Pet Insurance in Texas

Key Points

• Pet insurance provides financial protection and allows pet owners to make medical decisions based on their pet's health needs rather than cost. Pet insurance may cover the cost of vet bills for injuries, illnesses, routine care, accidental injuries, and diseases - as long as the correct coverage is purchased.
• Reimbursement for veterinary care is typically provided by pet insurance companies after submitting an itemized receipt and claim form.
• Pet insurance plans in Texas may include 3 common tiers of coverage: Accident-only, Accident and Illness coverage, and Wellness coverage plans.
• The waiting period for pet insurance coverage to begin varies, with accident-only plans starting within one or two days and illness coverage starting in 14 days or more.
• To get the least expensive pet insurance - secure insurance coverage while the pet is young and healthy.
• The cost of pet insurance in Texas depends on factors such as the type of pet, age, location, breed, and coverage chosen.
• Multi-pet insurance may offer discounts ranging from 10% to 15% for insuring multiple pets under the same plan.
• Texas residents pay between $20 and $45 per month for pet insurance coverage, with a $5,000 annual benefit limit. Pet insurance for reptiles in Texas averages $7 to $15 per month, while pet insurance for birds averages $8 to $12 per month.
• Pet insurance premiums may vary based on the pet's location, with residents of large metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, or San Antonio paying more.

Overview of TX Pet Insurance Market

Having a pet comes with its financial responsibilities, especially when it comes to medical costs. Pets can get serious illnesses or get injured in an accident that could easily end up costing pet owners hundreds or thousands of dollars. Pet insurance in Texas is a legal arrangement where an insurance company promises to protect you from unexpected veterinary bills by compensating you for specified pet loss, accident, or illnesses.

On average, Texas residents pay between $20 and $45 per month for pet insurance coverage (per pet) with a $5,000 annual benefit limit. Cats are usually less expensive to insure than dogs, while larger breeds of dogs and senior animals will be more expensive. Accident-only plans can be a less expensive solution.

While insurers in Texas may advertise that they offer pet insurance, in fact, the coverage is typically offered through a partner pet insurance company. These are the most common pet insurance companies on the Texas market:

Pet insurance helps cover the cost of expensive vet bills if your dog, cat, or other pet is injured or gets sick. It may cover routine care like shots or accidental injuries, such as bites and broken bones. Pet insurance can also help pay if your pet gets sick from diseases.

In Texas, most people who have pets have either a cat or a dog, or both. Hence, pet insurance for cats or pet insurance for dogs assures you that your pet will be cared for in case of an accident or emergency.

While dogs and cats are commonly insured, specialized pet insurance in Texas is available for a lot of various animals, including chicken and even reptiles.

Other popular pet-related insurance in Texas includes:

• Pet liability insurance for renters - which covers the damage your pet may cause to a third party person or property that does not belong to you. This type of coverage is part of the Renters insurance.
• Pet business insurance is any type of insurance used in the operation of a pet business. This may be a veterinarian clinic, grooming salon, or anything along these lines. Most of these coverages, such as Liability, Property, Workers Compensation, etc. fall under Commercial insurance.

The Texas Department of Insurance is the government agency responsible for regulating and administering all insurance in Texas.

How Does Pet Insurance Work in Texas?

Texas pet insurers usually offer three main pet insurance plan types:

• Accident-only,
• Accident and Illness coverage plans, and
• Wellness coverage plans.

Pet owners can choose any or all of these options depending on their pet’s needs. Accident coverage plans only cover injuries resulting from sudden physical injury. Illnesses like allergies, cancer, and diabetes, are exempted from this plan. Some of the injuries covered by pet insurance’ accident coverage include; torn ligaments, broken bones, poisoning, or bite wounds. Illness coverage plans cover skin infections, cancer, Arthritis, UTIs, and ear infections, while wellness coverage (also known as Preventative care) covers vaccinations, routine tests, annual exams, flea, tick, and heartworm treatments. The younger and healthier a pet is, the more likely it will qualify for an affordable pet insurance plan. When looking for a pet insurer, check the exclusions, because some plans may not cover senior pets. The way most pet insurance works is that pet owners get reimbursed for the cost of veterinary care. After paying the veterinarian the initial treatment fee, you send an itemized receipt to your pet’s insurance company, along with a completed claim form.

Consequently, the insurance company issues a reimbursement check or direct deposit within a week to a month, depending on the insurer. Pet insurance plans typically cover between 70-90% of the bill for covered services, according to the reimbursement level selected during the purchase of the policy. Therefore the amount to be reimbursed will depend on the insurance policy plan the pet owner subscribes to.

Read more about the coverages of pet insurance in Texas.

Can Pet Insurance be Used Immediately in Texas?

No, pet insurance cannot be used immediately after purchase. Every pet insurance has a waiting period for the coverage to begin after you enroll. The coverage for accident-only plans begins within one or two days, while illness coverage usually takes 14 days or more.

How Much is Pet Insurance in Texas?

The average cost of pet insurance in Texas drastically varies in price depending on the type of a pet, pet’s age, their location, health condition, breed, and the type of coverage you choose. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $200 per month.

The age of your pet can significantly affect your quoted pet insurance premium. For example, older dogs or cats are more expensive to cover since they suffer from more health problems and are more prone to accidents or illnesses. Small breeds of pets are usually the cheapest to insure.

In addition to your pet’s age and location, the cost of pet insurance is primarily determined by 3 factors:

1. The Annual Limit of coverage - which can be found between $3,000 and $20,000. The higher the limit - the higher the premium.
2. The percentage of Reimbursement - customarily: 70%, 80, or 90%. The more you want to be reimbursed, the more you pay on the monthly basis.
3. Annual deductible - Like with most health insurance, pet insurance allows you to select an annual deductible, which is the amount that you must pay out of pocket, before the insurance plan starts paying out. The common deductibles are: $100, $250, or $500. The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium.

The premiums for younger pets may be as low as $10 a month, while older pets may be as much as $100 a month or more. For example, in Houston, the average monthly insurance cost for a six-month-old Chihuahua puppy ranges from $16 to $60. In comparison, that of a twelve year old adult Chihuahua dog within the same location ranges between $45 to $180. In Austin, the average cost to cover a golden retriever under six months is between $25 to $100, while the cost for a five-year-old retriever is averaged between $30 to $120. Larger breeds cost more to insure, especially as they get older.

Pet owners may also need to pay more based on where they live in Texas. For example, residents of large metropolitan areas like Dallas - Fort Worth, may pay up to $10 more per month to cover their pet, than in some other Texas cities like San Angelo or El Paso. Note that pet insurance companies may charge more for medical conditions that may be hereditary for the breed of pet.

Pet insurance for reptiles in Texas averages $7-$15 per month, based on the age of the pet and the selected coverage, while pet insurance for Texas birds averages $8-$12 monthly. Make sure to comparison shop all the quotes you get.

Multi Pet Insurance Discounts

If you have multiple pets, you may be able to get a multi pet discount, by insuring them all under the same plan (package policy). Multiple pet discounts offered by pet insurers, usually range between 10% and 15%.

Is Pet Insurance Worth It in Texas?

Pet insurance in Texas allows pet owners to make medical decisions based on their pet’s health needs and not the financial cost. Getting pet insurance for your dog or cat is essential because it helps provide health coverage at any time. Pet insurance removes the financial burden in case of any medical emergencies. Having pet insurance means you can give your pet the best medical care while saving money and avoiding unexpected and expensive veterinary bills. As a last resort, pet insurance helps avoid situations where your pet might have to be put down because you can not afford treatment.

However, pet owners must note that premium payments for pets vary depending on age or any pre-existing medical conditions when considering pet insurance. Just like with people, the older the pet, the more expensive their insurance coverage becomes.

Where To Get Pet Insurance in Texas?

Pet owners can get insurance from any pet insurance company licensed to sell insurance in Texas. Multiple pet insurance companies in the state offer major medical plans and comprehensive plans that include wellness, routine care, and emergency coverage. Many of those pet insurers offer online quotes for a variety of your pet’s needs.

While making the selection, you want to compare multiple quotes between different insurance companies. Use this printable pet insurance shopping guide and quote comparison worksheet to help guide your decisions. This way, you get to see the difference in coverages and the corresponding costs.

The most popular pet insurance companies in Texas are:

• ASPCA pet insurance
• Embrace pet insurance
• Fetch pet insurance
• Figo pet insurance
• Healthy Paws pet insurance
• Lemonade pet insurance
• MetLife pet insurance
• Pumpkin pet insurance
• Spot pet insurance

How To Get Pet Insurance in Texas?

Make sure to choose the best plan according to the needs of your pet and within your budget. Before commiting to a purchase of a Texas pet insurance plan, don’t forget to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. After all, they are the ones who will be accepting (or not accepting) the insurer you choose.

Since most pet insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, it is best to get insurance coverage while the dog is young and healthy. This way you get all future and unavoidable health issues covered and you pay a lower premium rate.

Should I Get Pet Insurance in Texas?

If you have had pets in your life, just like with little kids, you already know that an urgent vet visit is a daily possibility. If you are a new pet owner, chances are that you will visit the pet ER at least once during the first year of ownership.The question is: Can you afford to spend thousands of dollars from your savings on your pet’s emergency? Emergency vet bills in Texas, especially during the night time visits, can get expensive fast. So, having at least the emergency pet insurance as a safety blanket is usually a great idea.

Related Articles and Tools

What is Covered and Not Covered By Pet Insurance in Texas

Liability Insurance Coverage for Dog Bites (Homeowners / Renters insurance)

PRINTABLE WORKSHEETS

Pet insurance quote comparison worksheet (printable PDF)