The average cost of pet insurance for cats and dogs held steady through August. As of Sept. 1, the average monthly cost of pet insurance was $42 for dogs and $23 for cats, according to Insurify data. This represents a $1 decrease in average monthly insurance rates for dogs, while rates for cats remained stable.
Insurance rates can vary greatly based on 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 states through August, with rate fluctuations of only a dollar or two. But Alaska saw a dramatic decrease in average monthly cat insurance premiums. California saw a $12 decrease in dog insurance premiums.
The table below shows average monthly rates by state in August.
Alaska again ranks as the most expensive state for pet insurance. The state’s high rates are likely due to the low availability of veterinary care and expensive vet costs.
The Northeast also continues to rank as the most expensive area, with Massachusetts making its first appearance in the top five.
The five cheapest states for pet insurance lie in the Midwest and the South. Arkansas pet insurance rates sit well below the overall national average of $33 per month. Texas makes its first appearance on the list, replacing Louisiana.
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 reimburse 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 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. Having a breed with known health issues will lead to more expensive insurance rates.
Pet owners can take steps to reduce the cost of pet insurance by:
Comparison shopping: Many pet insurance options are on the market, 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. And 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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At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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State  | Monthly Rate Dog | Monthly Rate Cat |
|---|---|---|
| National | $42 | $23 |
| Alabama | $31 | $18 |
| Alaska | $55 | $32 |
| Arizona | $43 | $24 |
| Arkansas | $28 | $13 |
| California | $46 | $23 |
| Colorado | $47 | $27 |
| Connecticut | $48 | $27 |
| Delaware | $45 | $26 |
| Florida | $42 | $21 |
| Georgia | $35 | $20 |
| Hawaii | $46 | $27 |
| Idaho | $48 | $27 |
| Illinois | $43 | $24 |
| Indiana | $29 | $22 |
| Iowa | $33 | $15 |
| Kansas | $43 | $21 |
| Kentucky | $38 | $18 |
| Louisiana | $34 | $17 |
| Maine | $49 | $25 |
| Maryland | $45 | $27 |
| Massachusetts | $51 | $26 |
| Michigan | $43 | $23 |
| Minnesota | $42 | $21 |
| Mississippi | $32 | $18 |
| Missouri | $36 | $17 |
| Montana | $43 | $20 |
| Nebraska | $40 | $26 |
| Nevada | $40 | $21 |
| New Hampshire | $52 | $30 |
| New Jersey | $45 | $27 |
| New Mexico | $39 | $21 |
| New York | $54 | $29 |
| North Carolina | $36 | $19 |
| North Dakota | $40 | $22 |
| Ohio | $35 | $21 |
| Oklahoma | $37 | $19 |
| Oregon | $49 | $25 |
| Pennsylvania | $38 | $22 |
| Rhode Island | $39 | $22 |
| South Carolina | $36 | $19 |
| South Dakota | $45 | $22 |
| Tennessee | $40 | $21 |
| Texas | $33 | $17 |
| Utah | $40 | $22 |
| Vermont | $43 | $24 |
| Virginia | $39 | $22 |
| Washington | $42 | $22 |
| Washington, D.C. | $52 | $25 |
| West Virginia | $40 | $17 |
| Wisconsin | $41 | $26 |
| Wyoming | $43 | $18 |
State | Overall Average |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $44 |
| New York | $42 |
| New Hampshire | $41 |
| Massachusetts | $39 |
| Connecticut | $38 |
State | Overall Average |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | $21 |
| Iowa | $24 |
| Alabama | $25 |
| Mississippi | $25 |
| Texas | $25 |
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
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