Considering pet insurance? It's a monthly expense that can feel like a necessary safety net or, let's be honest, a budget battle against your streaming services! If you're still on the fence about buying a plan, perhaps even weighing it against finally getting your own streaming accounts, you're in the right place. We'll help you navigate this decision and explore how you might be able to afford both peace of mind and entertainment.
The average pet insurance premium is about $56 per month for dogs and $32 per month for cats for comprehensive coverage, which includes both accidents and illnesses. (3) The monthly premium for your pet may be higher or lower than that, depending on various factors like type of pet, breed, age, medical history, location, coverage type, etc.
How is the Monthly Pet Insurance Premium Calculated?
Multiple factors can affect the monthly premium you’ll pay for your pet’s insurance including -
Pet breed: Some breeds are more prone to certain health issues than others. For example, GDV or gastric dilation volvulus is common in breeds like the Great Dane and the German Shepherd. Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Boxers are said to be more prone to kidney problems. For such breeds, the insurance cost may be higher. (1)(2)
Age of your pet: Just like people, young pets are usually less prone to illness, but as they age, the risk of injury or illness increases, and insurance prices increase.
Location: Certain locations, especially urban ones, tend to lead to above-average vet expenses, therefore increasing the amount you will have to pay in insurance, and vice versa.
Coverage type: You can choose between accident-only or accident and illness coverage. Coverage that includes only accidents will cost less than the plan that includes both accident and illness coverage. The premium will be higher if you opt for a preventive add-on as well.
Deductible and reimbursement rates – The deductible amount is the amount that you pay before your reimbursement coverage kicks in, regardless of the amount of your vet bill. After you pay your deductible, the insurance company reimburses you for the pending amount based on the reimbursement percentage you’ve opted for. A higher deductible amount and a lower reimbursement rate mean lower premium costs and vice versa.
How much is the monthly pet insurance premium for accident-only coverage?
Accident-only is the most basic type of pet insurance plan that would cost you around $17 for dogs, and around $9 for cats per month. (8)
How much is the monthly pet insurance premium for comprehensive coverage?
Comprehensive coverage for pets, which includes both accidents and illnesses, would cost you around $56 for dogs and about $31 for cats monthly. (8)
For dogs, the premium can be higher for breeds like French Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and German Shepherd, while for cats, it can be higher for breeds like the Sphynx, Maine Coon, Persian, and Devon Rex.(8)
How much does a wellness add-on cost for pets?
The average monthly cost of insurance with a preventive or wellness add-on for dogs is about $105, and for cats, it is about $52. (8)
Should I get Pet Insurance?
The average monthly cost of pet insurance that we mentioned above is roughly the cost of a few takeout meals or fancy coffees each month, except this expenditure could actually save you thousands down the road!
How, you ask? Here are some average costs of major treatments for pets: (4)
Cancer treatment - $4,000
Diabetes - $1,600-$2,900
Kidney disease - $1,318
Heart murmur - $1,140
Hernia - $700-$2,500
Urinary tract infection - $1,053
With pet insurance, you can save up to 90% of these costs. If you’re yet not convinced, here’s something that can help: 33% of uninsured pet parents avoid vet visits due to potential costs, risking their pets’ health. 25% of pet parents have refused veterinary treatment because of high costs.(5)
Does Pet Insurance Help?
The typical pet insurance claim in 2023 covered expenses 50% higher than annual premiums. This number becomes very important for you when you realize that a pet receives emergency care every 2.5 seconds in America.(6)
Do you want to guess the highest claim amount for dogs and cats?
In 2022, it was a whopping $60,882 for dogs and $40,057 for cats. (6) A Golden Retriever in Washington received $51,100 for lymphoma treatment. A Bernese Mountain Dog in Alberta (covered under North American plans) needed $50,000 for complex surgery. (7)
Imagine having to pay that amount without insurance. And in the year 2025, with vet costs increasing rapidly, you could be paying way more than that.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans help cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
I've had the privilege of immersing myself in the realm of pet safety. As the owner of an energetic mini golden doodle, I know just how stressful being a pet owner can be. I am dedicated to ensuring our beloved pets enjoy a life brimming with good health.
Gastropexy | VCA Animal Hospitals. (n.d.). Vca. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gastropexy
Chronic kidney disease in dogs. (n.d.). PDSA. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease-in-dogs
Schlichter, S., & Iervasi, K. (2025, March 12). How much does pet insurance cost? NerdWallet. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/cost-of-pet-insurance
How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (2024, August 5). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
Pawar, A. (2025, February 10). Pet Insurance Statistics 2025 — Average Cost, market trends. Bring Jackson Home. https://www.jacksonbackhome.com/pet-insurance-statistics/
Metz, J. (2025, January 2). Pet Insurance Statistics 2025. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-insurance-statistics/
Statista. (2024, December 10). Biggest dog insurance claims paid in the U.S. and Canada 2023, by breed. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1363368/largest-dog-insurance-claims-paid-usa-canada-by-breed/
Axelton, K. (2025, March 18). How much does pet insurance cost? Experian. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-much-does-pet-insurance-cost/
