How Breed and Age Impact the Cost of Pet Insurance

Pets add a lot of joy to our lives — and a lot of zeros to our credit card bills.

Since 2022, the lifetime cost to care for a dog has increased by about 12%, and the lifetime cost of caring for a cat has risen by nearly 20%, according to the American Animal Hospital Association.

Pet insurance can help offset that burden, but the cost of coverage isn't one-size-fits-all. Ultimately, how much you pay hinges on your pet's breed, age and overall health outlook.

Here's what to know.

Key Takeaways

• Some cat and dog breeds are more prone to health issues, which can make them more expensive to insure.
• Older pets also tend to have higher premiums, since they're more likely to rack up expensive vet bills.
• Purebred dogs like French bulldogs, Bernese mountain dogs and Rottweilers are particularly costly to insure, whereas price differences among cat breeds are smaller and largely tied to age.

Pet insurance pricing 101: How insurers set your rates

On average, pet owners pay about $750 per year for accident and illness coverage for dogs, and $387 per year for coverage for cats, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).

That said, your pet insurance premium is largely dictated by where you live, the type of policy you choose and your pet's breed.

Age also plays a big role. Insurers charge higher rates when you enroll an older pet, and if you already have coverage, your premium could rise with each annual renewal. (You can see how some of these numbers compare in the chart below.)

How does breed and age affect the price of dog insurance?

When setting rates, insurers consider the likelihood that your pet will need veterinary care and how expensive that care will be. If your pet is prone to illnesses like cancer, heart disease or joint issues, the insurer will assign it to a "high risk" category, and calculate your premium accordingly.

The younger your dog is, the cheaper it will be to insure. Pups are less likely to have existing health issues, but they're more likely to develop chronic or serious health conditions as they age.

In general, mixed-breed dogs are cheaper to insure than purebred pets of similar size because they are statistically less likely to develop breed-specific issues. Dog breeds in the highest risk category can cost 50% to 75% more than the breeds insurers consider low risk.

The chart below illustrates how pricing varies for a pet insurance policy with a $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate. We gathered premiums for low-risk and high-risk dog breeds at various ages.

Mixed-breed dogs are usually the cheapest to insure, French bulldogs are the priciest and rates jump noticeably once dogs reach their senior years.

Note: Reimbursement rates are usually more limited for high-risk breeds and older pets. At Healthy Paws, for instance, French bulldogs and dogs 10 and up cap out at 70%.

Health risks and genetic predispositions

No dog breed is immune to developing health issues in their lifetime. Still, certain breeds are more likely to run into specific health problems, and the vet bills for those conditions can be pricey.

Golden retrievers, Bernese mountain dogs and rottweilers are all more likely to develop cancer than other dog breeds, according to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. Great Danes, German shepherds and Saint Bernards have an outsized risk of developing hip dysplasia, and the adorably flat snouts of pugs, boxers and bulldogs are particularly prone to breathing issues.

How does breed and age affect the cost of cat insurance?

Compared to dogs, premiums for all types of cats are more affordable, and rates fluctuate less between cat breeds — higher risk cat breeds can cost 0% to 50% more than breeds in the lowest risk category, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). That said, there is a notable jump in prices as a cat ages, regardless of breed. Insuring a 10-year-old cat can cost about five times as much as a one-year-old cat.

Will my premiums increase as my pet ages?

Regardless of what age your pet is at the time you enroll them in a pet insurance policy, your premiums will increase as your pet ages. However, think twice before canceling your coverage or switching insurers; if you switch coverage, the new insurer will consider existing issues to be pre-existing conditions and exclude treatment, and you'll have to go through new waiting periods.

Tips to Lower Pet Insurance Costs

• Enroll your pet early: The younger your pet is when you sign up, the more likely you are to lock in a lower rate.
• Adjust your deductible and reimbursement percentage: Choosing a higher deductible (say, $500 instead of $250) can lower your monthly premium. The same goes for picking a lower reimbursement rate, like 70% instead of 80%. You'll pay more out-of-pocket if your pet needs emergency vet care, but your monthly bill will be smaller.
• Stay on top of preventative care: Routine vet visits, along with a healthy diet and consistent exercise, can help prevent more serious (and costly) health issues down the line.

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