Pet Insurance for Dogs: Costs, Coverages, and How to Choose the Best Plan

Pet insurance for dogs helps cover veterinary care costs when accidents or illnesses come up. Instead of paying every veterinarian bill entirely out of pocket, most plans can reimburse you for eligible expenses after you pay the vet up front.^[1]

You have your pick from many pet insurance companies. But making sense of the different coverage types, deductibles, and exclusions can feel overwhelming. Here’s what you should know about how pet insurance works, what it covers, how much it costs, and how to choose the best plan for your dog and your budget.

Best pet insurance for dogs

Pet insurance is about the right fit for your dog, not finding the single “best” company. Comparing price, coverage options, and the company’s track record for customer experience matters. But the right plan also depends on your dog’s age, health risks, and your budget preferences. 

Best cheap dog insurance: Pets Best

Best for multiple dogs: Embrace

Best for puppies: Trupanion

Best for senior dogs: Spot

How pet insurance for dogs works

Most pet insurance policies for dogs don’t pay the vet directly. After your pooch gets treatment, you’ll pay the veterinarian yourself. Then, you submit a claim and wait for your pet insurance company to reimburse you for expenses that qualify under your plan.

How much you get back depends on a few things: your policy type, waiting period, annual deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual coverage limit. Once you meet your deductible, the insurer reimburses a percentage of eligible vet bills up to your plan’s limit. Waiting periods apply before certain coverage begins, especially for illnesses, so timing matters.

What pet insurance for dogs covers

Pet insurance for dogs includes three main types: accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and wellness coverage. Since each coverage type caters to specific needs and budgets, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all three.

Accident-only coverage

An accident-only plan covers medical expenses only for injuries caused by accidents. It usually pays to treat broken bones, bite wounds, foreign object ingestion, poisoning, and injuries from car accidents. It won’t reimburse you for any expenses related to illnesses and pre-existing conditions. Dog owners pay an average of $16 per month for accident-only coverage.

Accident and illness coverage

Accident and illness policies are the most common type of pet insurance, offering the most comprehensive coverage for your dog. These plans cover treatment for diseases, cancer, and infections and may reimburse you for diagnostic procedures, lab tests, X-rays, surgery, and hospitalizations.

It’s important to note that this type of insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, dental exams, and routine care services (like wellness exams and vaccinations). On average, accident and illness coverage for dogs costs $63 per month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.^[2]

Wellness coverage

Insurers usually offer wellness plans as an add-on to an accident-only or accident and illness policy. These plans help pay for preventive care and routine services, like wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, blood work, and flea and heartworm prevention.

Unlike accident-only and accident and illness pet insurance, wellness plans don’t usually have deductibles. Instead, they reimburse up to a set maximum amount. Monthly costs for wellness coverage for dogs typically range between $10 and $65, depending on the coverage level.

What pet insurance for dogs doesn’t cover

No pet insurance policy can cover every condition or service. Most plans have exclusions. Understanding what your policy doesn’t cover ahead of time can prevent misunderstandings during the claims process.

Pet insurance commonly excludes these conditions and services:

• Pre-existing conditions: Conditions your dog showed signs of or received treatment for before enrollment

• Conditions that arise within waiting periods: Illnesses or injuries that appear before coverage officially begins under the policy

• Cosmetic or elective procedures: Treatments that aren’t medically necessary

• Routine vet visits: Checkups, vaccinations, and preventative care usually require a wellness add-on^[3]

• Spaying and neutering: Sterilization procedures that are considered preventive or elective rather than medically necessary

• Breeding-related costs: Expenses connected to pregnancy, breeding, or fertility services

Cost of pet insurance for dogs

The average cost of dog insurance is $43 per month. Accident and illness plans tend to be pricier than an accident-only plan. Your actual price comes down to the age of your pup, its health profile, location, and how much coverage you choose.

Factors that affect the cost of dog insurance

Pet insurance companies look at several factors to calculate how likely your dog is to need care and how expensive that care could be.

Here are the top variables that influence what you pay:

• 

  Age, breed, and risk of hereditary conditions

  Older dogs and breeds with known health issues tend to have higher rates of chronic conditions.

• 

  Location

  You’ll likely pay more if you live in an area with higher veterinary costs.

• 

  Policy choices

  A higher deductible or lower reimbursement rate can lower your monthly premium.

• 

  Level of pet insurance coverage

  Accident-only plans for dogs cover fewer expenses, so they’re cheaper than accident and illness plans.

• 

  Optional add-ons

  Wellness or preventive care adds protection and increases your price.

For a look at average monthly rates from some of the cheapest companies, consider the table below.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, March 9 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Rate
Spot	$26
ASPCA	$31
Lemonade	$32
Pets Best	$44
Healthy Paws	$45
Prudent Pet	$53
Figo	$56
Fetch Pet	$57
Pumpkin	$69

Average cost of pet insurance for top dog breeds

Your pet’s specific breed can raise or lower insurance prices. Rates often fall between $21  and $307 per month, depending on health risks, size, and other breed-related factors. But every dog is different, so pricing can vary quite a bit.

Here are the estimated pet insurance costs for different breeds at different ages to show how much rates can change.

The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, March 9 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Breed	Cost to Insure a Puppy	Cost to Insure an Adult Dog	Cost to Insure a Senior Dog
Dachshund	$25	$53	$69
German Shepherd	$29	$60	$79
Golden Retriever	$34	$70	$91
Beagle	$35	$74	$97
Labrador Retriever	$36	$76	$99
Rottweiler	$44	$91	$119
French Bulldog	$45	$93	$122

How to compare pet insurance for dogs

You can buy pet insurance directly from the insurance company or through online pet insurance comparison platforms. Either way, the process is fairly simple and usually only takes a few minutes.

Follow these steps when shopping for pet coverage:

• Evaluate your pet’s needs. Start with your dog’s age, breed, health history, and how much you’re comfortable paying out of pocket.

• Compare coverages and benefits. Decide between accident-only and accident and illness coverage, and review reimbursement options and annual limits.

• Review exclusions, waiting periods, and eligibility. These details determine when coverage starts and what qualifies for reimbursement.

• Check reviews. Customer reviews can offer insight into how smoothly a company handles claims and payouts.

• Request a pet insurance quote. Check prices to see how coverage choices affect your monthly cost before you enroll.

Compare quotesCompare	Compare quotesCompare	Compare quotesCompare	Compare quotesCompare
Reimbursement % The percentage of costs your provider will pay for a covered event, after you’ve paid your deductible. 70%–90%	Reimbursement % The percentage of costs your provider will pay for a covered event, after you’ve paid your deductible. 70%–90%	Reimbursement % The percentage of costs your provider will pay for a covered event, after you’ve paid your deductible. 90%	Reimbursement % The percentage of costs your provider will pay for a covered event, after you’ve paid your deductible. 70%–90%
Payout limits The maximum amount your provider will pay for covered events. $5,000–Unlimited	Payout limits The maximum amount your provider will pay for covered events. $5,000–$30,000	Payout limits The maximum amount your provider will pay for covered events. Unlimited	Payout limits The maximum amount your provider will pay for covered events. $2,500–Unlimited
Deductibles The amount you must pay towards a covered event before your coverage kicks in. $50–$1,000	Deductibles The amount you must pay towards a covered event before your coverage kicks in. $100–$1,000	Deductibles The amount you must pay towards a covered event before your coverage kicks in. $0 to $950	Deductibles The amount you must pay towards a covered event before your coverage kicks in. $100–$1,000
Curable pre-existing conditions Pre-existing conditions refer to conditions your pet has shown documented symptoms of before your policy’s waiting period is over. Some companies still cover these conditions if they’re deemed “curable” and haven’t shown symptoms for a specified period of time that varies by insurer. Covered	Curable pre-existing conditions Pre-existing conditions refer to conditions your pet has shown documented symptoms of before your policy’s waiting period is over. Some companies still cover these conditions if they’re deemed “curable” and haven’t shown symptoms for a specified period of time that varies by insurer. Covered	Curable pre-existing conditions Pre-existing conditions refer to conditions your pet has shown documented symptoms of before your policy’s waiting period is over. Some companies still cover these conditions if they’re deemed “curable” and haven’t shown symptoms for a specified period of time that varies by insurer. Not covered	Curable pre-existing conditions Pre-existing conditions refer to conditions your pet has shown documented symptoms of before your policy’s waiting period is over. Some companies still cover these conditions if they’re deemed “curable” and haven’t shown symptoms for a specified period of time that varies by insurer. Covered

Data in this table has been sourced from Insurify users who received a pet insurance quote from our partner Fletch.

Is pet insurance for dogs worth it?

For many pet owners, yes. Dog insurance provides pet parents with peace of mind and keeps out-of-pocket costs in check.

Coverage tends to matter most when your dog is up against ongoing or high-cost care. Unexpected issues can often come out of nowhere. Hip dysplasia, for instance, is common in large-breed dogs.^[4] But pugs rank No. 2 among the most affected breeds for hip issues, according to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Hereditary issues can follow certain breeds for life. One example is a purebred French bulldog. This breed faces a higher risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, and treatment costs can climb to $5,000.

Mixed-breed dogs can avoid some hereditary conditions, but they have higher rates of cruciate ligament injuries, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Then, you have everyday mishaps to consider: digging through the trash, eating chocolate, or landing wrong while running in the yard. These emergency care situations add another layer of risk — especially when treatment requires surgery or overnight monitoring.

Pet insurance for dogs FAQs