Securing pet insurance for a cat remains the more affordable option, as the average rate for cat insurance is nearly half the rate for canines, according to Insurify data. In February 2025, the average monthly rate for cats was $24 per month nationwide, while dogs came in at $45.
Average cost of pet insurance by state as of February 2025
Insurance rates can vary greatly based on location, which influences factors like the cost of living, frequency of potential pet-related hazards, and the availability and cost of veterinary care.
The table below illustrates how rates can shift in different parts of the country.
5 states with the highest pet insurance rates as of February 2025
The Northeast is the most expensive region in the U.S. for insuring a pet, with New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all making the top five most expensive states. Alaska also joins the group, tying for the national lead with an average of $45 per month for coverage.
The national average is $35 per month for coverage.
5 states with the lowest pet insurance rates as of February 2025
The Southeast is home to many of the states offering the nation’s most affordable pet insurance rates. Mississippi and Texas tied for the lowest overall pet insurance average in February with an average monthly rate of $27, according to Insurify data.
Louisiana, Kentucky, and Oklahoma were also well below the national monthly average of $35.
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 the:
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 reimburse policyholders for once they meet the deductible. A lower reimbursement level will lower your premiums because you’ll get less money back from your insurer.
Location: Pet care prices differ drastically around the country. Pet owners in areas where care is very expensive, like New York City, will pay more for pet insurance than someone who lives in an area 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. Breeds 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, including:
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 parent.
Reviewing plans: Plans generally come in three different coverage types: accident/illness, accident only, and wellness. Matching a pet’s needs to a plan can lead to significant savings. Pet owners who 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 parents are taking 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 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 what 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 and purebred pets. To ensure reliability, a minimum of 8 quotes is required for dogs and 4 quotes for cats. Breeds with significant price deviations from the average are noted explicitly; other breeds are estimated based on average costs for all purebred pets.
Pets are grouped into three age brackets:
Young: under 12 months
Adult: 12 months to 7 years
Senior: over 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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