Pet Insurance Cost Per Month: Average Premiums for Dogs and Cats
Published averages for accident-only, accident and illness, and wellness plans, why premiums climb every year, and how to cut the cost without gutting your cover.
In the US, an accident and illness policy averaged about $70 a month for a dog and about $36 a month for a cat in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Accident-only cover costs far less, and plans with wellness benefits cost more. Your own quote can sit well above or below these averages depending on your pet’s age, breed, where you live and the deductible you pick.
All figures below are published averages as of October 2026, converted to monthly amounts where the source gives a yearly figure. They are not quotes. Use them to judge whether a price is in the normal range, then compare real quotes for your pet.
Average premiums in the US and Canada
NAPHIA’s State of the Industry report, published in June 2026, lists average annual premiums for 2025. Monthly amounts are simply the annual figure divided by 12.
| Plan type (2025) | US dog | US cat | Canada dog (CAD) | Canada cat (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident only | $190/yr (about $16/mo) | $112/yr (about $9/mo) | $251/yr (about $21/mo) | $212/yr (about $18/mo) |
| Accident and illness | $836/yr (about $70/mo) | $435/yr (about $36/mo) | $1,176/yr (about $98/mo) | $601/yr (about $50/mo) |
| Insurance with embedded wellness | $1,414/yr (about $118/mo) | $859/yr (about $72/mo) | $2,623/yr (about $219/mo) | $1,499/yr (about $125/mo) |
Two things stand out. Dogs cost roughly twice as much to insure as cats on comparable plans, mostly because dogs tend to have higher claim costs. And accident and illness cover, the type most owners buy, is the one that has been rising fastest.
UK and Australia
There is no exact equivalent of the NAPHIA table for the UK or Australia, so treat these as rough guides:
- UK: the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reported an average premium of about £389 a year (roughly £32 a month) in its most recent published figures, across all pets and policy types. Comparison sites often show much lower starting prices, but those usually reflect the cheapest quotes, often for basic or time-limited cover.
- Australia: a September 2026 price survey by the comparison site Finder, covering dog and cat products from dozens of brands, found an average of about A$127 a month, with individual brand averages ranging from about A$30 to over A$180.
UK policy types work differently from US plans, so a lifetime policy and a time-limited policy at the same price are not equal value. Our guide to how pet insurance works explains the differences.
What makes your premium higher or lower
Species, breed and size
Insurers price each breed on its claim history. Large and giant dogs, and breeds prone to joint, heart, breathing or skin problems, usually cost more to cover. Mixed breeds and cats are often cheaper, though some cat breeds are priced higher too.
Age
Premiums are usually lowest when you enroll a young pet and climb as the pet gets older, because older animals claim more often. Some insurers set a maximum age for new policies, and some add co-payments for senior pets.
Where you live
Vet prices vary a lot by city and region, and premiums follow them. The same pet can cost noticeably more to insure in a large, expensive city than in a rural area.
The settings you choose
- Deductible (excess): a higher deductible lowers the monthly price.
- Reimbursement rate: choosing 70% or 80% instead of 90% lowers the price.
- Annual limit: a lower cap is cheaper but can run out during a serious illness.
- Add-ons: wellness, dental or exam-fee riders add to the bill.
Why premiums keep rising
In NAPHIA’s figures, the average US accident and illness premium for dogs rose 11.0% in 2024 and 11.5% in 2025; for cats it rose 12.6% in 2025. In practice, many owners see increases of around 10% a year or more on renewal. The main reasons:
- Vet care costs more. Veterinary service prices have risen faster than general inflation in recent years, according to US consumer price data, and insurers pass those costs on.
- Your pet is a year older. Most policies reprice by age at every renewal.
- More advanced treatment. Imaging, specialist referrals and newer medications raise the average claim.
- Local claims experience. If claims in your area or for your breed go up, premiums follow, even if you have never claimed.
Because of this, judge a policy on its likely cost over several years, not just the first-year price. A cheap introductory premium can climb quickly.
How to lower the bill without losing the cover that matters
- Enroll early. Young, healthy pets get lower prices and fewer exclusions. Conditions noted before cover starts are usually excluded; see pet insurance and pre-existing conditions.
- Raise the deductible to an amount you could pay from savings tomorrow.
- Adjust the reimbursement rate rather than cutting the annual limit. A low limit is the setting most likely to hurt you in a real emergency.
- Skip the wellness add-on if you are disciplined about budgeting for checkups. It often returns roughly what you pay in.
- Ask about discounts. Multi-pet, annual-payment and employer or group discounts are common, though not universal.
- Compare at renewal, but be careful: switching insurers can turn anything your pet has been treated for into a new pre-existing exclusion.
- Consider accident-only cover if full cover is out of reach. It will not pay for illness, but it can cover injuries such as fractures or swallowed objects.
If you are still deciding whether insurance makes sense at all, our guide to whether pet insurance is worth it walks through the alternatives, including a dedicated savings fund. For the bills insurance is meant to cover, see how much a vet visit costs.
Bottom line
As of October 2026, typical US accident and illness cover averages about $70 a month for dogs and $36 for cats, with Canadian averages higher in local currency and UK and Australian prices varying widely by policy type. Expect premiums to rise each year with age and vet prices. Choose a deductible you can afford, keep a sensible annual limit, and compare the full policy wording, not just the monthly price.
FAQ
Is pet insurance cheaper for cats than dogs?
Usually, yes. In NAPHIA’s 2025 US figures, accident and illness cover for cats averaged about half the dog premium.
Why did my premium go up when I never claimed?
Most premiums are repriced at renewal for your pet’s age and for rising vet costs in your area, regardless of your own claim history. Ask your insurer to explain the increase.
Is it cheaper to pay yearly?
Some insurers offer a small discount or waive installment fees for annual payment. Check your quote for both options.
Is accident-only cover worth it?
It can be a reasonable budget choice for injuries, but it will not pay for illnesses such as infections, cancer or diabetes, which make up many claims.
