Meta Description: Costco partnered with Figo to offer pet insurance with no upper age limit. Here’s what it costs, what’s covered, and whether it’s worth it for your senior pet.
Last Updated: March 6, 2026 (Friday)
When Sarah’s 13-year-old golden retriever was diagnosed with cancer, she called six insurance companies. Same answer every time: “We don’t insure pets over 10 years old.”
She paid $12,000 from her retirement savings. Murphy survived, but Sarah’s financial cushion didn’t.
Then in January 2026, Costco changed everything.
Their new Figo partnership offers a revolutionary pet insurance option: no upper age limit, 16-year-old cat? Covered.
For Costco’s 133 million members, this is the first mass-market option that doesn’t reject senior pets.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
What You Get (And What You Don’t)
The Partnership Details
Who’s Figo? Mid-sized insurer known for its tech-forward approach and Cloud Claims app.
What Costco Members Get:
- ✅ No upper age limit for enrollment
- ✅ 5% member discount on all plans
- ✅ Coverage in all 50 states
- ✅ Cancel anytime (no fees)
What’s Covered:
- Emergency accidents and illnesses
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Chronic conditions (arthritis, diabetes)
- Hereditary conditions
- Diagnostic testing and medications
NOT Covered:
- Pre-existing conditions (anything before enrollment)
- Routine wellness (vaccines, check-ups)
- Dental cleanings (unless disease-related)
The Real Costs (No Surprises)
Monthly Premiums (With 5% Costco Discount):
Dogs:
- Young (under 2 years): $35-55/month
- Adult (3-7 years): $50-75/month
- Senior (8-12 years): $70-110/month
- Very senior (13+ years): $95-150/month
Cats:
- Young: $20-30/month
- Adult: $28-45/month
- Senior: $40-65/month
- Very senior: $55-85/month
Example: 11-year-old Lab in Texas with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement = $82/month (with Costco discount).
Without discount: $86/month. Savings: $48/year.
The “No Age Limit” Reality Check
✅ What It Actually Means:
You can enroll senior pets:
- Coverage doesn’t end at a certain age
- Can’t be dropped just for getting older
- New conditions after enrollment are covered
❌ What It Doesn’t Mean:
Pre-existing conditions still excluded:
- If your 12-year-old already has arthritis, arthritis treatment won’t be covered
- Only NEW conditions that develop after enrollment are covered
Premiums are still age-based:
- 13-year-old costs 2-3x more than 3-year-old
- “No age limit,” ≠ “same price.”
Waiting periods still apply:
- 14 days for illnesses
- 6 months for orthopedic conditions
The Math: Is It Actually Worth It?
Scenario: 12-Year-Old Golden Retriever
Without Insurance:
- Cancer treatment: $12,000
- You pay: $12,000
With Costco/Figo ($95/month):
- Annual premiums: $1,140
- If cancer develops after enrollment:
- Total bill: $12,000
- Deductible: $500
- Insurance covers 80%: $9,200
- You pay: $2,800 + $1,140 (premiums) = $3,940 total
- Savings: $8,060
But if cancer already exists before enrollment:
- Insurance pays: $0 (pre-existing)
- You waste: $1,140 in premiums
Verdict: Worth it only if the pet is healthy at enrollment.
How It Compares to Alternatives
| Option | Age Limit | Cost (12yr dog) | Direct Pay? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco/Figo | None | $82/mo | No | Costco members, senior pets |
| Trupanion | None | $105/mo | Yes | Need direct vet payment |
| Embrace | 14 years | $95/mo | No | Want wellness coverage |
| Self-insure | N/A | $80/mo saved | N/A | Disciplined savers |
Key differences:
- Costco/Figo: No age limit + member discount
- Trupanion: Pays vets directly (no waiting for reimbursement)
- Embrace: Won’t accept pets over 14
- Self-insurance: Keep the money if the pet stays healthy
Who Should Actually Get This
✅ Perfect For:
1. Costco Members with Healthy Senior Pets (8-12 years)
- Pet is currently healthy (no major conditions)
- Can afford $70-110/month
- Want protection from expensive senior diseases
2. People Rejected Elsewhere
- Other insurers said, “too old.”
- This might be your only option
3. Long-Lived Breeds
- Chihuahuas (live 14-16 years)
- Poodles (live 12-15 years)
- Domestic shorthair cats (live 15-20 years)
❌ Skip It If:
1. Pet Already Has Major Conditions
- Cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis
- Pre-existing = not covered
- You’ll pay premiums for nothing
2. Very Old Pets (15+ years)
- Premiums: $120-180/month
- Life expectancy: 1-3 years
- Unlikely to break even
3. Tight Budget
- Can’t afford $100+/month premium
- Plus $250-500 deductible
- Plus 10-20% copay
How to Sign Up (Simple Steps)
Step 1: Go to Costco.com
- Navigate to “Services” → “Pet Insurance”
- Click “Get a Quote.”
- Must have an active Costco membership ($65/year)
Step 2: Have This Info Ready
- Pet’s breed and birthdate
- Current weight
- Microchip number (optional)
- Current vet’s contact info
Step 3: Choose Your Plan
Deductible: $250-500 recommended
Reimbursement: 80% recommended (good balance)
Annual limit: $10,000 minimum for seniors
Step 4: Answer Medical Questions Honestly
- List all diagnosed conditions
- List all medications
- Don’t hide anything (they’ll check with your vet)
Step 5: Wait for Approval (1-3 days)
- Most senior pets approved with some exclusions
- Coverage starts after approval
- Waiting periods begin immediately
Total time: 30-45 minutes
What You Should Do This Week
If You Have a Healthy Senior Pet:
☐ Get Costco/Figo quote (15 minutes)
☐ Compare with Trupanion quote (10 minutes)
☐ Calculate if you’ll likely need it
☐ Enroll NOW while the pet is healthy
If Your Pet Has Existing Conditions:
☐ List all pre-existing conditions
☐ Get a quote to see what’s excluded
☐ Likely better to self-insure
If You’re Not a Costco Member:
☐ Calculate: Is a $65 membership worth it?
☐ Or check Trupanion/Embrace (no membership needed)
Key Questions Answered
Q: Will they really accept my 13-year-old dog?
A: Yes, if reasonably healthy. Existing conditions will be excluded, but the dog will be insured. Expect premiums of $100-$140 per month.
Q: Can they drop me off later because my pet is old?
A: No. Coverage is guaranteed renewable. They can’t cancel based on age or claims (only for non-payment).
Q: How does the 5% discount work?
A: Applied automatically when enrolling through Costco.com. Not huge ($4/month on $80 premium) but better than nothing.
Q: What if my pet already has arthritis?
A: You can enroll, but arthritis treatment won’t be covered. New, unrelated conditions will be covered.
Q: Can I use any vet?
A: Yes. Works with any licensed vet in the U.S. and Canada.
The Bottom Line
Costco’s Figo partnership isn’t the cheapest insurance. It’s not the most comprehensive. But it solves one massive problem: age discrimination.
The truth about senior pet insurance:
- Premiums will be high ($80-150/month)
- Pre-existing conditions won’t be covered
- You’re betting something expensive will happen
- For senior pets, that’s usually a good bet
Worth it?
- ✅ Yes, if the pet is healthy now and you can afford it
- ❌ No, if the pet already has major conditions
- ❌ No, if premiums strain your budget
Real value: Peace of mind that when cancer or kidney disease appears, you can afford treatment.
Take Action Today
☐ Verify Costco membership
☐ Get Figo quote
☐ Compare alternatives
Questions about enrolling a senior pet?
Email: fursurely100@gmail.com
Share this: Every Costco member with a senior pet needs to know.
📧 Email | 💬 Facebook | 🐦 Twitter
Your 13-year-old dog can finally get insurance.
Related:
About FurSurely: We make pet insurance simple. Where Fur Meets Sure.