How much does dog insurance cost in Washington for the 15 most popular breeds?

The price for Washington dog insurance varies depending on where you live. To give you an idea we’ve collected costs for three cities shown below. The prices will also vary based on the age, health, and breed of your puppy.

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 2023 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of dog insurance in Washington we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

1. Mixed Breed
   • Seattle – $20.83/ mo
   • Everett – $17.32/ mo
   • Spokane – $19.65/ mo
2. Labrador Retriever
   • Seattle – $28.33/ mo
   • Everett – $23.56/ mo
   • Spokane – $26.72/ mo
3. Golden Retriever
   • Seattle – $33.34/ mo
   • Everett – $27.72/ mo
   • Spokane – $31.45/ mo
4. German Shepherd
   • Seattle – $29.56/ mo
   • Everett – $24.58/ mo
   • Spokane – $27.89/ mo
5. Goldendoodle
   • Seattle – $25.62/ mo
   • Everett – $21.30/ mo
   • Spokane – $24.17/ mo
6. Chihuahua
   • Seattle – $14.18/ mo
   • Everett – $11.79/ mo
   • Spokane – $13.38/ mo
7. Siberian Husky
   • Seattle – $27.52/ mo
   • Everett – $22.88/ mo
   • Spokane – $25.96/ mo
8. Yorkshire Terrier
   • Seattle – $18.04/ mo
   • Everett – $15.00/ mo
   • Spokane – $17.02/ mo
9. American Pit Bull Terrier
   • Seattle – $28.81/ mo
   • Everett – $23.96/ mo
   • Spokane – $27.18/ mo
10. Australian Shepherd
    • Seattle – $22.00/ mo
    • Everett – $18.30/ mo
    • Spokane – $20.76/ mo
11. Dachshund
    • Seattle – $21.01/ mo
    • Everett – $17.47/ mo
    • Spokane – $19.82/ mo
12. Shih Tzu
    • Seattle – $18.18/ mo
    • Everett – $15.12/ mo
    • Spokane – $17.16/ mo
13. French Bulldog
    • Seattle – $37.52/ mo
    • Everett – $31.20/ mo
    • Spokane – $35.40/ mo
14. Boxer
    • Seattle – $44.67/ mo
    • Everett – $37.15/ mo
    • Spokane – $42.14/ mo
15. Labradoodle
    • Seattle – $25.62/ mo
    • Everett – $21.30/ mo
    • Spokane – $24.17/ mo

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

FAQs for Washington Dog Insurance

What is dog insurance and why is it useful in Washington?

Emergencies and illnesses affecting your dog can and will happen when you least expect them. Having pet insurance enables you to extend your pet’s quality of life and gives you more control over costs. Plus, it potentially helps you avoid having to decide between paying huge medical bills or ending your beloved pet’s life. This is particularly true with major illnesses such as cancer treatments, which can cost well over $10,000.

Is dog insurance included in my homeowner’s insurance?

Pet insurance is for the health and welfare of your pet. Your homeowner’s insurance provides liability protection in the event your pet causes injury to a person or damage to their property. As with health insurance, pet insurance is separate from your homeowner’s insurance.

How does the dog insurance process work?

Just like human insurance, you buy a policy with an insurance company and pay a monthly amount (the premium) to keep the policy active. If your dog has an injury or becomes ill, you get treatment from a veterinarian. Usually, you are required to pay when the treatment is provided. Then you submit a claim for reimbursement from your pet insurance company.

What’s covered in a policy?

The types of coverages in a policy can vary from company to company. Some exclude certain pre-existing conditions; others don’t. Typically the coverage is for anything “sudden and catastrophic”. Some companies offer “wellness packages” for an additional fee. These encourage you to see a vet more frequently and provide better overall health maintenance. The younger your dog the greater likelihood that you will have not experienced any pre-existing conditions. That’s why we recommend getting insurance as early as eight weeks when your dog is still in its puppy phase.

Is dental coverage included?

Dental coverage is included in many plans but not all. The most common coverage is for when a dog has broken a tooth in an accident or chewed on something that caused a break or fracture. We recommend choosing a plan that includes dental work that clearly explains what is covered and what isn’t.

What age does my dog need to be to get insured?

As mentioned earlier, younger dogs are easier to insure so their policies are also less expensive. Generally, your pooch needs to be at least eight weeks old in order to get insured and we recommend you do this before their first birthday. Most companies will insure older dogs but the cost will be more and there may be exclusions for any pre-existing conditions.

What is covered and what’s excluded in a dog insurance policy?

Coverage varies with each dog insurance provider but typically covers anything that is “sudden and catastrophic”. This is usually any accident or illness unless it is specifically excluded. For example, if your dog already has cancer at the time you apply that would be excluded. Many companies now offer “wellness” packages that usually add-ons covering things like vaccinations, routine check-ups, heartworm prevention, etc.

How does reimbursement, deductible, and maximum annual benefit work?

For example, let’s say you have a policy with a $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement amount, and $20,000 maximum annual benefit. And let’s say something happens that requires a $10,000 emergency vet surgery. In this scenario your “deductible out-of-pocket” would be $250, the insurance company would reimburse you $9,000 (90% of $10,000) meaning the total you would pay would be only $1,250. Some companies pay their portion of the bill (in this case 90%) directly to vets in their network. This way you would not have to pay the entire bill out of pocket up front. One company that does this is Trupanion. The maximum annual benefit is the total amount the insurer will pay within the policy year.

Is it worth it to get dog insurance?

The reality is, sooner or later your pet will have accidents or illnesses that can be very costly, very quickly. A typical emergency vet visit can involve x-rays, blood work, and surgery and cost $3,000 or more. However, if you have planned ahead with pet insurance, your out-of-pocket costs will be much lower after any deductible. So, you need to decide if paying a regular monthly premium is better for you and your pet than the possibility of getting hit with high vet bills.

Is it better to have a lower deductible?

Most deductibles are $250, $500 or even $750. We’ve found most people choose either $250 or $500. And just like other forms of insurance, a lower deductible means a higher monthly premium payment and a higher deductible means a lower monthly payment. So, you need to choose the option that best matches your financial situation. Some providers offer an easy-to-use calculator when getting a quote.

Are there any restricted dog breeds for homeowners insurance in Washington?

Most states have homeowners insurance restrictions on certain breeds of dogs and certain insurance providers. These may include (but are not limited to):

• Akitas
• Chow Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Bull Mastiffs
• Pit Bull Terriers
• Rottweilers
• Wolfhounds

We suggest you contact your local home insurance provider to see what your policy includes or excludes regarding your dog breed and whether or not you will need a specific liability rider.

3 Strategies For Dog Health & Safety in Washington

1. Be prepared for natural disasters

Washington is one state geologically divided by the Cascade Mountain Range. There are huge environmental differences between the more urban Western half and less populated Eastern half. Both parts of the State are subject to wildfires, flooding and earthquakes, so your emergency planning should include pets.

2. Consider your surroundings including wildlife

In Western Washington, with its forested mild maritime climate, you need to be aware of winter temperatures and persistent rainfall. Keeping your dog warm and dry is essential to avoid hypothermia. Be on the lookout for urban-adapted wildlife such as coyotes, raccoons, and skunks, all of which can cause serious injuries to your dog no matter its size. Smaller dogs especially may need cover from eagles.

3. Avoid heat exhaustion and keep your pup hydrated!

Eastern Washington is semi-arid, high desert ideal for growing crops. So, here you need warm weather strategies such as plenty of easily accessible water and shade to avoid heat exhaustion. Also, keep in mind that a dog in a hot car can suffer permanent brain and other organ damage in as little as 20 minutes. Here, in addition to the urban critters listed above, you need to be aware of rattlesnakes, cougars, and even wolves.

5 Commendable Dog Rescue Shelters in Washington

We believe adopting a dog is one of the best ways to find a great companion. It truly is a gift of life to bring a dog into your life and a forever home. If you’re planning to add a new pup to your family, here are some unique shelters and dog rescue organizations we recommend you consider.

1. Emerald City Pet Rescue in Seattle,WA

Founded in 2013, this “no-kill” facility’s belief is “Love Can Save Lives” . They pride themselves on providing the best possible care for their rescued animals and rehabilitating hard-to-adopt animals to enable adoption into forever homes.

2. Blue Mountain Humane Society in Walla Walla, WA

Their mission is to “prevent cruelty, promote kindness and foster the human-animal bond”. Since its founding in 1967, it has evolved into a state-of-the-art no-kill shelter facility with an emphasis on companion animals. They also contract with the county to do cruelty and neglect investigations.

3. Concern for Animals in Olympia, WA

Located in the heart of the state Capitol, they are a 501(c) (3) non-profit serving Thurston, Mason and Lewis Counties offering rescue and adoption. Meals on Wheels deliveries is another of their wide range of services to “help keep pets safe, healthy and at home”.

4. The Alternative Humane Society Friends in Bellingham, WA

One of the most unique operations in the country, AHS is an all-volunteer non-profit that has no paid staff, office or shelter facility. Their program services are comprised of Canine Foster and Adoption, Spay and Neuter Assistance, and Community Cats Information and Referral. All of the programs support their philosophy of improving the lives of dogs and cats by helping them find permanent loving homes.

5. Spokane Humane Society in Spokane, WA

As one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the State, it has operated since 1897. A board decision in 2006 set a goal of not euthanizing healthy and adoptable pets. They reached the goal in 2008 and have continued that policy since. Their mission to “enrich the lives of animals and their human companions” encompasses Support, Education, Advocacy, and Love (SEAL).

Conclusion

Finding the pet insurance that’s right for you and your dog, whether it’s younger or older, is very much worth your time and thought. Get the facts on plans and costs and make a decision that’s right for your situation. Our extensive research found that Lemonade pet insurance consistently performed the best with the lowest monthly premiums. Lastly, whether it’s caused by an accident or a severe illness, we think it’s wise to “Expect the Unexpected” and have a pet insurance plan to help you and your dog when needed.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Washington

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in Washington 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 Washington with a 98108 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

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