Thumbs up for Nationwide pet insurance

[MightyThor]

I've had pet insurance for both of my boys since they came home at 8 weeks old. I have had a benefit through work, where I can pay for Nationwide via paycheck deduction at a much lower cost than any other pet insurance I researched. I can't remember what company it was when I signed up, but Nationwide acquired them a few years ago.

Sometimes I look at that monthly deduction and wonder if it's worth it, or if I should just stash it away in a 'self-insure' situation. I have never had to take Thor to the vet for anything other than regular checkups, vaccinations, and his neutering. But, he's a lab and I'll always worry about future issues with joints or the many other issues that can come in old age. I can keep my cost low since he's been insured since he was 8 weeks old, but if I discontinue the coverage it would cost more to put him back on later.

When we got Barley I added him to the plan (luckily with another 'second dog' discount'). Oh boy he has paid for himself *and* Thor's premiums this year. I've posted about all of his random issues - allergic reactions (hives), fractured tooth that needed extraction. Just the other day I let him out for less than 30 seconds to pee and he came back with a scratch across his face. I can't trust that boy out of my sight at ALL - if there is trouble he will find it. I keep joking that he will look like a retired hockey player by the time he's two years old.

Anyways, when he had his allergy issues back in January I didn't bother submitting it to Nationwide since the cost was just a few dollars more than our deductible. When he ended up needing to have his fractured tooth extracted I called Nationwide and asked how long I have to submit a claim, and they said I can do it anytime, as long as he was covered at the time.

So I submitted the old bills from January along with all of his tooth extraction bills (including the separate initial vet visit fee) and they had everything approved and a check mailed out within a week. One thing I was worried about was how my vet billed the extraction. They have a flat rate for a sedated tooth cleaning, and it was much cheaper to do the tooth cleaning + extraction than it would be to do the extraction only with everything billed individually (like the meds, fluids, anesthesia, etc). I figured why not? It's cheaper and he gets a cleaning. Problem is that insurance doesn't cover routine cleanings. Nationwide worked with me and my vet to approve the invoice, instead of fighting it. It was in their best interest since it was ~$200 cheaper than just doing the extraction.

Overall a positive experience. Hopefully I don't have to use them much, but I'm sure Barley will find a way to make my premiums with it!

[voodoo]

great to hear. chili has trupanion at 35/mo but when called to add ziti they said it would be more than chili since rates have gone up since 6 yrs ago. going to vet this week and see what all he has to say about ziti. trupanion said they would add ziti on chili's acct so I would have 1 policy for both dogs...just not sure if thats best yet. I know lots of great dog insurance companies...

[bmathers]

That’s awesome that you like your coverage. And it’s good to hear they were flexible about that tooth claim.

With Diggity, I ended up going with Healthy Paws insurance and have been happy with them as well.

One thing I always wondered...I know it is more expensive to get pet insurance if your dog is older. I wonder if you have had pet insurance since they were a puppy and you switch to another company, do they still charge you a higher rate? Not that I am going to switch, but I always wondered how that works. Wondering if you are totally locked in to the first company you go with if you want to keep the lowest rates?


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[ccetta]

We have Nationwide also through payroll deduction. I believe Nationwide bought VPI. Lucy is now 9 and I am so glad we kept up with the insurance, it is paying off now with her hip dysplacia and adequan injections. I looked at those premiums and also wondered if I should just cancel & save the premiums in a Lucy account for vet bills because for most years, she just had vaccinations, flea & tic meds & exams but I kept thinking about all the issues a senior dog can have. Glad I kept the coverage, Lucy's recent adequan injections were $468, Nationwide paid $413 (I had already reached the deductible with her exams, xrays, etc).

[barry581]

I've had insurance on Sophie for about 7 years now, she's with Petplan and her premium has gone up a couple bucks every year. I lower the coverages a bit last year to keep it reasonable, about $600 per year. Brooks is insured with Health Paws since he was 8 weeks old, and his has gone up a little bit each year too. I've never needed to make a claim on either dog (knock on wood) and I hope I never have to.