Paw Protect vs Nationwide

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: What do the plans cover?

You want your pet to be covered for all kinds of medical problems, from swallowing something they shouldn’t to chronic illness. 

Nationwide and Paw Protect each offer some of the most comprehensive pet insurance you’ll find. As well as covering vet exams, and all the common pet-health issues, they also safeguard against accident and illness treatment costs, with hereditary and chronic ailments included in the plans.

Coverage includes, but is not limited to:  

• Allergies
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Otitis
• Limping
• Cancer
• Cruciate rupture
• Arthritis
• UTIs
• Seizures
• Diabetes
• Gastroenteritis
• Pancreatitis
• Hypothyroidism
• Dermatitis
• Dental disease
• Kidney disease
• Hip & elbow dysplasia
• Lymphoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Heart murmur
• Bite wounds
• Cataracts
• Liver disease
• Glaucoma
• Fevers
• Ear infections

On top of all that, both companies offer an essential 24/7 pet telehealth line, where you can talk to a veterinary expert at any time of day or night. 

Nationwide coverage is delivered in three plans. Its Whole Pet plan insures illness and accident costs, plus dental issues, chronic conditions, behavioral issues, cancer (with no waiting periods) and even prescription diets. Paw Protect covers these as standard.

For accident and illness only (with capped benefits for each condition), select its Major Medical plan; or, if you only want to cover routine stuff like check-ups and vaccinations, go for Nationwide’s Pet Wellness plan.

Paw Protect’s cover is all-encompassing for injury and illness, and you can add its Wellness Rewards as an optional extra for routine and preventative care.

Do Paw Protect and Nationwide have a wellness plan?

With Paw Protect, its Wellness Rewards plan is an optional extra. The benefits it covers include vaccinations, spaying and neutering, grooming, training and regular flea, tick and heartworm treatments. Wellness annual limits are set at $250, $450 and $650, and by buying in this way, you can make significant savings on these treatments each year. Wellness Rewards is offered as a supplementary, non-insurance benefit administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency in the United States. Wellness Rewards is not available in Rhode Island.

Nationwide offers a wellness-only scheme, called the Pet Wellness plan, which comes in two levels. Benefits like nail trimming, deworming, two exams in each insurance period and microchipping are included, but each benefit has an expenditure limit (e.g. $75 for vaccinations). The Nationwide plans aren’t available in every state and wellness cover is not available with its Whole Pet plan.

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: What are the coverage limits?

Paw Protect offers a range of annual maximum coverage options: $5,000, $10,000 and Unlimited. This gives you control over your premium.

Meanwhile, Nationwide’s range of plans each have different limits. Its Whole Pet plan has a single $10,000 annual limit, while the Major Medical plan has defined annual benefits per condition. If you’re interested in this plan, check that its limits correspond to your pet’s potential needs.

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: Deductibles

Paw Protect’s choice of deductibles is $100, $250 and $500. The larger the deductible you select, the less you’ll spend on premiums, but the greater your expenditure if you have to claim.

Nationwide has fixed $250 deductibles across its range of plans online, though it says other options are available if you phone in.

What are Paw Protect and Nationwide’s reimbursement percentage options?

Paw Protect gives a choice of 70%, 80% and 90% reimbursement options  – so, after your deductible is paid, we’ll pay out 70%, 80% or 90% of covered vet bills. The lower the reimbursement amount, the cheaper your annual premium will be, but the more you’ll pay in the event of a claim.

Nationwide has reimbursement levels of 50% and 70% on its Whole Pet Plan, and varying percentages, depending on your schedule of benefits, with its Major Medical cover.

Do Paw Protect and Nationwide have any exclusions?

All legitimate insurance has exclusions. Nationwide and Paw Protect both exclude any recorded pre-existing conditions your pet may have experienced. However, Paw Protect may cover a curable pre-existing condition if your pet has had no treatment or symptoms for 12 consecutive months.

Neither insurer includes cosmetic procedures like tail or ear modification. Both companies’ insurance can be used around the world.

How expensive are Paw Protect and Nationwide?

These two insurers offer premium cover with an extensive list of treatments available in their best packages. This, of course, means that they are not the cheapest options available, but they may well offer the best value for money, depending on your pet and location.

Paw Protect allows more flexibility to manage your annual premium, through its wide choice of cover limits, deductibles and reimbursement percentages.

Of all 10 insurers we’ve reviewed, Nationwide seems to have created the most complex packages, so take extra care to ensure that you are getting the exact level of cover that you require

All quotes are based on a $250 deductible and 70% reimbursement. Prices correct as of May 2023

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: How quickly are claims paid?

The speed with which an insurer refunds its share of any claim is usually crucial, especially as there may be thousands of dollars outstanding. 

Paw Protect claims will be paid out in 10 to 15 days for accident and illness claims, and just five days for wellness treatments. Nationwide claims will be processed within 30 days.

Do Paw Protect and Nationwide offer any discounts?

Both insurers offer a range of discounts. Nationwide gives a 5% discount to customers who renew their coverage or have another Nationwide insurance, and 5% for multi-pet cover.

Paw Protect gives a 10% multi-pet discount, and offers a 5% reduction for former and active military personnel. 

If you take out Paw Protect’s Wellness Rewards package, the company will send you a $25 bonus.

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: What are the standard waiting periods?

With Paw Protect, there is a two-week illness waiting period which begins on your policies’ effective date. Orthopedic conditions have additional waiting or exclusion periods that vary by state.

Nationwide cover for illness and injury kicks in 14 days after you register. It has a 12-month delay for treatment of cruciate or meniscus injuries. 

Do Paw Protect and Nationwide’s plans include behavioral treatments?

Calm and happy pets are a joy to have around, so if your four-legged friend displays aggressive or anxious behaviors, it’s important to seek treatment.

Behavioral therapy and training are insured by Paw Protect, as long as they are delivered by a veterinarian for a condition included in the policy.

Nationwide delivers behavioral exams and therapies as part of its Whole Pet package.

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: Is there a maximum age for enrollment?

At Nationwide, as long as your pet is enrolled before the age of 10, and you keep your policy continually in force, the company will continue to insure them as they age.  

With Paw Protect the maximum age of initial enrollment is 5 years for accident and illness coverage. For its accident-only policy, there is no maximum age. 

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: Customer reviews

Nationwide scores 4.4 on Trustpilot, with 81% five-star ratings from 135 reviews. According to customer reviews, its sales and service teams are well-informed and helpful, and prepared to take all the time necessary to help them understand their policies.