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

By Venkata NagrediUpdated October 2026Every figure is sourced

Pet insurance in Washington costs about $84 a month for a dog and $42 for a cat on average, according to MoneyGeek. Lemonade sells pet insurance in Washington, and you can get a quote online in minutes. The local risk to plan for first is salmon poisoning disease.

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Washington has its own pet insurance law, which bans waiting periods for accidents and caps illness waits at 30 days. West of the Cascades, dogs can catch salmon poisoning from raw fish. Premiums run high here, about $84 a month for a dog in one study.

How much is pet insurance in Washington?

The average accident-and-illness policy in Washington costs $84 a month for a dog and $42 a month for a cat, according to MoneyGeek, Best Pet Insurance in Washington (2026).

MoneyGeek priced a 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and a 7-year-old Ragdoll with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and a $5,000 limit. Dogs cost 37% above the national dog average and cats 31% above. The study gives no city-by-city figures for Washington.

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.

Washington pet insurance rules

Washington regulates pet insurance under Chapter 48.205 RCW, created by Senate Bill 5319 and in effect since January 1, 2024. Waiting periods for accidents are banned, and illness or orthopedic waiting periods can't exceed 30 days. You have 15 days to return a policy for a refund if you haven't filed a claim. Insurers must disclose pre-existing, hereditary, congenital and chronic condition exclusions, and they carry the burden of proving a condition was pre-existing. Wellness programs can't be marketed as pet insurance, and agents must be licensed and trained.

Source: Washington State Legislature, Chapter 48.205 RCW: Pet insurance

Pet health risks to plan for in Washington

These are the local hazards Washington 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.

  • Usually coveredSalmon poisoning diseaseMost common west of the Cascades. WSU says 90% of dogs showing symptoms die without treatment, but most improve within two days on antibiotics and a dewormer.
  • Depends on policyHeartworm in central WashingtonThe 2025 AHS survey found central Washington clinics rose from under one case to three to five a year. Treatment is usually covered; prevention needs a wellness add-on.
  • Usually coveredFoxtails and grass awnsDry grasses in eastern Washington in summer shed barbed seeds that lodge in ears, noses and paws. Removal is covered as an accident or illness.
  • Usually coveredToxic algae in lakesThe state health department says toxic blooms are most common in summer and fall and can kill pets that drink the water. Emergency treatment is covered as an illness.

Vets and pet care in Washington cities

  • Seattle. Before you need it, save the address of the 24-hour emergency hospital closest to you, and compare quotes for your ZIP code on the same deductible.
  • Spokane. Spokane is the closest large city to WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman, the state's university veterinary hospital. (source)
  • Tacoma. Tacoma is on Puget Sound, inside the area where salmon poisoning is most common. (source)
  • Vancouver. Vancouver owners can reach DoveLewis, a nonprofit 24/7 emergency and ICU hospital, across the river in Portland. (source)
  • Pullman. Home to the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which treats referred dogs and cats. (source)

How to get pet insurance in Washington

You can buy a policy online in a few minutes. Lemonade sells pet insurance for dogs and cats in Washington: 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 Washington pet owners

  1. Get quotes at more than one deductible. MoneyGeek's $84 dog average assumes $500, and a higher deductible lowers the premium.
  2. Keep raw salmon and trout away from your dog. Salmon poisoning needs fast treatment, so check the policy's emergency cover.
  3. Washington bans waiting periods for accidents, but illnesses can still have up to 30 days. Enroll early. See waiting periods.
  4. Use the 15-day free look. Read the sample policy for exclusions and return it within 15 days if it doesn't fit.
  5. In central Washington, ask your vet about year-round heartworm prevention. A wellness add-on can help pay for it.

Washington pet insurance FAQ

How much is pet insurance in Washington?

MoneyGeek puts the average at $84 a month for a dog and $42 for a cat. That assumes a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and a $5,000 limit. Dogs cost 37% and cats 31% above national averages.

Is pet insurance worth it in Washington?

Premiums are high, about $1,006 a year for a dog on MoneyGeek's figures. Vet bills in the Seattle area are high too. It is worth it if a large surprise bill would be hard to pay.

Does Washington have a pet insurance law?

Yes. Chapter 48.205 RCW, passed as Senate Bill 5319, took effect January 1, 2024. It bans accident waiting periods, caps illness waits at 30 days and gives a 15-day free look.

How much is pet insurance in Seattle?

MoneyGeek doesn't publish a Seattle-only figure. Its statewide average is $84 a month for a dog and $42 for a cat, and city vet prices push Seattle quotes toward the higher end.

Does pet insurance cover salmon poisoning in Washington?

A typical accident-and-illness policy covers it as an illness after the waiting period. WSU says 90% of dogs with symptoms die without treatment.

Can I buy Lemonade pet insurance in Washington?

Yes. Washington is not on Lemonade's list of states where it does not sell. Its 14-day illness waiting period fits within the state's 30-day cap.

Nearby states

Sources

  1. MoneyGeek, Best Pet Insurance in Washington (2026) (accessed 2026-10-04)
  2. Washington State Legislature, Chapter 48.205 RCW: Pet insurance (accessed 2026-10-04)
  3. Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, What Washington's new pet insurance bill means for you (May 22, 2023) (accessed 2026-10-04)
  4. AVMA News, Texas tops nation in heartworm cases as parasite also detected in unexpected regions (April 27, 2026) (accessed 2026-10-04)
  5. WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Salmon Poisoning (accessed 2026-10-04)
  6. Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, Salmon Poisoning Disease ("Fish Disease") (accessed 2026-10-04)
  7. DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital (accessed 2026-10-04)
  8. Lemonade, Pet Insurance for Dogs & Cats (accessed 2026-10-04)
  9. Lemonade, The Ultimate Lemonade Pet FAQ (accessed 2026-10-04)
  10. Lemonade, where Lemonade is available (accessed 2026-10-04)
  11. Washington State Department of Health, Blue-green algae (accessed 2026-10-04)
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