The average dog insurance policy costs $82 per month in 2026 — but that number means little without context. A 2-year-old Labrador in Ohio costs around $33/month to insure with Pets Best. The same dog in Los Angeles costs $55–$65/month. A French Bulldog of the same age can run $80–$110/month at any provider due to breed-specific underwriting.
This guide compares every major dog insurance plan across the variables that actually matter: monthly cost, waiting periods, breed coverage, plan type, and how each provider performs when you file a claim.
Compare Dog Insurance Plans: Quick Reference Table
| Provider | Avg. Monthly (Dog) | Best For | Annual Limit | Max Reimbursement | Waiting Period (Illness) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | ~$26/mo | Lowest premium; most customizable | $2,500–Unlimited | 90% | 14 days |
| Lemonade | ~$31/mo | Young dogs; fast AI claims | Up to $100,000 | 90% | 14 days |
| ASPCA | ~$31/mo | Exam fees included; no age limit | $3,000–Unlimited | 90% | 14 days |
| Pets Best | ~$33/mo | Wellness add-on; solid base coverage | $5,000–Unlimited | 90% | 14 days |
| Embrace | ~$38/mo | Diminishing deductible; open wellness | $5,000–$30,000 | 90% | 14 days |
| Healthy Paws | ~$40/mo | Unlimited benefit; no sub-limits | Unlimited | 90% | 15 days |
| Figo | ~$42/mo | 100% reimbursement option; unlimited | $5,000–Unlimited | 100% | 14 days |
| AKC | ~$44/mo | Orthopedic conditions; AKC branding | $3,000–Unlimited | 90% | 14 days |
| Fetch | ~$57/mo | Comprehensive coverage; dental illness | $5,000–Unlimited | 90% | 15 days |
| Trupanion | ~$70/mo | Chronic conditions; per-condition deductible | Unlimited | 90% | 30 days (illness) |
Costs shown for a 2-year-old mixed breed dog in a mid-size U.S. city with $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $10,000 annual limit. Actual rates vary by breed, location, and coverage level.
Best Dog Insurance by Size
Best Pet Insurance for Small Dogs
Small dogs (under 20 lbs) typically cost less to insure than large breeds, but some small breeds carry elevated health risks that affect pricing:
- Lemonade — Lowest small dog premiums, starting ~$18–$22/month for small mixed breeds. Covers hereditary conditions by default.
- Spot — Most plan configurations; budget builds start around $15–$18/month for small dogs.
- Pets Best — Strong value for breeds like Shih Tzus or Maltese; good dental illness coverage included.
Small breeds with elevated premiums due to breed-specific conditions: Dachshunds (IVDD spinal surgery $4,500–$7,000), French Bulldogs (BOAS, spinal), Pugs (respiratory, eye conditions). For these breeds, premiums can exceed large-breed rates.
Best Pet Insurance for Large Dogs
Large breeds (over 50 lbs) face higher orthopedic risk — CCL tears ($3,500–$7,000 per leg), hip dysplasia ($1,500–$6,000), and elbow dysplasia. The orthopedic waiting period matters more for large breeds than small:
- Pumpkin — 14-day orthopedic waiting period (shortest); 90% reimbursement; good for breeds like Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds.
- Pets Best / ASPCA — 14-day orthopedic wait; solid large-breed coverage at mid-range premiums.
- Healthy Paws — Unlimited benefit, but 12-month orthopedic waiting period — a significant disadvantage for large breeds prone to joint issues.
Accident Only vs. Accident and Illness Dog Insurance
| Plan Type | Avg. Monthly Cost | What's Covered | What's Excluded | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accident Only | $12–$25/mo | Injuries, toxin ingestion, broken bones, cuts, foreign body ingestion | All illnesses: cancer, infections, diabetes, hereditary conditions | Very tight budgets; dogs under 2 with low illness risk |
| Accident + Illness | $26–$70+/mo | Everything in accident + illnesses, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, cancer | Pre-existing conditions; routine care (unless add-on) | Most dog owners — the standard choice |
| Accident + Illness + Wellness | $40–$100+/mo | Everything above + vaccines, exams, dental cleaning, flea/tick prevention | Pre-existing conditions | Puppies needing vaccines/spay/neuter; owners wanting all-in-one |
Accident-only providers: Embrace, Spot, Figo, ASPCA, and Pets Best all offer accident-only plans at significantly lower premiums. Healthy Paws and Trupanion do not offer accident-only plans.
Waiting Periods Compared
Waiting periods are the time between policy start and when coverage begins. They matter most if you enroll near an event — or if your dog gets injured or sick shortly after you buy insurance.
| Provider | Accident | Illness | Orthopedic / CCL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | 2 days | 14 days | 14 days | Waivable with orthopedic exam |
| Pets Best | 3 days | 14 days | 14 days | — |
| Embrace | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months | Waivable with orthopedic exam |
| ASPCA | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | — |
| Pumpkin | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | — |
| Healthy Paws | 15 days | 15 days | 12 months | Longest orthopedic wait in the industry |
| Trupanion | 5 days | 30 days | 30 days | — |
| Spot | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | — |
| Figo | 1 day | 14 days | 14 days | Shortest accident wait |
Dog insurance with no waiting period does not exist as a permanent feature — but some providers waive orthopedic waiting periods after a clean exam. Lemonade and Embrace both allow orthopedic waiting period waivers for dogs with a recent vet exam confirming no joint issues. Figo's 1-day accident waiting period is the shortest available for injuries.
Dog-Specific Health Conditions and Coverage
| Condition | Common Breeds | Avg. Treatment Cost | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCL / ACL tear | All large breeds, Labs, Goldens, Rotties | $3,500–$7,000 per leg | Yes (after orthopedic waiting period) |
| Hip dysplasia | German Shepherds, Labs, Goldens, Bulldogs | $1,500–$6,000 | Yes, if not pre-existing; waiting periods vary |
| IVDD (spinal disc) | Dachshunds, Corgis, Basset Hounds | $4,500–$7,000 (surgery) | Yes, most providers |
| Cancer | All breeds; elevated in Goldens, Boxers, Bernese | $5,000–$20,000+ | Yes, most providers |
| Bloat (GDV) | Great Danes, German Shepherds, Dobermans | $2,000–$7,000 emergency | Yes, all accident/illness plans |
| BOAS (breathing) | French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs | $1,500–$4,000 surgical | Yes if not pre-existing; some providers may exclude |
| Allergies / skin | French Bulldogs, Retrievers, Bulldogs | $500–$2,000+/year ongoing | Yes — most plans cover chronic allergy management |
| Dental illness | Small breeds especially | $500–$3,000+ | Yes (illness) — most plans; routine cleaning: add-on only |
Dog Insurance Cost by Breed
| Breed | Premium vs. Mixed Breed | Primary Risk Factors | Best Provider Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | +40–70% | BOAS, IVDD, skin fold infections | Spot or Lemonade (lowest breed surcharge) |
| English Bulldog | +30–55% | BOAS, hip dysplasia, skin issues | ASPCA, Pets Best |
| German Shepherd | +15–30% | Hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy | Pumpkin (14-day ortho wait), Lemonade |
| Labrador Retriever | +10–20% | Hip/elbow dysplasia, CCL, obesity | Healthy Paws (unlimited) or Pumpkin |
| Dachshund | +25–40% | IVDD spinal — $4,500–$7,000 surgery | Pets Best, ASPCA — short waiting periods |
| Golden Retriever | +15–25% | Cancer (60% lifetime risk), joint issues | Healthy Paws (unlimited benefit for cancer) |
| Mixed breed | Baseline | Lower breed-specific risk overall | Spot or Lemonade for lowest cost |
How to Compare Dog Insurance Plans: 4-Step Method
- Standardize settings. Get quotes with identical parameters: $500 annual deductible, 80% reimbursement, $10,000 annual limit. This is the only way to compare premiums fairly across providers.
- Check the orthopedic waiting period for your breed. If you own a large breed, avoid Healthy Paws' 12-month orthopedic wait unless your dog has a clean exam and you're enrolling well before any joint symptoms.
- Verify hereditary condition coverage. Every plan should explicitly cover hereditary and congenital conditions by default — not as an add-on. If it doesn't, exclude that plan.
- Check the reimbursement model. Look for "actual invoice" or "actual cost" reimbursement. Avoid "benefit schedule" models that pay a fixed amount per procedure regardless of what your vet charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best pet insurance for dogs in 2026?
For most dog owners, Lemonade, Pets Best, and ASPCA offer the best cost-to-coverage ratio. For large breeds with orthopedic risk, Pumpkin (14-day orthopedic wait, 90% reimbursement) or Pets Best are top picks. For maximum protection without annual caps, Healthy Paws delivers the best value — unless you have a large breed, in which case the 12-month orthopedic waiting period is a significant limitation.
What is the best dog insurance with no waiting period?
No provider eliminates all waiting periods permanently, but several minimize them. Figo has a 1-day accident waiting period. Lemonade and Embrace both offer orthopedic waiting period waivers after a vet exam confirms no existing joint issues — effectively reducing the orthopedic wait to 14 days for healthy dogs. For accident coverage, Figo (1 day) and Embrace (2 days) are the fastest.
Is pet insurance worth it for dogs?
Yes for most dog owners, especially large breeds and breeds prone to orthopedic conditions. A single CCL surgery costs $3,500–$7,000 — more than 4–7 years of standard premiums at $33–$40/month. Cancer treatment for breeds like Golden Retrievers (60% lifetime cancer risk) can cost $5,000–$20,000. The math favors insurance for breeds with known health risk profiles and for puppies enrolled before any conditions develop.
What is the cheapest dog insurance?
Spot and Lemonade consistently offer the lowest base premiums for dogs — starting around $18–$26/month for young mixed breeds with a $500 deductible and $10,000 annual limit. For very tight budgets, accident-only plans from Pets Best, ASPCA, or Spot can start around $12–$18/month — though they exclude illnesses including cancer, infections, and hereditary conditions.
Does dog insurance cover hip dysplasia?
Yes — most accident and illness plans cover hip dysplasia treatment as long as it was not diagnosed or showing symptoms before your policy started. Waiting periods vary: Pumpkin, ASPCA, Pets Best, and Spot cover orthopedic conditions after 14 days. Embrace requires 6 months (waivable with exam). Healthy Paws requires 12 months. Trupanion requires 30 days.
Can I compare dog insurance for two dogs at once?
Yes. Most providers allow multi-pet enrollment and offer discounts — typically 5–10% per additional dog. ASPCA, Pumpkin, Spot, and Lemonade all offer multi-pet discounts. Each dog gets their own individual policy with their own deductible and limits, unless you use MetLife's family plan (up to 3 pets, shared deductible, dogs must be under 14).