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Paw Protect vs Nationwide

Paw Protect vs Nationwide: Verdict

Paw Protect offers all its customers the option of using a $2,000 interest-free line of credit to pay covered vet bills* up front, via a virtual Paytient Visa card†. This means you don’t have the stress of having to find the money to pay the bill up-front. 

With Nationwide, like other insurers, you have to pay the vet bill up front and then claim it back. 

Both companies offer wide-ranging coverage as well as 24/7 pet telehealth. Here’s how they compare in more detail:

PawNationwide
Pet insurance without paying vet bills* up-front†
Annual coverage options$5000, $10,000, Unlimited$10,000**
Deductible options$100, $250, $500$250
Reimbursement options70%, 80%, 90%50%, 70%**
Coverage start2 days accident,
14 days illness		14 days
Maximum age at sign-up14 years accident and illness,
15+ accident only		10 years
Vet exam fees included
Dental accidents covered
Dental illness covered
Wellness plan offered
24/7 Telehealth
End of life coverage included
10% Multi-pet discount
Military discount

**Whole Pet plan only – defined annual benefits per condition with other plans. Information correct as of May 2023

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Paw Protect vs Nationwide: Claims process

Paw Protect offers an optional $2,000 interest-free line of credit to pay covered vet bills* via a virtual Visa card from Paytient, so you can pay without having to find the money from your own savings.†

If approved for Paytient, and if your bill is under $2,000, as most are, you don’t need to pay a cent of your own money up-front. You’ll need to pay anything over $2,000 up-front, but you’ll be reimbursed quickly for any covered condition.

  • The claims process is like regular insurance. Submit the claim paperwork via our app, online, by email or through the mail. 
  • You’ll be reimbursed a few days later, less your deductible and copay. 
  • Use your reimbursement to pay down your Paytient balance and pay off any remaining out-of-pocket costs over up to 12 months interest free.

With Nationwide, you pay in full out of your own pocket, then reclaim Nationwide’s share of the costs. This can be done via email, mail or through the VitusVet mobile app.

Labrador

How will I know if my vet accepts Paw Protect?

Paw Protect’s virtual Visa card is just like any other 16-digit Visa card, just on your phone. So as long as the vet or animal hospital takes Visa* (and we’ve yet to find one that doesn’t), your four-legged friend will receive instant care. 

Number of vets where you can use Paytient†
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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.

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

Paw Protect
Nationwide pet insurance logo
$36.21per month
$52.25per month

Medium Mixed Breed Puppy

1 year old
in Los Angeles, 91010
$10,000 annual coverage

$61.97per month
$87.31per month

Golden Retriever

3 years old
in Orlando, 32807
$10,000 annual coverage

$27.15per month
$56.34per month

Chihuahua

5 years old
in Sacramento, 94211
$10,000 annual coverage

$40.54per month
$46.97per month

Domestic Shorthair Kitten

3 months old
in New York City, 10008
$10,000 annual coverage

$19.00per month
$24.57per month

Tabby Cat

3 years old
in Dallas, 75061
$10,000 annual coverage

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. 

However, Paw Protect’s credit facility vastly reduces the worry over claim times. 

That said, it’s still quicker, with 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?

Paw Protect insurance activates after two days for accidents and 14 days for illness. Orthopedic treatments have a six-month delay, though this period can be reduced to 14 days via its Waiver Process.

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 14 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.

†
Subject to approval
*
The Paytient virtual Visa® card works with merchants in certain approved categories and with certain point-of-sale (POS) vendors. Merchants self-select their category and POS vendor, and in some cases a provider might not be categorized as expected or their POS vendor may not support Paytient virtual Visa® card transactions.

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