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Compare Healthy Paws vs. Nationwide Pet Insurance

What’s the difference between Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Nationwide Pet Insurance? See how our editors compare the two companies below.
Last Updated: March 17, 2025
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
4.4 / 5 - Excellent
#1 in Pet Insurance
Nationwide Pet Insurance
4.3 / 5 - Excellent
no_rank
vs

Key Facts

Rated "Best Choice Overall" by Mashable

  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days
  • Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
  • First and largest pet insurer in the US
  • Whole Pet & Wellness Plan covers spay/neuter
  • 24/7 vethelpline access
  • Discounts available on home and auto
  • Insurers most birds and exotic pets!
  • $250 annual deductible with Unlimited Claims
  • ​Covers congenital and hereditary conditions

OVERALL RATINGS

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Coverage4.5/55.0/5
Cost4.0/53.0/5
Extras4.0/54.0/5

What do their policies cover?

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Dogs
Cats
Birds
Exotic Animals
Coverage Types
Medical
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

Healthy Paws
vs
Nationwide
  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

Healthy Paws
vs
Nationwide
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

How do their benefit limits compare?

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductible Differences

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Actual Cost
Benefit Schedule
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
70%
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%
90%
 Healthy PawsNationwide
Deductible Type
Annual
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$500
$250

Cost Comparison

Starting Monthly Premiums

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$32.83
$34.25
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$17.19
$18.84
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $500, Benefit Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: 70% of Annual Cost
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $250, Benefits Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: Benefits Schedule
Available Discounts:
Available Discounts: 5% discount on current Nationwide member

Compare Enrollment & Waiting Periods

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Min Enrollment Age
8 weeks
6 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
14 years
10 years
Accident Waiting Period
15 days
14 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
15 days
14 days
Free Look Period
30 days
10 days

Claims & Service

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Advertised Response Time
3 days
14 days
Claim Form
Email
Fax
Online Portal
Mobile App
Mail
Email
Fax

Company Disclaimers


Contact & Additional Information

 Healthy PawsNationwide
Homepage URL
Headquarters Address
11120 NE 33rd Place, Bellevue, WA, 98004
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH, 43215
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 50034, Bellevue, WA, 98105
P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA, 92822
Year Founded
2009
1981

Final Verdict

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance has a higher overall rating than Nationwide Pet Insurance. Healthy Paws scores better than Nationwide across: Cost, Reviews, and Enrollment. However, Nationwide scores better on Coverage, Benefit Limits, Deductibles, and Reimbursement. Both companies score similarly on Extras.


Customer Comments & Reviews

ajcav230

3/17/2025
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review
🐾 A Heartfelt Thank You to Willow Grace Veterinary Hospital in Middletown DE and Pinnacle Veterinary Specialists in Glen Mills, PA 🐾 This past Sunday was incredibly tough for us. Gus was in severe pain, trembling and barely walking. Having seen something similar before, we rushed him to Willow Grace. The amazing staff there suspected it was a back issue again, but thankfully, not as severe as before. However, by Monday night, things took a turn for the worse. Gus could no longer use his back legs, was crying in pain, and we felt absolutely helpless. After a quick call Tuesday morning, the compassionate team at Willow Grace swiftly got us an appointment with a neurological specialist at Pinnacle Vet. The staff at Pinnacle Vet were incredible. After examining Gus, they confirmed he had a herniated disc in his lower spine. Faced with a very hard decision, we were overwhelmed by their support and kindness. The MRI alone was $3,500 and surgery was estimated between $8,000 and $10,000. Thankfully, when we adopted Gus, we also got pet insurance through Healthy Paws. Reaching out to them, we were met with some of the most understanding and supportive people. We are beyond grateful that our policy covered 80% of the expenses. On Tuesday, Gus underwent emergency surgery and we’re relieved to share that it was a success! He was released today and is now resting at home. The next 6 weeks will be challenging, but he's already showing signs of improvement. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this experience, it’s this: pet insurance is absolutely worth it. It made what would have been a hard decision easier, and we couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who helped us get through this. So many friends have said they always thought about getting the pet insurance but never followed through. Do yourself the favor, get the insurance. Thank you again to the incredible teams at Willow Grace, Pinnacle Vet, and Healthy Paws for your compassion and expertise. You’ve given our boy a second chance, and for that, we are eternally grateful.


1sherry.shapiro

3/17/2025
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review
My dog was attacked by a pit bull and had several serious wounds. She required several hours of surgery but is now almost fully recovered. I had not needed to use my Healthy Paws insurance before this incident and was dreading seeing the response from my several page invoice from the wound care pet hospital. To my surprise within a short time my bill was reviewed and paid without questions to my full coverage. It was quite a relief when my focus was on my pet. My emails and calls to make sure I had submitted correctly were all handled with personal care and compassion. I highly recommend Healthy Paws as your choice for pet insurance.


jcip25605

6/14/2022
Nationwide Pet Insurance review
We have dealt with Nationwide Pet Insurance since 1992. They have always been there for our 2 Shih-Tzu's, Cleo and Bella. We had to euthanize Bella last month due to many medical problems. I called Nationwide and explained our situation. They offered condolences and said to send in the final bills. They paid them within 2 weeks. A few days later, they mailed us a check for the remainder of her policy, which was paid for the year. They also enclosed a message of condolences with the check. Thank you Nationwide!


ssrucker

1/28/2022
Nationwide Pet Insurance review
I have the wellness+ injury/illness which covers everything. My experience with Nationwide has been very good. They pay the claims within 30 days. My dog has to have regular teeth cleaning with occasional extractions due to gingivitis and has been covered. I've had the insurance for about 5 years now and they have never denied a claim. They raise their rates every year though and I had to go from a 90% reimbursement to a 70% reimbursement for affordability. And this year I may need to raise my deductible. I chose a $250 deductible with unlimited coverage. The Vet help line has been useful only 2 times in the last 4 years though. But the last time I had to call, I was given good and helpful information to help my pet. I would recommend Nationwide based on my experience with them. I give a 4 star and not 5 stars because of the rate increase every year. But their coverage in my case has been 5 stars.


T
Tina A

4/17/2015
Nationwide Pet Insurance review
I have had my insurance for a couple of years for my dog. I was thinking of canceling it because I didn't use it. Luckily, I didn't, my dog was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and the cost were huge. I turned my claim into VPI and they paid all but $250.00 of it. Wow!! Not only that but, I was paid with each claim in less than 14 days. Very convenient you can follow your claim on thier website. Thank you VPI. It was worth every penny I paid into it.


C
CJ M

2/7/2015
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review
Regarding the online quoting system + let me include multiple pets on same quote - can't figure out how to pay an annual amount rather than monthly - they add $25 to the first payment for account set up =deal breaker


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Lori S

1/17/2015
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance review
I've not actually had my pets covered under this insurer, but they are among the ones I obtained quotes from while shopping around. I have 2 cats; a 4 yr old male & a 12 yr old female. The female is actually in better health than the male, with his frequent UTIs, however because she is over 8 yrs old the best plan they will give me is a $500 deductible & 70% reimbursement, with various limitations. And at the same rate as the comprehensive plan for my male, which has a $100 deductible & reimburses at 90%.


J
Jean H

1/6/2015
Nationwide Pet Insurance review
I think your review is really unfair to VPI. I had VPI when I owned a very ill great dane and they paid out more than they would have recouped if the dog had lived 10 years. I currently have Pet Plan because of all the GLOWING reviews that I had read and am on the verge of dropping them because I'm paying more for their coverage than I did with VPI and they have NEVER paid out a SINGLE DIME! Not even for an animal attack. With Pet Plan, you are banking on your dog getting some hereditary illness later in life that will be costly, but the day to day costs of owning a pet? Forget it. I'm going back to VPI.