The average monthly cost for dog insurance ranges from $30 to $50. Some policies can go as high as $100, but those are rare. Most pet parents find these policies to be worth the cost because they save money, enjoy peace of mind, and can give their furry family members the best care possible.
Pet insurance has been around for decades. But, it’s become much more popular in the 2020s. That’s primarily due to so many new pet parents at the beginning of the decade!
Many people adopted new dogs during the pandemic or became pet parents for the first time while staying home. That resulted in much more awareness of dog insurance – and how many benefits a policy can provide.
But, such a wide range in possible pricing makes it challenging for some people to find a policy they like. Or to be confident that they can afford one.
So, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll break down the average costs of dog insurance to see what factors affect your monthly premium. We’ll also examine what you can and can’t get covered and how to adjust your price.
Average Dog Insurance Premium Costs
What Affects The Cost Of Dog Insurance?
The cost of your dog’s insurance will depend on:
- Breed
- Location
- Age
- Policy Options
There’s nothing you can do about your dog’s age or breed. And, you’re probably not going to move to a different town or state just to save some money on pet insurance.
Those factors are out of your control. But, the policy options are not. Here’s where you have the chance to tailor the monthly premiums to your needs and budget.
Common Policy Options For Dog Insurance
Now, let’s get into standard policy options for dog insurance and how you can adjust them to fit your budget.
Deductible
You’ll be responsible for a deductible and copay every time you use your dog’s health insurance. So, you have the option to pay a higher deductible when you use the insurance but have a lower monthly premium.
Or, pay more each month for the policy but go less out-of-pocket when you use the insurance.
Most dog insurance policies have an annual deductible. Once you pay that amount, you won’t pay any more for the year, no matter how often you use your insurance.
So, you can determine how high or low a deductible you should get. If you want to put a little extra money aside when you can, maybe go for a lower premium with a higher deductible. That helps you stay within a monthly budget while also preparing for a larger expenditure later.
Or, if you’re confident you’ll use the insurance a lot, pay a little more each month and go out of pocket much less.
Reimbursement Percentage
You’ll pay upfront when you go to the vet, pick up a prescription, or when your dog has surgery or a procedure. Then, you submit the invoices to your insurance company and get reimbursed.
Where you have wiggle room is how much you get back.
The lower the monthly premium, the less you get reimbursed – and vice versa. So, as with the deductible, you can tweak these amounts to fit your needs and finances.
Yearly Maximum
Next is the amount of money your insurance will pay, in total, in a year. Once you reach your deductible, the dog insurance company pays 100 percent of the bills – up to a certain amount.
Then, you’re responsible for any expenses over that amount. And, once again, you adjust that yearly maximum to pay more or less each month.
Additional Benefits
Finally, you can consider whether or not to get additional benefits on your policy. For instance, preventative care or wellness plans are especially popular for pet parents with puppies!
They know there’ll be a few vet visits early on for shots, spaying or neutering, and anything else that comes up as the dog approaches puberty.
With these plans, you’ll also have those sorts of expenses covered. Depending on the company and policy, it can include grooming, training, or even doggie acupuncture!
Is Dog Insurance Worth The Cost?
Most pet parents find dog insurance to be worth the monthly cost. Here’s why:
Insured Dogs Often Stay Healthier Than Non-Insured Dogs
Dog insurance isn’t a magic cure-all that keeps your pet healthy. But, it goes a long way toward helping you realize that outcome.
Let’s face it: Vet bills and prescriptions can get costly. X-rays and surgeries are even more so. And sometimes, even the best parent has to make a tough decision if they don’t have enough money to pay for what their dog needs.
That’s where dog insurance comes in.
By spending a little bit of money on their budget each month, a pet parent doesn’t worry about how much a treatment or procedure will cost. It’s covered!
As a result, insured pets are healthier because their pet parents have more access to treatment and medicine and more options to choose from to get the best possible outcome.
You’ll Pay A Little Each Month – But Less In The Long Run
If you’ve ever been in a car accident or needed surgery, you understand why you need insurance.
And how it works.
On the one hand, you’re always paying a little something every month, even if you don’t use it. But, once it’s time to make a claim, things often swing in your favor very quickly. And, the same goes for pet insurance.
In this case, the amount you’re paying each month is less than what you’ll get back for vet visits, prescriptions, or surgeries and procedures. And, as dogs get older, they require more and more care.
You’ll Always Know Your Dog Is Covered
Let’s face it: Dogs can be rambunctious! They’re more accident-prone than cats. And, just like any pet, there’s always the risk of illness or disease. Any of these problems can be costly.
And, you don’t want to worry about suddenly spending next month’s living expenses on an unexpected (and large) vet bill or pet emergency room visit.
But, they can happen at any time.
That’s why pet owners with dog insurance love the peace of mind their coverage brings. They enjoy more of the time they spend with their furry family members. If anything were to happen, they know they can get their dog the care they need without worrying about the cost.
