How this estimate works
The calculator uses the average annual premiums that the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) reported for 2025, as cited by NerdWallet in July 2026: $836 for a dog accident and illness plan, $435 for a cat, $190 and $112 for accident-only plans, and $1,414 and $859 when wellness coverage is added. The estimate is the premium for your pet and plan type multiplied by the number of pets.
Insurer rows compare price levels using NerdWallet's sample monthly quotes for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog in Katy, Texas, and a 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat. Each insurer's coefficient is its sample rate divided by the median of all sampled insurers, averaged for the dog and the cat.
What is included
- Accident and illness plans, the most common type, which cover injuries and illnesses such as cancer or allergies
- Accident-only plans, which do not pay for illnesses
- Wellness add-ons for routine care such as checkups and vaccines
Limitations
Pet age and breed matter a lot: in NerdWallet's samples, insuring an 8-year-old dog cost roughly twice as much as a 2-year-old, and breeds such as French bulldogs cost more. Location, annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate also change the price. Pre-existing conditions are generally excluded, and multi-pet discounts are not applied.
This is an indicative estimate, not an offer of insurance. Policies are issued by licensed insurers and placed through licensed producers. Learn more about pet insurance or request a quote.