Pet insurance can help protect your budget when your furry family member needs unexpected veterinary care. But how much does pet insurance cost in the USA? Is it cheaper to insure a cat than a dog? And how much should you expect to pay each month for coverage through Progressive?
The answer depends on your pet’s age, breed, location, deductible, reimbursement rate, and the type of policy you choose. A basic accident-only policy can cost much less than a plan covering both accidents and illnesses.
In this guide, we’ll explain the average pet insurance cost per month and per year, compare dog and cat insurance prices, show you how to estimate your own premium with a simple pet insurance cost calculator, and explain what to know about Progressive pet insurance.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in 2026?
According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), its 2026 industry report puts the average annual premium for accident-and-illness coverage in 2025 at approximately $836 for dogs and $435 for cats in the United States. That’s about $70 per month for a dog and $36 per month for a cat. These are national averages, not guaranteed quotes.
Your actual price may be lower or higher depending on your pet and your chosen coverage. For example, a young, healthy cat with a higher deductible may cost less to insure than an older dog living in an area where veterinary care is expensive.
Average Pet Insurance Cost at a Glance
| Coverage type | Dog cost per month | Cat cost per month |
|---|---|---|
| Accident-only coverage | About $16 | About $9 |
| Accident-and-illness coverage | About $70 | About $36 |
| Annual accident-and-illness cost | About $836 | About $435 |
Accident-only insurance generally helps with eligible injuries, such as certain fractures or accidental foreign-body ingestion. Accident-and-illness insurance adds eligible medical conditions, which may include infections, digestive problems, and cancer, depending on the policy.
Before purchasing, read the policy’s exclusions, waiting periods, annual limits, and reimbursement rules. A lower premium doesn’t always mean better value.
Pet Insurance Cost Per Month
For many American pet owners, the monthly premium is the easiest way to budget for insurance. However, the cost of pet insurance per month varies significantly between providers and pets.
A reasonable starting point for planning is around $70 per month for a dog or $36 per month for a cat with accident-and-illness coverage. Your quote may differ based on the coverage options you select.
Example Monthly Budgets
| Pet and plan | Example monthly budget | Example yearly budget |
|---|---|---|
| Dog, accident-only | $16 | $192 |
| Dog, accident and illness | $70 | $840 |
| Cat, accident-only | $9 | $108 |
| Cat, accident and illness | $36 | $432 |
| Two dogs, accident and illness | $140 | $1,680 |
| One dog and one cat | $106 | $1,272 |
These are rounded budgeting examples, not insurer quotes. The two-pet estimates simply add the individual monthly examples; actual multi-pet discounts or differences in each pet’s premium may change the total.
Tip: Don’t choose a policy based only on the monthly price. Compare the deductible, reimbursement percentage, annual coverage limit, and exclusions before deciding.
Pet Insurance Cost Per Year
Looking at the annual cost helps you understand the long-term expense of keeping your pet insured. A monthly payment can feel manageable, but the total over 12 months may be more than you expect.
Using the 2025 national accident-and-illness averages reported in NAPHIA’s 2026 industry data:
- Dog insurance: Approximately $836 per year.
- Cat insurance: Approximately $435 per year.
- One dog and one cat: Approximately $1,271 per year combined.
For example, if your dog’s policy costs $70 per month, you’ll pay about $840 over 12 months, before considering any premium changes, fees, or discounts.
Remember that premiums are only one part of your pet-care budget. You may still pay for routine checkups, food, grooming, preventive medication, deductibles, and treatment that the policy doesn’t cover.
Is Paying Monthly or Annually Better?
Some insurers offer different payment options, and payment fees or discounts may vary. Paying annually can sometimes simplify budgeting, while monthly payments spread the expense across the year.
Compare the total amount due under both options rather than assuming one is automatically cheaper. Also check whether your insurer allows you to change payment frequency at renewal.
Pet Insurance Cost for Cats
Cat insurance is generally less expensive than dog insurance. NAPHIA’s 2026 report, covering 2025, puts the average annual premium for cat accident-and-illness coverage at about $435, or roughly $36 per month.
However, your cat’s age, breed, location, and policy details can make a difference. An indoor cat may have a different risk profile from an outdoor cat, but don’t assume indoor status automatically guarantees a lower quote.
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- Age: Older cats may cost more to insure.
- Breed: Pricing can vary by breed and associated health risks.
- Location: Veterinary costs differ between cities and states.
- Deductible: A higher deductible can lower your premium.
- Reimbursement rate: A plan that reimburses a larger percentage may cost more.
- Annual limit: Higher coverage limits can increase the premium.
If you have a kitten, compare policies early. Once a condition develops, insurers commonly treat it as pre-existing, which means future treatment for that condition may be excluded. Review the exact policy wording before enrolling.
Dog Insurance Cost: What Should You Expect?
Dog insurance usually costs more than cat insurance. The national average for accident-and-illness dog coverage was approximately $836 per year in the 2025 figures reported by NAPHIA in 2026.
A small mixed-breed dog may receive a very different quote from a large or older purebred dog. Your location and coverage selections also matter.
Why Is Dog Insurance Often More Expensive?
Dogs may need treatment for injuries, digestive conditions, allergies, joint problems, or other illnesses. Some breeds have a greater risk of particular inherited conditions, and treatment costs can vary with the size of the dog and the type of care required.
When comparing dog insurance, check whether the policy covers eligible hereditary and congenital conditions. Some plans may cover them subject to their terms, while others may restrict coverage. Pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded.
If you’re adopting a puppy, getting quotes while the dog is young may give you more options before health issues develop. Still, compare the actual policy, not just the introductory price.
What Factors Affect Pet Insurance Cost?
Understanding the pricing factors can help you find a policy that fits your budget without sacrificing important coverage.
1. Your Pet’s Age
Young pets may qualify for lower starting premiums, although rates vary. As pets get older, the likelihood of medical claims can rise, and premiums may increase at renewal. Insurers also differ in their enrollment rules for older animals.
2. Breed and Species
Dogs generally cost more to insure than cats. Within each species, premiums can differ by breed because of differences in health risks and expected veterinary expenses.
3. Your Location
Veterinary services may cost more in some cities and regions than in others. Insurers can reflect these local differences in their quotes, so use your actual ZIP code when comparing plans.
4. Deductible
A deductible is the amount you must pay toward eligible covered expenses before the insurer begins reimbursing claims under the policy’s rules. A higher deductible often means a lower premium, but it also means more money out of your pocket when you file a claim.
5. Reimbursement Percentage
A policy may reimburse 70%, 80%, or 90% of eligible expenses after the deductible, depending on your selected plan. Higher reimbursement rates can increase the premium.
6. Annual Coverage Limit
An annual limit is the maximum amount the policy will pay during the policy year. A higher limit may provide more protection against expensive treatment, but it can also cost more.
7. Coverage Type
Accident-only plans usually cost less than accident-and-illness policies. Wellness or preventive-care add-ons may cover certain routine expenses, depending on the provider, but they may increase your total cost.
Progressive Pet Insurance Cost Per Month
If you’re searching for Progressive pet insurance cost per month, the important thing to know is that Progressive’s pet insurance offering is associated with Pets Best. Progressive directs customers to Pets Best for pet insurance, and the price depends on the plan and the details of your pet. There is no single monthly price that applies to every dog or cat.
Pets Best says its comprehensive accident-and-illness dog plans commonly range from approximately $40 to $64 per month on its published dog-insurance page. That is a provider-published range, not a guaranteed Progressive quote, and your actual rate may be outside it.
What Determines Your Progressive-Associated Quote?
Your quote may depend on:
- Your pet’s species, age, and breed.
- Your ZIP code.
- The annual deductible you select.
- Your reimbursement percentage.
- Your annual coverage limit.
- Optional coverage and available discounts.
How to Compare Progressive and Pets Best Pricing
- Visit the official Progressive pet insurance information page.
- Follow the link to obtain a quote through Pets Best.
- Enter your pet’s details accurately.
- Compare the premium with at least two other insurers.
- Review exclusions, waiting periods, reimbursement rules, and limits before enrolling.
Don’t assume the lowest monthly quote offers the best protection. Compare what each policy would pay for the same hypothetical veterinary bill.
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance Cost for Your Budget
The best pet insurance isn’t necessarily the cheapest policy. It’s the policy that provides useful protection at a price you can comfortably maintain.
Use this checklist when comparing quotes:
- Compare like with like: Keep the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit as similar as possible.
- Read exclusions: Check how pre-existing, hereditary, dental, and other conditions are handled.
- Check waiting periods: Coverage may not begin immediately after enrollment.
- Understand claim payment: Learn whether you pay the vet first and request reimbursement or whether another payment arrangement is available.
- Look at renewal pricing: Ask how premiums can change as your pet ages.
- Confirm routine-care benefits: Vaccines and wellness visits are not automatically covered by every accident-and-illness plan.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners explains that pet policies can differ in coverage, exclusions, deductibles, waiting periods, and payment limits. Read the actual policy and any state-specific terms before buying.
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
Pet insurance may be worth considering if a large unexpected vet bill would be difficult for your household to pay. It can help with eligible covered expenses, depending on your deductible, reimbursement rate, limits, and exclusions.
However, insurance is not a guarantee that every bill will be paid. You may still need to cover routine care, excluded conditions, deductibles, and the portion of a bill that isn’t reimbursed.
For example, if your pet needs an expensive covered procedure, the policy may reimburse part of the eligible bill after applying the deductible and other policy rules. If the condition is excluded or considered pre-existing, the insurer may not pay for that treatment.
Think about your emergency savings, your pet’s age, and how much financial risk you can comfortably handle. Compare a policy with the amount you could realistically set aside for unexpected care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance Cost
1. How much does pet insurance cost per month in the USA?
For accident-and-illness coverage, the 2025 national averages reported by NAPHIA in 2026 are about $70 per month for dogs and $36 per month for cats. Your quote depends on your pet and selected coverage.
2. Is pet insurance cheaper for cats or dogs?
Cat insurance is generally cheaper. NAPHIA’s reported annual averages for 2025 were approximately $435 for cats and $836 for dogs for accident-and-illness coverage.
3. How much does pet insurance cost per year?
Using those national averages, accident-and-illness coverage costs about $836 annually for a dog and $435 for a cat. Your individual premium may differ.
4. How much is Progressive pet insurance per month?
There is no universal monthly price. Progressive’s pet insurance offering is associated with Pets Best, and the quote depends on your pet, location, deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit. Request a personalized quote to find your actual price.
5. Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Many pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions. The definition and any exceptions vary by insurer and policy, so review the terms carefully before enrolling.
6. Can I lower my pet insurance premium?
You may be able to lower your premium by choosing a higher deductible, adjusting your reimbursement rate or annual limit, comparing providers, or checking for eligible discounts. Make sure the coverage still meets your needs.
7. Does pet insurance cover vaccinations and regular checkups?
Not every policy covers routine preventive care. Some insurers offer wellness add-ons or separate plans for eligible routine services. Check the benefits and added cost before purchasing.
Conclusion
The cost of pet insurance in the USA depends on more than the monthly premium. National averages offer a useful starting point, but your pet’s age, breed, location, deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limit determine your actual quote.
Start by comparing accident-only and accident-and-illness plans. Then use the calculator above to estimate your annual budget and compare quotes with matching coverage. For Progressive-associated coverage, check Pets Best directly and review the full policy before making a decision.
A little comparison shopping now can help you find a plan that balances affordability with financial protection for your pet.
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