About Us

groups Why This Site Exists

I built How Much Is Pet Insurance because I was frustrated. When Cooper tore his ACL, I spent days comparing pet insurance plans and still couldn't get a straight answer on what anything would cost. Every provider wanted me to fill out a quote form. Every comparison site was really just an ad funnel. I wanted a simple calculator that would give me a ballpark number -- no email required, no sales calls.

That tool didn't exist, so I made it. What started as a side project in early 2025 has grown into a resource used by thousands of pet owners across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The goal hasn't changed: give people clear, useful information about what pet insurance actually costs, and let them make their own decisions.

build What We Do

Our free calculator covers over 100 breeds across dogs, cats, and exotic pets. You plug in your pet's details -- breed, age, location, coverage preferences -- and get an instant estimate. No sign-up, no email harvesting, no hidden fees. Just a number you can use as a starting point.

We also publish in-depth guides on topics like dog insurance costs, cat insurance costs, pre-existing conditions, and how deductibles work. I try to write these the way I wish someone had explained things to me when I was shopping for Cooper's plan -- practical, honest, and without the industry jargon.

analytics How Our Estimates Work

Our cost estimates are built from publicly available pricing data collected from major pet insurance providers. We pull from provider websites, NAPHIA industry reports, and state regulatory filings. Each estimate factors in breed, age, gender, spay/neuter status, coverage level, deductible, and geographic location.

We use breed-specific risk multipliers based on documented health predispositions. Brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs cost more to insure because of well-known respiratory and orthopedic issues. Mixed breeds tend to be cheaper. Location matters too -- vet costs in Manhattan are very different from vet costs in rural Iowa.

I update the data and models regularly as providers change their pricing and new market data becomes available. That said, our estimates are approximations, not binding quotes. Always get an actual quote from a provider before making a purchase decision.

verified Editorial Standards

Everything on this site is based on my own independent research. No insurance provider has paid for placement or influenced rankings. When we have an affiliate relationship with a provider, we disclose it clearly -- you'll see a note at the bottom of every page with affiliate links.

I'd rather give you an honest, imperfect estimate than a misleadingly precise one. If our data has limitations, I'll tell you. If I'm not sure about something, I'll say so. That's the standard I hold myself to.

fact_check Sources We Rely On

We cite and cross-reference data from these authoritative sources:

• NAPHIA (North American Pet Health Insurance Association) -- industry data on enrollment, claims, and market growth
• State insurance department filings -- rate filings and consumer complaint data
• Provider websites -- plan details, pricing, and coverage terms (verified quarterly)
• Trustpilot, BBB, and app store reviews -- aggregated customer satisfaction data
• Veterinary cost databases -- regional pricing benchmarks for common procedures

Get in Touch

Have a question about the calculator, a suggestion, or just want to say hi? Visit our Contact page. I read every message and try to respond within 48 hours.