Insuring a Australian Shepherd costs an estimated $52.00 per month for an adult dog (1–7 years old) on a standard accident & illness plan, before state differences. That is about 25% below the national average premium actually paid for dogs, $69.67/mo according to NAPHIA’s State of the Industry data. Puppies and kittens cost less to insure; seniors cost considerably more. Below we break the Australian Shepherd numbers down by age, show what the same policy is estimated to cost in eight states, and explain the health risks that drive this breed’s price.
Australian Shepherd Insurance Cost at a Glance
| Age band | Estimated monthly premium | Estimated annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Young (under 12 months) | $44.20/mo | $530.40/yr |
| Adult (1–7 years) | $52.00/mo | $624.00/yr |
| Senior (over 7 years) | $98.80/mo | $1,185.60/yr |
These are national estimates for an accident & illness plan. An accident-only policy for a Australian Shepherd would typically run much lower, roughly a quarter of the accident & illness price based on national averages, but it would not cover illnesses at all. Your state, deductible and reimbursement choices move the real quote up or down from these figures.
What a Australian Shepherd Policy Costs in 8 States
Where you live is one of the largest rating factors in pet insurance, because premiums track local veterinary costs. Applying each state’s cost factor to the adult Australian Shepherd estimate gives:
| State | Estimated monthly premium (adult) | Estimated annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $68.64/mo | $823.68/yr |
| New York | $65.52/mo | $786.24/yr |
| Colorado | $59.80/mo | $717.60/yr |
| California | $54.60/mo | $655.20/yr |
| Illinois | $53.56/mo | $642.72/yr |
| Florida | $49.40/mo | $592.80/yr |
| Texas | $40.04/mo | $480.48/yr |
| Arkansas | $33.80/mo | $405.60/yr |
The spread is wide: the same adult Australian Shepherd policy is estimated at $33.80/mo in Arkansas, the lowest-cost state in our data, versus $68.64/mo in Alaska, the highest. See our full state-by-state cost index for all 50 states and DC.
Why Australian Shepherd Insurance Costs What It Does
Australian Shepherds are comparatively affordable to insure. Their estimated adult premium of $52.00/mo comes in below the $57.50/mo average across the dog breeds we track. The breed is still predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy, so it is not claims-free, but these issues are generally less costly to treat than the orthopedic, cardiac and cancer claims that push other breeds’ premiums up, and that shows up in the price.
Their medium build puts treatment costs in the middle of the range, so the premium is driven mainly by breed predispositions rather than size. Two things apply to every Australian Shepherd policy regardless of breed: premiums rise steeply with age (our senior estimate is $98.80/mo, roughly 1.9× the adult price), and anything diagnosed before you enroll will usually be excluded as pre-existing, which is why timing matters as much as price.
How to Save on Australian Shepherd Insurance
- Enroll young. A Australian Shepherd puppy is estimated at $44.20/mo, and enrolling before any symptoms appear keeps the breed’s known predispositions from being ruled pre-existing.
- Raise the deductible. Moving from a $250 to a $500 deductible usually cuts the premium noticeably, as long as you can cover the higher amount in an emergency.
- Pick 70–80% reimbursement. A 90% plan feels safer but costs more every month; 80% is the most common middle ground.
- Compare the same profile across carriers. Carriers rate Australian Shepherds very differently, the same pet can be quoted far apart by two companies.
- Skip add-ons you will not use. Wellness and routine-care riders pay out only if you actually claim the covered services each year.
Get Your Australian Shepherd’s Estimate
Use our estimator to see this breed’s estimated cost for your exact state and your pet’s age band:
Your estimated monthly premium
How we calculate: breed base premium × your state’s cost factor × age band, from published industry data. See our full methodology →
This is an estimate, not a quote. Actual premiums vary by provider, deductible and your pet’s health.
Or read our full guide to dog insurance costs by breed and age, compare costs in every state, and see how we calculate these estimates.
Related Breeds
- Cocker Spaniel insurance cost$52.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
- Dachshund insurance cost$52.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
- English Cocker Spaniel insurance cost$52.00/mo average (adult, estimate)
Australian Shepherd Insurance FAQs
How much is insurance for a Australian Shepherd per month?
Our estimate for an adult Australian Shepherd (1–7 years old) on an accident & illness plan is $52.00/mo before state differences. A puppy under 12 months runs about $44.20/mo and a senior over 7 years about $98.80/mo. Where you live matters too: the same adult policy is estimated at $33.80/mo in Arkansas and $68.64/mo in Alaska. All figures are estimates, not quotes.
Why is Australian Shepherd insurance priced the way it is?
Premiums follow expected claims. Australian Shepherds are predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy, and carriers price that risk in. The breed’s adult estimate of $52.00/mo is about 10% below the $57.50/mo average across the dog breeds we track. Note that whether a hereditary condition is covered, and any special waiting period for it, depends on the carrier.
Does pet insurance cover the conditions Australian Shepherds are prone to?
Most accident & illness plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, which is where predispositions such as Hip dysplasia usually fall, as long as symptoms had not appeared before the policy started or during a waiting period. Anything already diagnosed or showing symptoms before coverage begins is normally treated as pre-existing and excluded. Always check the policy wording for the exact condition before you buy.
How can I lower the cost of insuring my Australian Shepherd?
Four levers matter most: raise the deductible, choose a 70–80% reimbursement rate instead of 90%, pick a capped annual limit instead of unlimited, and enroll while your Australian Shepherd is young and healthy, before any condition becomes pre-existing. Comparing quotes across several carriers for the identical pet profile is also one of the biggest savings available, because carriers rate the same breed very differently.
All figures on this page are estimates for planning and comparison only, they are not insurance quotes, offers, or guarantees of any premium. Actual premiums vary by carrier, your pet’s age, sex and health history, ZIP code, deductible, reimbursement rate, annual limit and plan design. See how we build these numbers on our methodology page.