How Many Pet Owners Have Pet Insurance? 2026 U.S. Statistics
Based on the North American Pet Health Insurance Association’s (NAPHIA) reported 6.4 million insured pets and Pawlicy Advisor’s own industry data suggesting roughly 20% of pet insurance holders insure multiple pets, we estimate approximately 5 to 5.3 million pet owners in the US currently have pet insurance coverage.1
Quick Facts: U.S. Pet Insurance Statistics
Metric | Latest Figure | Year | Source
|
|---|---|---|---|
Total pet owners in the U.S. with pet insurance | 5 to 5.3 million | 2024 | Pawlicy Advisor estimates |
Total insured pets in the U.S. | 6.4 million | 2024 | NAPHIA 2025 Report |
Share of insured pets that are dogs | ~83% | 2024 | NAPHIA 2025 Report |
Share of insured pets that are cats | ~17% | 2024 | NAPHIA 2025 Report |
Do most pet owners have pet insurance? | No | 2026 | Industry data |
For more statistics on how many pet owners have pet insurance, navigate by using the links below:
What percentage of pet owners have pet insurance?
Approximately 5 to 5.3 million U.S. pet owners report having pet insurance, according to our estimates and NAPHIA’s latest data. This represents a growing segment of the 67% of U.S. households (85 million families) that own a pet.2
However, multi-pet households may be over- or under-represented among Pawlicy’s comparison shoppers versus the overall insured base.
How many pets are insured in the U.S.?
According to the latest State of the Industry report published by NAPHIA, approximately 6.4 million pets have health insurance in the U.S. This figure includes both dogs and cats, but does not account for policies on small animals, birds, horses, or exotic species.
The total represents a significant increase from previous years, continuing the industry's strong growth trajectory.
Do most people have pet insurance?
No, most pet owners do not have pet insurance. While the number of insured pets continues to grow each year, pet insurance still covers only a small percentage of the total pet population in the United States. With approximately 6.4 million insured pets out of an estimated 135+ million dogs and cats in U.S. households, the market penetration remains below 5% of all pets.
U.S. pet insurance rates continue to grow
The steady increase in vet visit costs combined with growing awareness of pet insurance benefits has helped fuel consistent growth for the pet insurance market. The growing sentiment among 85% of dog-owners and 76% of cat-owners who think of their pets as family members continues to drive adoption.3
The pet insurance industry has experienced an average growth rate of 20% over the last 5 years, as more pet parents discover the peace of mind and value that pet insurance provides.
Additionally, the growing number of pet insurance companies and their competitive marketing endeavors help strengthen product awareness among pet owners, leading to more pets insured in the U.S.
Related Reading: The Impact of Pet Insurance on Veterinary Practices
Statistics on insured U.S. pets
NAPHIA, which is composed of about 30 companies that underwrite and/or market pet insurance products under one or more brands, conducts an annual, industry-wide survey. Its data participants — which includes brands such as Figo, Embrace, and Nationwide — represent approximately 99.9% of policies in effect in North America, and help inform the State of the Industry (SOI) report each year.
Insurance policies by pet type
The majority of insured pets are dogs (approximately 83%) versus insured cats (approximately 17%). Data reflects continued strong growth in the number of dogs with pet insurance, with a combined growth rate of over 20% annually in recent years.
Although dog insurance accounts for more than three-quarters of the market share, pet owners are beginning to insure cats at a rate that continues to accelerate. The number of cats with pet insurance has been growing at an even faster pace than dogs in recent years.
Insured pets by plan type
The majority of pet owners (over 80%) opt for Accident & Illness plans that offer comprehensive coverage for out-of-pocket expenses such as diagnostic tests, surgeries, emergency care, poison ingestion, urinary tract infections, digestive problems, broken bones, bite wounds, burns, and more.
Accident-Only plans (which exclusively cover pet injuries) make up a much smaller portion of the market. In contrast, comprehensive insurance policies — including those with embedded pet wellness plans — drive the industry, accounting for approximately 97% of the total gross value of all pet insurance policies written.
Insured pets by state
By and large, California is home to the most insured pets (approximately 19% of all U.S. policies), followed by New York (approximately 9%), Florida (approximately 6%), New Jersey (approximately 6%), and Texas (approximately 5%). These five states account for nearly half of all pet insurance policies issued in the U.S.
These figures reflect both the large pet-owning populations in these states and higher awareness of pet insurance benefits in these markets.
Historical trend context
Looking back at earlier data provides helpful context for understanding the industry's growth trajectory:
Year | Pet Insurance Growth Rate |
|---|---|
2024 | 12.7% |
2023 | 17.2% |
2022 | 22.1% |
2021 | 28.0% |
2020 | 23.2% |
2019 | 16.7% |
2018 | 18% |
2017 | 17.5% |
Ready to find the right coverage for your pet? Compare personalized quotes from top-rated providers and see how much you could save on veterinary care.
References
- NAPHIA , " State of the Industry Report "
- American Pet Products, " Industry Trends "
- Phys.org. Sociologist confirms what pet parents know: pets really are part of the family "
- GM Insights, " Pet Insurance Market Analysis "
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