Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you get a quote or buy a policy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Payments never change the prices we report. Every quote below is shown exactly as the insurer gave it.
Updated October 29, 2026
The short answer
Dog insurance costs about $70 a month on average in 2026 for an accident-and-illness plan, based on what U.S. policyholders actually paid in 2025. New shoppers are usually quoted less, around $43 to $56 a month for a young dog.
The two numbers differ because the first averages every policy in force, including older dogs and richer plans. The second reflects fresh quotes, which skew toward younger pets and standard settings. Your price depends mostly on your dog’s age, breed, where you live and the plan settings you pick. Have a cat? See our cat insurance cost guide.
National averages by plan type
Accident-and-illness coverage, the most common plan, averaged $836 a year for U.S. dogs in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). That was up 11.5% from 2024.
| Plan type | What it covers | Average per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident only | Injuries such as swallowed objects, cuts, broken bones | $190 | $16 |
| Accident and illness | Injuries plus illnesses such as cancer, infections, digestive problems | $836 | $70 |
| Accident and illness with wellness | Adds routine care such as vaccines, checkups, dental cleanings | $1,414 | $118 |
Only about 6% of U.S. dogs were insured in 2025, so most owners are still paying vet bills out of pocket.
Cost by age
Premiums stay fairly flat through about age 3, then rise steeply. A 7-year-old dog costs about 80% more to insure than a 3-year-old on the same $5,000 plan.
Senior dogs cost the most. Insurify’s quote data puts the average for dogs over 7 at $116 a month, against $46 for adult dogs (RealPetCost, Insurify data). Enrolling young locks in coverage before conditions become pre-existing, though the premium still rises each year.
Cost by size and breed
Breed matters more than size alone: a French bulldog averages about twice what a small mixed-breed dog costs on the same plan.
| Dog | $5,000 annual limit | Unlimited annual limit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed breed, small | $32/mo | $53/mo | Forbes Advisor |
| Mixed breed, medium | $50/mo | $56/mo | Forbes Advisor |
| Mixed breed, large | $50/mo | $70/mo | Forbes Advisor |
| Golden retriever | $59/mo | $115/mo | Insurify, via RealPetCost |
| French bulldog | $69/mo | $134/mo | Insurify, via RealPetCost |
Forbes figures assume a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement. Breeds prone to hereditary problems, such as breathing issues in flat-faced dogs or hip problems in large breeds, cost more to insure.
Real quotes for Nampa, Idaho
We ran live quotes on October 29, 2026, for ZIP code 83651. The same 7-year-old Labrador was quoted $47.10 a month by Fetch and $82.89 by Embrace, a $35 monthly gap for similar coverage.
| Sample dog | Embrace | Fetch |
|---|---|---|
| Small mixed breed, 1 year | $25.98 | $22.16 |
| Labrador retriever, 1 year | $48.76 | $26.66 |
| Labrador retriever, 7 years | $82.89 | $47.10 |
Plans are close but not identical:
- Deductible: Embrace quotes use a $250 deductible. Fetch’s lowest dog deductible is $300.
- Exam fees: Fetch includes sick-visit exam fees. Embrace charges about $1.43 a month extra for them on the small dog.
- Small dog size: Embrace’s small mixed-breed category covers 11 to 30 lb. Fetch’s covers up to 22 lb.
These are sample quotes, not offers. Your price will differ by breed, age, ZIP code and the date you apply.
What drives your premium
Age and plan settings move the price the most. Seven factors set what you pay:
- Age: Premiums rise as your dog gets older, and usually at each renewal.
- Breed: Breeds with known hereditary conditions cost more.
- Location: Vet costs vary by ZIP code, so the same dog costs more in some cities.
- Annual limit: The most the insurer pays in a year. Higher limits cost more.
- Deductible: What you pay each year before coverage starts. A higher deductible lowers the premium.
- Reimbursement rate: The share of each bill the insurer pays after the deductible, usually 70%, 80% or 90%.
- Add-ons: Exam fees, prescription coverage and wellness plans each add to the monthly price.
Watch the default quote. Embrace’s first quote for our small 1-year-old dog was $9.57 a month. That price came with a $2,000 annual limit, a $1,000 deductible and 70% reimbursement. Moving to a $5,000 limit, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement raised it to $25.98. Always check the settings before comparing prices.
Is dog insurance worth it?
Insurance pays off when a large, unexpected bill arrives. It costs you money in years your dog stays healthy.
The most common dog claims in 2025 were digestive problems, ear infections, skin conditions, behavioral issues and allergies, according to NAPHIA. These are usually modest bills. The case for insurance rests on the rare large ones: one of the ten largest dog claims NAPHIA reported for 2025 was about $42,300, paid for a 13-year-old Shetland sheepdog in Garden City, Idaho.
Insurance is likely worth it if:
- A surprise vet bill of $3,000 to $5,000 would strain your budget.
- Your dog’s breed is prone to costly hereditary conditions.
- You can enroll while your dog is young, before conditions become pre-existing.
It may not be worth it if you can comfortably cover a large bill from savings, or if your dog already has conditions a policy would exclude.
How to get the best price
Compare at least two quotes with identical settings; our Idaho test showed a $35 monthly spread for the same dog.
- Enroll young. Premiums start lower, and conditions that develop later are less likely to be excluded as pre-existing.
- Match the settings. Use the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate on every quote.
- Check what’s included. Some plans include exam fees; others charge extra.
- Raise the deductible if you can. A higher deductible lowers the monthly premium.
- Re-check at renewal. Prices rise with age, so compare again each year.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dog insurance cost per month?
About $70 a month on average for accident-and-illness coverage, based on what policyholders paid in 2025. Quotes for young dogs on standard plans often run $40 to $56.
How much should dog insurance cost?
For a young, healthy mixed-breed dog on a $5,000 plan, $25 to $50 a month is typical. Older dogs and high-risk breeds can cost $80 or more.
Why did my quote go up at renewal?
Premiums are based on your dog’s current age, and average premiums also rose about 11.5% across the industry in 2025.
Is accident-only insurance cheaper?
Yes. It averaged $190 a year in 2025, but it doesn’t cover illnesses such as cancer or infections.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Generally no. Some insurers, including Embrace, may cover conditions they consider curable after a symptom-free period. Check each policy’s terms.
Sources
- NAPHIA 2026 State of the Industry Report Highlights (2025 data)
- Forbes Advisor: Average Cost of Pet Insurance 2026
- RealPetCost: Pet Insurance Cost 2026 (Insurify data, May 2026)
- PetCostHub: Pet Insurance Statistics 2026
- Embrace Pet Insurance and Fetch Pet Insurance online quote tools, ZIP 83651, October 29, 2026