Calculator
Is pet insurance worth it for your pet?
Insurance is not a discount on vet care — it is a transfer of risk. Use your own premium and deductible to see the annual math, then decide whether you are buying coverage or buying peace of mind.
How to read the result
The break-even number is the amount of reimbursable vet spending at which your premiums plus your remaining share equal what you would have paid with no policy. Below it, insurance costs you money in an average year. Above it, insurance saves you money.
That framing misses the real reason people buy coverage: a single $6,000 surgery is not an average year. If you have $8,000 in savings you can absorb, a high-deductible policy is close to unnecessary. If you do not, the break-even math is the wrong lens — the question is whether you can pay a five-figure bill without borrowing.
What the calculator deliberately ignores
- Pre-existing conditions. Nothing diagnosed before enrollment is covered, which is why the enrollment date matters more than the premium.
- Waiting periods. Accidents typically have a 3–14 day wait; illnesses and cruciate injuries can be 14–30 days.
- Exclusions. Routine care, elective surgery, and often dental cleaning are not reimbursable.
- Premium increases. Insurers raise rates with age and claim history. Budget for 5–15% per year.
Typical premiums in 2026
| Pet | Age | Monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Dog | Under 2 | $30–$60 |
| Dog | 5–8 | $55–$110 |
| Dog | 10+ | $100–$200 |
| Cat | Under 2 | $18–$40 |
| Cat | 5–8 | $35–$70 |
| Cat | 10+ | $60–$130 |
Compare these against real procedure prices in the cost guides — a single ACL repair or blocked cat is often several years of premiums.