Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion

Nationwide was the first company to sell a pet insurance plan in the U.S. when they issued a policy for Lassie in 1982. Trupanion started in 2000 with a simple plan designed to change the American pet insurance market. Today Nationwide and Trupanion are the two biggest pet insurance companies in America. Compare the two side-by-side and decide which is the best option for your dog or cat.


Price:	Get a Quote	Get a Quote
Overall Rating:
Total Reviews:	71,764	9,596
Deductible:	$100, $250, or $500	$0 - $1,000
Reimbursement:	50%, 70%, or 80%	90%
Annual Limit:	$10,000 - Unlimited	Unlimited
Company Profile:	Company Overview	Company Overview
Waiting Period for Accidents:	14 Days	5 days
Waiting Period for Illnesses:	14 Days	30 days
Waiting Period for Orthopedic Coverage:	14 Days*	30 days
Emergency Care:	Included	Included
Accidents:	Included	Included
Illnesses:	Included	Included
Cancer Coverage:	Included	Included
Orthopedic Issues:	Included	Included
Hereditary Conditions:	Included	Included
Chronic Conditions:	Included	Included
Prescription Meds:	Included	Included
Wellness Coverage:	Optional	Excluded
Vet Restrictions:	None	None

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Nationwide vs. Trupanion

Nationwide and Trupanion are two of the largest pet insurance providers in the market today. Nationwide holds recognition as the first pet insurance company in the US. Trupanion was founded in 2000 and is a publicly-traded company worth over $1 billion. When seeking pet insurance for a cat or dog—both of these insurers can be a good choice.

Bird & exotic pet insurance is also available through Nationwide.

Coverage Comparison

Both Nationwide and Trupanion offer emergency care coverage. The wait period for accidents/injuries is only five days with Trupanion versus 14 days with Nationwide.

You can upgrade your coverage by paying a slightly higher premium.

With Nationwide, you have the choice of three different plans. “Whole Pet with Wellness” is their comprehensive insurance plan which provides full coverage for a large range of expenses. “Major Medical” provides partial or full coverage for most common expenses. “Pet Wellness” only provides coverage for a handful of expenses.

With Trupanion, you can opt into their plan add-on called “Recovery and Complementary Care Rider coverage”. This supplementary insurance helps cover costs related to medical and surgical therapies, such as acupuncture, behavioral modification, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and more. Trupanion does not cover exam fees, “wellness care” or taxes.

Price Comparison

Pet insurance plans from Nationwide run an average cost of $39 to $65 per month. Every claim with Nationwide has a deductible but there is a $250 cap. With Trupanion, plans run an average of $68/month for dogs and $59/month for cats. The deductible with Trupanion can run anywhere from $0 to $1,000 which is a wider range. In cases where the expense is claimable under either policy, Nationwide’s plan will be more affordable.

Conclusion

Ultimately, both plans provide similar coverage. The wait time is less with Nationwide than what you will experience with Trupanion which does give them an edge. But, Trupanion’s five-star rating is a mile ahead of Nationwide’s 3.9 rating. With a long history of highly-satisfied customers, it might be the more confident option.

Not sure which to choose? Get a quote and go from there!

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Nationwide Pet Insurance Enrollment Requirements

*Diagnosis or treatment of cruciate ligament or meniscus damage or rupture that occurs during the first 12 (twelve) calendar months that your pet is insured by us. You must maintain continuous coverage for your pet with us in order to avoid another twelve (12) month waiting period.

Six weeks minimum age and 10 years maximum for enrollment (includes lifetime coverage). A physical exam must have been completed within 12 months prior to enrollment.

Trupanion Pet Insurance Enrollment Requirements

Trupanion Enrollment Requirements

You must provide all medical history and records associated with your pet. You also authorize Trupanion to contact any and all veterinary clinics or hospitals in your area to obtain all available medical records that exist for your pet. Trupanion allows pets to enroll from the time of birth to their 14th birthday.