Nearly two-thirds of households in the United States, around 86.9 million, include a pet(2). Leading the pack are dogs, residing in 65.1 million homes nationwide(2). Despite widespread dog ownership, a surprisingly small fraction – only about 3-4% – are covered by pet insurance(6). 42% of pet parents report they would take on debt if faced with a vet bill of $999 or less, with 28% reporting they would take on debt for bills around $499(2).
With the average monthly premium for dog insurance at around $44 (with potential variations), it's helpful to understand the factors pet parents consider when deciding whether or not to get pet insurance(1).
What Affects Pet Insurance Prices?
Multiple factors can affect your pet insurance premium, including:
Pet breed: Some breeds are more prone to certain health issues than others. For example, GDV or gastric dilation volvulus is common in Great Danes and German Shepherds, while Bull Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, and Boxers can be more prone to kidney problems(4)(5).
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: Average vet expenses can vary, costing more in large cities than in more rural areas, and affecting the cost of your pet insurance premium.
Coverage type: Most pet insurance providers offer different plans, allowing pet parents to select the coverage they want for their pet. For instance, accident-only coverage will cost less than accident and illness coverage. Some providers also offer preventive care coverage for an additional fee.
Deductible and reimbursement rates: The deductible is the set amount you pay for vet care before your insurance benefits kick in. Once the deductible is met, your policy will reimburse up to 90% of covered vet bills. Reimbursement rates can range between 70% - 90%. Selecting a higher deductible or a lower reimbursement percentage typically translates to lower monthly premiums.
Which Dog Breeds are Most Expensive to Insure?
A dog's breed plays a big role in determining the monthly premium. Larger dogs can cost more to insure. Here are a few dog breeds that usually demand a higher premium –(7)
Which Dog Breeds are Most Affordable to Insure?
Smaller dogs tend to be more affordable to insure, but this is not only due to their size; they can have an overall lower risk of health problems. A few examples include(9):
Is Pet Insurance for Dogs Worth It?
The average annual cost of veterinary care is about $680(2). This doesn't include the often significant costs of treatment for major accidents or illnesses like(3)
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
While some dog breeds can be generally healthier, every dog faces the possibility of accidents or accidentally eating something they shouldn't. These incidents can also result in significant health problems and high veterinary bills for surgeries and treatments.
FAQs
Are mixed dog breeds cheaper to insure? Yes. Purebred dogs can be more likely to experience hereditary conditions that can be costly to treat.
Which is the most affordable purebred dog to insure? A study by Yale University found that English Springer Spaniels are the most affordable to insure, with an average monthly premium of around $33.56(9).
Spot Facts!*
The average claim cost for dogs in 2024 was $619.
French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, and Labrador Retriever had the highest number of claims from 2019 to 2025.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for covered 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.
Mostly a tech person, always a pet person. I am dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their humans with technology. Off-duty, I enjoy writing about the misbehaving of computer programs and my two Aussiedoodles, Calvin and Hobbes.
*2025 Spot Pet Insurance Services, LLC. claims data.
Getman, S. (2025, March 12). Average pet insurance rates as of March | Insurify. Insurify. https://insurify.com/pet-insurance/news/average-pet-insurance-rates-march-2025/
Megna, M. (2025, January 2). Pet Ownership Statistics 2025. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/
How much does a vet visit cost? Average pricing by procedure. (2024, August 5). https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/
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
Pet insurance in the US: a “failure”? (n.d.). https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=12233018&f5=1
Danise, A. (2023, March 27). 20 most expensive dog breeds to insure. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/most-expensive-dog-breeds/
Punjwani, M. (2024, April 30). How dog breeds can impact pet insurance costs. moneysupermarket.com. https://www.moneysupermarket.com/pet-insurance/how-dog-breeds-affect-insurance-prices/
Yale, A. (2023, February 3). Considering pet insurance? These are the cheapest dog breeds to insure. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cheapest-dog-breeds-to-insure/
