Updated: August 2026

Pet insurance can help protect your budget from unexpected veterinary expenses, but the price is not the same for every dog or cat.

Two pet owners living in the same city can receive very different quotes. A young cat may have a very different premium from an older dog, and changing the deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual limit, or coverage level can change the price again.

That is why asking only “How much does pet insurance cost?” does not give you the full picture.

A better question is:

How much will pet insurance cost for my specific pet, and how much could I still have to pay when I use the policy?

This guide explains the major factors that affect pet insurance prices, how to calculate the real annual cost, what deductibles and reimbursement percentages mean, and how to compare insurance with building your own pet emergency fund.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) says pet insurance costs can vary based on factors including the animal’s species, breed, gender, age, location, selected coverage and deductible.

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 policy documents before purchasing.

Quick Answer: How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?

There is no single price for pet insurance.

Your monthly premium may depend on:

• Whether you insure a dog or cat
• Your pet’s age
• Breed
• Location
• Coverage level
• Deductible
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual limit
• Other insurer-specific rating factors

For example, a policy with a higher deductible may cost less than a similar policy with a lower deductible. A policy with a higher annual limit or broader coverage may also cost more.

NAIC confirms that pet insurance pricing varies according to factors such as species, breed, age, location, coverage and deductible.

So instead of using one national number as your expected price, use published averages only as a starting point and get a quote for your actual pet.

Why Pet Insurance Prices Are Different for Every Pet

Pet insurance is priced based on risk and the coverage you select.

The insurer is estimating the potential cost of future eligible claims and setting a premium accordingly.

Some of the major variables include:

1. Species

Dog and cat insurance can have different pricing.

NAIC notes that policies are generally broken down by the type of pet being insured.

2. Breed

Different breeds can have different health risks and veterinary-cost patterns.

3. Age

Older pets can cost more to insure, and some insurers have enrollment-age restrictions.

4. Location

Veterinary costs can vary significantly by geographic area.

5. Coverage

Broader coverage can cost more than narrower coverage.

6. Deductible

A higher deductible can sometimes reduce the premium.

7. Reimbursement

A policy offering a higher reimbursement percentage may cost more.

What Is the Average Cost of Pet Insurance?

Be careful with articles that give one “average pet insurance cost” and imply that everyone should expect to pay that amount.

An average is useful for understanding the market, but it is not a personalized quote.

NAPHIA’s 2026 State of the Industry report says 7.6 million pets were insured in North America at the end of 2025, with the market growing 8.5% from 2024.

NAPHIA also publishes industry-level premium data, but individual pricing can still differ substantially because insurers use different rating factors and policy configurations.

Therefore:

Use industry averages for context, not as your expected personal price.

Monthly Cost vs. Annual Cost

Always convert the monthly premium into an annual figure.

For example:

$25/month

$25 × 12 = $300/year

$40/month

$40 × 12 = $480/year

$60/month

$60 × 12 = $720/year

$80/month

$80 × 12 = $960/year

The annual number is more useful when comparing insurance with an emergency savings strategy.

The Three Main Types of Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is not one single product.

NAIC identifies three broad categories:

1. Accident-only
2. Accident and illness
3. Wellness coverage

The benefits and exclusions can vary significantly between policies.

1. Accident-Only Pet Insurance

Accident-only coverage focuses on eligible injuries resulting from accidents.

Depending on the policy, this could include treatment for certain:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Foreign-object ingestion
• Accidental injuries
• Other covered accidents

Why it can cost less

It generally provides narrower coverage than accident-and-illness insurance.

Who might consider it?

An owner who primarily wants protection against unexpected accidents and is willing to handle illness expenses independently.

Potential limitation

An illness that is not covered can still result in a significant veterinary bill.

2. Accident-and-Illness Insurance

This is the broader form of pet medical insurance.

Depending on the policy, eligible treatment can include:

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

NAIC lists accidents, illnesses, surgeries, X-rays, prescriptions, hospitalization, emergencies and cancer treatment among expenses that some pet health policies may cover.

However, coverage is always subject to the actual policy.

3. Wellness or Preventive-Care Coverage

Wellness coverage is designed around routine care.

Depending on the product, it may help with expenses such as:

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

This is different from major medical protection.

If your main concern is a $5,000 emergency surgery, a wellness plan should not be confused with accident-and-illness insurance.

What Actually Determines Your Pet Insurance Cost?

Here are the most important variables to compare.

Factor	How It Can Affect Cost
Species	Dogs and cats can have different pricing
Breed	Some breeds may have different risk profiles
Age	Older pets may cost more
Location	Veterinary costs vary by area
Coverage	Broader coverage can cost more
Deductible	Higher deductible may reduce premium
Reimbursement	Higher reimbursement can increase premium
Annual limit	Higher limits can increase premium
Policy options	Optional benefits can increase cost

NAIC identifies species, breed, gender, age, location, coverage and deductible as factors affecting monthly pet-insurance costs.

Does the Pet’s Age Affect Insurance Cost?

Yes, age can be an important factor.

A young pet may have a lower premium than an older pet, although this varies by insurer.

Older pets may also face enrollment restrictions.

NAIC notes that some companies will not accept pets after a certain age.

For puppies and kittens

Check:

• Hereditary-condition coverage
• Congenital-condition coverage
• Waiting periods
• Deductible
• Annual limits

For adult pets

Check:

• Existing medical history
• Pre-existing-condition rules
• Premium
• Coverage limits

For senior pets

Check:

• Maximum enrollment age
• Existing conditions
• Exclusions
• Premium
• Waiting periods

Does Breed Affect Pet Insurance Cost?

Breed can influence pricing.

However, don’t assume that every insurer treats the same breed in the same way.

If your dog or cat belongs to a breed associated with particular medical concerns, investigate whether those conditions are:

• Covered
• Excluded
• Limited
• Subject to a waiting period
• Considered hereditary or congenital

This is more useful than simply searching for:

“Cheapest insurance for [breed].”

Does Location Affect Pet Insurance Cost?

Yes.

Veterinary treatment costs can vary significantly between regions.

NAIC’s pet insurance regulator guide identifies geographic area as a rating variable and notes that rates can vary by state and territory.

This means a quote for a pet owner in one ZIP code may not be representative of the price in another.

When reading online price examples, always check:

Where was the quote obtained?

How Much Does Dog Insurance Cost?

Dog insurance pricing varies based on the individual dog and selected policy.

When comparing dog insurance, consider:

• Dog’s age
• Breed
• Location
• Coverage
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limit

Dogs also represent the majority of insured pets in North America. NAPHIA’s industry data tracks dogs and cats separately and reported 7.6 million insured pets across North America at the end of 2025.

Don’t use one advertised dog-insurance price as a universal benchmark.

How Much Does Cat Insurance Cost?

Cat insurance pricing can also vary significantly.

Important factors include:

• Cat’s age
• Breed
• Location
• Coverage
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limit

A recent NAIC analysis notes that cats tend to be less expensive to insure than dogs, while also emphasizing that pricing varies according to factors such as breed, age, health, location, deductible, limits and coinsurance.

Your actual quote can still be different.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost for a Puppy?

Puppy insurance can vary significantly by breed, location and coverage.

When comparing a puppy policy, don’t focus only on the initial monthly price.

Look at:

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

A cheap puppy policy may not be a good value if it excludes the conditions you are most concerned about.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost for a Kitten?

Kitten insurance should be evaluated similarly.

Compare:

• Monthly premium
• Annual premium
• Deductible
• Reimbursement
• Annual limit
• Hereditary-condition rules
• Congenital-condition rules
• Waiting periods

The lower price should not be the only deciding factor.

How Much Does Senior Pet Insurance Cost?

Senior pet insurance can be more complicated.

The insurer may consider:

• Age
• Existing medical conditions
• Previous symptoms
• Breed
• Location
• Coverage
• Deductible

Some insurers may also restrict new enrollment after a certain age.

If your pet is already older, compare eligibility before spending time comparing prices.

Deductible: A Major Part of the Real Cost

A deductible is the amount you are responsible for under the policy before the insurer pays its share.

Suppose:

Veterinary bill = $4,000

Deductible = $500

A simplified calculation starts with:

$4,000 − $500 = $3,500

If the policy reimburses 80% of the applicable eligible amount:

$3,500 × 80% = $2,800

Illustrative owner share:

$4,000 − $2,800 = $1,200

This is only an example.

Actual reimbursement depends on the policy’s deductible structure, eligible expenses, exclusions, limits and reimbursement methodology.

NAIC explains that reimbursement methods can differ between insurers.

Higher Deductible vs. Lower Deductible

Suppose you have two options.

Option A

$300 deductible

Option B

$1,000 deductible

Option B may have a lower premium.

But you accept more out-of-pocket risk when you make a claim.

A higher deductible can make sense if:

• You have emergency savings
• You want to lower your recurring premium
• Your primary concern is a major catastrophic expense

A lower deductible may make sense if:

• You have less emergency savings
• You prefer smaller claim expenses
• You can afford the higher premium

There is no universal best deductible.

What Is a Reimbursement Percentage?

A reimbursement percentage determines how much of eligible expenses may be reimbursed after applying the policy’s rules.

Common options can include:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

But don’t assume that a 90% plan is automatically better.

The premium may be higher.

Also, reimbursement may only apply after:

• Deductible
• Exclusions
• Policy limits
• Eligibility rules

have been considered.

Annual Limits Can Change the Real Cost

Consider two policies:

Policy A

$5,000 annual limit

Policy B

$15,000 annual limit

Policy B may cost more.

But if your pet has an expensive medical condition, the higher limit could provide substantially more protection.

NAIC notes that pet insurance policies can include payment limits and that consumers should compare limits when shopping.

Per-Condition and Lifetime Limits

Don’t stop at the annual limit.

Look for:

• Per-incident limits
• Per-condition limits
• Annual limits
• Lifetime limits

NAIC’s regulator guide notes that insurers may use per-incident and aggregate policy limits, and some policies may also have lifetime limits.

A policy with a large annual maximum can still have other restrictions.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Cost

Pre-existing conditions are one of the most important issues to understand.

Many pet insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions.

Suppose your cat had recurring urinary symptoms before you purchased insurance.

Later, the cat develops a diagnosed urinary condition.

The insurer may review previous medical records when determining whether the condition is pre-existing under the policy.

Therefore:

Do not assume that an undiagnosed condition will automatically be covered.

Read the policy definition.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

Some insurers exclude or limit hereditary and congenital conditions.

This can be especially relevant when insuring certain breeds.

Before buying, ask:

• 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?

NAIC notes that many pet insurers exclude pre-existing and hereditary or congenital conditions, although the actual terms vary by company.

Waiting Periods

Coverage may not start immediately after purchasing a policy.

Waiting periods can apply to:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Certain orthopedic conditions
• Other specified conditions

This means purchasing insurance today does not necessarily mean every veterinary bill tomorrow will qualify.

Check the policy before enrollment.

Routine Care Can Increase Your Total Pet Budget

Insurance is only one part of pet ownership costs.

Your annual pet budget can include:

Routine expenses

• Food
• Vaccinations
• Wellness visits
• Preventive medications
• Grooming
• Supplies

Medical expenses

• Emergency care
• Surgery
• Diagnostic testing
• Medication
• Specialist treatment

Insurance

• Premium
• Deductible
• Non-reimbursed expenses

Use our Pet Ownership Cost Calculator to estimate your broader annual pet budget.

Pet Insurance vs. Paying Veterinary Bills Yourself

There are two basic financial approaches.

Approach 1: Buy Insurance

You pay a recurring premium.

The insurer may reimburse eligible veterinary expenses according to the policy.

Potential advantages

• Protection from certain large unexpected bills
• More predictable monthly budgeting
• Reduced financial exposure to eligible claims

Potential disadvantages

• Premiums continue even when there are no claims
• Deductibles apply
• Exclusions apply
• You may still pay part of the bill
• Pre-existing conditions may be excluded

Approach 2: Self-Fund Veterinary Costs

Instead of paying insurance premiums, you put money into an emergency fund.

Potential advantages

• No insurance exclusions
• No claim submission
• Savings remain under your control
• No recurring insurance premium

Potential disadvantages

• You accept the entire financial risk
• A major emergency could exceed your savings
• It can take years to build a large reserve

The Hybrid Approach: Insurance + Emergency Savings

Many owners don’t have to choose between the two.

You could combine:

Pet insurance

Emergency savings

Insurance may help with eligible major expenses.

Savings can cover:

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

Use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator to estimate a suitable emergency reserve.

How to Calculate Your True Annual Insurance Cost

Don’t stop at the premium.

Use this formula:

Basic annual premium

Monthly premium × 12

Then consider:

Annual premium + expected out-of-pocket costs

For example:

Monthly premium:

$45

Annual premium:

$45 × 12 = $540

Suppose your policy has a:

$500 deductible

and you expect to keep at least that amount available for a claim.

Your minimum planned insurance-related cash commitment could therefore include:

$540 premium + $500 deductible reserve = $1,040

This does not mean you will spend $1,040 every year.

The deductible is only relevant if a covered claim triggers it.

The calculation simply helps you understand the amount of cash you may want available.

Example: Low Premium vs. Higher Premium

Consider two hypothetical plans.

	Plan A	Plan B
Monthly premium	$30	$55
Annual premium	$360	$660
Deductible	$1,000	$500
Reimbursement	70%	90%
Annual limit	$5,000	$15,000

Plan A costs:

$300 less per year

in premiums.

But Plan B may offer substantially greater protection during a large eligible claim.

This is why the right comparison is not:

“Which policy has the lowest premium?”

It is:

“Which policy gives me the protection I need at a price I can sustain?”

What If Your Pet Never Needs Treatment?

You may pay premiums without receiving reimbursement.

That is normal.

Insurance is a risk-management product.

The purpose is not necessarily to recover more money than you paid in premiums.

The purpose is to reduce the financial impact of an event that could otherwise be difficult to afford.

What If Your Pet Has a Major Medical Emergency?

Suppose your pet requires:

$8,000 of veterinary treatment.

Your financial exposure will depend on:

• Whether the treatment is covered
• Whether a deductible applies
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual or per-condition limits
• Exclusions
• Waiting periods

This is why the policy details matter more than the monthly premium alone.

How to Compare Pet Insurance Quotes Correctly

When requesting quotes, keep the coverage settings as similar as possible.

For example, compare:

• Same pet
• Same ZIP code
• Same annual limit
• Same deductible
• Same reimbursement
• Same coverage type

Then compare the premiums.

Otherwise, you may mistakenly think one company is cheaper simply because it is offering less coverage.

Pet Insurance Comparison Worksheet

Use this table for your own research:

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

How to Lower Your Pet Insurance Cost

If your quote is higher than your budget, consider comparing different policy configurations.

1. Compare a Higher Deductible

A higher deductible may lower your premium.

But make sure you can afford it.

2. Compare Reimbursement Levels

A lower reimbursement percentage may reduce the premium.

But you will potentially pay more of eligible expenses.

3. Compare Annual Limits

A lower annual limit may reduce cost in some plans.

However, don’t reduce it below the level of protection you actually need.

4. Compare Accident-Only Coverage

If your main concern is accidents and you can comfortably self-fund illnesses, accident-only coverage may be worth comparing.

5. Get Multiple Quotes

Different insurers may price the same pet differently.

What Should You Not Sacrifice to Save Money?

Be careful about reducing:

Important coverage

Don’t remove protection for the risks you are most concerned about.

Annual limits

A very low limit can reduce catastrophic protection.

Reasonable reimbursement

A lower percentage can significantly increase your share of a major bill.

Affordable deductible

Don’t choose a deductible you cannot pay.

Clear policy terms

You should understand the exclusions before purchasing.

Is Wellness Insurance Worth the Extra Cost?

Suppose a wellness option costs:

$20/month

Annual cost:

$240

Now estimate how much of the included routine care you would actually use.

If the benefits you expect to receive are worth significantly less than $240, the add-on may not provide financial value.

If you would use most of the benefits, it could make sense.

Compare the actual cost and expected benefits rather than assuming wellness coverage always saves money.

Questions to Ask Before Buying Pet Insurance

Ask the insurer:

Coverage

• What accidents are covered?
• What illnesses are covered?
• Is cancer treatment covered?
• Are hereditary conditions covered?
• Are congenital conditions covered?
• Are prescription medications covered?
• Is dental treatment covered?
• Is routine care 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 do you define pre-existing conditions?
• 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 does claim processing take?
• Can I appeal a denied claim?

NAIC recommends consumers ask questions about deductibles, covered services, veterinarian choice, prescription drugs, waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and claim timing before purchasing.

Common Pet Insurance Cost Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using One Average as Your Expected Price

An average is not your quote.

Mistake 2: Looking Only at Monthly Premium

Annual cost and potential out-of-pocket expenses matter too.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the Deductible

A low premium can come with a high deductible.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Annual Limits

A policy may stop paying after reaching its limit.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Exclusions

An excluded condition cannot provide the protection you expected.

Mistake 6: Comparing Different Policies

A $25 accident-only policy isn’t directly comparable to a $60 accident-and-illness policy.

Mistake 7: Forgetting Your Emergency Fund

You may need cash to pay the veterinarian before reimbursement.

Mistake 8: Assuming a Higher Price Means Better Coverage

Price alone does not tell you the quality or suitability of a policy.

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

It can be.

Pet insurance may be worth considering when:

• A large veterinary bill would cause financial hardship.
• You don’t have enough emergency savings.
• You prefer predictable monthly expenses.
• You want to transfer some financial risk.
• The policy covers the conditions you are concerned about.

Self-funding may make more sense when:

• You have substantial emergency savings.
• You can comfortably pay large veterinary bills.
• You prefer financial flexibility.
• Available insurance has significant exclusions.

There is no universal answer.

A Simple Decision Framework

Ask yourself these five questions:

1. How much could I comfortably pay tomorrow?

2. How much could I pay without using debt?

3. How much emergency savings do I already have?

4. What veterinary risks worry me most?

5. How much would insurance cost for the coverage I actually need?

If a major veterinary expense would seriously affect your finances, insurance deserves consideration.

If you already have enough savings to absorb major expenses, self-funding may be reasonable.

Our Recommended Pet Insurance Cost Strategy

At PetPolicyFinance, we recommend this process:

Step 1: Calculate your total pet budget

Include food, routine care, medication, supplies and insurance.

Step 2: Estimate your emergency reserve

Use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator.

Step 3: Get multiple insurance quotes

Use your actual pet’s information.

Step 4: Compare equivalent coverage

Keep the deductible, reimbursement and annual limit similar.

Step 5: Calculate annual premiums

Don’t compare only monthly prices.

Step 6: Read the exclusions

Especially pre-existing, hereditary and congenital conditions.

Step 7: Understand the deductible

Know exactly when and how it applies.

Step 8: Understand reimbursement

Find out how the claim amount is calculated.

Step 9: Check limits

Review annual, per-condition and lifetime limits.

Step 10: Decide whether the protection is worth the premium

This is your personal risk-management decision.

Pet Insurance Cost Checklist

Before buying, make sure you know:

• Monthly premium
• Annual premium
• Deductible
• Deductible structure
• Reimbursement percentage
• Reimbursement methodology
• Annual limit
• Per-condition limit
• Lifetime limit
• Accident coverage
• Illness coverage
• Dental coverage
• Prescription coverage
• Preventive-care coverage
• Hereditary-condition rules
• Congenital-condition rules
• Pre-existing-condition definition
• Waiting periods
• Veterinarian requirements
• Claim process
• Renewal terms

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is pet insurance per month?

There is no single monthly price. Premiums vary according to factors including species, breed, age, location, coverage and deductible.

How much is pet insurance per year?

Multiply the monthly premium by 12. For example, a $40 monthly premium equals $480 per year.

Your actual financial cost can be higher when you include deductibles and your share of eligible veterinary expenses.

Is dog insurance more expensive than cat insurance?

Dog and cat premiums can differ, and NAIC research notes that cats tend to be less expensive to insure than dogs. However, individual quotes vary based on multiple rating factors.

Does pet insurance get more expensive as pets age?

Age is one of the factors insurers can consider when pricing pet insurance, and some companies also have age restrictions for new enrollment.

Does breed affect pet insurance cost?

Yes. Breed is among the factors insurers may consider when pricing pet insurance.

Does location affect pet insurance cost?

Yes. Geographic area can affect rates because veterinary costs and other factors vary by location.

Does a higher deductible lower pet insurance cost?

It can. NAIC’s regulator guidance explains that higher deductibles can result in lower annual premiums in pet insurance plans.

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Many pet insurers exclude pre-existing conditions. The exact definition and exceptions depend on the policy.

Does pet insurance cover routine veterinary care?

Not necessarily. Routine care may require a wellness or preventive-care option, depending on the insurer.

Do I pay the vet before receiving reimbursement?

Many pet insurance policies operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning the owner may pay the veterinarian first and then submit a claim. Payment arrangements vary.

Is pet insurance worth it?

It depends on your financial situation, your pet’s needs and the policy. If a major veterinary bill would cause serious financial stress, insurance may provide valuable risk protection.

Final Verdict: How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

There is no single “correct” pet insurance price.

Instead, think about the cost as:

Monthly premium

Deductible

Your share of eligible expenses

Non-covered expenses

=

Your potential financial exposure

A lower premium can be attractive, but it may come with a higher deductible, lower reimbursement, lower limits or narrower coverage.

A higher premium may provide more protection, but you should still determine whether the additional coverage is worth the extra cost.

The best policy is therefore not necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive.

It is the policy that gives you an appropriate level of protection at a price you can maintain over time.

For a complete pet budget, use our Pet Ownership Cost Calculator.

For emergency savings, use our Pet Emergency Fund Calculator.

Research & Sources

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

NAIC explains that pet insurance products generally include accident-only, accident-and-illness and wellness coverage. It also identifies species, breed, gender, age, location, coverage and deductible as factors that can affect premium costs.

NAIC’s consumer guidance recommends comparing covered conditions, reimbursement, deductibles, limits, exclusions, veterinarian choice, waiting periods and claim processing before purchasing pet insurance.

North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)

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

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

NAIC Pet Insurance Regulator Guidance

NAIC’s regulator guidance discusses rating variables including geographic area, deductible, copay, limits, species, pet age and breed. It also explains that higher deductibles can result in lower premiums.

Editorial Methodology

PetPolicyFinance does not treat one pet insurance company as universally best or cheapest.

For cost comparisons, we recommend evaluating:

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

Prices and policy terms can change. Readers should verify current information 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 policy.

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

Always review 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 requirements or consumer protections in your state, contact your state insurance department or a qualified insurance professional.

Author: Harry Mills
Last Reviewed: August 2026