

A Simple Pet Insurance Comparison Table

When collecting quotes, use this worksheet:

Feature	Plan A	Plan B	Plan C
Monthly premium	$___	$___	$___
Annual premium	$___	$___	$___
Deductible	$___	$___	$___
Deductible type	___	___	___
Reimbursement	___%	___%	___%
Annual limit	$___	$___	$___
Lifetime limit	$___	$___	$___
Accident coverage	✓ / ✗	✓ / ✗	✓ / ✗
Illness coverage	✓ / ✗	✓ / ✗	✓ / ✗
Dental coverage	___	___	___
Prescription drugs	___	___	___
Hereditary conditions	___	___	___
Congenital conditions	___	___	___
Pre-existing conditions	___	___	___
Waiting period	___	___	___
Veterinarian choice	___	___	___
Claim process	___	___	___

This makes it easier to see whether a low premium comes with significant trade-offs.

A Better Way to Define “Cheap”

Instead of asking:

Which company has the cheapest pet insurance?

Ask:

Which policy gives me the coverage I need at the lowest sustainable total cost?

That definition is much more useful.

Your total cost can include:

Premium

Deductible

Your share of eligible treatment

Non-covered expenses

The lowest premium does not necessarily produce the lowest total cost.

How Much Emergency Money Should You Keep?

Even with pet insurance, you may need cash immediately.

Consider keeping enough money available for:

• Your deductible
• Your share of an emergency bill
• Non-covered expenses
• Routine veterinary care
• Waiting-period expenses

Use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator to create a personalized starting point.

When Is Cheap Pet Insurance a Good Choice?

A lower-cost policy may be reasonable if:

• It covers the risks you care about.
• The deductible is affordable.
• The annual limit is adequate.
• The reimbursement is acceptable.
• The exclusions are understandable.
• You can maintain the policy long term.

When Is a Cheap Policy a Bad Choice?

Be cautious if:

• The annual limit is too low.
• The deductible is unaffordable.
• Major conditions are excluded.
• Pre-existing-condition rules make the policy ineffective for your needs.
• The reimbursement method is unclear.
• Waiting periods are long.
• You cannot understand what is actually covered.

A cheap policy that does not protect you from the expenses you are worried about may provide poor value.

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Before selecting the cheapest quote, ask:

Coverage

• What accidents are covered?
• What illnesses are covered?
• Is cancer treatment covered?
• Are hereditary conditions covered?
• Are congenital conditions covered?
• Is dental care covered?
• Are prescriptions covered?

Cost

• What is the monthly premium?
• What is the annual premium?
• What is the deductible?
• How is the deductible applied?
• What reimbursement percentage applies?
• What are the annual limits?

Restrictions

• How is a pre-existing condition defined?
• What are the waiting periods?
• Are there age restrictions?
• Are there breed-specific exclusions?

Claims

• Do I pay the veterinarian first?
• How is reimbursement calculated?
• What documents are required?
• How long do claims normally take?

NAIC recommends asking insurers about deductibles, copays, coverage, limits, exclusions, waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and claim processing.

Common Mistakes When Looking for Cheap Pet Insurance

Mistake 1: Choosing the Lowest Monthly Premium

Price alone doesn’t measure protection.

Mistake 2: Comparing Different Coverage Levels

Accident-only and accident-and-illness policies are not equivalent.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the Deductible

A lower premium can mean a higher out-of-pocket amount.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Annual Limits

A low limit may leave you exposed during an expensive illness.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Exclusions

Excluded treatment cannot provide the protection you expected.

Mistake 6: Forgetting Waiting Periods

Coverage may not begin immediately.

Mistake 7: Forgetting Emergency Savings

Insurance may reimburse you after you have already paid the veterinarian.

Mistake 8: Switching Policies Without Checking Medical History

A condition covered under an existing policy could potentially be treated differently under a new policy.

How the Pet Insurance Market Is Changing

Pet insurance is becoming a larger industry in North America.

NAPHIA’s 2026 State of the Industry report says 7.6 million pets were insured in North America at the end of 2025, up from 7.03 million in 2024. The report says the number of insured pets increased by 8.5% during that period.

NAPHIA says its industry data represents approximately 99% of written pet health insurance premiums in the United States and Canada.

The growing market gives consumers more products to compare, but it also makes comparison more important.

More choices do not necessarily make the cheapest policy obvious.

Our Recommended Method for Finding Affordable Pet Insurance

At PetPolicyFinance, we recommend the following process.

Step 1

Determine which veterinary risks you want to protect against.

Step 2

Set a monthly budget.

Step 3

Get multiple quotes.

Step 4

Make the coverage settings comparable.

Step 5

Compare annual premiums.

Step 6

Compare deductibles.

Step 7

Compare reimbursement.

Step 8

Compare annual and other limits.

Step 9

Read exclusions and pre-existing-condition rules.

Step 10

Check waiting periods.

Step 11

Understand how claims are paid.

Step 12

Keep enough emergency savings to handle your out-of-pocket share.

This process is more reliable than simply searching for the insurer with the lowest advertised price.

Cheap Pet Insurance Checklist

Before buying, confirm:

• I compared at least several quotes.
• I compared similar coverage.
• I know the annual premium.
• I know the deductible.
• I understand the deductible structure.
• I know the reimbursement percentage.
• I understand how reimbursement is calculated.
• I know the annual limit.
• I checked other policy limits.
• I reviewed exclusions.
• I understand pre-existing-condition rules.
• I checked hereditary conditions.
• I checked congenital conditions.
• I checked waiting periods.
• I know whether dental care is covered.
• I know whether prescriptions are covered.
• I understand the claims process.
• I can afford the deductible.
• I have emergency savings available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest pet insurance?

There is no universal cheapest pet insurance company. Your premium can depend on your pet’s species, breed, age, location, coverage and deductible.

How can I get cheaper pet insurance?

Compare multiple quotes, consider different deductible levels, compare reimbursement options, and remove optional coverage that you do not need. Always compare the complete policy rather than the premium alone.

Is cheap pet insurance worth it?

It can be, if the policy still provides meaningful coverage for the risks you want to protect against.

Is accident-only insurance cheaper?

It may be because it provides narrower coverage than accident-and-illness insurance. However, the exact premium depends on the insurer and your pet.

Does a higher deductible make pet insurance cheaper?

It can. Higher deductibles may result in lower premiums, although you will generally accept more out-of-pocket responsibility when making a claim.

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Many pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions. The exact definition and rules depend on the policy.

Does pet insurance cover hereditary conditions?

Coverage varies. Some insurers exclude or limit hereditary and congenital conditions. Read the policy carefully.

Can I choose my veterinarian?

Some policies allow you to choose your veterinarian, while others may have network requirements. Check the policy before purchasing.

Do I have to pay the vet first?

Many policies operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning you may need to pay the veterinarian and then submit a claim. Payment arrangements vary.

Is the cheapest monthly premium always the best deal?

No. A low premium may come with a higher deductible, lower reimbursement, lower limits or more exclusions.

Final Verdict: How to Find the Cheapest Pet Insurance

The cheapest pet insurance is not necessarily the policy with the lowest monthly premium.

The better goal is to find:

Affordable premium

Reasonable deductible

Useful reimbursement

Adequate annual limits

Coverage for the risks you care about

Manageable exclusions

Acceptable waiting periods

That is what makes a policy affordable and useful.

Before buying, get multiple quotes and compare them using the same coverage settings.

If you want to reduce your premium, consider adjusting the deductible or reimbursement percentage—but only after deciding how much out-of-pocket expense you could comfortably handle.

And remember:

Cheap insurance is only valuable when it provides meaningful protection when you actually need it.

For the broader cost of owning a dog or cat, use our Pet Ownership Cost Calculator.

For planning emergency savings, use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator.

Research & Sources

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

NAIC explains that pet insurance commonly falls into accident-only, accident-and-illness and wellness categories. It also identifies species, breed, gender, age, location, coverage and deductible as factors that can influence premium costs.

NAIC’s consumer guidance recommends shopping around and comparing policy benefits, deductibles, limits, exclusions, waiting periods, veterinarian choice and reimbursement arrangements.

NAIC Pet Insurance Regulator Guidance

NAIC’s regulator guidance explains how deductibles, copays, policy limits and reimbursement structures can affect the amount paid by the insurer and the policyholder.

North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)

NAPHIA’s 2026 State of the Industry report states that 7.6 million pets were insured in North America at the end of 2025, an increase of 8.5% from 2024.

NAPHIA says its industry data represents approximately 99% of written pet health insurance premiums in the United States and Canada.

Editorial Methodology

PetPolicyFinance does not identify one insurance company as universally cheapest.

Pet insurance prices can vary by pet, location, policy configuration and insurer.

For affordability comparisons, we recommend evaluating:

1. Annual premium
2. Deductible
3. Reimbursement percentage
4. Annual and other limits
5. Coverage
6. Exclusions
7. Waiting periods
8. Pre-existing-condition rules
9. Claims process
10. Long-term affordability

Readers should verify current prices and policy terms directly with the insurer before purchasing.

Editorial Disclaimer

PetPolicyFinance.com is an independent educational website. We are not an insurance company, insurance broker, veterinarian, financial adviser, or law firm.

This article does not endorse or recommend any specific insurance company or insurance policy.

Pet insurance premiums, coverage, exclusions, waiting periods, eligibility requirements, reimbursement methods and regulations can change.

Always read the current policy documents and obtain a current quote before purchasing coverage.

For questions about your pet’s health, consult a licensed veterinarian.

For questions about insurance regulations or consumer protections, contact your state insurance department or a qualified insurance professional.

Author: Harry Mills
Last Reviewed: August 2026