Maintaining your pet in good health is an essential part of taking care of it. But, no matter whether your fur friend prefers long walks in a park or loves playing at home, there are tons of dangers that can cause expensive veterinary bills.
A Pet insurance policy is a great help in such situations as it provides relief from unexpected costs and ensures your pets will get the necessary care. The list of pet insurance providers is quite long, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
Luckily, there’s Healthy Paws and Nationwide pet insurance which are among the most impressive options today. Even though they both come with interesting advantages, choosing between the two can be hard.
If you are interested in finding the best pet insurance for your pet, keep reading and learn all about Healthy Paws and Nationwide pet insurance providers!
Healthy Paws Overview: Pros & Cons
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance is known and loved by pet owners for its affordability and coverage. Its customization plans have turned Healthy Paws into a hit among pet owners. Licensed to offer pet insurance for cats and dogs in all U.S states, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance is well known for its pros as well as its limitations, which are the driving force of this company. Check the pros and cons of Health Paws:
Pros
- Easily customizable
- Fast payment times
- Great reputation
- Quick turnaround on claims
- Offers unlimited per-incident, annual, and lifetime coverage
- Provides preventive care specifically for kittens and puppies
Cons
- $25 one-time enrollment fee
- No exotic pets
Pet owners can easily get in touch with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance as it has one of the best customer services in this industry. Its kind customer support agents are ready to help 24/7 from Monday to Sunday, which is a huge plus for this pet insurance provider.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Overview: Pros & Cons
Nationwide Pet Insurance is equally good as Healthy Paws. It is a popular insurer that provides premade policies that are simple to use and have high coverage. With over 90 years of experience in the insurance industry and more than 12 years in the pet insurance industry, Nationwide is the best insurer for exotic pets, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles, or cats and dogs with pre-existing conditions.
Attached to an endless list of benefits and just a few limitations, Nationwide is a helping hand for thousands of US families with pets. Here are some of the Nationwide pet insurance pros and cons:
Pros
- Impressive coverage
- Simple to use
- 24/7 vet helpline
- Exotic pet coverage
Cons
- Not customizable
- Expensive
Nationwide pet insurance is always available for its customers. You can get in touch with Nationwide via email and phone, from Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. This company also has a 24/7 vet helpline for urgent and general health concerns about your furry friend.
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Policies
Healthy Paws and Nationwide Pet Insurance policies vary according to your pet’s breed, age, and location. That’s why you must visit their official websites to find the policy that best matches your pet’s needs.
Healthy Paws comes with only 1 policy, but Nationwide has 3 policies:
- Major Medical
- Major Medical with Wellness Plan
- Whole Pet Wellness Plan
Before you select the pet insurer, you need to learn what exactly do their policies cover. Although Nationwide offers 3 different policies, if you don’t have its top-tier policy, vaccines and wellness visits won’t be included.
The winner in this category, Nationwide pet insurance vs Healthy paws policy, is Healthy Paws.
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Enrollment & Waiting Period
Both Healthy Paws and Nationwide have similar enrollment and waiting periods. Healthy Paws pet insurance has a 15-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses, while Nationwide pet insurance has a 14-day waiting period before the coverage is in effect.
Although both pet insurers have longer waiting periods for other health problems, Healthy Paws per insurance doesn’t cover hip dysplasia in pets older than 6. It means that if you own a pet that has a predisposition for hip dysplasia, you should go with Nationwide.
Conversely, in case you are a parent to a pet that is prone to knee and ligament injuries, then Healthy Paws is a better option than Nationwide because Nationwide has a waiting period of 12 months for these injuries.
Nationwide pet insurance has more attractive benefits when compared to Healthy Paws, because Healthy Paws insurance doesn’t cover vet exam and behavioral therapy expenses, and they don’t offer routine care and wellness plan. However, cognitional and hereditary conditions are covered only with the most expensive plans.
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Cost Comparison
When it comes to Nationwide and Healthy Paws pet insurance cost comparison, we must note that there is a huge difference in cost. Namely, Nationwide’s pet wellness coverage costs more than Healthy Paws accidents and illness insurance. However, you shouldn’t forget that Healthy Paws insurance doesn’t offer coverage for wellness and routine veterinary care. This pet insurance provider doesn’t offer coverage for diseases and dental surgeries either, while Nationwide offers all of them.
Healthy Paws pet insurance cost starts at $24 for dogs and $14 for cats. The price depends on your pet’s breed and age. Policies for pets that are older than 6 years offer reimbursement rates that range between 50% and 70%, and annual deductibles between $500 and $1,000.
Nationwide pet insurance costs more than Health Paws and depending on your pet’s location, breed, and age, its monthly premiums start at $22 for major medical without wellness coverage. The Whole pet insurance with wellness starts at $64.
The winner in this category is Health Paws.
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Reimbursement & Deductible
Except for the price of pet insurance, deductibles and reimbursement amount are also related to your pet’s breed and location, as well as its age and health history. Unlike Nationwide whose wellness plan has $250 deductibles, Healthy Paws comes with 5 deductible options:
- $100
- $250
- $500
- $750
- $1,000
Reimbursement amounts in both insurance providers are similar. Healthy Paws pet insurance reimbursements vary between 50% and 90%, but the most common ones are 70% and 80%. Nationwide pet insurance has 3 reimbursement options 50%, 70%, and 90%.
The winner in this category is Health Paws as it provides more deductible and reimbursement options.ellness
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Coverage
Healthy Paws is simple to use as it offers only one pet insurance plan with a policy that covers both illnesses and accidents. This comprehensive Healthy Paws pet insurance coverage includes:
- Accidents like broken bones, sprains, and poisonings;
- Illnesses such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, and stomach problems;
- Hereditary conditions include elbow dysplasia and IVDD;
- Congenital conditions like Cherry Eye;
- Alternative therapies such as chiropractic treatment and acupuncture;
- Specialty and emergency care;
- Hospitalizations;
- Cancer testing and treatment;
- Ultrasounds, blood tests, and X-rays;
- Prescription medications;
- Surgery.
Unlike Health Paws, Nationwide pet insurance offers a variety of insurance policies for pets to choose from. It Major Medical pet insurance plan covers:
- Illnesses and accidents;
- Cancer;
- Some hereditary conditions.
Nationwide Major Medical with Wellness Plans covers:
- Accidents and illness;
- Chronic conditions;
- Surgeries and hospitalization;
- Some hereditary conditions;
- Cancer;
- Prescriptions;
- Vaccinations;
- Wellness exams and tests;
- Heartworm and flea prevention.
The whole Pet Wellness plan is the most comprehensive Nationwide pet insurance coverage and includes:
- Vaccinations and wellness exams;
- Accidents such as sprains, ACL ruptures, and poisonings;
- Common illnesses like ear infections, diarrhea, and vomiting;
- Serious illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease;
- Chronic conditions like skin conditions, allergies, and arthritis;
- Hereditary conditions include eye disorder, a blood disorder, and hip dysplasia;
- Diagnostics and testing such as blood tests, ultrasounds, MRIs, and X-rays;
- Holistic therapy like acupuncture, laser therapy, and chiropractic care;
- Procedures such as chemotherapy and surgeries;
- Heartworm and flea prevention.
Other benefits that Nationwide provides are trendily scaled-down plans which are created to cover expenses like testing and diagnostic, surgeries, prescriptions, hospitalization, as well as chronic and hereditary conditions.
A vast plus for Nationwide pet insurance is that while Health Paws offers insurance only for cats and dogs, Nationwide provides coverage for exotic animals, including chinchillas, goats, geckos, potbellied pigs, iguanas, hamsters, snakes, turtles, and birds.
With a rich selection of plans and coverage, Nationwide is the winner in this category.
Healthy Paws vs Nationwide Pet Insurance: Claims & Service
Healthy Paws has created a simple, fast claim process, so the standard claim form became a history for Healthy Paws customers. To submit a Healthy Paws pet insurance claim, pet owners only need to upload their vet invoice online.
More precisely, once you visit a licensed vet in the US or emergency clinic, you need to take a photo of the bill issued by the vet and submit it using the Healthy Paws Mobile App or via the official Health Paws website. You will get your money back within 2 days, as the claim process is very fast!
Nationwide pet insurance comes with a few different ways for a customer to file claims. Pet owners have to log into their Nationwide accounts to submit a claim directly using their smartphone or computer. So, you need to take a picture of your invoice using your phone. The Nationwide website contains the PDF claim form, so you can also download it and submit it via snail mail, fax, or email.
Another benefit that Nationwide pet insurance offers to its policyholders is that the company has access to Pet Rx Express. It means that you can get preferred pricing on your pet prescriptions at any Sam’s Club or Walmart pharmacy. So, you have an option to process the prescription pet insurance claim while you are at the pharmacy, as well.
Unlike Healthy Paws, which processes most of their claims in just 2 days, a Nationwide pet insurance claim needs up to 30 days, even though most of their claims are processed within 4 days.
Conclusion: Which One is the best?
Both Healthy Paws and Nationwide are excellent pet insurers. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance wins most categories in the Nationwide vs Healthy Paws comparison, so it is a better option for cats and dogs. It is more affordable and easier to use, and it is ideal for those who don’t need preventive care or additional coverage.
Pet parents who take care of a bird or other exotic animals, or those who need additional coverage, should pick Nationwide Pet Insurance. However, they must be aware that in Nationwide pet insurance congenital and hereditary conditions are covered only under the most expensive plan. Ligament injuries and some hereditary conditions are covered after a 12-month waiting period.
