How Much Does French Bulldog Insurance Cost?
French Bulldog pet insurance costs $30–$131 per month depending on the provider, coverage level, and your dog's age. Here's exactly what you'll pay with each provider.
Pricing by Provider
Monthly costs for a French Bulldog, sorted by starting price. All prices are estimates for a healthy 2-year-old Frenchie and may vary by location.
| Provider | Budget Plan | Mid-Range | Premium | Deductible Options | Reimbursement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $30/mo 70% Reimbursement | $48/mo 80% Reimbursement | $70/mo 90% Reimbursement | Annual (diminishing) | 70-90% | Full Review |
 | $30/mo 70% Reimbursement | $50/mo 80% Reimbursement | $70/mo 90% Reimbursement | Annual | 70-90% | Full Review |
 | $35/mo Basic Coverage | $55/mo Standard Coverage | $80/mo Premium Coverage | Annual | 70-90% | Full Review |
 | $37.5/mo Essential Coverage | $60/mo Moderate Coverage | $100/mo Maximum Coverage | Annual | 70-90% | Full Review |
 | $45/mo 70% Reimbursement Option | $65/mo 80% Reimbursement Option | $85/mo 90% Reimbursement Option | Annual | 50-90% | Full Review |
 | $66/mo 70% Coverage | $88/mo 80% Coverage | $131/mo 90% Coverage | Annual | 70-90% | Full Review |
 | $125/mo Young French Bulldog | $175/mo Adult French Bulldog | $250/mo Senior French Bulldog | Per-Condition (lifetime) | 90% | Full Review |
What Drives French Bulldog Insurance Costs
Breed-Specific Health Risks
French Bulldogs are among the most expensive breeds to insure because of their brachycephalic anatomy. Their flat faces, compact spines, and genetic predispositions lead to higher-than-average veterinary costs. Insurers price this risk directly into premiums, making Frenchie coverage 20–35% more expensive than the average dog. This breed premium is baked into every provider's pricing model.
Your Dog's Age
Age is the single biggest factor in premium pricing. A 2-year-old Frenchie will pay significantly less than a 7-year-old. Most providers increase premiums by 15–25% annually as your dog ages. Some providers also restrict coverage for older dogs — Healthy Paws limits reimbursement to 70% for dogs over 5 and 50% for dogs over 10. Enrolling as a puppy locks in the broadest coverage at the lowest starting rate.
Coverage Level & Deductible
The three levers that control your premium are reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual limit. Choosing 70% reimbursement with a $500 deductible can cut your premium nearly in half compared to 90% reimbursement with a $100 deductible. For example, Embrace ranges from $30/month (70%, $500 deductible, $8K cap) to $70/month (90%, $200 deductible, unlimited). The right balance depends on your budget and risk tolerance.
Location
Your zip code affects pricing because veterinary costs vary by region. Urban areas with higher cost of living tend to have higher vet fees, which drives up insurance premiums. A Frenchie in New York City may pay 20–40% more than one in a rural Midwest town for identical coverage. Always get a quote with your actual zip code for accurate pricing.
Common French Bulldog Veterinary Costs
These are the breed-specific conditions that make insurance essential for French Bulldogs. Without coverage, a single incident can cost thousands.
BOAS Surgery
$3,000–$5,000Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome affects up to 50% of French Bulldogs. Surgery to widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate is common and often necessary for quality of life. Most insurers cover BOAS if enrolled before symptoms appear.
Hip Dysplasia Treatment
$1,200–$7,000Hip dysplasia diagnosis averages $1,500 alone. FHO surgery runs $1,200–$3,000 per hip. Total treatment with diagnostics and rehabilitation can reach $7,000+. Orthopedic waiting periods vary dramatically — from 14 days (ASPCA) to 12 months (Healthy Paws).
IVDD Spine Surgery
$5,000–$12,000Intervertebral Disc Disease is common in French Bulldogs due to their compact spines. Surgery alone costs $2,000–$4,000, but with diagnostic imaging ($1,500–$5,000), hospitalization, and post-op care, total costs frequently exceed $8,000.
Cherry Eye Surgery
$500–$2,500Cherry eye (prolapsed tear gland) is particularly common in brachycephalic breeds. Surgery to reposition the gland averages $500–$1,200, potentially doubling if both eyes are affected. Follow-up visits add another $100–$300.
Chronic Allergy Management
$60–$100/month ongoingSkin and food allergies are extremely common in French Bulldogs, with symptoms typically appearing between 1–3 years old. Diagnosis alone can cost $1,000+. Ongoing management with prescription medications, specialty food, and regular vet visits runs $60–$100/month indefinitely — adding up to $720–$1,200 per year for the life of your dog.
Waiting Periods by Provider
Waiting periods determine how soon your coverage kicks in. For French Bulldogs, orthopedic waiting periods are especially important due to hip dysplasia risk.
| Provider | Accidents | Illness | Orthopedic / Hip Dysplasia |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA | No wait | 14 days | 14 days (no extended wait) |
| Trupanion | 5 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Lemonade | No wait | 14 days | 30–180 days (varies by state) |
| Embrace | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months (waivable to 14 days with vet exam) |
| Healthy Paws | No wait | 14 days | 12 months |
| Fetch | No wait | 14 days | 6 months |
| Pets Best | 3 days | 14 days | 6 months (cruciate ligaments) |
How to Save on French Bulldog Insurance
1. Enroll as a Puppy
Signing up before your Frenchie turns 1 gets you the lowest starting premium and ensures no conditions are pre-existing. Most breed-specific issues (BOAS, allergies, hip dysplasia) develop after age 1–3, so early enrollment means full coverage when you need it most.
2. Choose the Right Deductible
A $500 deductible instead of $100 can reduce your monthly premium by 20–30%. If your Frenchie is young and healthy, a higher deductible saves money while still protecting against major expenses. You can always lower the deductible at renewal if needed.
3. Consider 80% Reimbursement
The jump from 80% to 90% reimbursement often costs $15–25/month extra. On a $5,000 claim, that's only $500 more out of pocket at 80% vs 90%. For many owners, 80% is the sweet spot between coverage and cost.
4. Skip Wellness Add-Ons (Maybe)
Wellness plans cost $20–30/month and cover routine care like vaccines and dental cleanings. Do the math: if the add-on costs $300/year but only reimburses $250–$450 in routine care, the savings are minimal. However, if your Frenchie needs frequent allergy management or dental work, a wellness plan can pay for itself.
5. Ask About Multi-Pet Discounts
Embrace offers a 10% multi-pet discount. Other providers may offer similar savings. If you have multiple pets, bundling policies with one provider can reduce your per-pet cost meaningfully.
Ready to Compare Plans?
See how all 7 providers stack up on coverage, pricing, and French Bulldog suitability.
French Bulldog Insurance Cost FAQ
French Bulldog pet insurance typically costs between <strong>$30 and $131 per month</strong> depending on the provider, coverage level, deductible, and your dog's age. Budget plans with lower reimbursement rates (70%) and higher deductibles ($500) start around $30–$45/month, while comprehensive plans with 90% reimbursement and low deductibles run $70–$131/month. You can <a href="/compare" class="text-accent hover:text-accent-hover font-medium">compare all 7 providers side-by-side</a> to find the best value for your budget.
French Bulldogs are brachycephalic (flat-faced), which makes them prone to expensive health conditions like BOAS, hip dysplasia, IVDD, allergies, and cherry eye. Insurance companies price premiums based on breed-specific claims data, and Frenchies generate higher claims on average than most breeds. Expect to pay <strong>20–35% more</strong> than the average dog insurance cost of $56/month.
The most affordable options for French Bulldogs are <a href="/reviews/embrace-pet-insurance" class="text-accent hover:text-accent-hover font-medium">Embrace</a> and <a href="/reviews/fetch-pet-insurance" class="text-accent hover:text-accent-hover font-medium">Fetch</a>, both starting at $30/month for basic coverage (70% reimbursement, $500 deductible). <a href="/reviews/pets-best-pet-insurance" class="text-accent hover:text-accent-hover font-medium">Pets Best</a> is also competitive at $35/month. Keep in mind that the cheapest plan isn't always the best value — lower premiums often mean higher out-of-pocket costs when you file a claim.
Yes. Most providers increase premiums by <strong>15–25% per year</strong> as your dog ages. A plan that costs $50/month for a 2-year-old Frenchie could cost $125+/month by age 7. Some providers like Healthy Paws also restrict coverage options for older dogs — limiting reimbursement to 70% for dogs over 5, and 50% for dogs over 10. Enrolling when your Frenchie is young locks in better rates and broader coverage options.
Almost always yes. French Bulldogs are one of the most expensive breeds to own medically. A single BOAS surgery costs $3,000–$5,000, hip dysplasia treatment runs $1,200–$7,000, and IVDD surgery can reach $5,000–$12,000. Even routine allergy management costs $60–$100/month ongoing. A mid-range insurance plan at $50–$65/month can save you tens of thousands over your Frenchie's lifetime. Read our <a href="/reviews" class="text-accent hover:text-accent-hover font-medium">in-depth provider reviews</a> to find the right plan.
Several strategies can reduce your premium: <strong>(1)</strong> Choose a higher deductible ($500 vs $100 saves 20–30% on premiums). <strong>(2)</strong> Select 70% or 80% reimbursement instead of 90%. <strong>(3)</strong> Enroll your Frenchie as a puppy before any conditions develop. <strong>(4)</strong> Ask about multi-pet discounts (Embrace offers 10% off). <strong>(5)</strong> Skip wellness add-ons if you can pay for routine care out of pocket. <strong>(6)</strong> Choose a plan with an annual cap ($10,000–$15,000) instead of unlimited if you want to save on premiums while still having solid coverage.
Most pet insurance plans exclude: <strong>pre-existing conditions</strong> (anything diagnosed or showing symptoms before enrollment), <strong>cosmetic procedures</strong> (ear cropping, tail docking), <strong>breeding costs</strong>, and <strong>elective procedures</strong>. Some plans also exclude exam fees (notably Trupanion). Waiting periods apply to all plans — typically 14 days for illness and up to 6–12 months for orthopedic conditions depending on the provider. This is why enrolling early is critical for French Bulldogs.