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

Depending on the type of coverage you select some genetic conditions may be covered, as long as they are not pre-existing conditions.

Nationwide pet health insurance plans have a 14-day waiting period before coverage starts. Please refer to your policy details for the specific waiting period.

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

Most plans start 14 days after your application is approved and payment has been received. 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.

Nationwide pet health insurance covers the costs associated with a service dog.

Absolutely. You can cancel anytime. The easiest way is to go to my.petinsurance.com. Your state may also have a Free Look Period (a.k.a. Right to Examine and Return a Policy) in which you would have a limited time to get your money back. To qualify, you must not have filed a claim under the policy. Participating states require you to notify us of your choice to exercise the Free Look option within a specific time frame. Please read your policy for details. Terms may vary by state.

See state cancellation timeframes for more information.

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 choose, an annual maximum may apply to your reimbursements. Some plans are built with pre-set benefit allowances that will reimburse only up to those amounts. All reimbursement maximums replenish in full at policy renewal. Check your plan details for more information.

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 newly enrolled pets depend on your pet’s breed and age, coverage selected, and your address.

The monthly premium for a pet insurance plan depends on the type of coverage selected. Our plans for dogs start as low as $13/month. Get a quote today.

The monthly premium for a pet insurance plan depends on the type of coverage selected. Our plans for cats start as low as $7/month. Get a quote today.

Our plans start around $25/month for two dogs or $13/month for two cats, which includes a 5% multi-pet discount. Adding four pets 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 your plan type. Some plans reimburse a percentage of your eligible expenses; other plans reimburse based on pre-set benefit allowances. Depending on the plan you choose, an annual maximum may apply to your reimbursements. Plans with category maximums and plans with pre-set benefit allowances reimburse only up to those amounts. All reimbursement maximums replenish in full at policy renewal. Check your plan details for more information.

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, certain conditions such as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) would make your pet ineligible for coverage. Check plan details for more information on conditions that would disqualify your pet from eligibility. Also, you must be in possession of your pet at the time of enrollment. For example, if your pet has not yet come home from a breeder, that pet is ineligible for enrollment until physically in your possession.

“Pre-existing condition” means a condition for which any of the following are true prior to the effective date of your pet insurance policy or during your waiting period:

1. A veterinarian provided medical advice regarding the condition;
2. Your pet received previous treatment for the condition; or
3. Based on information from verifiable sources, your pet had signs or symptoms directly related to the condition for which a claim is being made.

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.