What Factors Influence Dog Insurance Rates?

Amy Tokic
by Amy Tokic
A number of factors will determine how high or low your dog insurance rates are


So you want to know how much you can expect to pay for dog insurance. Although we can’t give you an exact amount, we can let you in on some of the factors that can affect how much you’ll be paying for coverage. These issues can often be found in the small print of mixed in with policy jargon you may not understand. They can raise or lower your premiums, so be sure to see if the following conditions apply before choosing a dog insurance policy.


  • How old is your dog? The younger your dog is when you apply for coverage, the cheaper your monthly costs will be. If you wait until your dog is older, you can expect your dog insurance rates to rise. This is because senior dogs have more health related illnesses. And some insurance companies have a cap on age. This means that they won’t accept new dogs over a certain age for a new policy.
  • Has your dog been neutered or spayed? Did you know that undergoing these operations prevents a variety of health conditions? Just a few include testicular cancer, prostate disease, mammary gland tumors, ovarian cancer, pregnancy complications, caesarean section births and injuries resulting from animal aggression. And if your dog has been spayed or neutered, you can expect your dog insurance rates to go down.
  • Have you had your dog microchipped? Going the extra step to ensure your pet gets back to you in case he gets lost can lower your premiums. In fact, some dog insurance companies will factor this into your premium or arrange to have it done for you.
  • Do you have a pure breed dog? Some pure bred dogs come with predisposed health conditions. Just a few of the more common ones include hip dysplasia, joint conditions, retinal problems and skin diseases. And some dog insurance companies factor this into the premiums. In fact, there are some insurance companies won’t accept certain pure bred dog breeds once they reach a certain age.
  • Do you have an indoor or outdoor dog? If your dog lives outside of your main residence, your premiums will probably be higher. There is good reason – your dog is subjected to the elements and it has a greater chance of escaping and getting into an accident or a fight with another dog.
  • Do you have an active dog? It’s common for an insurance provider to ask how much activity your dog receives. Your dog may have to be really motivated in order to get off the couch, while other dogs never seem to stop. Inactive dogs are prone to problems associated with obesity and poor diet, while over-active dogs can injure a bone or muscle, or get into scrapes that become infected.


There will always be factors that will determine the final outcome of your premium, and the ones listed above are just a few. Dog insurance rates vary depending on where you live and what company you decide to go with. Make sure you have all your facts straight before making a final decision.

Amy Tokic
Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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