How much does dog and cat insurance cost in Virginia for the 15 most popular breeds?

The price for Virginia dog and cat insurance is almost always the same throughout the state including in Jackson, Montgomery, Mobile, Birmingham, or Brewton etc. However, the prices will vary based on the age, health and breed of your pet.

All prices shown below are based on a 90% reimbursement rate with a $500 deductible and a $5,000 annual benefit from Figo pet insurance. Please note: these prices should only be treated as a rough guide as of January 2024 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of pet insurance in Virginia we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

Dog Insurance Prices in Richmond Virginia:

1. Mixed Breed – $32.45/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $49.07/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $30.51/ mo
4. Boxer – $60.93/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $20.19/ mo
6. Dachshund – $28.78/mo
7. French Bulldog – $60.68/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $47.67/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $38.37/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $44.10/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $38.37/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $44.19/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $25.64/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $44.32/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $27.86/ mo

Dog Insurance Prices in Virginia Beach Virginia:

1. Mixed Breed – $30.42/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $45.98/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $28.60/ mo
4. Boxer – $57.09/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $18.92/ mo
6. Dachshund – $26.97/mo
7. French Bulldog – $56.87/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $44.67/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $35.96/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $41.34/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $35.96/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $41.41/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $24.03/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $41.53/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $26.12/ mo

Dog Insurance Prices in Norfolk Virginia:

1. Mixed Breed – $32.45/ mo
2. American Pit Bull Terrier – $49.07/ mo
3. Australian Shepherd – $30.51/ mo
4. Boxer – $60.93/ mo
5. Chihuahua – $20.19/ mo
6. Dachshund – $28.78/mo
7. French Bulldog – $60.68/ mo
8. German Shepherd – $47.67/ mo
9. Goldendoodle – $38.37/ mo
10. Golden Retriever – $44.10/ mo
11. Labradoodle – $38.37/ mo
12. Labrador Retriever – $44.19/ mo
13. Shih Tzu – $25.64/ mo
14. Siberian Husky – $44.32/ mo
15. Yorkshire Terrier – $27.86/ mo

Not finding your specific pet breed? Lemonade pet insurance is our #1 recommendation for Virginia and they’ll be able to give you a quick quote for your exact needs.

Virginia Pet Insurance FAQs

How does Virginia pet insurance work?

If you want to ensure your pet can get the best veterinary care in emergencies, regardless of cost, buying a good pet insurance plan is the answer. To get started, apply for coverage with your preferred provider and stay current on your monthly premiums to maintain an active policy.

If your pet gets sick or injured, you must pay the vet bill at the time of service. Afterward, you can file a claim with your insurer for reimbursement. Be aware that pre-existing conditions are not eligible for reimbursement under most plans. However, there are some exceptions, so check with your provider for further information.

Is there a certain age that I should get my pet insured?

The earliest most insurers will let you get a policy for your cat or dog is when they are 8 weeks old. We suggest insuring your pet while they are still a puppy or kitten and in good health because you will get more extensive coverage and much lower premiums. Nevertheless, your pet can benefit from being insured no matter their age, as urgent vet care can be prohibitively expensive.

Is VA pet insurance worthwhile?

Accidents and injuries are natural parts of most pets’ lives, and since urgent veterinary care can be prohibitively expensive, pet insurance is a good tool for offsetting much of it. Cat and dog owners frequently face emergency vet bills of $2,000 to $10,000. Therefore, you must choose between making low monthly premium payments and having minimal financial obligation in emergencies or having no insurance and being left to cover such high vet bills on your own. Since Virginia vet fees are some of the most pricey in the country, getting pet insurance may make the most financial sense.

What will my pet’s insurance policy include and exclude?

Every plan is different, but generally, you can expect a standard pet insurance policy to cover “sudden and catastrophic” accidents and ailments not listed in your policy as pre-existing conditions. Broken bones, lacerations, intestinal blockages, bladder infections and allergies are some issues that may be eligible for reimbursement under your policy’s benefits.

Things typically excluded from standard coverage are routine dental care, elective procedures, behavior therapy, and preventative care. That said, most insurers offer wellness add-ons that will reimburse for these types of care, including vaccinations and annual exams.

How much can I expect to get reimbursed?

The amount your provider reimburses you depends on the deductible and reimbursement rate you chose and whether you have used your total annual maximum benefit ($15,000 and $20,000 are the most popular options). For example, imagine your policy has a $250 deductible and a reimbursement rate of 90%. If your pet needs treatment and surgery that costs $5,000, your provider will reimburse you $4,500 less your deductible, making their total share $4,250 and yours only $750.

If covering your pet’s entire vet bill upfront and waiting for your insurer to reimburse you sounds unnecessarily stressful, consider getting your insurance plan through Trupanion. Choose a veterinarian within their network, and Trupanion will pay your dog or cat’s vet directly. That way, you only have to cover your share of the bill at the time of service.

Should I pick a higher or lower deductible?

Whether a deductible will be more advantageous than another depends on your financial circumstances and what you feel most comfortable with. Choose a lower deductible if you want to pay less out-of-pocket in emergencies. But with this option, you will have higher monthly premiums. Choose a higher deductible if you prefer to have higher out-of-pocket costs in emergencies but lower monthly payments. Many pet insurance providers offer calculators on their websites so you can run the numbers and compare them. Our research shows that $250 and $500 deductibles are the most popular among Virginia pet parents.

Does Virginia homeowners insurance have breed restrictions for pets?

Homeowners insurance companies tend to have breed restrictions for dogs but not cats. If you have an exotic animal, it’s best to check your policy or contact your provider for further information.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Pet Safe & Healthy in Virginia

1. Feed your pet species-appropriate food

One of the first tenets of having a healthy and happy pet is feeding them a species-appropriate diet. Dogs thrive on meat, poultry, fish, fruit and vegetables, but cats thrive on poultry or fish (avoid tuna as much as possible) as they are obligate carnivores. Raw or premium canned foods free from cheap fillers like meals, gums, corn, soy, wheat or other grains. Also, steer clear of dairy products. Avoid feeding your dog or cat kibble as their primary source of nutrition since such food is dehydrating and packed with carbohydrates.

2. Ensure your pet stays hydrated

Making sure your pet’s moisture intake is solid supports organ function, flushing toxins from their body and overall energy levels. Along with following the dietary suggestions above, you can do a couple of other things to keep your pet hydrated. First, leave a bowl of fresh water out for your four-legged pal at all times. Make sure you wash it daily and refill it as needed but at least once per day since hair and dust often collect on the surface. Second, you can add a tiny bit of water to each meal. A tablespoon or two should be enough for medium and large dogs and approximately a teaspoon for cats and small dogs. Be careful not to make their food too runny. Otherwise, they might refuse to eat it.

3. Help your pet stay fit and active

Helping your cat or dog stay active can keep them from gaining excess weight. And since obesity can lead to several health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, exercise is even more critical. So whether it’s taking your dog for a long walk every day or having your cat chase a catnip ball back and forth across the living room, your pet will thank you. Keeping them active will also increase their time to bond with you, so consider it both physically and emotionally beneficial.

4. Establish a grooming regimen while your pet is still young

To make life easier for both of you once your pet is older, get your pet used to having their ears cleaned, coat and teeth brushed and nails trimmed while they are still kittens or puppies. We recommend asking your veterinarian to explain and demonstrate the safest way to do these things so that you don’t injure your pet. If you have a puppy or a grown dog, bathing them once every 6-10 weeks will also be necessary. Be sure to use dog shampoo and avoid all products made for humans. If you have a kitten or cat, bathing is unnecessary. When cats live happy and healthy lives, they are meticulous self-groomers. Bathing them can strip their skin of natural oils, causing skin problems and potentially drying out their fur.

5. Keep your pet free from parasites

Parasites can cause tremendous damage to your pet’s health if not treated promptly. Fleas, ticks and worms can lead to your cat or dog suffering from tapeworms, Lyme disease, anemia, Bartonella and flea allergy dermatitis. Ask your veterinarian for the best flea-tick spot-on treatment for your cat or dog and be sure you have your furry friend tested for heartworms (dogs) and dewormed (cats and dogs).

5 Unique Pet Rescue Shelters in Virginia

1. Friends of Homeless Animals in Aldie, VA

FOHA is a no-kill sanctuary for abandoned, neglected and abused cats and dogs until they find their forever homes. It also serves as a long-term home for animals that are not adoptable. FOHA has multiple buildings, including 3 dog kennel buildings, 2 dog villages, 3 dog play areas, 2 large communal catteries with sun porches, including one for FIV+ cats, all of which have heat and air conditioning. Animals get plenty of space to roam freely, and there are several miles of walking trails throughout this vast property for dogs to enjoy long walks. FOHA tests and treats all of their animals for parasites, vaccinates, spays or neuters, and microchips and provides any urgent care they may need. Moreover, they test all cats for FeLV and FIV.

2. Central Virginia Regional Rescue in Forest, VA

CVRR is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and fully foster home-based. The benefit of putting all animals in foster homes is that CVRR learns each animal’s personalities, habits, quirks and needs, allowing for more successful matchmaking when finding them forever homes. Time in foster homes gives the animals time to be house-trained and socialized, making the transition into their new homes even smoother. All animals receive excellent veterinary care, are spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, tested for FeLV/FIV (cats) and heartworms and tick disease (dogs), dewormed and treated with heartworm (dogs) and parasite prevention medicine.

3. Hope for Life Rescue in Virginia Beach, VA

Hope for Life Rescue opened their doors in 2002 as a sanctuary for neglected, abused and abandoned animals that they primarily rescue from high-kill shelters. HFLR is a cage-free environment that allows all animals to roam freely. For those injured, sick or have just given birth, separate isolation rooms are available. Hope for Life covers all medical expenses and ensures that every adopted animal is spayed/neutered, dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks and receives their first-year vaccinations. They also run a cage-free boarding facility known as Hope’s Garden Resort, a “vacation home” for pets whose humans are out of town. All profits go to support the shelter.

4. The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA in Harrisonburg, VA

RHSPCA is a non-profit, no-kill organization that rescues cats, dogs and many small animals, such as ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, rats and parakeets. They also run a barn/garage/shed cat program that allows unsocialized, free-roaming cats to have warm shelter, food, water and veterinary care. In exchange, these cats put their hunting instincts to use and serve as your resident pest control officer! All animals adopted from RHSPCA come vaccinated, treated for fleas/mites/ticks and internal parasites, tested for FIV and FeLV, spayed or neutered and microchipped.

5. Angels of Assisi Pet Shelter in Roanoke, VA

Angels of Assisi is a welfare organization serving the cats, dogs, small animals and farm animals of SW Virginia through their adoption center, Harmony Farm Sanctuary, foster home, and community outreach programs. They also run a 16,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, low-cost community pet hospital so all animals can access the care they need. Animals adopted from AAPS are spayed or neutered, tested and treated for parasites, vaccinated and treated for any medical issues they may have.

Conclusion

With this information, you have everything you need to find the best Virginia pet insurance plan for your cat, dog or small animal. Remember to insure them as young as possible, so you get more comprehensive coverage. Nevertheless, you will find that insuring your furry friend at any age can benefit your pet’s overall health in medical emergencies. My team and I have found that Lemonade offers the most dynamic and flexible coverage at the lowest rates.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Virginia

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in Virginia based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $500 deductible located in Virginia with a 23221 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews