Updated
May 31, 2023 Pet insurance is an important product that helps protect you financially from unexpected veterinary costs. When purchasing one of these policies, pet owners have many options, depending on the location and level of coverage needed.
Let’s review some popular pet insurance companies available in Texas and better understand what impact living in the Lone Star State may have on a policy.
In this guide:
- What effect does living in Texas have on a pet insurance policy?
- Best pet insurance in Texas
- How to choose the best pet insurance in Texas
- How does pet insurance work?
- Pet insurance plans available in Texas
- Is pet insurance in Texas worth it?
What effect does living in Texas have on a pet insurance policy?
Your location plays an important role in the pet insurance process, influencing not only the carriers and plans available to you but also the price of that coverage. That’s because pet insurance costs vary by state.
All pet insurance companies ask you for your zip code as part of the application process. With your zip code, these companies can find the average veterinary costs in that area and use that information to determine whether or not future claims may be more or less expensive than the national average.
Thankfully for Texas pet owners, our research found that pet insurance premiums in Texas were 17% less expensive than the national average. However, since quotes are based on your zip code, premiums will vary depending on the town or city you live in.
Best pet insurance in Texas
Our editorial team selected the following companies as some of the best pet insurance companies available in Texas. When making our selections, we considered several factors, including what type of care was covered, the terms of the policy, the average cost of a policy, what existing customers had to say about their policy, and more.
ManyPets
Editorial Selection: Best Value
- Get reimbursed for up to 100% of veterinary costs
- No medical exam required to enroll
- 24/7 access to virtual vet consultations
ManyPets was founded in 2012 in the UK under the name Bought by Many. In the years that followed, the company expanded its reach into both the United States and Sweden, bringing affordable and comprehensive pet insurance coverage to pet owners across the globe.
ManyPets offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, with deductibles ranging from $0 to $750 and an unlimited annual benefit. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 100%, depending on the coverage options you choose, and policies can be purchased for pets as young as eight weeks or as old as 14 years. There is a 15-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.
ManyPets also offers optional wellness plans, which can be added to an existing insurance policy. These plans are designed to reimburse pet owners for various routine pet costs, such as annual exams and vaccinations.
ManyPets costs and coverage
- Eligible pets: Cats and dogs
- Maximum benefit: No limits on coverage
- Annual deductibles: $0, $100, $250, $500, or $750
- Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%
- Eligible ages to open a policy: Eight weeks to 14 years
Pros
- Unlimited coverage with up to 100% reimbursement
- Customize your policy
- Enrollment through age 14
- Care is available from any licensed US vet without any restrictions
- Pre-existing conditions may be covered in certain instances
Cons
- Only cats and dogs are covered
- Care for hip dysplasia is excluded if the pet is enrolled after age six
Spot
Editorial Selection: Best Selection of Annual Limits
- Plans include accident and illness, accident-only, and wellness
- There are no per-incident or lifetime limits
Spot pet insurance policies are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company, which was established in 1822. Plans from Spot can reimburse pet owners for up to 90% of their pet’s care related to accidents and illnesses, with deductibles as low as $100. Plans also include 24/7 telehealth access.
Pet owners who want insurance for routine care can choose between two optional preventative care plans for either $9.95 or $24.95 per month. And for owners who want to save money and only get coverage for unexpected injuries, accident-only plans are offered. There are no per-incident or lifetime limits on coverage, annual caps can be unlimited, and pets can be enrolled at any time after eight weeks.
You can take your pet to see any licensed vet in the US without preapproval or a referral. You can also cancel your policy at any time without penalty. If you do so in the first 30 days of enrollment, you can take advantage of a money-back guarantee.
Spot costs and coverage
- Eligible pets: Cats and dogs
- Maximum benefit: No limits on coverage
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Reimbursement range: 70%, 80% ,or 90%
- Eligible ages to open a policy: Eight weeks and older
Pros
- No maximum age limit for enrollment
- Highly customizable plans, ranging from accident-only to preventative care
- 24/7 telehealth access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Policies only available to cats and dogs
- Prescription food is not covered
Fetch by The Dodo
Editorial Selection: Best for Added Benefits
- Includes an extensive library of pet content
- Up to $1,000 in virtual vet visit coverage
- Fetch Forward® helps you plan for your pet’s future health
Recently rebranded from PetPlan, Fetch by The Dodo is a comprehensive pet insurance carrier for cats and dogs. It helps cover veterinary care costs for your pet’s illnesses and injuries, including exam fees and surgery to holistic and chiropractic care.
Coverage extends to breed-specific conditions (which may be excluded by other plans), and enrollment is open for pets as young as six weeks old. A waiting period of 15 days applies to both injuries and illnesses, but hip and knee injuries are subject to a six-month waiting period (which can be waived after 30 days if your pet goes through a veterinary exam).
While there are no unlimited annual coverage options, payout caps range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year. Reimbursement rates are 70%, 80%, or 90%, and annual deductibles range from $300 to $700.
To validate your Fetch coverage, you’ll need to take your pet in for a wellness exam (which isn’t covered by the plan). This exam is required annually to keep your coverage active.
Fetch by The Dodo costs and coverage
- Eligible pets: Cats and dogs
- Maximum benefit: No limits on coverage
- Deductibles: $0, $250 or $500 annually
- Reimbursement range: 80%, 90% or 100%
- Eligible ages to open a policy: Six weeks or older
Pros
- Enroll pets beginning at six weeks old
- Up to $1,000 in virtual vet visits covered annually
- Several discounts offered
- Robust mobile app makes it easy to file and track claims
- Flexible plans and premium options
Cons
- Per-incident limits exist in certain care categories
- Annual wellness visits are required to keep coverage active
- Six-month waiting period for knee and hip injuries
- No wellness or preventative care option
- Claims have to be filed within 90 days
- No unlimited annual coverage
ASPCA
Editorial Selection: Best for an Experienced Company
- Has insured over 400,000 dogs and cats, processing more than 1.6 million claims
- All plans include access to Anytime Pet Healthline to consult a veterinary professional in an emergency
As one of the country’s first pet insurance carriers, ASPCA has offered trusted pet coverage since 1997. Over that time, it’s processed over 1.6 million claims, helping dog, cat, and even horse owners get the affordable veterinary care they need for their four-legged family members.
Through ASPCA, pet owners can purchase Complete Coverage (for accidents and injuries), Accident-Only Coverage, and even Preventative Care (for routine visits and wellness expenses). Pets can be enrolled as young as eight weeks old with no maximum age limit.
Annual coverage limits range from $3,000 to unlimited; however, you’ll need to call and purchase a policy over the phone if you want an annual limit of more than $10,000. Policies offer either a 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement rate. There is an annual deductible of either $100, $250, or $500, and a waiting period of 14 days applies to all coverage.
ASPCA gives a 10% discount for multiple pets. The company has a great reputation among customers with many high satisfaction ratings.
ASPCA costs and coverage
- Eligible pets: Cats, dogs, or horses
- Maximum benefit: $3,000 to unlimited
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, or $500
- Reimbursement range: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Eligible ages to open a policy: Eight weeks or older
Pros
- Highly-customizable plans
- Insurance coverage is offered for horses as well as cats and dogs
- Optional wellness coverage is available
- Unlimited coverage is available
Cons
- No deductibles over $500
- Some coverage options are only available over the phone
How to choose the best pet insurance in Texas
If you’re a pet owner in Texas, you have a variety of pet insurance plans to choose from. However, knowing which one is right for you and your pet(s) can require a bit of research.
Before purchasing a pet insurance plan, consider the following factors. They will help you determine not only which plan is suitable for your pet, but also how you can save the most money on that coverage.
- Your pet’s breed and age. Some pet insurance carriers have breed exclusions, or may not cover certain genetic conditions to which some breeds are predisposed. If you have one of these breeds—or worry about your pet being diagnosed with a genetic condition—spend some time shopping for coverage from a carrier that doesn’t have these exclusions.
- Access to care. Most of the top pet insurance plans will offer reimbursement coverage for any licensed veterinarian or care provider. However, some plans require you to see a vet in a specific network, won’t provide coverage in your state, or don’t cover alternative care providers (such as behavioral therapists, chiropractors, or acupuncturists). Make sure the policy you enroll in covers all of the care you hope to provide your pet.
- How the plan will be used. Are you looking for a plan that only kicks in for emergencies? Or do you want coverage for illnesses, injuries, and everyday expenses? The type of coverage you want will determine which plan is right for you and your pet.
How does pet insurance work?
Pet insurance coverage reimburses pet owners for veterinary care covered by their policy. Typically, pet owners will pay for this care out of pocket and then submit a reimbursement claim to the carrier. If the claim is approved, the provider will reimburse the pet owner for the agreed-upon percentage of the eligible care expenses after meeting their required deductible, up to the policy’s annual (or lifetime) benefit limit.
>> Read More: How does pet insurance work?
Pet insurance plans available in Texas
There are three main categories of pet insurance plans:
- Accident and illness: Cover any sort of acute care needs your pet may face, but exclude things like annual well visits, vaccinations, dental cleanings and other routine care.
- Accident-only: Accident-only plans cover injuries that your pet experiences, but exclude things like illness or disease.
- Wellness/preventative care: Wellness plans are generally offered as an add-on to an accident-only or accident and illness pet insurance plan. These policies help cover preventative care expenses for your pet, up to an annual policy and/or care category limit.
Is pet insurance in Texas worth it?
Like most other types of insurance, pet insurance plans are one of those products that you buy but hope to never actually use. However, if your pet is injured or gets sick, pet insurance can provide much-needed financial assistance for the ever-mounting vet bills that you could face.
For example, cancer is the number one cause of death in senior dogs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Treating that cancer, though, comes with a high price tag: an average of over $10,000. Even the most basic, non-surgical emergency vet visit will run you an average of $800 to $1,500, says Care Credit.
Answering whether or not pet insurance is worth it is a personal decision. If you can afford to pay thousands of dollars to treat your pet for an unexpected injury or illness, you may not need to take out a policy. But, if you’re worried that you may not be able to afford a costly veterinary bill, then pet insurance could be worth it to help lower your out-of-pocket costs.