How pet insurance works

Nationwide® pet insurance pets helps you provide the best care possible for your pet.

  • Older Dogs Insurance How Pet Insurance works for older dogs List Visit your vet Icon

    Visit your vet

    Visit any vet, including specialists and emergency providers.

  • Older Dogs Insurance How Pet Insurance works for older dogs List Submit your claim Icon

    Submit your claim

    Submit a claim along with your paid invoice.

  • Older Dogs Insurance How Pet Insurance works for older dogs List Get reimbursed Icon

    Get reimbursed

    Receive reimbursement for eligible vet expenses.

The #1 provider of pet insurance in the U.S.

Source: State of the Industry Report 2022, North American Pet Health Insurance Association

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

Once you’ve met your annual deductible, we’ll reimburse you for eligible veterinary expenses according to the percentage or benefit schedule you selected for your plan, up to the applicable policy limit.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Items such as grooming, tax, waste disposal, boarding, or pre-existing conditions are not eligible for coverage. See policy documents for a complete list of exclusions.

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.

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