ASPCA offers some of the most comprehensive pet insurance coverage on the market.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100-$750
Policy highlight
Broader coverage than most other plans.
Why we picked it: ASPCA had the highest raw score of all the pet insurance companies NerdWallet evaluated, thanks to its broad coverage. ASPCA’s policies cover almost everything: sick exam fees, prescription food, alternative therapies and even microchipping.
Standout feature: Unlike other insurers that won’t cover knee injuries for six months, ASPCA has a simple 14-day waiting period for all accidents and illnesses. (A waiting period is the time between when you buy your policy and when your coverage takes effect.)
Don’t choose ASPCA if: You like managing insurance policies on a mobile app. ASPCA’s app draws mediocre reviews from both Android and iPhone users.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Katy with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $39/month
Age 8: $98/month
Cats
Age 2: $19/month
Age 8: $35/month
» READ MORE: ASPCA pet insurance review
Pumpkin stands out for comprehensive coverage and the ability to reimburse you for big vet bills almost immediately.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100 - $1,000
Policy highlight
PumpkinNow service can reimburse you while you’re still at the vet.
Why we picked it: Pumpkin has a unique option called PumpkinNow for vet bills of $500 or more. If your bank accepts real-time transfers, Pumpkin may be able to send you money for a big claim within minutes — even before you leave the vet’s office.
Standout feature: Pumpkin’s Wellness Club is a membership program that can cover routine expenses like annual checkups, dental cleaning and spay or neuter surgery. You can buy it with an accident and illness policy or on its own.
Don’t choose Pumpkin if: You want coverage for herbal supplements, which Pumpkin’s plans won’t pay for.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Katy with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $32/month
Age 8: $80/month
Cats
Age 2: $15/month
Age 8: $28/month
» READ MORE: Pumpkin pet insurance review
Figo stands out for paying up to 100% of your vet bills after you meet your deductible.
Annual max coverage
Unlimited
Reimbursement rates
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductibles
$100 - $1,500
Policy highlight
Mobile app has lots of useful features.
Why we picked it: Figo has no upper age limit for enrollment, so any senior pet can get accident and illness coverage. Its rates for the older pets in our tests were also on the affordable end of the spectrum. Figo’s policies cover issues common in older pets, such as arthritis and cancer.
Standout feature: Figo’s Pet Cloud app offers more than just policy access. You can also use it to store your pet’s medical records and text vet professionals with questions about your pet’s health. Plus, it offers opportunities to find other pet parents near you.
Don’t choose Figo if: You want an accident-only plan, which the company doesn’t offer.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Katy with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $30/month
Age 8: $70/month
Cats
Age 2: $14/month
Age 8: $28/month
» READ MORE: Figo pet insurance review
Lemonade boasts a seamless online experience and quick claims, but its default coverage is more limited than some other plans.
Annual max coverage
$100,000
Reimbursement rates
60%, 70%, 80%, 90%
Deductibles
$100 - $750
Policy highlight
Pays some claims almost immediately.
Why we picked it: Lemonade offered some of the most affordable rates across the board for our sample pets in Texas. Its plans are customizable, with a wide range of deductible choices and annual limits. That may make it easier to find a plan that fits your budget.
Standout feature: Lemonade uses artificial intelligence to pay many of its claims instantly. (Human adjusters review the rest.)
Don’t choose Lemonade if: You’re looking for a plan that covers everything. Lemonade’s policy pays for the basics, including surgery and prescription medicine. But you’ll have to shell out extra if you want coverage for things like exam fees, dental illnesses and physical therapy.
Sample rates
These sample rates are for pets living in Katy with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate.
Dogs
Age 2: $30/month
Age 8: $59/month
Cats
Age 2: $14/month
Age 8: $23/month
» READ MORE: Lemonade pet insurance review
Compare the best pet insurance companies in Texas
Below you can compare our top pet insurers in Texas at a glance. Monthly rates in the table are based on the average of quotes for four mixed-breed pets living in Katy.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average monthly rate | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|
$48 | Best overall | ||
$39 | Best for big vet bills | ||
$36 | Best for older pets | ||
$32 | Best budget option |
» MORE: The best pet insurance companies
Cheap pet insurance in Texas
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Texas for dogs and cats, based on quotes we gathered in Katy. Some of these companies didn’t make our list of the top picks above because they didn’t rate as highly for coverage or consumer experience. But they may be right for your pet, depending on your budget and coverage needs.
Unless otherwise stated, our sample pets were mixed-breed dogs and cats with a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. Your own prices may be different.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old mixed-breed dogs.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$22
$30
$30
$30
$32
$32
$35
$36
$36
*The Prudent Pet plan had a $2,500 annual limit. The Fetch plan had a $300 deductible, while the Kanguro plan had a $200 deductible.
Below are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old mixed-breed dogs.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$41
$59
$69
$70
$70
$71
$72
$77
$79
*The Prudent Pet plan had a $2,500 annual limit. The Kanguro plan had a $200 deductible, while the Fetch plan had a $300 deductible. The Chewy plan had a $20,000 annual limit.
These are the cheapest monthly rates we found for 2-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$13
$14
$14
$15
$17
$19
$19
$19
$19
$19
The Prudent Pet plan had a $2,500 annual limit.
These are the lowest monthly rates we found for 8-year-old domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cats.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Sample monthly rate
$23
$25
$28
$28
$31
$34
$34
$35
$35
$35
$35
$35
*The Prudent Pet plan had a $2,500 annual limit, while the Chewy plan had a $20,000 annual limit. The Kanguro plan had a $200 deductible.
What to know about buying pet insurance in Texas
Texas is a little cheaper than average when it comes to the cost of vet care. The average cost of a vet visit for dogs is $83, while the cost for cats is $63, according to 2024 data from CareCredit.
But vet bills can add up fast, especially if your pet needs more critical care. For example, cancer therapy in the U.S. costs north of $5,000 for dogs and nearly $4,000 for cats on average, according to CareCredit.
Besides problems like cancer and diabetes, which can strike pets across the U.S., pet insurance can also cover issues that may be more common in Texas. This could include things like snake bites, heatstroke and tickborne illnesses.
More Nerdy Perspective
Pet insurance companies generally won’t cover pre-existing conditions. So if you find out your dog needs an expensive surgery, it’s already too late to buy a policy that will cover it. If you can, buy insurance when your pet is still young and healthy, so future issues will be covered.
Pet insurance companies generally won’t cover pre-existing conditions. So if you find out your dog needs an expensive surgery, it’s already too late to buy a policy that will cover it. If you can, buy insurance when your pet is still young and healthy, so future issues will be covered.
Sarah Schlichtersenior writer on Insurance» MORE: Is pet insurance worth it?
How to choose the best pet insurance
Look beyond price. Cost is important, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Say Plan A costs $10 more a month than Plan B, but it includes coverage for exam fees and alternative therapies. If you have to pay extra to get these types of coverage with Plan B — or they’re not available at all — you might find Plan A a better value. See the table below to get an idea of which services are typically covered.
Expense | Covered? |
|---|---|
Alternative or behavioral therapies | Sometimes. Some companies charge extra for this coverage or don't offer it at all. |
Checkups and vaccines | No, unless you have a wellness plan. |
Congenital and hereditary conditions | Usually. Most companies cover these issues, but occasionally there are limits or restrictions. |
Dental care | It depends. Dental coverage varies widely. See our guide to pet dental insurance. |
Emergency care | Yes. You can generally count on pet insurance plans to cover emergencies. |
Prescription medicine | Usually. A handful of pet insurers charge extra for this coverage, but most companies include it in their standard plans. |
Prescription food and supplements | Sometimes. There may be limits or extra charges for this coverage. Learn more about pet insurance and prescription food. |
Pre-existing conditions | Usually not. If your pet was sick or hurt before you bought the plan, the condition typically won't be covered. See our guide to pre-existing conditions. |
Spaying or neutering | No, unless you have a wellness plan. Learn more about spay and neuter coverage. |
Surgery and hospitalization | Usually. It depends on the underlying condition, but pet insurance often covers these expenses. Learn more about pet insurance and surgery. |
Vet exam fees | Sometimes. It can be an unpleasant surprise to find that some companies will cover other treatments but not the vet's exam fee for a sick visit. |
» MORE: What does pet insurance cover? Read our complete guide
Learn about the claims process. If one pet insurer generally processes claims within two days while another takes up to a month, you may want to go with the quicker one. That way you’re not waiting for weeks to get reimbursed. Even better, keep an eye out for pet insurers that can pay your vet directly.
Read reviews. NerdWallet has researched dozens of pet insurance companies so you don’t have to. Read our pet insurance reviews to see our star ratings and get coverage details.
Understand your policy options. The following elements of your plan determine how much of your vet expenses your pet insurer covers. You can usually customize these options when you first buy your plan.
Most plans have a limit on how much they'll reimburse each year. It's often a fixed amount such as $5,000 or $10,000, though many companies also offer an unlimited option. If you spend more than the limit in a given year, you'll have to cover the rest yourself.
A pet insurance deductible is the amount of vet expenses you need to pay before you’re eligible for reimbursement. For example, if you have a $500 deductible but spend only $300 at the vet one year, your insurer won't reimburse anything. Most companies have an annual deductible that resets each year.
Once you've met your deductible, you and the insurance company will split your vet bills. The insurer will typically reimburse 70%, 80% or 90% of your bill, while you pay the rest. The amount you pay is sometimes called your coinsurance.
How we choose the best pet insurance companies
👋 I’m Sarah Schlichter, a senior writer and content strategist covering pet insurance. I built NerdWallet’s pet insurance rubric and did the research for this page to find the best pet insurance options. I gathered and analyzed data across three major categories:
Companies score higher if they include more types of coverage in their standard plans.
We evaluate pet insurance plans based on their default accident and illness coverage, which types of coverage cost extra and which types of coverage aren't available at all.
Plan types
In addition to accident and illness plans, we look at whether companies also offer accident-only and wellness plans.
Animals covered
Companies get extra credit for insuring animals besides just dogs and cats.
Coverage for specific services and conditions
Some of the biggest differences between pet insurance plans have to do with how they cover the following services and conditions. Companies rank higher if they offer more of these types of coverage, especially if they're included at no extra cost:
Vet exam fees.
Congenital and hereditary conditions.
Behavioral therapies.
Prescription food.
Supplements.
Alternative and complementary treatments.
Dental illnesses.
Pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions are medical issues your pet had before you bought your policy. We reward companies that will cover certain pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
Companies score well when they have consumer-friendly features such as live chat or the ability to pay your vet directly.
We evaluate each pet insurer's customer experience based on the following factors:
Direct vet pay
Most pet insurance companies reimburse you for vet bills you've already paid, but some are able to pay your vet directly. That means you'll have to put out less of your own money upfront.
Live chat
Pet insurers get extra credit if they offer a live chat for customer service.
Vet helpline
We reward companies that have a 24-hour vet helpline for questions about your pet's health.
Claim calculation
The way a pet insurer calculates your claim payouts can influence how quickly you meet your deductible and start getting paid. We reward companies that use a more generous method.
Companies earn points based on how customizable their pet insurance plans are.
Being able to customize your plan makes it easier to find the coverage and price that are right for you. We look at the following factors:
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount of vet care you need to pay for before your insurer will start reimbursing you. We reward companies that offer more deductible options.
Reimbursement rates
Once you've met your deductible, the insurance company will reimburse a certain percentage of your vet bills, such as 70% or 80%. The more options for your reimbursement rate, the better.
Coverage limits
Most pet insurers will reimburse you up to a certain annual limit, such as $5,000 or $10,000. Some offer plans with no limit. We reward companies with a broad range of limits to choose from.
Frequently asked questions
Shop around with at least three companies to see which one offers the best rate for your pet. Ask about discounts for insuring more than one pet or paying yearly instead of monthly. Raising your deductible or choosing a lower coverage limit or reimbursement rate can also lead to a cheaper premium.
It depends. We found rates ranging from $13 to $397 per month for pets living in Katy. However, your own rates will vary based on where you live in the state, how much coverage you want, and your pet’s age and breed.
You can expect to have a roughly two-week waiting period for illness coverage with most pet insurers. But some, like MetLife and Lemonade, have no waiting period for accidents. See our guide to pet insurance waiting periods.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.CareCredit. Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs. Accessed May 1, 2026.
Pet insurance star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s pet insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including consumer experience, scope of coverage and the ability to customize your plan. We give higher ratings to companies that cover a wide range of medical treatments and that offer perks such as live chat support and direct vet pay. To calculate each insurer’s star rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. See our full pet insurance methodology.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around. Comparing several insurance quotes can help you find the best rate for your pet. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Pet insurance sample rate methodology
To find sample rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and don't include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons.
Each plan had a $250 deductible, $5,000 in annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. We customized the plans as necessary when those limits weren’t available. Our sample pets were a medium-sized, mixed-breed dog and a domestic shorthair (mixed-breed) cat. We gathered rates for pets aged 2 and 8 years old.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets in a select ZIP code. Your own rates will be different.
