Pet Insurance Cost by Age: Published Averages
Age moves pet insurance prices more than any other published factor. Insurify's medians for a senior dog over 7 are $116 a month against $46 for an adult, 152% more; for cats $62 against $22, 182% more. Forbes Advisor's dog average at a $5,000 limit climbs from $41 at 3 years to $74 at 7 years.
Dogs
| Age | Forbes, $5,000 limit | Forbes, unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $43 | $64 |
| 3 years | $41 | $64 |
| 5 years | $52 | $82 |
| 7 years | $74 | $114 |
| Age band | Insurify median |
|---|---|
| Puppy (under 12 months) | $40 |
| Adult (1 to 7 years) | $46 |
| Senior (over 7 years) | $116 |
Cats
| Age | Forbes, $5,000 limit | Forbes, unlimited |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $24 | $34 |
| 3 years | $12 | $34 |
| 5 years | $26 | $41 |
| Age band | Insurify median |
|---|---|
| Kitten (under 12 months) | $21 |
| Adult (1 to 7 years) | $22 |
| Senior (over 7 years) | $62 |
Forbes Advisor's cat row at 3 years ($12 at the $5,000 limit) is lower than both its neighbours; it is reproduced as published.
Why the figures cannot be multiplied
These are all-breed averages. Applying the senior-to-adult ratio to a breed's figure would produce a number no insurer published, so the breed pages show breed figures and age figures side by side instead. A worked comparison: Pawlicy Advisor's median for a Golden Retriever is $65.18 a month across all the ages in its quotes, while Forbes Advisor's figure for a 3-year-old Golden Retriever at a $5,000 limit is $56. See also how pet insurance works and the calculator.
Sources
- Forbes Advisor: Average cost of pet insurance (Audited and verified Oct 1, 2026; $250 deductible, 80% reimbursement)
- Insurify: average pet insurance cost (Rates current as of May 31, 2026)
- Pawlicy Advisor, checked October 20, 2026
Questions
How much more is pet insurance for an older dog?
Insurify's published medians are $46 a month for an adult dog (1 to 7 years) and $116 for a senior over 7. Forbes Advisor's averages at a $5,000 limit rise from $41 at age 3 to $74 at age 7.
Is it cheaper to insure a puppy or kitten?
Not always. Forbes Advisor's published average is $43 a month at 3 months against $41 at 3 years for a dog; Insurify's medians are $40 for a puppy and $46 for an adult.