Pet insurance in Delaware: what it costs and what to plan for

How much is pet insurance in Delaware?

The average accident-and-illness policy in Delaware costs $48 a month for a dog and $23 a month for a cat, according to Insurify, Pet Insurance Regulations by State (June 2025), average annual cost by state.

Insurify lists Delaware at $576 a year for a dog and $276 for a cat. Insurify's figures come from its analysis of Fletch data and are published as annual averages; we divided by 12. The page does not state the pet ages, deductible, reimbursement rate or annual limit behind them. Its national averages are $516 a year for dogs and $276 for cats, about $43 and $23 a month. Delaware dogs cost a bit more than the national figure; cats match it. No city figures are given.

Your own price depends on your pet's species, breed and age, your ZIP code (vet prices vary by city), and three choices you make: the deductible, the reimbursement rate and the annual limit. A higher deductible or lower reimbursement lowers the monthly premium. See how pet insurance deductibles work.

Delaware pet insurance rules

Delaware adopted the NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act in 2023, now Title 18, Chapter 88 (sections 8801 to 8809) of the Delaware Code. Illness and orthopedic waiting periods are capped at 30 days, and accidents can't have one. You get 30 days from receiving the policy to return it for a full refund if no claim was filed. The insurer must prove a pre-existing condition exclusion applies, and a condition covered on the policy can't become pre-existing at renewal. Wellness programs can't be sold as insurance or required to buy a policy, and agents must complete pet insurance training.

Source: Delaware Code Title 18, Chapter 88, Pet Insurance

Pet health risks to plan for in Delaware

These are the local hazards Delaware vets see often, and whether a typical accident-and-illness policy pays for treatment. Routine prevention (vaccines, flea, tick and heartworm medication) is only covered by an optional wellness add-on.

Vets and pet care in Delaware cities

• Wilmington. Wilmington is about 30 miles from Penn Vet's Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia, a university hospital with an emergency service. (source)
• Dover. In central Kent County, Dover owners rely mostly on private clinics and emergency hospitals rather than a university hospital.
• Newark. Newark sits near the Pennsylvania and Maryland lines, so specialty hospitals in both states are within driving distance.
• Rehoboth Beach. Beach town summers bring hot sand and crowded boardwalks, so watch for heat stroke and paw burns in July and August.

How to get pet insurance in Delaware

You can buy a policy online in a few minutes. Lemonade sells pet insurance for dogs and cats in Delaware: you enter your pet's breed and age and your ZIP code, then choose your options, such as the deductible and a 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement rate. Illnesses are covered only after a waiting period, so it pays to start while your pet is young and healthy, before any condition counts as pre-existing (see waiting periods).

Whichever insurer you choose, read the sample policy for exclusions: pre-existing conditions, bilateral conditions, exam fees and how long the waiting periods are.

Tips for Delaware pet owners

1. Delaware dog premiums sit a little above the national average. Compare quotes on the same deductible, reimbursement rate and annual limit.
2. Keep dogs on year-round heartworm prevention. Treatment is usually covered, but a lapse can lead to a claim dispute.
3. Enroll before symptoms show. Delaware caps illness waiting periods at 30 days, but anything noted before coverage can be excluded as pre-existing.
4. Use the 30-day free look Delaware law gives you. Read the exclusions and return the policy for a full refund if it isn't right.
5. If you rent near the beach, check your renters policy for pet liability too. See AptCover's guide to renters insurance and pets.