The Best Pet Insurance in Texas (2024)
Texas loves its animals, and residents of the Lone Star State often fall into the top ten in the country for dog ownership, where almost half of Texas households have at least one dog. Regardless, Texas is a fantastic place for animals. Pets and their owners have a wonderful time between the beaches, dog parks, and numerous pet-friendly locations. Pet insurance in Texas has been on the rise. Pet insurance helps reimburse you for a percentage of your pet’s vet costs when they are hurt or sick. Texans have a wide variety of options to choose from. Keep reading to find out more.
Ensuring that your pet receives the best pet insurance veterinary treatment to live its fullest and healthiest life is part of being an excellent pet parent in Texas. Unfortunately, vet costs can rapidly mount up if you don’t have insurance or if your pet is old or unhealthy. Even if your dog or cat is young or in good shape, insurance might help protect you from financial ruin if your furry friend requires emergency care for an accident or illness.
The 5 Best Texas Pet Insurance Companies
Are you looking for pet insurance in Texas? Quartz has compared the following pet insurance companies to assist you in getting answers on what each one has to provide.
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- ASPCA: Most experienced
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
- Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Texas
Just like home, car, and health insurance, selecting what you need can be a daunting task. With so many options, deductibles, annual limits, and monthly costs, it can make your head spin. We want to make the process easier for you to have the same protection for your fuzzy baby as you have for yourself.
Here is a list of pet insurance providers in Texas to make the process easy and give you more time to cuddle with your furry friend.
| Best For | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade |  | Most Affordable | $16–$30 | Compare Quotes | |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance |  | Most Experienced | $18–$44 | Compare Quotes | |
| Embrace |  | Best for Discounts Offered | $23-$85 | Compare Quotes | |
| Healthy Paws |  | Best for Chronic Conditions | $24–$54 | Compare Quotes | |
| Prudent Pet |  | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options | $18-$29 | Compare Quotes |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Affordable |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Experienced |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18–$44 |
| Embrace | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Discounts Offered |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $23-$85 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Chronic Conditions |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $24–$54 |
| Prudent Pet | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18-$29 |
The Best Pet Insurance Companies in Texas Reviewed
Pet insurance protects you financially if your pet has an accident or develops an illness. It can even help with routine care costs. So, which pet insurance company in Connecticut is the best? There are many options that can provide you with different types of coverage, discounts, and customization options for your pet insurance policy. To help you out, we’re covering five different pet insurance companies that provide insurance to Connecticut pets.
Spot
Most Inclusive
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Most Experienced
Lemonade
Most Affordable
Embrace
Best for Discounts Offered
Healthy Paws
Best for Chronic Conditions
Prudent Pet
Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
How Does Pet Insurance Work in Texas?
In Texas, pet insurance is paid on a reimbursable basis. When you visit the doctor, you’ll pay him or her directly and then submit an invoice for reimbursement. After the claim has been audited and authorized, the policy’s options will determine how much money will be refunded. Maximum annual payout is the maximum amount of money that may be paid out in a year as compensation for all claims submitted under the policy.
The deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance company begins to reimburse you. The percentage of the pet insurance payment that your company reimburses is known as the reimbursement percentage.
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Texas for You
When picking a pet insurance company, pet owners should consider several elements. Consider whether you want accident-only coverage or comprehensive accident and illness coverage. Only accident-related treatments, such as emergency surgery for a swallowed object or treatment for a broken bone, are covered by accident-only coverage. All of that is covered by accident and illness coverage, including illnesses like infections, cancer, and diabetes.
Another alternative is a wellness program, which can be added to your plan. These cover things like wellness checkups, vaccinations, and routine blood work in order to maintain your furry friend’s health. Other things to consider before securing a policy include dental coverage, annual limits, and prescription medications.
How Much is Pet Insurance in TX?
According to our in-house pet insurance research, dog owners can expect to pay about $37 per month for pet insurance, while cat owners pay an average monthly premium of $19. This amount can vary based on your pet’s breed, their age, and where you live within the state. Your monthly costs also depend heavily on the type of coverage you select. Some policies cover more types of services or reimburse you at a higher rate, but you’ll pay more each month.
Average Cost
The specific cost that you’ll pay for pet insurance will vary depending on your pet and the type of plan you select. The following are some average monthly premiums for a few of the best providers in Texas.
| Provider | Average monthly cost for dogs | Average monthly cost for cats |
|---|---|---|
| Spot | $30 to $50 | $18 to $25 |
| Lemonade Pet Insurance | $37 | $15 |
| ASPCA | $49 | $29 |
| Embrace | $30 to $40 | $15 to $20 |
| Healthy Paws | $39 | $12 |
| Prudent | $39 | $23 |
| Figo | $22.15 | $23.50 |
| Wagmo | $40 to $55 | $20 to $25 |
| Trupanion | $68 | $23 |
Factors In Pet Insurance Costs
There are a variety of factors that play a role in how insurance companies price pet insurance plans, including the following.
Coverage type
The breadth of your pet insurance coverage will play a major role in the price that you pay per month. If you’re shopping on a budget, consider an accident-only plan, which are usually significantly more affordable when compared to comprehensive, all-inclusive plans.
Deductibles
An insurance deductible is the amount of money you need to contribute to your pet’s care costs annually or per condition before your insurer begins providing reimbursements. Plans with lower deductibles have higher monthly costs and vice versa.
Reimbursement levels
With most pet insurance policies, you pay your vet and then get reimbursed from the insurance company for a portion of what you paid. This reimbursement rate is a key factor in your pet insurance. The higher the reimbursement rate, the more you typically pay per month. Most insurance companies offer options that range between 70% to 100% reimbursement rates.
Pet’s breed
Some breeds of dog or cat are statistically more likely to need medical care when compared to the general population. If you own a higher-risk breed, you’ll pay more for coverage.
Examples of pet insurance costs among dog breeds
When we requested a quote from Lemonade for a two-year-old pitbull living in Pennsylvania, we were quoted at a rate of $30.76 per month. An identical quote for a golden retriever (a breed generally considered less risky to insure) was priced at $29.74 per month. It’s not a huge difference, but it adds up.
Age of pet
As your pet gets older, they may require more veterinary appointments or get sick more often. Expect to pay more for insurance plans designed for senior pets.
Location
Your location will also influence the price that you pay for pet insurance coverage, as is the case with most necessary expenses. If you live in an area where the cost of living is higher, you’ll pay more for your pet’s care coverage.
For the table below, we compared Figo Pet Insurance’s rates in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio since we understand that costs can differ based on where you are in the state. We used a 3-year-old male mixed breed dog, not neutered. We looked at the costs of the “Preferred” plan, which includes $14,000 in yearly benefits, a $250 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement, against those of the basic policy. Any of these variables may be adjusted to change your monthly premium.
| City | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Austin | $33.12 |
| Dallas | $28.71 |
| El Paso | $27.39 |
| Houston | $32.11 |
| San Antonio | $26.95 |
Our Final Thoughts on the Top Pet Insurance Providers in Texas
Finding a trustworthy and dependable pet insurance provider is more essential than ever. With so many alternatives available, determine which one offers the finest coverage at a price that works for your budget. That’s why we put up this list of criteria to consider when comparing different plans from various companies in Texas. We hope this information helps you find the best plan for yourself and your fur babies.
Information for Pet Owners in Texas
Texas is a beautiful state and a great place to start a family. That includes your fur babies. Texas has special laws in place to protect pets, and many places are pet-friendly. Texas also has several resources to help those who need assistance keeping their pets healthy.
Texas Pet Laws
Under a state law passed in 2022, dogs may not be left outside for prolonged periods of time unless they have a suitable shelter, food, and water. The dog must have a collar which fits comfortably and safely, and it may not be restrained with a chain.
Additional local laws may also apply depending on where in Texas you live. Be sure to review ordinances below or those from the town you call home.
Houston pet laws
- A private house can have no more than four pets (a combination of cats and dogs)
- Apartment-dwellers in Houston are limited to two pets per household.
- Due to overpopulation of stray dogs in Houston, a recent law has been passed to bar pet stores within the City of Houston. This law was put into place to discourage the use of puppy mills.
- All pets must be microchipped in Houston; a license on a collar is no longer enough.
San Antonio Pet Laws
- All dogs and cats must be licensed annually. There’s a $5 for sterilized pets, and $50 fee for unsterilized animals.
- No pets may be taken outside the home without a leash. Pets must stay on public “right-of-way” (public parks, sidewalks, etc.) to defecate—not on any private property.
- Only eight animals are permitted in one home within city limits.
- Retail pet sales are banned. This is to push shelter adoptions to stop euthanizing healthy pets.
Dallas Pet Laws
- In a single-family home with land totaling half an acre or less, you are allowed six dogs, six cats, or six of the animals in combination. All animals must be licensed with the city of Dallas and be vaccinated for rabies.
- A single-family home with more than half an acre of land is allowed to have eight animals (dogs, cats, or a combination of the two).
- If a pet owner lives in an apartment or duplex, the limit is four cats, dogs, or a combination.
Austin Pet Laws
- Dogs must be on a leash in most public places. Leash-free areas include almost a dozen dog parks and other public parks located throughout the city.
- In Austin, kittens and puppies without microchips, all necessary vaccinations, and sterilization surgery may not be sold.
- Dogs are not allowed off-leash even on private property unless they are safely fenced in or inside of a building.
Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in TX
Texas just got a little more pet-friendly with the passage of a bill in the State Senate that allows well-behaved dogs to dine on restaurant patios. In most parts of Texas, canines are welcome in parades, near food trucks, and able to lounge on sidewalks.
There are many dog-friendly workplaces in Dallas and Austin for the working dog, that is, the one that enjoys going to work with its owner. Modernize, Square Root, and Rev are a few of Austin’s businesses that welcome four-legged guests. In Dallas, iProspect and Propel Group take pleasure in their pet-friendly culture. Dogs are permitted (on-leash) on beaches in Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island.
Texas Pet Resources
If the cost of pet care is too much for you, there is help. Here is a list of resources available around the state for food banks and low-cost spay/neuter options:
- Animal Hope Wellness Center: Fort Worth – has low-cost vaccinations and spay/neuter.
- North Texas Humane Society: Fort Worth – has spay/neuter for low-income and senior citizen pet owners who qualify.
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine – has veterinary care assistance through The Capper & Chris Save the Animals Fund.
- Texas Coalition for Animal Protection – has vaccination and spay/neuter assistance. It is located in Azle, Cleburne, Denton, Fort Worth, Hamilton, Hillsboro, McKinney.
- DaisyCares Pet Food Program: San Antonio – provides pet food assistance in conjunction with the local food bank.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Texas
What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is health insurance for your pet that reimburses you for part of your pet’s vet bills based on your specific plan’s coverage. Unlike human insurance, pet insurance providers do not pay for your pet’s medical bill at the vet clinic or animal hospital. Instead, your pet insurance provider will reimburse you directly after you’ve submitted your claim. Most pet insurance plans will reimburse you for between 50 to 90% of the total vet bill. This means that you’ll pay out of pocket for your dog or cat’s medical bill at the time of the visit, then submit your claim to your pet insurance provider, which will then reimburse you for the cost up to your plan’s reimbursement rate.
What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover in Texas?
Depending on what type of plan you choose, your pet insurance plan will cover different things. Accident-only plans provide medical coverage for accidental injuries, such as broken bones, sprains, and prescription medications. Accident-and-illness plans try to extend that coverage to include cancer treatments, digestive illness, hip dysplasia, and similar issues.
How much does pet insurance cost?
Pet insurance costs will vary based on your pet insurance provider, location, your pet’s breed, your pet’s age, and more. Other factors that will influence the cost of pet insurance include the type of plan you choose, especially if the plan has extensive coverage and if you opt for preventative care add-ons. The more coverage your plan has, the higher the cost is likely to be.
To give you a general idea of pet insurance costs, we’ve researched the following numbers for you. Currently, most dog insurance plans cost $28 per month on average, and cat insurance plans can cost as little as $11 per month. Depending on the plan, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 per month to $90 per month in most cases.
Do all vets take pet insurance in Texas?
One of the major benefits of pet insurance is that most providers allow you to use your coverage with any licensed veterinarian. In most cases, you’ll pay your vet in full at the time of service, and then get reimbursed by your pet insurance company.
Is pet insurance worth it in Texas?
If you know that you would struggle to cover a sudden veterinary bill if your pet was hurt tomorrow, pet insurance could be worth it for your peace of mind alone. Be sure to get one pet insurance quote from at least three competing local providers to be sure that your furry friend is getting the best price on their coverage.
Our Methodology
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