Top 5 Pet Insurance Comparison: Nationwide vs. Lemonade vs. Trupanion vs. Pet Plan vs. Healthy Paws

1. Petplan Pet Insurance 

Petplan is a leading pet health insurance provider in the United States and Canada the preferred provider of pet insurance for the American Animal Hospital Association and AARP members. For nearly 15 years, Petplan has set the gold standard for pet health insurance coverage as the first pet health insurance provider to offer a “Covered for Life” option and cover pets of any age without broad exclusions for hereditary and chronic conditions. 

Petplan has annual coverage limits of $2,500, $15,000, or unlimited. The lower the limit you select, the lower your monthly premium will be.

Petplan offers $250, $300, and $500 annual deductibles and 70%, 80%, and 90% reimbursements. The higher your deductible and the lower your reimbursement, the lower your monthly premium will be. The cost of each policy is unique to your pet and depends on many variables, including your pet’s age, breed, location, health conditions, and more. 

Click here to get a free quote.

Exam Period

Petplan requires vet exams to establish your pet’s baseline of health.

• Must occur within 6 months before or 30 days after enrollment for any age animal.

• If your pet hasn’t had a vet exam within 60 days prior to the policy’s effective date, any medical condition(s) observed or recorded during the next vet exam will be excluded from coverage.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Any condition that showed symptoms before the policy start date or during the applicable waiting period is considered pre-existing and will be disqualified from coverage. This is standard across all pet insurance plans.  

The good news is that Petplan will waive pre-existing limitations on any condition that has shown no clinical signs for at least 12 months. This is certainly beneficial, although many competitors advertise similar policies with curable exclusionary periods as short as six months.

Petplan Coverage

Waiting Periods

XL Specialty Insurance Company issues all new Petplan policies. Below are the waiting periods for these policies.

1. 15 days: Illnesses

2. 15 days: Accidents

3. 6 months: Cruciates and patellas

• Can be waived if a vet examines your pet within 30 days of policy issuance and the vet notes explicitly that there’s no indication of any knee problems. From Petplan’s policy: If your pet has received treatment or has shown clinical signs of a cruciate or soft tissue injury to one knee prior to the effective date of this policy or during the first 6 months of this policy, where no certificate of knee health has been provided as described in section V. h., then the other knee is automatically excluded from coverage.

4. 6 months: Hip dysplasia

Petplan Discounts and Promotions

Petplan Pros and Cons

Pros

• Healthy pet credit (15% discount for each consecutive 12-month policy period without a claim, up to 30% max discount).

• No lifetime or per condition claims limit.

• BBB rating: A+ (under its incorporated name, Fetch, Inc.).

• App available to submit claims via iOS and Android.

• Your pet is covered when they travel with you in the U.S. or Canada.

• Immediate 5% discount for those who purchase coverage online.

• Additional discounts for having a micro-chipped pet, having a medical service animal, and taking out policies for multiple pets.

• Petplan covers exam fees for sick visits, something that might not be available with other providers.

• Petplan pet insurance also has a solid app that allows you to make claims on your iOS or Android mobile device. 

• Flexibility is another benefit of Petplan coverage. There are three main tiers of coverage to choose from: bronze, silver, and gold. Various benefits are available depending on the level and coverage limit you select.

• Petplan insurance features additional coverage options depending on your plan. Options could include the cost of boarding your pet while you’re sick as well as reimbursing you for advertising a lost pet and paying a reward when your pet is found.

• You’ll also see claims paid relatively quickly, usually within a week.

Cons

• There have been some consumer Petplan pet insurance reviews that indicate dissatisfaction with recent premium increases. You have to be aware of these issues before you sign up.

• There are requirements you must fulfill in order for coverage to kick in, such as taking your pet to the vet within 48 hours of injury or illness.

• If you get Petplan dog insurance, you’re required to have regular health and dental check-ups—and these regular check-ups aren’t covered.

• You can’t get a wellness plan with Petplan insurance, so regular well visits are entirely out of pocket.

• Dogs must have annual health and dental check-ups for coverage to apply. Failure to do so may mean your dog won’t get insurance coverage until that checkup is done.

• Only covers CCL (ACL) on a second leg if the first leg remains healed for 12 months (if your pet received treatment for a cruciate or soft tissue injury to one knee before policy inception, then the other knee is automatically excluded).

• Sample quotes were higher than competitors.

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2. Nationwide 

Nationwide began in 1926 as a small mutual auto insurer owned by its policyholders. It has since grown to become one of the largest insurance companies in the world, offering home, auto, life, and pet insurance as well as retirement plans and specialty health services.

In 2009, Nationwide purchased Veterinary Pet Insurance Company and began offering pre-made pet insurance policies combined with wellness coverage plans for cats and dogs as well as pet insurance for birds and exotic animals.

Nationwide offers three different types of pet insurance options, all with a set $250 deductible and one with a set 90% reimbursement and no annual limit. The other two plans offer a set dollar amount of coverage per service, so you’ll know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.

Click here to get a free quote.

Cost: Fixed Plans With Higher Premiums 

Although Nationwide keeps things simple with pre-made policies that offer fixed coverage and reimbursement amounts, its premiums are on the high side.  

Coverage for a mixed-breed, medium-sized (31–50 lbs.), three-year-old, female dog with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible, and 90% reimbursement is priced as follows (all monthly):

• Major Medical: $28.42

• Major Medical with Wellness: $46.42

• Whole Pet with Wellness: $72.56

Coverage for a domestic longhair, one-year-old, male cat with unlimited annual coverage, a $250 deductible, and 90% reimbursement is priced as follows (all monthly):

• Major Medical: $12.89

• Major Medical with Wellness: $30.89

• Whole Pet with Wellness: $36.98

Both Major Medical with Wellness and Whole Pet with Wellness plans have defined annual benefits per condition.

Nationwide also offers a 5% discount when you insure two or more pets. This is a little less than many other insurers that offer a 10% discount for multiple pets or for each pet you add.  

Tips: Be sure to check your policy’s benefits schedule so you know exactly how much you’ll be reimbursed for each service.  

Pre-Existing Conditions 

Nationwide excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions as is typical with pet insurance policies. Additional exclusions are based on the type of policy you choose. 

For instance, Nationwide’s Major Medical plan doesn’t cover elective procedures, hereditary and congenital conditions, and most diagnostic tests. Whole Pet with Wellness has the fewest exclusions, however, covering most things besides grooming and boarding, cosmetic procedures, and food and supplements for health maintenance.

Nationwide Pet insurance Coverage

Unlike many other pet insurers that let you customize your policy, Nationwide offers a selection of just three plans, all with set deductibles, reimbursement amounts, and annual coverage limits.   

The company’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan comes with a $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement, and unlimited annual benefits. The Major Medical and Major Medical with Wellness plans also have a $250 deductible, but will only reimburse you for a set amount per incident for certain conditions as shown in this benefits schedule.

The following table shows which services and conditions are covered by each plan:

Wellness Coverage

With other pet insurance providers, coverage for preventive and routine care is available as a rider that can only be added to an existing policy. Nationwide, however, lets you purchase a standalone wellness plan without a pet insurance policy. 

Premiums for each plan are based on the type of pet, plan, and the state you live in. You will need to speak to an agent to get a quote and enroll in a wellness plan. 

Both plans offer a set amount of coverage per service as shown in the following table.

Waiting Periods

Nationwide enforces a 14-day waiting period on both injuries and illnesses, which means you won’t be eligible for reimbursement for any related treatments until two weeks after you start paying premiums. This is a pretty standard waiting period for illnesses, but it’s a long time to wait for accident coverage. Most competitors begin offering the latter two or three days after the policy start date. On a more positive note, owners who opt for a plan with wellness coverage can start taking advantage of preventive care benefits just 24 hours after the policy goes into effect.

• 14 days: Whole Pet with Wellness and Major Medical plans

• 24 hours: Pet Wellness plan

• 12 months: Cruciate ligament events

• 0-12 months: Hip dysplasia

Nationwide Discounts and Promotions

Pet owners can get an additional 5% discount on each policy for insuring two to three pets, or an additional 10% discount on each policy for insuring four or more pets.

Nationwide Pros and Cons

Pros

• Track claims in real-time online and submit them through your smartphone.

• Unlimited claim limits for Whole Pet with Wellness plans.

• One of the only pet health insurance companies to offer exotic pet insurance.

• BBB rating: A+.

• Optional wellness plan (not available in all states), must be purchased in conjunction with pet insurance.

• 5% multi-pet discount for 2-3 pets (10% for 4 or more pets).

• Covers your pet if they travel outside the U.S. with you.

Cons

• High number of complaints overall (finding negative reviews is not difficult).

• 12-month waiting period for CCL (ACL) surgery for Major Medical plan.

• Major Medical Plan has annual limits per condition.

• $2 transaction fee for monthly payment.

• Allows 30 days for claim repayment.

• Age restrictions for pets older than 10 years old.

3. Lemonade

Lemonade is an insurance provider that offers home, renters and pet insurance. Lemonade pet insurance covers a variety of accidents and illnesses, with optional coverage for preventive care. 

Lemonade offers affordable pet insurance for dogs and cats using chatbot technology that can quickly build policies and handle most simple claims. The company also keeps a flat percentage of customer premiums, setting aside the remainder to pay claims and give back to charitable causes. This low-risk business model ensures Lemonade’s profitability and lets it offer some of the lowest rates we’ve seen so far. 

The company offers two add-on coverages: the Preventative and Wellness package covers the costs of wellness exams, heartworm tests, vaccines and other routine services, and the Extended Accident and Illness package covers things like physical therapy and acupuncture.

Lemonade offers flexible annual limits at $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and $100,000. There are no lifetime limits. You can choose deductibles of either $100, $250, or $500. You also have three reimbursement options: 70%, 80%, or 90%. Individual premium prices are based on age, breed, and location. 

Click here to get a free quote.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Like all pet insurers, Lemonade won’t cover any pre-existing conditions that appear before you purchase coverage or during a waiting period. A common misconception is that conditions are only considered pre-existing if a vet officially diagnoses them before the policy start date, but this isn’t the case. Conditions can be labeled pre-existing even if your pet simply showed symptoms before coverage was effective.

Lemonade Pet Insurance Coverage

Waiting Periods

As will all forms of medical insurance, there’s a brief waiting-period before coverage activates. Here’s how this breaks down:

• 2 days for accidents.

• 14 days for illnesses.

• 60 days for cruciate ligament events.

• 14 days for Hip dysplasia.

Lemonade’s waiting period page does a great job of explaining why waiting periods, in general, are important for insurance companies. Without waiting periods, somebody could take their dog to the ER, buy insurance in the waiting room for $10, and then bill Lemonade for $10,000 when their dog comes out. Then, if they’re really malevolent, they can cancel their policy. 

Lemonade Pet Insurance Discounts 

This feature is more common among pet insurance companies but worth mentioning nonetheless. Lemonade offers a 10% discount if you insure your home with Lemonade. 

Lemonade Pros and Cons

Pros

• 10% bundling discount.
  

• Annual deductible (not per incident).

• No lifetime limits on any plan.

• Wellness coverage available as an add-on.

• Easy to submit claims on mobile apps.

• Coverage available for pets aged 8 weeks to 20+ years (depending on breed).

• BBB rating: B+ (with a high average of 4.25/5 stars for customer reviews).

• Astonishingly low rates — With premiums starting at just $10 per month for pretty good coverage, Lemonade’s rates for pet insurance simply can’t be beat. Even if you’d like to cover your cat or dog for everything but the kitchen sink up to $100,000, you’ll barely be paying more than $50 per month: roughly the industry average.

• Instant claims payout — After uploading their claim and vet bill through the app, a third of Lemonade users receive their reimbursement instantly.

• Six-figure annual limits — Lemonade offers annual limits up to a whopping $100,000 for just a small increase in your monthly premiums. This could be a great option for you if you want 100% peace of mind that your pet’s medical needs won’t bankrupt you.

• Supports charitable causes — Across all of their insurance products, Lemonade will keep at least 20% of the premiums for itself (to stay afloat) and donate most of the rest to the charities of its customers’ choosing.

Cons

• No multi-pet discount.

• Vet exams for accidents and illnesses only covered in extended add-on plan.

• Must pay extra for physical therapy, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy coverage.

• Only available in 33 states and DC — As of November 2020, Lemonade is only available in the following states: AL, AZ, AR, CA, CT, DC, GA, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MS, MO, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PN, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WI. 

• Older pets may not qualify — Presumably, to keep premiums low for everyone else, Lemonade may not cover dogs and cats over the ages of seven and ten, respectively.

• No exotic pet insurance — If you’re looking to insure a pet that isn’t a cat or a dog, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

• No dental or behavioral coverage — All pets need good dental care, so it’s disappointing that Lemonade doesn’t cover it (yet). If your pet currently has or is genetically predisposed to have behavioral issues, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for treatment.

4. Trupanion

Trupanion Pet Insurance provides “medical insurance for the life of your pet” with any veterinarian in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Trupanion pet insurance covers 90% of customers’ vet bills for their dogs and cats, with no maximum payout limits. It sets lifetime deductibles for every condition, so there is no need to reach a new deductible every year for long-term conditions. Trupanion also pays veterinarians directly, simplifying the process for consumers. Though many consumers are unhappy with their high premiums, the broad coverage justifies the cost for many pet owners.

Trupanion has a set 90% reimbursement with the option of a $0 to $1,000 deductible and unlimited annual limit. Trupanion dog insurance costs between $36 and $100 per month for most breeds, and Trupanion cat insurance costs between $23 and $57 per month. 

The cost of each policy is unique to your pet and depends on many variables, including your pet’s age, breed, location, health conditions, and more.

Click here to get a free quote.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Virtually no pet insurer covers pre-existing conditions, so it’s no surprise that these are excluded. Trupanion defines a pre-existing condition as one that appeared in the 18 months prior to the policy enrollment or during the applicable waiting period. This also applies to events that occurred before benefits went into effect. For example, if your dog is in an accident before the policy start date, but doesn’t show signs of an injury until several weeks later once you’re insured, the injury won’t be eligible for reimbursement.

Ttrupanion Pet Insurance Coverage

NOTE: This plan is not available for new enrollments in Florida. See policy for details.

Waiting Periods

• 30 days: Illnesses

• 5 days: Accidents

• 30 days: Cruciate ligament events and hip dysplasia

Trupanion enforces a waiting period of five days for injuries and 30 days for illnesses, which are a bit longer than we see from other pet insurers. This means that, upon signing up for a policy, you’ll have to wait this amount of time (while paying premiums) before you can use any of the benefits. The good news is that orthopedic conditions, upon which many providers place a six-month waiting period, are covered as soon as the 30-day waiting period is up.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Discounts 

There are no discounts for Trupanion as of press time. Their policy is to offer low premiums across the board instead of raising rates and granting discounts.

Trupanion Pros and Cons

Pros

• 90% reimbursement with no payout limits.

• Offers optional benefits for additional expenses that cover acupuncture, physical therapy, hydrotherapy and behavioral modification training and therapy.

• Hip dysplasia has no age restrictions (but 30-day waiting period).

• BBB rating: A-.

• 30-day money-back guarantee.

• Pet is covered in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

• Offers enrollment from birth.

• No annual coverage limits.

• Direct payment to veterinarians.
  

• With the Additional Benefits package, you get a unique feature called third property damage, which covers any unintentional property damage your pet may cause.

Cons

• Few customization options.

• Preventive care not available.

• Quotes tend to be among the most expensive compared to competitors.

• One time $35 administration fee ($25 in WA and $0 in MD and MI).

• Policies have 30-day waiting period for illnesses (industry average is 14).

• Allows up to a 20% increase on premiums from year to year (based on the state you live in).

• Pets aren't eligible for enrollment after 14th birthday.

• No wellness plan.

• Doesn't cover exam fees.

• No multi-pet discount.

• Claim repayment is within 60 days (but averages 14 days).

5. Healthy Paws

Founded in 2009, Healthy Paws offers low-priced pet insurance to ensure that dog and cat owners can afford to care for their sick or injured pets. The company offers unlimited lifetime coverage, a choice of deductibles and reimbursements, and a quick and easy way to submit claims.   

In addition to selling insurance policies, Healthy Paws remains highly involved in various charitable efforts. For example, the company makes a donation to its Every Quote Gives Hope medical grant program every time someone gets an online quote. The grant benefits hundreds of shelters and rescues across the United States.

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance offers one type of plan, which keeps the application process simple for customers who need standard coverage. Customers can submit claims online or using the company's mobile app, and it responds to 99 percent of claims within two days.

The Healthy Paws Pet Insurance cost for monthly premiums starts at $15 for cats and $20 for dogs, but the average monthly premium is around $30. Healthy Paws reimburses up to 90% of your bill and provides three deductible options: $100, $250 or $500. The main factors that determine your pet insurance rates are where you live, your plan's deductible, the type of animal you're insuring and its age and breed.

Click here to get a free quote.

Is Your Dog Eligible For Healthy Paws?

All dog breeds are eligible for Healthy Paws’ no-caps-on-claim payouts. Dogs between the ages of 8 weeks and 14 years* are eligible to enroll, and your dog has coverage for the policy’s lifetime.

Healthy Paws has some restrictions on reimbursement and annual deductible amounts depending on your pet’s age at enrollment.

Dogs and cats 5 years and under:

• 90%, 80%, and 70% reimbursement

• $100, $250, and $500 deductible

Dogs and cats 6 and 7 years old:

• 80%, 70%, or 60% reimbursement

• $250, $500, or $750 deductible

Dogs 8 years and older: 

• 50% or 60% reimbursement

• $750 or $1,000 deductible

Pets older than 4 years old aren’t eligible for enrollment in New York.

Exam Period

Healthy Paws requires an enrollment exam for all pets:

• Dogs younger than 6 years old must have visited the vet in the last 12 months or go within 15 days of policy issuance.

• Dogs older than 6 years old must have been to the vet in the last 30 days or go within 15 days of policy issuance.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Healthy Paws offers the standard coverage exclusions for pre-existing conditions as well as the following services. It’s important to note that you will need to pay for any exam and office visit fees out of pocket since they aren’t covered by your policy.

• Wellness and preventative care

• Examination fees

• Dental healthcare

• Spaying and neutering

• Cosmetic or elective procedures

• Injury or illness due to any intentional or neglectful act

• Behavioral treatment

• Non-FDA treatment or supplements

• Breeding or conditions relating to breeding

• Experimental or investigational treatment or medicine

• Pet diets

• Daycare/boarding

Healthy Paws will also cover certain dental procedures related to injuries, such as a chipped tooth, extraction, and reconstruction of damaged teeth. However, dental cleanings and extractions due to decay are not covered.

Healthy Paws Coverage

Waiting Periods

• 15 days: Illnesses

• 15 days: Accidents

• 15 days: Cruciate ligament events (bilateral exclusion for pre-existing cruciate ligament injuries and lameness)

• 12 months: Hip dysplasia

Coverage for injuries and illnesses doesn’t begin until 15 days after you start paying premiums, which means you’ll be on your own until this time has passed. Some specific conditions aren’t covered until much later. For example, symptoms of hip dysplasia are considered pre-existing until an entire year after you begin your policy.

Healthy Paws Pros and Cons

Pros

• Unlimited lifetime coverage so no annual or per incident limits on claims.

• Claim repayment averages 2 days (direct deposit or check reimbursement).

• Good CCL (ACL) coverage.

• Your pet is covered when they travel with you in the U.S. or Canada (up to 3 months).

• High customer satisfaction.

• Easy to submit a claim on the Healthy Paws app for quick claim reimbursement.

• BBB rating: A+.

• Great email response time.

Cons

• Veterinary exam fee and behavioral therapies are not covered.

• 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia.

• Pets enrolled after age 6 aren't eligible for hip dysplasia coverage (MD doesn't have this age limitation).

• 15-day waiting period for accidents is longer than the competition.

• No wellness plan.

• Charges a one-time $25 fee in some states.

• Can't enroll pets over 4 years old in NY.

• Pets older than 8 years old are restricted to specific limits.

• Plans aren't as customizable as competitors (can't select a lower annual claim limit than unlimited to reduce your monthly premium).

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