Is it normal for pet insurance premiums to go way up at renewal?

I've had pet insurance for my dog for a few years and my premium just jumped like 35% at renewal with no real explanation. Is this normal? At what point does it stop making financial sense to keep the policy?

An increase in pet insurance premiums at renewal is normal, but whether 35% is on the higher end of typical is hard to say without knowing your pet's age, breed, location, and carrier. The increases do tend to get steeper as your pet gets older. Here's why it happens, and how to decide whether it's still worth keeping.

A few factors drive renewal increases specifically. Your pet's age is the biggest factor. The older your dog gets, the higher the statistical risk of illness or injury, and premiums adjust accordingly every year. Insurers look at the claims experience across all of their policyholders, not just yours. If pet owners as a whole are filing more (or larger) claims, that can push everyone's rates up, even if you've never filed a claim yourself. You're not alone in this: there's plenty of chatter online from other pet owners experiencing similar increases at renewal.

You also have to consider inflation and the cost of living. If you're feeling the pinch lately, businesses (including veterinarians) are, too. Supply and labor costs are going up, and that translates into higher vet bills. As of 2025, the average cost of a vet bill has increased by over 60% in the past decade (AAHA) and this year, that number has likely gone up with added tariffs.

As for whether it's still worth keeping: that's genuinely a case-by-case calculation. A few things worth considering before you cancel. First, if your pet has developed any health conditions since you originally enrolled, those would likely be considered preexisting conditions if you switched to a new carrier, meaning a new insurer might not cover them at all. Staying with your current policy, even at a higher rate, may protect coverage you'd otherwise lose.

Here are a few things you can consider to lower the bill if you want to keep the insurance as a safety net:

• Increase your deductible
• Decrease your reimbursement percentage or annual coverage limit
• Carry accident/emergency coverage only (not the wellness add-on)
• Shop around (much like all insurance types!)

You can get a pet insurance quote through out partners here at The Zebra, too, while you're comparing rates. I hope this helps!