Pet Life Insurance: Do You Really Need It?
As a pet owner, losing a beloved animal can feel just as painful—if not more painful—than losing a person. For many of us, pets are family. So it’s no surprise the idea of life insurance for pets—or more broadly, life insurance for animals—is starting to get attention.
But here’s the real question:
Do you actually need it?
Let’s break it down in simple terms—and talk about a few cases where it might actually make sense.
What Is Pet Life Insurance?
Pet life insurance works a lot like human life insurance. If your pet passes away, the policy pays out a lump sum to you—the policyholder.
But unlike pet health insurance, which helps pay for vet bills while your pet is alive, animal life insurance only kicks in after your pet dies—and for most pet owners, it’s not necessary.
Who Might Actually Need It?
Most pet owners don’t need dog life insurance or coverage for their pets. If you have a house cat, family dog, or parrot who isn’t tied to your income or business, the cost simply isn’t worth it.
But in a few specific cases, it can make sense—especially if the pet plays a financial role in your life:
- Show animals or rare, valuable breeds
- Service animals, such as guide dogs or therapy dogs
- Working animals, including police K9s or search and rescue dogs
- Racehorses or animals involved in breeding and training businesses
- Animals used in entertainment or production
In these situations, the loss of the animal can mean real financial loss, which is where a policy may help cover that impact.
What About Pet Influencers?
Now let’s talk about a newer category: pet influencers.
Social media has created a world where animals like Tucker Budzyn (a golden retriever with millions of fans) or Nala from Adventuring With Nala (a van-traveling cat with branded sponsorships) aren’t just pets—they’re part of businesses.
If your pet helps bring in:
- Brand deals
- Ad revenue
- Paid appearances
- Merchandise sales
- Content creation opportunities
Then they’re generating income, and their presence is valuable.
If losing your pet would hurt your income, impact your business, or cause a pause in your operations—you might want to look at specialty coverage, including:
- Pet life insurance with a lost income rider
- Business insurance that includes digital assets and brand value
- Media liability or content creator insurance if your pet is part of your platform
More and more pet creators are turning to insurance not just to protect their animals—but to protect the business built around them.
How Much Does Pet Life Insurance Cost?
According to Pets Best, pet life insurance costs between $250 and $900 per year.
Several factors affect the price:
- The age of your pet
- The species or breed
- Your pet’s current health
- The type of coverage and any add-ons, like income replacement
- Whether the pet is considered high-risk or commercially valuable
Also, not all pets are eligible. Some breeds (especially older dogs or “high-risk” types) may not be approved, or may only qualify for expensive coverage.
What Should Most Pet Owners Do Instead?
For everyday pet owners, pet health insurance is usually the smarter choice.
It helps with:
- Emergency vet visits
- Surgeries and hospital stays
- Illness treatments
- Prescription medications
- Accidents and injuries
Think of it this way: Pet life insurance pays out once.
Pet health insurance can help you many times over your pet’s life.
It’s about making sure you can give them the best care—without draining your savings.
Our Take: Pet Life Insurance Has a Place—But Not for Everyone
As a Farmers Insurance agency based in Ontario, California, we talk to pet owners and business owners across the state.
Here’s what we tell them:
- If your pet is part of your income, brand, or business model—you might want to explore pet life insurance or business-related coverage.
- If your pet is simply your buddy, protector, or family member—focus on pet health insurance instead.
- And don’t forget your own life and home insurance—many people protect their pets, but forget to protect themselves.
We’ll help you figure out what makes sense for your life—not sell you something you don’t need.
Let’s Talk
Have questions about:
- Pet life insurance
- Business protection for content creators
- Workers comp, home, or life insurance
- Or getting started with pet health coverage?
We’re here for you. Make a decision that protects you and your pet—for real life, not just online likes