Pet insurance calculator
Estimate your dog or cat's premium in 10 seconds — no email, no phone number. We start from your state's real accident & illness average and adjust for the factors insurers actually rate on: age, breed size and reimbursement level.
Estimate your pet insurance premium
Real California market rates, adjusted for your pet — no email required
Estimate applies published age, breed-size and reimbursement factors to California's accident & illness average. Actual quotes depend on breed, your ZIP code's vet costs and the insurer's rate curve — the same pet is routinely quoted 2x apart by different companies, and premiums lock lower the younger you enroll.
We may earn a commission if you request quotes through this link, at no cost to you. It never affects the data we publish.
What the big pet insurers charge
For the same benchmark dog, published averages span more than 50% between major insurers — and each company's rate curve treats age and breed differently, so the cheapest insurer for a puppy is rarely the cheapest for a senior dog.
| Carrier | National avg (dog, accident & illness, monthly) | vs U.S. average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $34/mo | -21% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
| Pets Best | $36/mo | -16% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
| Embrace | $41/mo | -5% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
| Healthy Paws | $45/mo | +5% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
| Spot | $50/mo | +16% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
| Fetch | $53/mo | +23% vs US avg | Get quotes → |
National market averages compiled July 2026 from published rate analyses; your quote will differ. Quote links go to our comparison partner and may earn us a commission at no cost to you.
Where your state fits
Pet insurance flips the usual insurance map: it tracks vet costs, so the Northeast and Alaska pay the most while the South pays least — from $32/mo in Alabama to $66/mo in Alaska for dogs. See all 51 on the pet insurance by state page.
The single most reliable way to cut your premium is comparing quotes — insurers quote wildly different premiums for the same pet — comparing plans routinely cuts the bill by a third or more.
Compare pet insurance quotesWe may earn a commission if you request quotes through this link. It costs you nothing and never affects the data we publish.
Pet insurance calculator FAQ
How much is pet insurance per month?
Accident & illness coverage averages $43 a month for dogs and $23 for cats nationally. Location matters enormously — the same dog costs around $26/month to insure in Mississippi and $70+ in New York, because premiums track local vet costs.
Why does my pet's age change the price so much?
Pet insurers reprice at every renewal as your pet ages, and the curve is steep: a 9-year-old dog typically costs about twice what a 2-year-old does. That's the strongest argument for enrolling young — you lock in coverage before any conditions become 'pre-existing' and excluded for life.
What does pet insurance not cover?
The near-universal exclusions: pre-existing conditions (anything noted in vet records before enrollment or during waiting periods), routine/preventive care unless you buy a wellness add-on, and cosmetic or breeding-related costs. Every insurer also imposes waiting periods — typically 14 days for illness, and 6 months for knee injuries at many carriers.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It's insurance against the $4,000–$10,000 emergency — a torn ACL, a swallowed toy, cancer treatment — not a discount plan for routine care. Financially it makes the most sense for young pets, large breeds prone to orthopedic issues, and owners who would say yes to a five-figure surgery. Comparing insurers matters: the same pet is routinely quoted 2x apart.