Pet insurance FAQs

We offer nose-to-tail coverage for:

• Accidents, including broken bones, sprains, lacerations and poisoning
• Illnesses, including allergies, ear infections, arthritis and cancer, and more
• Preventive care, including checkups, vaccinations and flea/tick preventive

Unfortunately, pet insurance companies generally don’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, Nationwide does allow members to request reviews of pre-existing conditions that have been cured, in which case an exception may be added so the condition would be covered.

We want to make care accessible to as many pets as possible, which is why we try to keep exclusions to a minimum. Please see your policy for full details.

Our plans generally don’t cover:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Waste disposal
• Boarding/grooming
• Tax

The annual limit depends on the pet health insurance coverage you select for your dog. See your policy documents for details.

Yes, depending on the type of coverage you select.

Wellness coverage for routine care is available, including physical exams, vaccinations, flea/tick preventives and more.

Yes. A 14-day waiting period applies, starting from the time your application is approved and we receive payment.

If you’re enrolling as part of a group or organization, effective dates vary.

Nationwide offers annual deductible options as low as $100 on some plans. Most pet owners choose a $250 annual deductible.

You’ll need to enroll your new pet in a separate pet insurance policy but will be able to manage all your pets under one account.

Prescription food is covered under certain plan types or can be added to other plans with the purchase of an optional rider. Call our sales team to learn more about prescription food coverage options.

Absolutely. You can cancel anytime at my.petinsurance.com or by letting us know in writing.

We even have a 100% money-back guarantee if you cancel within 10 days* of when your policy went into effect and we haven’t reimbursed you for any claims in that time.

If you decide to cancel later on, no problem—we’ll simply refund your unused premium.

* Terms may vary by state.

You can add or reduce coverage during your annual policy renewal period. Note: Certain coverage or product upgrades may require underwriting review.

Depending on the plan you select there could be an annual maximum on the reimbursement amounts received for your pet’s health conditions. Some plans are built with pre-set benefit allowances for line items that will only reimburse up to those amounts. Please review your plan details for more information.

Never. To get the best coverage options, enroll your pet before age 8, and be sure to keep your policy continually in force (translation: don't let it lapse or expire). We promise not to drop your pet because of age. After all, we're pet lovers, too!

You’ll need to enroll your new pet in a separate pet insurance policy but will be able to manage all your pets under one account.

Monthly premiums for new enrollments depend on your pet’s breed and age, the type of coverage selected and your ZIP code.

The monthly premium for a pet insurance plan depends on the type of coverage selected. Our most popular plans are about $47/month but plans for dogs start as low as $16/month. Get a quote today.

The monthly premium for a cat insurance plan depends on the type of coverage selected. Our most popular plans are about $22/month but plans for cats start as low as $5/month. Get a quote today.

The monthly premium depends on the type of coverage selected. Our most popular coverage starts at around $90/month for two dogs, which includes a 5% multi-pet discount. Two cats with our most popular plan would cost about $42/month. Adding four or more pets will increase your discount to 10%. Get a quote today.

The monthly premium for an exotic pet insurance plan depends on the type of pet and amount of coverage selected. Our most popular plans are about $20/month but plans for exotic pets start as low as $9/month. Call for a quote: 844-397-8937.

Yes. You’re free to use any licensed veterinarian, including specialists and emergency providers.

Absolutely. All our plans can be used with any licensed veterinarian, anywhere in the world—even specialists and emergency providers. Get a no-obligation quote.

Once you’ve met your annual deductible, we’ll pay you back for covered veterinary expenses according to the reimbursement percentage you chose for your plan, up to the category maximum you selected.

Say you have a $250 annual deductible with $5,000 in accident coverage at 90% reimbursement. Now let’s say your dog broke a leg and the vet bill was $2,500, of which $2,400 was covered (we don’t cover non-medical things like tax and waste disposal). After your deductible and 90% are applied, we’d reimburse you $1,935, leaving you with $3,065 in remaining accident coverage for the remainder of your policy term.

File a claim in just three easy steps:

Pet insurance policies reimburse you for your dog’s veterinary care—including medical costs, wellness and even hereditary conditions. With Nationwide, you’re free to use any licensed veterinarian.

Pet insurance policies reimburse you for your cat’s veterinary care—including medical costs, wellness and even hereditary conditions. With Nationwide, you’re free to use any licensed veterinarian.

An exotic pet insurance plan covers medical services and medical treatment from any licensed veterinarian. Simply submit a claim and we’ll reimburse you for eligible expenses.

A lot of pet insurance companies have come and gone. The key to picking one you can count on is stability and experience. Some insurance companies pay to use the names of well-known organizations. With Nationwide, what you see is what you get: one of the largest and most trusted financial services companies in the world. Learn more about the Nationwide difference.

The best pet insurance for you is one that provides a level of coverage you’re comfortable with and fits your budget for monthly premiums. When choosing your plan, consider how much medical care (for accidents and illnesses) is typical for your pet’s breed and whether you want wellness coverage for preventive care.

The amount of coverage you choose depends on your budget and each of your pets’ different needs. Factors to consider include how much medical care is typical for each pet’s breed, and whether you want wellness coverage for expected costs like checkups and vaccinations.

As a pet parent, you want to make sure providing the best care possible for your dog doesn’t become a financial burden. Pet insurance policies reimburse you for your pet’s medical care so you can focus on keeping your pet healthy—not on what it costs.

It’s a good idea to enroll your pet in a pet insurance plan as early as possible, before chronic conditions develop or your pet needs any medical care that could put limitations on your coverage. If you have an upcoming veterinary appointment, make sure you factor in the waiting period before coverage begins.

Even indoor cats can get sick or hurt. Illnesses like kidney disease and thyroid problems affect many cats, and injuries can happen unexpectedly, even inside your home.

Nationwide covers the following exotic pets:

• Chinchilla
• Gerbil
• Goat
• Guinea pig
• Hamster
• Hedgehog
• Mini pig
• Mouse
• Potbellied pig
• Rat
• Sugar glider
• Rabbit
• Ferret
• African grey  
• Amazon  
• Canary
• Cockatiel
• Cockatoo
• Conure
• Finch
• Lory
• Lovebird
• Macaw
• Mynah
• Parakeet
• Parrotlet 
• Toucan
• Amphibians, including toads
• Bearded dragon
• Chameleon
• Frilled dragon 
• Gecko
• Iguana
• Monitor lizard  
• Snake      
• Tegu    
• Tortoise
• Uromastyx
• Water dragon

Some species of avian and exotic pets are not eligible for coverage. These species include but are not limited to:

• Venomous or poisonous species in the genus group listed above
• Endangered or threatened species in the genus group listed above
• Any species of genus listed above that require a permit, license, or registration by state or federal law
• Any species of genus listed above that is illegal to own by state or federal law
• Hybrids of domesticated pets with a wild/non-domesticated species
• Species that are kept in flocks or on display

It’s always a good idea to have a pet insurance plan, no matter your dog’s age. If you’re enrolling your older dog in a medical plan for the first time, certain things may be excluded from coverage as pre-existing. However, preventive care coverage is available without exclusions and is a great way to keep up with your older dog’s annual checkups and wellness care.

It’s always a good idea to have a pet insurance plan, no matter your cat’s age. If you’re enrolling your older cat in a medical plan for the first time, certain things may be excluded from coverage as pre-existing. However, preventive care coverage is available without exclusions and is a great way to keep up with your older cat’s annual checkups and wellness care.

We want to protect as many pets as possible, but unfortunately, cats who have been diagnosed with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are not eligible for coverage. Also, you must be in possession of your pet at the time of enrollment.

A pre-existing condition means any condition that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred up to twelve months before the effective date of your policy or during any waiting period, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated. A chronic condition is a pre-existing condition unless it began after the effective date of your policy.

Some examples of pre-existing conditions:

• A veterinarian diagnoses the need for a thorough dental cleaning. If your pet’s medical records indicate this cleaning is recommended prior to the start of your policy or during the waiting period, dental tartar/periodontitis would be considered pre-existing.
• Your pet is limping, but no diagnosis has been made prior to enrollment. A few months into your policy, a veterinarian diagnoses hip dysplasia and notes it in your pet’s medical records. Hip dysplasia would be considered pre-existing.