Short answer: the average US dog accident-and-illness policy cost $836 a year — about $70 a month — in 2025, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). Accident-only plans cost far less, from about $11 a month in Nationwide’s advertised example. Your own quote depends mainly on your dog’s breed and age, your ZIP code, and the limit, deductible and reimbursement rate you choose.
Dog insurance cost is driven by a smaller set of factors than most owners expect — breed, age, coverage level and location account for most of the gap between a low monthly quote and a high one.
How Much Has Dog Insurance Cost in Recent Years?
Average premiums have climbed steadily. These are NAPHIA’s US averages for accident-and-illness cover:
| Year | Average dog premium per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $640 | $53 |
| 2023 | $676 | $56 |
| 2024 | $749 | $62 |
| 2025 | $836 | $70 |
Source: NAPHIA State of the Industry reports, 2023–2026.
The 2025 average rose 11.5% in a year. Insurers point to rising vet prices — Lemonade’s FAQ, for example, says its premiums rise as local vet costs do — and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports veterinarian-services prices rose 7.4% in the 12 months to August 2026, more than twice the rate of overall inflation. For cats and the wider picture, see average pet insurance cost: dogs vs. cats.
What Determines How Much Dog Insurance Actually Costs?
- Breed. Insurers price breeds with well-documented problems (hip dysplasia, airway disease, heart disease, certain cancers) higher, and bigger dogs generally cost more to treat. See the pet insurance price gap between popular breeds.
- Age. Embrace says premiums may increase as pets get older and more prone to illness, and Lemonade’s FAQ says the same at renewal. A few insurers price differently: Trupanion’s policy disclosures say its premiums won’t rise because of your pet’s age or claims history, though its overall rates can still change. More in how dog insurance costs change by age.
- Coverage level. Accident-only plans are much cheaper than accident-and-illness plans. Higher annual limits, lower deductibles and higher reimbursement percentages all raise the premium.
- Location. Premiums track local vet costs. Lemonade’s FAQ notes that moving to a more expensive area can raise your rate.
- Add-ons and discounts. Wellness packages, exam-fee cover and other riders add to the price; multi-pet or annual-payment discounts can take a little off.
What Does the Cheapest Plan Actually Buy?
Nationwide’s product page advertises accident-only coverage from $11 a month — but read the footnote. That price is for a 1-year-old medium mixed-breed dog in Chicago, with a $5,000 limit, 70% reimbursement and a $250 deductible, covering accidents only. It won’t pay for illnesses such as cancer, allergies or diabetes, which are often the most expensive claims. Headline “from” prices are useful for comparing, not for budgeting.
Why Does Puppy Insurance Cost Less?
A puppy usually has a lower age-based premium and, just as important, almost no medical history, so there’s little to exclude as pre-existing. Waiting until a dog is older means paying more and risking that a problem shows up in the records first — at which point it won’t be covered. See does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions.
How Should You Budget Beyond the Monthly Premium?
Your real yearly cost is the premium plus your share of any claims. Here’s an illustrative year using the average premium and a common policy set-up (80% reimbursement, $250 deductible), with the co-insurance-first math insurers such as Lemonade publish:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Premium (2025 average) | $836 |
| A $3,000 illness claim: insurer pays ($3,000 × 80%) − $250 | $2,150 |
| Your share of that bill | $850 |
| Your total for the year | $1,686 |
Illustrative only — not a quote from any insurer.
Practical steps:
- Compare total cost, not just the premium. A cheap plan with a high deductible and low reimbursement can cost more when you claim.
- Ask about breed-related exclusions or limits, especially for breeds with known predispositions.
- Price accident-only against accident-and-illness so you know exactly what the saving gives up.
- Check the limit type. A low annual or per-condition cap can run out on a chronic illness — see annual limit vs. per-incident pet insurance.
- Be careful re-shopping later. A new insurer will exclude anything already in your dog’s records, so compare switching against simply changing your deductible or reimbursement rate.
For a per-month overview that includes cats, see how much pet insurance costs per month. If you’re in India, where the products and prices are very different, see whether pet insurance is worth it for senior pets in India.
This article is general information, not insurance or financial advice. Premiums and plan terms change and vary by state; get quotes for your own dog before deciding.
Sources
- North American Pet Health Insurance Association — State of the Industry Report 2026, June 2026; earlier figures from NAPHIA 2025, 2024 and 2023 releases
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index, August 2026, September 2026
- Nationwide — All products, accessed September 2026
- Embrace Pet Insurance — Why Pet Insurance Premiums Rise With Age, September 2025
- Lemonade — The Ultimate Lemonade Pet FAQ, September 2026
- Trupanion — Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions (Florida), 2023
