How Much Is Full-Coverage Pet Insurance? (2025)

Full-coverage pet insurance typically refers to a policy that covers treatment for both accidents and illnesses and may include savings on routine care like annual exams and vaccines. Pet parents pay an average of $42 per month for dog insurance and $23 per month for cat insurance. But premiums depend on your pet’s age, breed, location, and the coverage you choose.

Here’s what you should know about comprehensive pet insurance policies and how to choose a pet insurance company. Since your pet doesn’t contribute to your household income (yet — there’s still a chance your pet will make it big in Hollywood), we’ll also provide a few tips for saving money on your premiums.

What does full-coverage pet insurance include?

A typical accident and illness policy covers veterinary treatment for accidental injuries and acute or chronic diseases.1 Common examples of conditions that many policies cover include:

• Allergies

• Bite wounds

• Broken bones

• Cancer

• Cuts and lacerations

• Digestive illnesses

• Infections

• Poisoning

• Swallowed objects

• Torn ligaments

Some companies also cover hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, and dental illnesses, but every policy is different. When your pet is sick or injured, full-coverage pet insurance typically covers most veterinary services to treat the condition, including:

• Emergency care

• Hospitalization

• Lab tests

• Prescription medications

• Specialist treatment

• Surgery

• X-rays, MRIs, and other imaging

Many pet insurance companies also offer a wellness plan, typically as an add-on to an accident and illness policy. Wellness packages cover preventive care services, like annual vet exams, vaccinations, and routine lab tests. Wellness coverage is different from pet insurance. It isn’t subject to a deductible or waiting periods, and it usually caps benefits at a certain dollar amount.

What doesn’t full-coverage pet insurance cover?

Some pet insurance policies are more comprehensive than others, but every policy contains at least a few exclusions. For example, full-coverage pet insurance policies commonly exclude the following:

Traditional accident and illness policies don’t cover routine care unless you add wellness coverage to your plan. Some pet insurance providers also exclude coverage for the following conditions and services or offer it only as an add-on:

• Behavioral issues

• Congenital and hereditary conditions

• Cremation or end-of-life expenses

• Dental diseases

• Holistic or alternative therapies

• Parasites and preventable diseases

• Prescription food or supplements

Best full-coverage pet insurance providers

When choosing a pet insurance company, check for age and breed restrictions and consider your pet’s health needs. For example, if you have a purebred dog, you may want coverage for hereditary conditions. If you have a cat with a history of ear infections, you’ll want a company that covers curable pre-existing conditions after a short period.

You’ll also want to compare pet insurance quotes from reputable insurers to find a policy that fits your budget. The table below shows some of the best pet insurance companies for full-coverage pet insurance to kickstart your search.

How much does full-coverage pet insurance cost on average?

The average premium for dog insurance is $504 per year, or $42 per month. For cat insurance, the average premium is $276 per year, or $23 per month. But pet insurance costs vary widely depending on the company and policy type you choose, among other factors.

Accident-only policies are more affordable because they cover veterinary care only for accidental injuries and poisoning. Preventive care packages range in price because they cover different routine care services with different annual maximums. The table below shows the average price of different types of pet insurance for dogs and cats in the U.S.

Costs vary widely between companies, in part because some pet insurers offer coverage for more conditions and treatments than others. For example, Pumpkin charges more than twice the average premium Lemonade charges for dog insurance because Pumpkin offers much broader coverage.

Factors that affect the cost of full-coverage pet insurance

In addition to the company, policy type, and coverage levels you choose, your pet’s details and your location affect your pet insurance premiums. Pricing may vary according to:

How breed and age affect your premium

Like humans, dogs and cats are more likely to develop illnesses as they age. If you have a large dog, you may start paying senior dog rates sooner because large dog breeds have shorter lifespans. Large dogs also face more orthopedic issues and require higher doses of medications, so people with big dog breeds pay higher premiums in general.

Purebred pets are also more prone to health issues. For example, Siamese cats are more likely to get chronic airway disease than other cat breeds. Pet parents of short-nosed dogs, like pugs and French bulldogs, also pay higher premiums because these breeds are prone to respiratory issues. The table below shows the average premiums for popular dog breeds at two different life stages.

How location influences pet insurance rates

State legal requirements and average vet care costs affect the cost of pet insurance.

For example, if your dog frolics through rural Arkansas, a state with an average vet visit cost of just $77, you’ll pay a relatively low pet insurance premium of just $28 per month on average.

If you and your pup move to New York City, your premium will increase. The map below shows how your location influences pet insurance rates.

How to save on full-coverage pet insurance

If you’re on a tight budget or just want more money for toys and treats, consider these tips to save money on pet insurance:

• Buy a policy when your pet is young. Most companies increase your premiums as your pet ages, but buying a policy before your pet experiences any health issues will prevent pre-existing condition exclusions. Some companies, like Trupanion, don’t increase premiums with age, but they typically charge higher rates off the bat.

• Choose a high deductible or a low reimbursement rate. If you want a low premium, choose a high deductible and a low reimbursement rate. Set aside the premium savings to ensure you have enough money to cover your out-of-pocket costs if your pet needs veterinary care.

• Don’t buy coverage you don’t need. Before buying a wellness plan, consider whether you’ll use enough of the covered services to make the cost worthwhile. Carefully consider the value of add-on coverages and evaluate the difference between comprehensive and basic policies with attention to your pet’s health needs.

• Take advantage of discounts. Some pet insurers offer discounts for insuring multiple pets, paying annually, or even bundling your pet insurance with another policy. As you compare companies, consider whether you’re eligible for any discounts.

• Shop around. Each pet insurance company calculates premiums differently, and some insurers may offer a lower rate for your pet than others — even for similar coverage. It’s a good idea to compare quotes based on your pet’s details to find the cheapest pet insurance for your needs.

Is full-coverage pet insurance worth it?

Buying pet insurance is a personal choice. There’s always a chance your pet will have few or no health issues. But if your pet ever needs emergency surgery or develops a chronic condition, a pet insurance policy could save you a lot of money. Many pet parents buy pet insurance for the peace of mind it provides.

Pet insurance might be worth it to you if:

• You want help with the high initial costs of raising a puppy or kitten.

• You have a breed that’s prone to health issues.

• You don’t want to delay getting care for your pet due to financial concerns.

• You don’t want to choose between euthanizing your pet and going into debt.

• You want the freedom to explore a variety of treatment options for your pet.

You may want to forgo pet insurance if:

• You don’t have enough disposable income to pay for pet insurance without sacrificing necessities like food for your family.

• You have a senior pet or a pet with chronic pre-existing conditions and are facing sky-high premiums.

• You prefer to self-insure and have plenty of emergency savings.

You might also consider full-coverage pet insurance alternatives, such as:

• Accident-only plans

• Stand-alone wellness plans

• Emergency protection plans, like Pawp

• Veterinary discount plans

• Veterinary office preventive care packages

Full-coverage pet insurance FAQs