Just like humans, dogs are prone to accidents and illnesses that require medical attention. Dog insurance can be a great way to reduce the cost of expensive vet bills and have peace of mind knowing your dog has access to the best care possible.
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How Many People Have Pet Insurance?
In this post, we’re providing some pet insurance statistics, facts, and figures that reflect the state of the industry and demonstrate why you should invest in a health insurance policy for your four-legged friend.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- How many American households own a dog?
- What percent of pets are insured in the US?
- What’s the most popular type of dog insurance plan?
- How big is the pet insurance market?
- How much does dog insurance typically cost?
- How much do dog owners spend at the vet per year?
- Where do people buy dog insurance?
How many American households own a dog?
69 million families, or 53% of US households, own dogs.1 That represents a 21.9% increase in dog ownership since 2000. Dogs are the most popular pets in the country, followed by:
- Cats - 42.7 million households
- Freshwater fish - 11.5 million households
- Birds - 5.7 million households
- Reptiles - 4.5 million households
What percent of pets are insured in the US?
The total number of pets insured in the United States is 3.1 million,2 approximately 2% of all the country’s estimated 87.9 million canines.3 While this number may seem small, the pet insurance market has been increasing at an average growth rate of 22.1% over the last five years and the total premium volume in the US amounts to $1.56 billion.2
How many dogs are insured in the US?
So, just how many of those pets have dog insurance in the United States? NAPHIA’s statistics on dog insurance show that 2,571,521 dogs have insurance, comprising 82.9% of all insured pets in the US.4 Dogs make up the majority of pet insurance policies purchased in the global market, as households across various countries consistently hold more insurance policies for dogs than they do cats.
How many pets are insured in Canada?
As of 2020, the total number of insured pets in Canada is 352,631 and 75.2% (265,179) are dogs.4 This represents an annual increase of 13% of dogs insured, the strongest growth rate seen in the country since 2018. Between the US and Canada, NAPHIA reports the total number of insured pets in North America to be 3.45 million.2
How many pets are insured in the UK?
Britain is another country known to love animals, with about 45% of households owning a pet as of 2018 for an estimated total of 8.1 million dogs and 8 million cats.5 According to ManyPets, 4.8 million pets are insured in the UK, a penetration rate of roughly 25%; this breaks down to 1.3 million cats and 2.8 million dogs with health insurance, along with 700,000 other species.6 Their data shows the average pet insurance claim has gone up by 75% over the last decade, leading to record-breaking payouts. As of 2019, British pet insurance companies pay a total of 2.2 million GBP in pet insurance claims every day.5
How many pets are insured in Sweden?
In 2021, there were more than one million pet dogs in Sweden, and approximately 90% of dogs have insurance.7,8 Although the Nordic country may be known for its free healthcare for humans, its strikingly high penetration pet insurance penetration rate is not due to public policy. VIN News reports hundreds of thousands of Swedish pet owners voluntarily pay for dog insurance at an average price of $536 per annual premium. Animals have always been treated as family members in Sweden, where pet insurance was first introduced in 1924. Today, they still prioritize animal welfare with some of the strictest protections in the world, such as the 2008 rules that require domestic pets kept indoors to be within view of a sunny window.
How many pets are insured in Australia?
Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world. According the the Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) survey conducted in 2019, 62% of households own a companion animal for a total pet population of 29 million — which is larger than the country’s estimated human population of 25 million.9 The AMA found Australian spending on pet insurance increased by 56% over the last three-year period. Yet data suggests only 7.1% of dogs have pet insurance out of the 5.4 million Australian dog owners, an estimate of 383,400 insured dogs.10
What’s the most popular type of dog insurance plan?
There are two types of dog insurance: Accident & Illness plans and Accident-Only plans. In the US, 98% of pets have Accident & Illness plans, which covers both injury and disease, while the remaining 2% have Accident-Only coverage.11
When do most people buy dog insurance?
The average age of pet insurance enrollment is 3½ years old.12 The best time to buy pet insurance is when your pet is still young and healthy, before they develop a pre-existing condition that would be excluded from the policy coverage.
When Is The Best Time To Buy Pet Insurance?
How big is the pet insurance market?
Pet insurance is a fast-growing market valued globally at $8.2 billion dollars by MarketWatch in 2021.13 By 2030, the MarketWatch forecast predicts the global pet insurance market to be worth $31.6 billion dollars.
When was the first dog insurance policy sold?
The first dog insurance policy was written for a Swedish dog in 1924, though insurance activity surrounding animals began as early as 1890.8 In 1982, the first pet insurance policy was sold in the United States, issued by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) to the TV dog Lassie.2
How many employers offer pet insurance?
About 15% of US employers, including one in three Fortune 500 companies, now offer pet health insurance as a voluntary benefit to attract and retain employees.14
Why Employers Should Offer Pet Insurance
Who is the largest dog insurance provider?
In 2020, Trupanion, Nationwide, ASPCA, and Petplan (now called Fetch by The Dodo) collectively held 84% of the US market.15 There are approximately 20 companies in the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), which represents approximately 98% of the market.2 However, more and more pet insurance underwriters, administrators, and carriers are entering the increasingly competitive marketspace.
How much does dog insurance typically cost?
The average cost of pet insurance for dogs is $49.51 per month. In 2020, the annual premium for dog insurance cost an average of $594.15 for Accident & Illness coverage $594.15 and $218.13 for Accident-Only coverage.
What’s the most expensive dog breed to insure?
Pawlicy Advisor analyzed cost data from the 20 most popular dog breeds in the United States and found Rottweilers to be the most expensive dog to insure at 18-months-old, averaging $88.76 per month for Accident & Illness coverage. In general, purebreds are more expensive to insure because they’re more prone to genetic health issues than mixed breeds.
What’s the cheapest dog breed to insure?
According to Pawlicy Advisor’s data on the most popular dogs, Chihuahuas are the cheapest breed to insure at 18-months-old, averaging $38.45 per month for Accident & Illness coverage. Small dogs are usually cheaper to insure than large dogs because they tend to have fewer health problems. However, their longer lifespan could lead to more vet bills over time.
Average Pet Insurance Cost By Breed, State & Age
How much do dog owners spend at the vet per year?
On average, dog owners spend $242 on routine vet visits and $458 on surgical visits per year, compared to cat owners who spend $178 and $201 respectively.16 Those who have dog insurance can get reimbursed for 70-100% of covered vet bills after they’ve met their annual deductible.
How Much Does A Vet Visit Cost?
Is it worth insuring a dog?
For most pet owners, dog insurance is a worthwhile investment as it makes sure they’ll be able to provide the care their four-legged friend needs in case of an accident or illness. The cost of a vet visit can range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the service.16
Is Pet Insurance Worth It For Dogs?
What was the highest insurance payout for a dog?
The highest payout for a dog was $71,60317 for a large mixed-breed dog with cancer, whereas the highest claim payout for a cat in 2020 was $24,545 for a domestic shorthair cat with pneumonia.
What are the most common pet insurance claims for dogs?
About 50% of policyholders submit a claim each year.18 The most common pet insurance claims include:19
- Skin issues: $100 - $1,000+
- Gastrointestinal issues: $860 + $500 - $1,000 in diagnostics
- Ear infections: $100 for mild cases of otitis externa, $2,000 - $5,000 for chronic otitis externa
- Seizures: $200 - $5,000 in medications per year
- UTIs: $525 per visit
See Common Pet Insurance Claims
Where do people buy dog insurance?
Many dog owners consider their pet to be a family member, and a growing number of them are choosing to enroll in pet insurance. Insurance marketplaces like Pawlicy Advisor allow you to compare top providers, coverage details, and cost of plans to help you find the best protection for your pet. Pawlicy Advisor also provides personalized pet insurance recommendations based on your dog's breed, age, and location, so you can quickly and confidently find great coverage at the lowest possible priced — guaranteed.
Find The Best Dog Insurance Plan
Learn How Pet Insurance Works
Key Takeaways
- There are 69 million pet dogs living in the US but less than 2% of them have pet insurance. The good news is the pet insurance market is growing and is expected to surpass $10 million by 2025.
- The first dog insurance policy in the US was issued in 1982. Today, the most popular pet insurance plan is the Accident & Illness plan.
- Pet insurance is a worthwhile investment for dog parents because it helps cover expensive veterinary bills. The cost of a vet visit can reach up to $5,000 depending on the service, which most pet parents would struggle to afford out-of-pocket. Insurance can reimburse pet parents thousands of dollars per claim; in one case, insurance paid nearly $75,000 for a dog's cancer treatment.
References
- Statista, "Number of pet-owning households in the United States in 2021/22, by species"
- NAPHIA, "Industry Data"
- Statista, “Pet Insurance in North America”
- NAPHIA, “Section #2: Total Pets Insured”
- Statista, “Pet Insurance in the UK”
- ManyPets, “18 million pet insurance claims paid out every day”
- SVA, “Dogs”
- VIN, “Pet insurance for all: Sweden’s experience”
- Animal Medicines Australia, “Pet Survey Report 2019”
- Roy Morgan, “Over 600,000 pet owners have pet insurance”
- NAIC, "Pet Insurance"
- Insurance Newsnet, "The 25 Most Interesting Facts About Pet Insurance"
- MarketWatch, "Pet Insurance Market Share"
- HR Morning, "Employees want companies to offer pet insurance benefit"
- III, "Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance"
- Pawlicy Advisor, "How Much Does a Vet Visit Cost?"
- AAHA, "TRENDS IN YOUR INBOX: Pet Insurance—Cases and Clarity"
- The Insurance Marketer, "30 Facts and Stats About Pet Insurance"
- Pawlicy, "Most Common Pet Insurance Claims Of 2021"
