Quick answer
NAPHIA industry data puts accident-only coverage at about $16.10/month for dogs and $9.17/month for cats — versus $62.44 and $32.21 for accident & illness plans. You're paying roughly 25% of the full-coverage price for injury-only protection.
Dogs ≈ $16/mo
vs $62.44/mo for accident & illness
Cats ≈ $9/mo
vs $32.21/mo for accident & illness
What's covered vs not
| Covered ✓ | Not covered ✗ |
|---|---|
| Broken bones, sprains, ligament tears from accidents | Cancer and tumors |
| Swallowed objects & toxin ingestion | Infections, allergies, skin conditions |
| Cuts, bite wounds, burns | Diabetes, kidney, heart, thyroid disease |
| Car accidents & falls | Hereditary conditions (hips, spine, breathing) |
| Emergency care for the above | Dental disease, routine & preventive care |
The catch: most large vet bills in a dog's life are illnesses, not accidents — that's exactly why illness coverage costs four times more.
Who accident-only actually fits
- Owners of senior dogs priced out of illness coverage or past insurer age limits — see senior dog costs.
- Tight budgets: $16/month protection against a $4,000 swallowed-toy surgery beats no coverage at all.
- Young, healthy, adventurous pets: highest accident risk, lowest illness risk.
- Indoor cats: lower accident exposure makes even the $9/month worth weighing against a savings fund.
Related guides
Full cost guide • Senior dog costs • Costs by breed • Cheapest breeds to insure
Sources
- NAPHIA State of the Industry Report — average accident-only and accident & illness premiums.
- Forbes Advisor / Insurance Information Institute — NAPHIA-referenced averages.
Averages differ by methodology; treat them as benchmarks and get your own quotes.