Pet Insurance Lifetime Value Calculator

Compare the cost of pet insurance vs paying out of pocket.

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Pet Insurance

Enter the pet details and insurance costs.

Insurance total cost
$0
Out of pocket: $0
Years insured
0
Total premiums paid
$0
Total deductibles paid
$0
Insurance pays out
$0
Net cost with insurance
$0
Without insurance
$0

Worked example

With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:

InputValue
Pet's current age2
Pet's life expectancy14
Monthly insurance premium ($)$50
Annual deductible ($)$250
Reimbursement level (%)80%
Average annual vet cost ($)$1,000
ResultValue
Insurance total cost$12,000
Years insured12
Total premiums paid$7,200
Total deductibles paid$3,000
Insurance pays out$7,200
Net cost with insurance$12,000

Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.

How to use the Pet Insurance

  1. Pet's current age — default 2
  2. Pet's life expectancy — default 14
  3. Monthly insurance premium ($) — default $50
  4. Annual deductible ($) — default $250
  5. Reimbursement level (%) — default 80%
  6. Average annual vet cost ($) — default $1,000
  7. Press Calculate to update the results instantly.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on your buffer. If a $6,000 vet bill would be manageable, self-insuring usually wins; if not, insurance protects you from the worst case.
Roughly $30-$70 a month for a dog and $15-$40 for a cat, depending on age, breed and coverage level.
Pre-existing conditions, hereditary issues in some breeds, and routine care unless you add a wellness option.

Sources & references