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If you’re a dog owner, pet insurance is worth exploring. For example, an emergency vet visit can cost between $96 and $236, according to CareCredit. With a pet insurance policy, you can reduce costly out-of-pocket vet bills and ensure your dog gets the care it needs.
Here’s what you should know about pet insurance for dogs, including how to compare pet insurance quotes from multiple insurers to find the right coverage for your furry companion.
Best pet insurance for dogs
The ideal pet insurance depends on your dog’s needs, although some pet insurance companies consistently rank at the top. To find these insurers, we analyzed coverage options, premiums, third-party reviews, and customer reviews.
Spot: Best for unlimited coverage
Average monthly quote: $91
Spot offers accident-only pet insurance plans and accident and illness plans. If you choose the accident and illness plan, you’ll receive coverage for your dog’s vet exam fees, dental illnesses, and alternative therapies, like acupuncture. Spot has an unlimited annual plan and doesn’t have per-incident or lifetime caps on coverage.
Trupanion: Best for fast reimbursement
Average monthly quote: $63
Trupanion provides coverage for all dog breeds. The company provides extensive coverage that includes hereditary conditions, unidentified issues, and congenital issues developed before birth. Trupanion doesn’t have caps on insurance payouts, and the company pays your claims for vet bills as soon as you submit them.
Lemonade: Best for puppies
Average monthly quote: $37
Lemonade is the best option for puppy insurance, thanks to the company’s preventative care package. This plan covers procedures like spaying and neutering, microchipping, and certain vaccines and boosters. And you can use coverage for visits at any licensed veterinarian office in the United States.
Pets Best: Best for routine care coverage
Average monthly quote: $82
When you sign up for Pets Best, you can choose between accident-only coverage and accident and illness coverage. You also have the option to add routine care coverage, which pays for annual checkups and routine vaccinations. The company’s claims process is fairly simple, and you can sign up for direct deposit to receive your reimbursements faster.
Figo: Best for pre-existing conditions
Average monthly quote: $117
Figo is one of the only pet insurance companies that may offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions. To qualify, pets must be symptom-free within 12 months of treatment. Figo is also one of the few pet insurers that offer a 100% reimbursement option.
How pet insurance works
Pet insurance provides financial protection and peace of mind, helping dog owners manage veterinary expenses and give their dogs the care they need. Like human health insurance, pet insurance involves paying a monthly premium in exchange for a certain level of coverage, though most plans have exclusions.
You’ll typically have an annual deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before your policy covers any expenses. Pet insurance plans also have a waiting period, which is the time before your coverage begins.
Once your waiting period ends, your pet insurer will reimburse you for a covered claim based on your chosen reimbursement rate, no matter which vet you visit. While most pet insurance companies operate on a reimbursement model, some offer the option to pay your vet directly.
Dog owners have many insurance options. While it might be tempting to go with the first company you research, comparing plans helps you find the best coverage for your pet.
Types of pet insurance coverage for dogs
Pet insurance for dogs includes three main types: accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and wellness coverage. Since each coverage type caters to specific needs and budgets, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all three.
Accident-only coverage
An accident-only plan covers medical expenses only for injuries caused by accidents. It usually pays to treat broken bones, bite wounds, foreign object ingestion, poisoning, and injuries from car accidents. It won’t reimburse you for any expenses related to illnesses and pre-existing conditions. Dog owners pay an average of $16 per month for accident-only coverage.
Accident and illness coverage
Accident and illness policies are the most common type of pet insurance, offering the most comprehensive coverage for your dog. These plans cover treatment for diseases, cancer, and infections and may reimburse you for diagnostic procedures, lab tests, X-rays, surgery, and hospitalizations.
It’s important to note that this type of insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, dental exams, and routine care services (like wellness exams and vaccinations). On average, accident and illness coverage for dogs costs $63 per month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.1
Wellness coverage
Insurers usually offer wellness plans as an add-on to an accident-only or accident and illness policy. These plans help pay for preventive care and routine services, like wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, blood work, and flea and heartworm prevention.
Unlike accident-only and accident and illness pet insurance, wellness plans don’t usually have deductibles. Instead, they reimburse up to a set maximum amount. Monthly costs for wellness coverage for dogs typically range between $10 and $65, depending on the coverage level.
Cost of pet insurance for dogs
The average cost of pet insurance for dogs is $42 per month. But your exact premium will depend on several factors, including your location, your dog’s age and breed, its medical status, the type of policy you choose, your desired deductible and reimbursement rate, and more.2
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the average cost of pet insurance for several popular dog breeds.
Average pet insurance costs for top dog breeds
Pet insurance premiums for dogs vary significantly by age and breed. The chart below shows a breakdown of average insurance costs by age for 10 different breeds.
Factors that affect cost
Several factors affect how much you pay for dog insurance.3 These include:
Ways to save on pet insurance costs
Follow these tips to get the best price on pet insurance for your furry friend:4
Get several quotes. Pet insurance companies aren’t all the same. Shop around and compare pet insurance quotes from at least three different insurers.
Choose an accident-only policy. An accident-only plan is the cheapest option. It’s a good choice if your dog is healthy and you want coverage only for unexpected injuries.
Increase your deductible. If you have savings or some wiggle room in your budget, it may make sense to pick a $1,000 or $1,500 deductible instead of a $500 deductible.
Leverage discounts. Many pet insurance companies offer discounts to help policyholders save on coverage. Ask about a multi-pet discount, auto-pay discount, or loyalty discount.
Don’t wait to lock in coverage. The earlier you buy insurance, the cheaper your premiums will be. Since older dogs are more prone to illness, pet insurers typically offer the lowest rates for puppies and younger dogs.
How to choose the right pet insurance for your dog
The best pet insurance policy depends on your specific situation. The following steps can help you make the best decision.
1. Assess your dog’s needs
First, consider your dog’s overall health. An accident-only plan might be enough if your pet is young and healthy. If you have an older dog with age-related health issues, though, you may be better off with more comprehensive coverage through an accident and illness policy.
Talk to your vet about breed-specific health risks if you have a purebred dog. Finally, consider your dog’s lifestyle and activity level to determine the best coverage option for your furry friend.
2. Consider your budget
Look closely at your budget to see what you can realistically afford. Your goal should be to find a good balance between monthly premiums and potential out-of-pocket costs. You might choose a higher deductible and lower reimbursement rate if you have savings.
If you know you can’t easily cover an unexpected vet bill, consider a lower deductible and higher reimbursement rate. It’s also a good idea to explore other ways to cover your dog’s vet bills, such as an emergency fund, payment plans at your vet, or a financing option like CareCredit.
3. Read the fine print
Before you sign up for coverage, ensure you understand every aspect of your policy. Read the agreement thoroughly to understand the waiting period before your coverage begins.
Become familiar with the claims process and what you’ll need to do to file a claim. And don’t forget to review cancellation policies and premium increase patterns. If something isn’t clear or doesn’t make sense, be sure to reach out to the insurer directly before you commit to the policy.
How to file a pet insurance claim
While the claims process varies by pet insurance company, it usually includes the following steps:
Gather documents. Most pet insurers require an itemized bill from your vet, medical records, and proof of payment (if you’re requesting reimbursement).
File a claim. In most cases, you can file a claim online, via your online portal, or through the pet insurer’s mobile app. Some insurers also accept claims over the phone or by mail.
Be available and responsive. Make sure you reply to any questions or requests for additional information from your pet insurer. This can help avoid reimbursement delays.
Wait for reimbursement. Your pet insurance company will reimburse you via check or direct deposit when it approves your claim. If you choose direct vet pay, the insurance company will pay your vet directly. Note that reimbursement timelines vary by pet insurance company.