Pet insurance cost & whether it's worth it
The US average accident-and-illness pet-insurance premium is about $56.30/month for a dog (~$676/yr) and $32.00/month for a cat (~$383/yr), per NAPHIA. Accident-only cover is much cheaper — around $17.00/mo for dogs and $10.17/mo for cats. Insurance rarely "pays for itself" on average, but it shields you from a single catastrophic bill. Premiums vary by breed, age and state. These are averages — get a real quote for your pet.
Source: NAPHIA State of the Industry Report. Data as of June 2026.
Average pet insurance premiums (US)
| Plan type | Dog (avg) | Cat (avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Accident + illness | $56.30/mo ($676/yr) | $32.00/mo ($383/yr) |
| Accident only | $17.00/mo ($204/yr) | $10.17/mo ($122/yr) |
Source: NAPHIA State of the Industry Report. Data as of June 2026.
Is pet insurance worth it?
Over an average pet's life you will often pay more in premiums than you get back — that is how insurance works. The value is in protection against the rare big bill: an emergency surgery or chronic illness can run into the thousands (see our vet-cost ranges, e.g. ACL/TPLO surgery at $3,500–$5,000). Insurance makes most sense for surgery-prone or accident-prone breeds and for owners who could not easily absorb a five-figure bill. The main alternative is a dedicated pet emergency fund.
Estimated premiums by state
Premiums are higher where veterinary care costs more. The figures below are estimates: the NAPHIA national average multiplied by a clearly-labelled state cost adjustment (see the methodology). They illustrate relative differences, not guaranteed quotes.
Dog ~$811/yr · Cat ~$460/yr (est.)
New YorkDog ~$825/yr · Cat ~$467/yr (est.)
TexasDog ~$676/yr · Cat ~$383/yr (est.)
FloridaDog ~$730/yr · Cat ~$414/yr (est.)
IllinoisDog ~$710/yr · Cat ~$402/yr (est.)
PennsylvaniaDog ~$649/yr · Cat ~$368/yr (est.)
OhioDog ~$622/yr · Cat ~$352/yr (est.)
GeorgiaDog ~$656/yr · Cat ~$372/yr (est.)
Frequently asked questions
How much is pet insurance per month?
The US average accident-and-illness premium is about $56.30/month for a dog and $32.00/month for a cat (NAPHIA). Accident-only cover is far cheaper — roughly $17.00/month for a dog and $10.17/month for a cat. Your actual premium depends on breed, age, location and the deductible/reimbursement you pick.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It depends on your risk tolerance. Over an average pet's life you may pay more in premiums than you claim back, but insurance protects you from a single catastrophic bill (a $5,000 surgery, say) that could otherwise force a hard decision. It is most valuable for accident-prone or surgery-prone breeds and for owners without an emergency fund.
What does pet insurance not cover?
Standard accident-and-illness policies exclude pre-existing conditions and usually exclude routine/wellness care (vaccines, dental cleanings, spay/neuter) unless you add a wellness plan. Read each policy's exclusions, waiting periods and per-condition or annual limits before buying.
Sources & accuracy
National average premiums are from the NAPHIA State of the Industry Report. State figures are estimates derived by applying a labelled cost adjustment to the national average — not quotes. This is general information, not insurance or financial advice. Always compare real quotes. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-18