Should I get pet insurance?

Pets can get into all sorts of dangerous situations. Just ask Reid and Kaitlyn from New York. Last year, their cat Giles was inadvertently smooshed under a sofa bed, which resulted in an unexpected and potentially costly trip to the vet. 

“My stepmom said, ‘Something has happened, and we're really sorry, but [Giles] got trapped under the couch.’ When they put the couch away, they didn't realize that he was under there and … the mechanism bopped him in the face pretty good.” Recounts Reid, “Luckily, we have a wonderful vet hospital just around the corner from us, so we were able to take him right there. Fortunately, it wasn't too bad. He did need some stitches … but he was the model patient.” 

Giles’s situation was enough to earn him Nationwide’s 2023 Hambone Award for most unusual pet claim.(Read more about Giles story).  

Fortunately, Kaitlyn’s workplace offered Nationwide pet insurance as a voluntary benefit. The family decided to invest in pet health insurance after a costly trip to the veterinary hospital one Christmas Eve spurred them to seek coverage for future unexpected events. Their Nationwide pet insurance plan covered Giles’s sofa bed mishap injuries. 

Rising costs increase need for coverage 
Stories like Giles’s are far too common to Nationwide, which insures more than 1.2 million pets. That’s why the team encourages pet parents to consider pet insurance. 

“Across the country, pet care costs are rising, and many families are choosing pets and breeds that require greater medical care," said Melissa Lovely, Nationwide’s vice president of sales. “Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation in the cost of veterinary services has risen from historical averages of 3-5% per year to 9-11% per year during the past two years. This amplifies the need for families to ensure they are well-protected in times of need.” 

Extended care costs can add up 
Pet insurance isn’t just for emergencies. Conditions like skin allergies and heart disease take multiple veterinary visits, tests and medications to treat. Sometimes those conditions may require extended care – and those costs can add up! 

For a list of the most common conditions that prompt veterinary visits and the costs associated with them, click here.  

No such thing as “one size fits all” 
Despite the rising costs of pet health care, many pet parents may be hesitant to purchase insurance given their economic situation. Nationwide has developed an option for those situations.  

“No two pets are alike and so ‘one-size-fits-all’ pet insurance plans don’t always make sense for every pet,” said Clarissa Klomparens, Nationwide’s Associate Vice President of Pet Product. “Nationwide developed our modular pet insurance product to allow pet families to customize the pet insurance plan to meet their particular needs.”  

Buy through your employer 
In addition to a mix of protection solutions available to fit the varying needs and budgets of general consumers, Nationwide offers a workplace product designed exclusively to be offered as a voluntary benefit. The voluntary benefit space continues to be a strong area of growth with many  Fortune 500 companies and thousands of organizations across the U.S. offering Nationwide pet health insurance as a voluntary benefit.  

Click here to find out if your company or membership group offers Nationwide pet insurance as a voluntary benefit.  

Prevention perks for your pet included 
Nationwide also offers other perks benefits like VetHelpline®, which offers Nationwide pet insurance members unlimited access to phone and video consultations with certified veterinary experts at no additional cost. Nationwide’s Pet HealthZone® is designed to help pet parents uncover the increased health risks their pet may face, along with lots of fun information about how to love and care for them. 

Also, Nationwide’s Pet RxExpress program gives members discounts on pet medications at Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies, as well as a 10% discount on all Petco veterinary services. 

“We believe pet parents should have the flexibility to choose the level of veterinary care that aligns with their resources, values, and the needs of their pets,” says Dr. Jules Benson, Nationwide’s Chief Veterinary Officer. “By offering services like Pet RxExpress, the VetHelpline, and the Pet HealthZone, we’re broadening opportunities to meet pet families where they are, offering simple, convenient ways to support their pets’ health and wellbeing.” 

Backed by the power of Nationwide 
When you purchase a Nationwide pet insurance policy, you’ll know that the product is backed by an insurance and financial services company that has been serving its customers for nearly 100 years. Nationwide has been a leading pet insurer since it started offering the product 40 years ago.  

“Despite the recent headwinds the pet insurance industry has been facing, Nationwide is unwavering in its commitment to our pet insurance customers and business,” said J.J. Pérez, Nationwide’s President of Corporate Solutions. “We will continue to take steps to help us navigate these challenges so we can deliver on our promise to provide exceptional service and extraordinary care for our partners, their customers and their pets – now and in the future.”

For more information about Nationwide pet insurance and to find a plan that works for you, visit www.petinsurance.com.