Yorkshire Terrier insurance cost
A 3-year-old Yorkshire Terrier typically costs $28 a month to insure, with a likely range of $16–$40. Expect about $27 for a puppy and $88 at age 9.8. That is 23% less than the median dog breed.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Full disclaimer.
Estimate for your Yorkshire Terrier
$28 /month typical
Likely range $16–$40 a month ($192–$482 a year)
- Average dog premium at the reference age$52.83/mo
- Age 3 years×0.68
- Yorkshire Terrier×0.78
- National average (no state selected)×1.00
- Accident & illness plan×1.00
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. Based on a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 annual limit. Actual prices depend on the insurer, ZIP code and your pet's history.
Monthly cost by age
| Age | Typical | Likely range | All-breed median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (6 months) | $27 | $15–$39 | $35 |
| Young adult (3 years) | $28 | $16–$40 | $36 |
| Middle-aged (6 years) | $40 | $23–$58 | $53 |
| Senior (9.8 years) | $88 | $50–$126 | $112 |
Yorkshire Terriers rank 12 of 154 dog breeds by price in the quote data (1 = cheapest), in the cheapest quarter. Between age 3 and 9.8 the typical premium rises 3.1-fold. AAHA guidelines treat dogs as seniors in the last 25% of their expected lifespan, which for a Yorkshire Terrier (AKC life expectancy 11–15 years) starts around age 9.8. Add your state in the calculator above: state prices range from about 31% below to 18% above the national average.
Why a Yorkshire Terrier costs less to insure
Yorkies are among the cheapest dogs to insure and among the longest-lived: median age at death in UK records was 13.56 years. Their typical claims are dental disease, kneecap problems and, later in life, heart valve disease. Dental coverage differs a lot between policies, so for this breed it is worth reading the dental section before you buy. A long life also means many years in the senior price bracket.
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Periodontal (dental) disease Higher risk
Periodontal disease was the most common disorder in UK Yorkshire Terriers (21.10% in one year), and the breed had 2.16 times the odds of crossbred dogs. [source]
Typical US treatment cost: $394–$2,628. On a $1,511 bill, a $500 deductible / 80% / $5,000 policy would pay $809. Read the guide
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Patellar luxation Higher risk
Yorkshire Terriers had 5.5 times the odds of patellar luxation compared with crossbred dogs. [source]
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Mitral valve disease (heart) Higher risk
Yorkshire Terriers had 2.15 times the odds of diagnosed mitral valve disease compared with crossbred dogs. [source]
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Ear infections (otitis externa) Lower risk
Yorkshire Terriers had lower odds of ear infections than crossbred dogs (odds ratio 0.49). [source]
No treatment cost shown for patellar luxation, mitral valve disease (heart): we have not found a reliable published US cost range yet, and we do not estimate one ourselves. Ask your vet for a written estimate.
Lifetime cost: insurance vs paying the vet yourself
Insuring a Yorkshire Terrier from puppyhood to an expected lifespan of about 13 years adds up to roughly $8,892 in typical premiums at today's prices (national average, accident and illness, no inflation). Compare that with what a single episode of this breed's documented conditions can cost:
| Condition | Cost range | Policy pays at midpoint* | Years of premiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodontal (dental) disease | $394–$2,628 | $809 | 4.5 |
*$500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, $5,000 annual limit, first claim of the year. "Years of premiums" = midpoint cost divided by the typical annual premium at age 3. Insurance is a hedge: most years you pay more in premiums than you claim, and a policy pays off in the years with a large bill. If you could pay the bills in this table from savings without hardship, self-insuring can make sense; see is pet insurance worth it?
Which coverage fits a Yorkshire Terrier
- Accident and illness, not accident-only. The conditions documented for Yorkshire Terriers are illnesses or degenerative problems, which accident-only plans do not cover. Accident-only costs about 31% as much as accident and illness in the quote data, so it suits a tight budget but leaves out the main risks for this breed.
- Check how chronic conditions are handled. Periodontal (dental) disease, Mitral valve disease (heart) are lifelong conditions. Ask whether the deductible resets every year or once per condition, and whether there are per-condition caps.
- Orthopedic waiting period. Patellar luxation counts as orthopedic under the NAIC Model Act, which allows waiting periods of up to 30 days for orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident in states that adopted it. Elsewhere, each insurer sets its own orthopedic waiting period, so compare them.
- Dental illness cover. Periodontal disease is a documented issue for this breed. Policies differ on whether dental illness is covered and how; routine cleanings are usually a wellness item, not insurance.
- Enroll early. Anything noted in your dog's records before coverage starts can be excluded as pre-existing. Premiums for a Yorkshire Terrier are $28 a month at age 3 versus $88 at 9.8 in the quote data.
Similar breeds
- Pomeranian $29/mo
- Chihuahua $23/mo
- Shih Tzu $26/mo
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel $36/mo
- Pug $37/mo
Related guides
- Does pet insurance cover dental care?
- How pet insurance deductibles work
- Pet insurance for senior dogs
- Pre-existing conditions and pet insurance
- Accident-only vs accident and illness pet insurance
Frequently asked questions
How much is pet insurance for a Yorkshire Terrier?
About $28 a month for a 3-year-old Yorkshire Terrier (likely $16–$40), $27 for a puppy and $88 at age 9.8, for an accident and illness policy with a $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement and $5,000 limit, before any state adjustment.
Is a Yorkshire Terrier expensive to insure?
At the reference age of 6, a Yorkshire Terrier costs 23% less than the median dog breed in our data, and ranks 12 of 154 breeds from cheapest to most expensive.
Does pet insurance cover periodontal (dental) disease in Yorkshire Terriers?
Accident and illness policies generally cover it if it was not present, treated or showing signs before the policy started or during the waiting period; that is the NAIC Model Act definition of a pre-existing condition. Policies that exclude hereditary or congenital conditions must say so in their disclosures. Published treatment costs run $394–$2,628.
At what age is a Yorkshire Terrier a senior, and what happens to the price?
AAHA guidelines define a senior dog as one in the last 25% of its expected lifespan. With an AKC life expectancy of 11–15 years, that is about age 9.8 for a Yorkshire Terrier. In the quote data its premium at 9.8 is 3.1 times the price at age 3.
How much does it cost to insure a Yorkshire Terrier for life?
If you insure from puppyhood to an expected lifespan of about 13 years, typical premiums add up to roughly $8,892 at today's prices (no inflation, no state adjustment). Premiums usually rise over time, so the real figure is likely higher.
Breed facts: AKC Yorkshire Terrier page (Toy Group; weight 7 pounds; life expectancy 11-15 years).
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). Dog breed pages (weight, life expectancy, group). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- Mattin MJ et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (2015). Prevalence of and risk factors for degenerative mitral valve disease in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Best Dog Insurance. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Best Cat Insurance. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost? (10/14/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- MoneyGeek. Pet Insurance Methodology (04/24/2026). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Pet Insurance Model Act (MO-633) (08/13/2022). Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology (2016). The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Canine Medicine and Genetics (2021). Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK - a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Companion Animal Health and Genetics (2025). Yorkshire Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK - demography and disorders. Accessed 11/06/2026.
- O'Neill DG et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice (2021). Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Accessed 11/06/2026.
Full list, limitations and how each figure is used: methodology.
Data last reviewed: · How we estimate