Best Pet Insurance in Texas

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Contributor, Benzinga
March 23, 2022

Pets are a source of companionship and unconditional love — but unexpected injury or illness can bring unanticipated costs. Here’s what you need to know about pet insurance if you live in the Lone Star State.

Quick Look: The Best Pet Insurance in Texas

The Best Pet Insurance in Texas

Ready for quotes from the best pet insurance companies? Here are our top 8 researched picks.

1. Best Overall: Lemonade Pet

If you're looking for a fast, easy pet insurance experience, Lemonade Pet is the way to go. This insurtech leverages digital capabilities to provide quick, transparent price quoting. Pet owners love Lemonade (its the highest rated pet insurance provider) because of it's high customizability and potential for discounts.

Lemonade offers several ways to save money. First, if you have home or other types of insurance from Lemonade, you can get a discount by bundling your pet insurance. Also, Lemonade lets you pick and choose which features you'd like in your insurance policy, allowing you to only pay for what you need instead of wasting money on insurance coverage you won't use.

While Lemonade doesn't offer coverage for exotic pets, you will love it coverage for your cat or dog. And they have high annual reimbursements caps, meaning you'll get your money's worth.

2. Best for Extensive Plans: Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin offers one of the most extensive plans on the market. There is a wide range of coverage, and you can opt for preventive care coverage if you wish. And all Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies come with a 90% reimbursement rate. 

You’ll find policies for both dogs and cats, as well as a range of covered services. Start with a quote to learn more about exclusions. 

To contact Pumpkin’s customer service team:

  • Call 1-866-ARF-MEOW (1‑866‑273‑6369), Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST
  • Email help@pumpkin.care

Watch out for Pumpkin’s soon-to-appear chat feature!

3. Best for High Quality Pet Insurance: Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance is the No. 1 pet insurance provider recommended by Cesar Millan, the leading expert in dog behavior. Some insurance highlights:

  • Up to 90% reimbursement on eligible vet bills
  • No age cap on coverage
  • Plans start as low as $1 a day* — that’s less than a cup of coffee!

You can customize your coverage and can even add special Spot-On coverage. Coverage options include accidents, behavioral issues, dental disease, illnesses, preventive services and even hereditary and congenital conditions. 

Spot’s claims service is easy. Just visit your vet (don’t forget to give your pet a treat on the way out!), send Spot the bill and get reimbursed.

Take 30 seconds to fetch your free quote now. 

*Rates vary based on plan type, species, breed, age and location

4. Best for Multiple Pets: Progressive

Progressive offers flexible and comprehensive plans for multiple pets. Progressive even offers rare coverage categories like dental illness and behavioral conditions. It’s also one of the few carriers that provides coverage for working pets. 

You’ll find impressive discounts if you insure more than 1 pet. You’ll also get unrestricted veterinary selection, unlimited benefit limits and out-of-state coverage. Your cats and dogs can secure coverage for as low as $1 a day.

Claims are typically processed in 2 to 5 days, so reimbursements are quick compared to other carriers.

Pet Insurance in Texas: An Overview

You’ll see a lot of options as you shop for the best pet insurance in Texas. Here’s a quick overview:

Number of households with pets:

  • 44% of households own a dog — Texas ranks 9th in the U.S.
  • 29.3% of households own a cat

Amount spent on bills annually:

  • Dogs: $1,381
  • Cats: $908

Average cost of pet insurance annually:

What Does Pet Insurance Typically Cover?

Always read the fine print as you consider your plan options. Here’s what pet insurance plans typically cover:

  • Accidents. Most insurance plans cover care from accidents — services like surgeries, X-rays and MRIs are included. Some plans also cover examinations due to accidents but check the fine print. You could also go for an accident-only plan.
  • Illnesses. Insurance plans typically cover pet illnesses, whether they are minor or major. This could include diagnosis and treatment of illnesses like arthritis, cancer, urinary tract infections and ear infections.
  • Behavioral issues. Many plans cover veterinary care and consultation for behavioral issues like separation anxiety, chewing, aggression and excessive licking. Some plans will have this coverage as an add-on.
  • Alternative therapies. Alternative treatments like chiropractic care or acupuncture are great for pets. Coverage for these therapies usually varies, so check the plan terms if you need this type of coverage.
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions. Some pet breeds have inherited conditions that show up later in life. A common hereditary condition is hip dysplasia. Some plans will include this coverage, provide it as an add-on or exclude such conditions, so check your plan.
  • Prescription medications. Your pet might need prescriptions and coverage for these varies by plan.

What Doesn’t Pet Insurance Typically Cover?

Carefully consider what pet insurance doesn’t cover as you compare your plan options. Pet insurance doesn’t often cover:

  • Pregnancy. Plans usually vary for pregnant pets. Most plans do not cover costs due to pregnancy and breeding.
  • Cosmetic procedures. Procedures like ear cropping and claw removal are not covered in most plans.
  • Preventive care. Preventive care such as immunizations and check-ups are vital for good pet health. Insurance providers vary on this coverage. Most don’t include preventive care; others offer it as an add-on and others place it in their top-tier plans.
  • Preexisting conditions. Preexisting conditions include any health conditions or injuries that occur before you enrolled in a policy. Plans usually have a waiting period and conditions that begin during this period are considered preexisting conditions and are excluded from coverage. Check the details of your policy to understand how your provider defines preexisting conditions.

How Do Pet Insurance Plans Work?

Pet insurance relieves the burden of unexpected vet bills — but purchasing a plan without understanding all the terms could be a mistake. Dig deeper into policy details to understand what’s included. Here are some things to understand before you choose an insurance plan:

  • Enrollment rules. Young, healthy pets will easily qualify for an insurance plan, but some plans won’t allow senior pets. Depending on the insurer, pets should be a minimum of 6 weeks old. Most plans don’t have a maximum age limit and most plans offer coverage for life as long as you pay your premiums.
  • Payout limits. Most plans have a maximum payout they will pay out for covered treatments. Some have no payout limits. There could be a payout limit for a type of condition or for the year. This is an area you’ll really want to dig into and understand.
  • Deductible. This is the amount of money you pay from your pocket before the insurance provider starts paying for vet services. After paying this money toward a covered treatment, your insurer will reimburse you. The deductible resets once you renew your policy.
  • Waiting period. Pet insurance plans have a waiting period for your coverage to begin after you first enroll. Coverage for injuries begins within 1 or 2 days while illness coverage usually takes 14 days or more.
  • Reimbursement levels. Most plans will refund you a percentage of all treatment costs. You choose a reimbursement level when you buy your policy — usually 90%, 80% or 70%. Let’s say you take your pet to the vet and it costs $1,000. You submit the receipt to your insurance provider and it reimburses you at a 70% reimbursement level. You’ll receive $700 to cover the vet bills after the fact.
  • Exclusions. These are the medical conditions not covered by an insurance plan.

Pet insurance plans often vary in price, and it’s usually based on your:

  • Pet’s age and breed. Expect to pay more for an older pet. Some pet breeds are more expensive to cover than others since they suffer from more health problems.
  • ZIP code. The local costs of vet care will affect overall premium pricing.
  • Type of coverage. Expect to pay more for a policy that offers more coverage to your pet.
  • Reimbursements and deductibles. A lower reimbursement level and higher deductible means you will pay less for an insurance plan.
  • Insurance provider. Prices vary from company to company.

Finding Quality Pet Insurance in Texas

Choosing a pet insurance carrier is a big decision. Consider multiple factors, including annual or monthly premiums, deductibles, age limitations, benefit limits, exclusions and waiting periods. Your financial situation and pets’ needs will also impact your decision. If you’re having trouble picking an insurance plan, ask your vet for recommendations.

Get started now with a free quote from 1 of our recommended pet insurance providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What are the costs of pet insurance in Texas?

A

Pet insurance prices prices range from $10 to $100 per month.

Q

Do veterinarians in Texas accept pet insurance?

A

Veterinarians widely accept pet insurance in Texas because you—the pet owner—are filing claims, not the veterinarian.

Related content: Best Cheap Pet Insurance for Dogs