How much does pet insurance cost in Florida, Virginia, and New York?

For a healthy young pet, accident-and-illness coverage typically starts around $19–$25/mo for cats and $35–$50/mo for dogs, though your exact price depends on species, breed, age, ZIP code, and the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit you choose. Our Essential plan starts from $19/mo and Signature from $69/mo. The fastest way to know your real number is a free 2-minute quote.

Is pet insurance worth it?

If a surprise $4,000 emergency would strain your savings, it usually is. About one in three pets needs unexpected vet care each year, and a single emergency surgery can run $1,500–$5,000+. Insurance turns that into a manageable copay so care is a decision about your pet, not your bank balance — and the Telehealth Member Discount makes it more affordable still.

Is my senior pet eligible, and will premiums rise as my pet ages?

Most carriers insure pets of all ages, though some cap the enrollment age for new policies and premiums are higher for older pets. Yes — like most insurance, premiums generally rise as your pet ages and vet costs climb. Enrolling while your pet is young locks in coverage before conditions become pre-existing and keeps your starting price lower.

Cost

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in 2026? (Dogs & Cats)

By Pawllicy Editorial Team Reviewed by a licensed advisorUpdated Jul 28, 20267 min read

Pet insurance typically costs $30–$70 per month for dogs and $15–$35 per month for cats, though your real price depends on a handful of factors we'll break down below. The good news: a few smart choices — including our telehealth member discount — can meaningfully lower what you pay.

Sample monthly costs by plan

Here are illustrative starting prices for a healthy young pet across our three plan tiers:

Plan	Dogs	Cats
Essential (70%, $5k)	$19–$35	$12–$20
Complete (80%, $15k)	$35–$55	$20–$30
Signature (90%, Unlimited)	$55–$90	$30–$45

Illustrative sample rates for a young, healthy pet — not quotes. Your price is set by the carrier.

What drives your price

Five factors move the needle most:

Species & breed: Dogs cost more than cats, and large or brachycephalic breeds (Frenchies, Bulldogs) carry higher risk.
Age: Premiums rise as pets age. Enrolling young locks in a lower starting price — and coverage before conditions become pre-existing.
Where you live: Vet costs vary by ZIP. NYC runs well above the national average; much of Florida sits near or below it.
Coverage choices: Your reimbursement rate, annual limit, and deductible each move the premium up or down.
Discounts: Multi-pet and our telehealth member discount can shave real money off.

The discount most carriers don't offer

Members who add a 24/7 telehealth vet membership help keep claims down through early triage — and the carrier passes that saving back as up to 10% off the premium, where filed and approved. Read how the Telehealth Member Discount works.

How to pay less without under-insuring

You can trim your premium by raising your deductible, choosing an 80% reimbursement instead of 90%, insuring multiple pets together, and enrolling while your pet is young. Just avoid the trap of buying so little coverage that a big claim still wipes you out — our Complete plan is where most pet parents land for that reason.

Is it worth it?

If a surprise $4,000 emergency would strain your savings, insurance usually pays for itself in a single serious claim. About one in three pets needs unexpected care each year, and what's covered — surgery, cancer, diagnostics — is exactly where bills spiral. The best time to enroll is before any of that shows up.

The fastest way to your real number is a free 2-minute quote.

Sample monthly costs by plan

What drives your price

The discount most carriers don't offer

How to pay less without under-insuring

Is it worth it?

See your real price in 2 minutes