The average cost of pet insurance for cats and dogs held steady through March. As of April 5, the average monthly cost of pet insurance in the U.S. was $43 for dogs and $23 for cats, according to Insurify data. These rates are identical to the national averages for March.
Average cost of pet insurance by state as of April 2026
Insurance rates can vary greatly by location, which influences factors like the cost of living, the frequency of potential pet-related hazards, and the availability and cost of veterinary care. Rates stayed largely consistent in most U.S. states through January, with fluctuations of only a dollar or two.
The table below shows average monthly rates by state.
5 states with the highest pet insurance rates as of April 2026
Alaska again ranks as the most expensive state for pet insurance. The state’s high rates are likely due to the limited availability of veterinary care and expensive vet costs.
The Northeast also continues to rank as the most expensive area for pet insurance in the U.S. Washington, D.C., returns to the top five, replacing Delaware.
5 states with the lowest pet insurance rates as of April 2026
The five cheapest states for pet insurance are in the Midwest and the South. Arkansas pet insurance rates sit well below the overall national average of $33 per month. All five states remain from the previous month, but average rates dropped a dollar in Mississippi and climbed a dollar in Iowa and Texas.
Factors that affect pet insurance rates
Pet insurance rates can vary significantly based on many factors that insurers use to estimate risk. Some common rating factors include:
Pet’s age: Older pets are more likely to require veterinary care, increasing pet insurance premiums.
Deductible: A higher deductible means a pet’s owner will cover more of the expenses up front. This lowers premiums because owners are taking on more of the risk.
Reimbursement level: The plan’s reimbursement level represents the amount of covered costs the insurer will pay once a pet owner meets the deductible. A lower reimbursement level will lower premiums because the insurer has to pay out less money.
Location: Pet care prices differ dramatically around the country. People in areas where care is very expensive, like New York City, will pay more for pet insurance than people in areas where care costs are lower.
Pet’s breed: Dogs are more expensive to insure than cats in most cases, but the breed of pet matters as well. Having a breed with known health issues will lead to more expensive insurance rates.
How to save on pet insurance
Pet owners can take steps to reduce the cost of pet insurance by:
Comparison shopping: Many pet insurance options are available, and each offers different rates. Comparing rates for different plans can help identify the most affordable plan for each pet owner.
Reviewing plans: Plans generally come in three different coverage types: accident and illness, accident-only, and wellness. Matching a pet’s needs with a plan can lead to significant savings. Pet owners who already factor routine veterinary visits into their budget, for example, can save money by choosing an accident-only plan.
Increasing the deductible: A higher deductible typically leads to lower rates because pet owners take on more of the up-front risk themselves.
Enrolling ASAP: Older pets are more expensive to insure, and some insurers won’t offer coverage to pets with pre-existing conditions. Enrolling early in a pet’s life allows customers to secure coverage before these considerations take effect.
Searching for discounts: Many pet insurers offer discounts, and customers can save by asking their insurer which discounts they may qualify for.
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Pet methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250,000 pet insurance quotes from our proprietary database — sourced by Fletch Insurance Services LLC (“Fletch”) — to determine the premium prices displayed on this page. These quotes come directly from Insurify’s 10+ partner insurance companies across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., reflecting monthly pet insurance costs for both dogs and cats.
Unless otherwise specified, premium prices represent one-year rolling medians to account for market volatility driven by factors such as rising veterinary care costs and increased pet ownership.
Breed-level prices incorporate both mixed-breed and purebred pets. To ensure reliability, it’s a good idea to get at least eight quotes for dogs and four quotes for cats. Breeds with significant price deviations from the average are noted. Other breeds are estimated based on average costs for all purebred pets.
Pets are grouped into three age brackets:
Young: Younger than 12 months
Adult: 12 months to 7 years
Senior: Older than 7 years
Coverage limits
Dog premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
Cat premium averages reflect policies with annual coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
For both dogs and cats, monthly premiums are segmented by:
Deductible options: $250, $500, $1,000
Reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, 90%
For a comprehensive look at historical trends, visit Insurify’s Pet Insurance Data Center, which houses data dating back to 2021 and provides median monthly cost information for both dogs and cats.
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