Puppy insurance: what to know
Why the first weeks are the time to insure, what it costs for a puppy, and what a policy does and does not cover.
Updated September 25, 2026. Prices are BreedSure estimates; each insurer's policy documents control.
What will it cost for your dog?
Pick your breed, age and ZIP code to see the estimated monthly price from the insurers we compare.
When to insure a puppy
As soon as you can. Most insurers accept puppies from about 6 to 8 weeks old, and a puppy has the shortest vet record it will ever have: nothing has been noted yet that an insurer could later call pre-existing.
That matters more than the price. If a vet notes a heart murmur, a limp or a skin problem before the policy starts, that condition can stay excluded for the dog's whole life.
What puppy insurance costs
For the median breed on BreedSure, our model estimates about $44 a month for a puppy under one year, against $49 at two years (80% reimbursement, $250 deductible, national average). Your breed and state move this up or down: see your breed.
What a puppy policy covers
- Accidents: swallowed socks and toys, cuts, broken bones. Puppies find a lot of trouble in their first year.
- Illnesses: infections, stomach upsets and, later, the conditions your breed is known for.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions: all 8 insurers we compare cover them, as long as they weren't noted before coverage started. For breeds prone to hip dysplasia ($1,000–$6,000) or patellar luxation ($1,500–$3,000), this is the main reason to insure early.
Vaccines, spay and neuter: the wellness add-on
Insurance covers the unexpected, not routine care. Vaccines, deworming and spay or neuter surgery are only covered through a wellness add-on, which 6 of the 8 insurers we compare offer. Add up what you would pay for that care this year and compare it with the add-on's price before you take it.
Puppy insurance checklist
- Buy the policy before the first full vet exam if you can, and keep the breeder's or shelter's health records.
- Check the waiting periods, including any orthopedic one for large breeds.
- Pick an annual limit above the top cost of your breed's most expensive condition.
- Expect the premium to rise as your dog ages, even with the same plan. How price changes with age.
Check how this applies to your breed
Get an email if prices for your breed change
We update our estimates monthly. We will email you when the estimate for your dog changes, and nothing else.