When selecting the finest pet insurance coverage in your furry pal, two outstanding names typically come up are Figo and Nationwide Pet Insurance coverage. Each corporations provide complete protection choices designed to supply peace of thoughts in case of surprising veterinary prices. Nonetheless, they differ in a number of key areas, resembling coverage choices, protection and exclusions, and total worth. Figo, recognized for its aggressive charges, supplies extra complete dental protection and customizable plans, whereas Nationwide, a longstanding supplier within the insurance coverage world, affords a singular profit schedule type plan and protection for birds, rabbits, and reptiles. On this comparability, we’ll discover the strengths and weaknesses of every supplier that will help you decide which one most accurately fits your pet’s wants.
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| Star Ranking | 4.9/5.0 | 3.9/5.0 |
| Finest | Worth | Unique Pets |
| Yr Based | 2013 | 1982 (as VPI); 2015 (as Nationwide) |
| Buyer Assist | Textual content, Cellphone, E mail, Fax, Stay Chat | Cellphone, Stay Chat, E mail |
| Underwriters | Independence American Insurance coverage Firm, Markel American Insurance coverage Firm, Markel Insurance coverage Firm | Nationwide Casualty Firm Veterinary Pet Insurance coverage Firm in CA |
| A.M. Finest Ranking* | A-, A, A | A+ |
| Demotech Ranking* | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Declare Processing Common | 3 Days | 10-14 Days |
| Reimburse Vets Instantly | No | No |
| Payout Limits | $5,000 to Limitless | Restricted Per Situation to $10,000 |
| Deductibles | $100 to $750 | $250 to $1,000 |
| Reimbursement Charges | 70% to 100% | 50% to 90% |
| One-Time Charges | $15 (not in all states) | No |
| Accident Ready Interval | 1 Day | 14 Days |
| Sickness Ready Interval | 14 Days | 14 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Ready Interval | 6 Months | 14 Days |
| Cruciate Ligament Ready Interval | 6 Months | 12 Months |
| Enrollment Ages | 8 Weeks & Older | 8 Weeks to 10 Years For Sickness |
| Preventative Plan | Sure | Sure |
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Protection Comparability
Figo affords one accident and sickness pet insurance coverage coverage, whereas Nationwide has two. Each insurance policies can be found in all 50 states.
Plans cowl new accidents and sicknesses, together with testing and remedy for the circumstances. Each corporations cowl emergency care, surgical procedure and hospitalization, specialised exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood assessments, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, most cancers, power circumstances, hereditary circumstances, congenital circumstances, non-routine dental remedy, prescription medicines, and extra. Neither insurer covers pre-existing circumstances, being pregnant, breeding, or pointless beauty procedures (e.g., tail docking, dew claw removing, ear cropping).
Examples of lined circumstances from each suppliers’ base pet insurance coverage insurance policies embody most cancers, hip dysplasia, allergy symptoms, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, power circumstances, hereditary circumstances, and congenital circumstances. Nonetheless, if signs for a situation had been current earlier than enrollment or in the course of the insurer’s ready durations, the situation just isn’t lined and shall be excluded from the coverage.
Figo has a 1-day ready interval for accidents, whereas Nationwide’s is 14 days. Each suppliers have a 14-day ready interval for sicknesses. Figo has a 6-month ready interval for hip dysplasia, cruciate ligaments, and different orthopedic circumstances. Nationwide extends its ready interval for cruciate ligaments to 1-year, and hip dysplasia falls beneath the sickness ready interval of 14 days.
Figo has two riders (add-ons) for a further value known as Powerups, whereas Nationwide has one rider. Figo has a rider for examination charges known as Vet Examination Charges, which covers the price of examination charges for lined accidents and sicknesses. On common, pet house owners spend $93 per vet go to on examination charges. Every supplier has an optionally available routine care add-on; Figo’s Powerup is named Wellness, and Nationwide’s is Wellness. These riders embody routine care protection like dental cleanings, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgical procedure, heartworm prevention, and extra.
Base pet insurance coverage insurance policies from Figo and Nationwide cowl non-routine dental remedy and tooth extractions. Moreover, Figo covers gum and endodontic illness, whereas Nationwide affords no protection for these circumstances.
In its base coverage, Figo covers curable pre-existing circumstances if there have been no indicators or signs throughout the final 12 months. Nationwide doesn’t provide protection for curable pre-existing circumstances.
Premiums & Pricing
Insurers decide premiums based mostly on the plan protection degree you choose and your pet’s particulars (age, breed, and placement). Nationwide was usually costlier than Nationwide within the tons of of quotes I ran. Moreover, Figo’s base coverage is extra complete than Nationwide’s.
Figo and Nationwide have annual deductibles. An annual deductible is useful in case your pet encounters a number of accidents or sicknesses in the course of the coverage interval (one 12 months) since you’re accountable for paying the deductible as soon as per coverage time period.
Figo requires a one-time charge of $15 in some states and a $2 month-to-month transaction charge. In the meantime, Nationwide has no one-time charges and the highest month-to-month transaction charge that I’ve seen within the trade, $3.25. The transaction charge may be waived from each insurers if you happen to decide to pay for the complete 12 months directly.
The desk beneath shows the month-to-month premiums for Figo and Nationwide based mostly on pattern quotes with completely different reimbursement charges and deductibles. I offered a number of examples for every pet from every supplier as an example how pricing can fluctuate relying on the chosen plan protection. Evaluating firm premiums may be difficult as a result of Nationwide has extra restrictions on its plan choices and solely affords its Main Medical plan (profit schedule) in some states.
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| French Bulldog | $98.51* | $156.50* | $55.46** | $120.03** |
| Labrador Retriever | $44.89† | $105.40† | $33.27‡ | $56.99¶ |
| Golden Retriever | $70.48* | $63.32¶ | $31.36‡ | $63.32¶ |
| Ragdoll Cat | $21.76* | $19.14¶ | $12.41** | $19.14¶ |
French Bulldog quotes are for a 6-month-old feminine within the 92121 zip code (San Diego, CA).
Labrador Retriever quotes are for a 2-year-old feminine within the 14211 zip code (Buffalo, NY).
Golden Retriever quotes are for a 4-year-old male within the 33604 zip code (Tampa, FL).
Ragdoll Cat quotes are for a 5-year-old feminine within the 78040 zip code (Laredo, TX).
* 80% reimbursement and $250 deductible
** 70% reimbursement and $500 deductible
†70% reimbursement and $250 deductible
‡70% reimbursement, $750 deductible, and limitless annual payouts
¶ $250 deductible and per situation limits
It’s finest to acquire quotes in your canine to check pet insurance coverage prices. You should use our pet insurance coverage quote type beneath to request quotes from a number of corporations.
Reductions
Pet insurance coverage suppliers generally provide reductions to pet house owners who insure multiple pet, bundle different insurance coverage insurance policies, are navy or veterans, work as a veterinarian, work at an animal shelter, pay yearly, and extra. Figo affords Canine Journal readers 5% off their coverage and 5% off for a number of pets. And for annually you don’t obtain a declare cost, your deductible robotically goes down $50. Alternatively, Nationwide affords 5% off for 2-3 pets and 10% off for 4 or extra pets.
Buyer Service & Fame
It’s simple to miss customer support and fame when a beautiful insurance coverage quote catches your eye, however these are two of a very powerful features to recollect. Whereas I sincerely hope you by no means have to file a declare, if the state of affairs arises, I need to be sure that the method is as seamless and worry-free as attainable for you and your pricey pet.
It doesn’t matter how a lot you pay; if you happen to name an organization and by no means get your questions answered or issues solved, you are feeling such as you’ve wasted your cash. Each corporations provide a number of help choices, together with cellphone, e mail, and stay chat. Figo additionally has textual content and fax. A 30-day money-back assure is offered by way of each insurers. So, if you happen to discover that the plan you selected isn’t working for you, you may cancel and get your a refund, so long as you haven’t any reported or paid claims or advantages used.
I appeared by way of tons of of Figo and Nationwide buyer evaluations from the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and Trustpilot. Total, the variety of buyer evaluations and rankings was larger for Figo than for Nationwide. It’s additionally price noting that the pages visited for Nationwide had been relating to all of its departments, not simply pet insurance coverage. Figo has a greater historical past of responding to clients and helping when wanted.
The most typical grievance I examine Figo was relating to unsubstantiated reasoning for denied claims. As for Nationwide, policyholders complain in regards to the Main Medical profit plan not having excessive sufficient limits for every vet value, excessive premium will increase, and denying claims stating pre-existing circumstances when they don’t seem to be associated. Moreover, Nationwide introduced in 2024 that it wasn’t renewing about 100,000 insurance policies, leaving many pet house owners stranded with out protection. This has understandably ruffled many feathers.
Declare Processing
The time it takes for an insurer to reimburse claims can affect some pet house owners’ choices. Some can’t wait weeks for reimbursement, whereas others are nice with ready a bit of longer. Figo has one of many quickest declare reimbursement instances, averaging three days. Nationwide averages 10-14 days for declare processing, which is longer than most rivals.
There isn’t a time restrict for declare submissions by way of Nationwide. Figo requires claims to be submitted inside 180 days of the accident, sickness, or wellness go to. Each corporations allow you to submit claims by way of e mail and fax. Moreover, Nationwide has a Pet Account Entry web page and mail, and Figo has the Pet Cloud app. Reimbursement may be made by way of direct deposit or verify by way of each insurers.
Plan Protection Choices
Figo has many deductible, payout, and reimbursement choices to get your required protection inside your funds. Deductibles vary from $100 to $750, annual payout choices are $5,000 to limitless, and reimbursement charges are 70% to 100%. Figo is likely one of the solely insurance coverage corporations to supply 100% reimbursement as an possibility. Nationwide has fewer plan customizable choices. Deductible choices begin at $250 and go as much as $1,000, with 50% to 90% reimbursement percentages. Its annual payouts rely in your plan however may be restricted per situation or separated to accidents at $2,500 or $5,000 and sicknesses at $5,000 or $10,000.
Nationwide additionally affords an accident-only pet insurance coverage plan, protecting circumstances related to a sudden bodily harm. Nationwide’s accident insurance coverage covers circumstances like damaged bones, overseas physique ingestion, poisoning, and different accidents. Accident-only plans are usually extra inexpensive than accident and sickness insurance policies.
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| Deductibles | $100, $250, $500, $750 | $250, $500, $1,000 |
| Annual Payouts | $5,000, $10,000, Limitless | Restricted Per Situation, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 |
| Reimbursement Charges | 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | 50%, 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Accident-Solely Plan | No | Sure |
Incessantly Requested Questions
This Figo and Nationwide FAQ is designed to handle widespread questions. Should you don’t discover your query, please attain out within the feedback.
Is Figo Accepted All over the place?
Figo is offered in all 50 states and is ready to reimburse you once you take your insured pet to any licensed veterinarian throughout the U.S.
Is Nationwide Getting Rid Of Pet Insurance coverage?
In 2024, Nationwide introduced it could not renew round 100,000 pet insurance coverage insurance policies beginning within the spring of 2025. This represents a greater than 8% discount in its policyholder base, a choice anticipated to have an effect on the pet-owning neighborhood considerably.
So, why is Nationwide making this transfer? The corporate cites inflation as a significant factor, particularly the rising value of veterinary care, which has contributed to its declining earnings. Whereas most insurers depend on exterior underwriters to push for coverage modifications, Nationwide’s personal underwriter is driving these choices. The corporate explains that these tough decisions are crucial for long-term monetary stability.
Nationwide has emphasised that cancellations should not based mostly on components like a pet’s age, breed, or claims historical past. Nonetheless, the fact is that many affected pets are more likely to have pre-existing circumstances, making it tough for house owners to safe protection elsewhere. With cancellations anticipated to proceed by way of the summer season of 2025, many pet house owners will discover themselves in a difficult place.
How A lot Is Figo Pet Insurance coverage Per Month?
Like most pet insurers, Figo’s premiums rely upon components such because the protection you select, alongside along with your pet’s kind, breed, gender, age, and placement. Based mostly on 1000’s of quotes I’ve run over the previous decade, Figo’s costs have constantly been among the many most inexpensive. I in contrast quotes from Pets Finest, Fetch, Wholesome Paws, Embrace, Figo, Lemonade, Trupanion, ASPCA Pet Well being Insurance coverage, Spot, and Nationwide for my 10-year-old Coonhound combine. Figo got here out as essentially the most cost-effective possibility, with no age-based protection restrictions, whereas Nationwide refused sickness protection as a result of my canine’s age. After reviewing all 10 insurers, I in the end selected Figo, with a month-to-month premium of $59.68.
My Expertise With Figo
In 2023, I got down to discover the very best pet insurance coverage coverage for my 10-year-old Coonhound combine, Sally. I in contrast quotes from 10 completely different pet insurance coverage suppliers, specializing in essentially the most aggressive pricing and complete protection. After cautious consideration, I made a decision to go together with Figo.
Inside the first 4 months of insuring Sally, I filed three claims and reached my annual deductible. The claims course of was simple, the advantages had been defined clearly, and reimbursements had been fast.
Which Is Higher For Your Pet?
Figo’s base plan was extra inexpensive than choices offered by Nationwide in many of the pattern pets we ran quotes for. Moreover, Nationwide’s current dropping of 100,000 pet insurance policies makes me pause to advocate them to anybody. What’s to say there received’t be one other big Nationwide lower sooner or later? In my 10+ years of working within the pet insurance coverage trade, I’ve by no means heard of an organization dropping insurance policies like this for pets. That is unprecedented, and I might be extremely regretful if I beneficial Nationwide to you after which your protection was lower, particularly in case your canine had pre-existing circumstances that different suppliers would exclude.
I’ve gone much more in-depth with particular person evaluations of Figo and Nationwide so you may increase your comparability. You may as well learn in regards to the finest pet insurance coverage, together with my high picks and particulars on the most well-liked pet insurance coverage corporations. So, if you wish to understand how different suppliers evaluate in opposition to each other, you might discover this evaluate useful in your pet insurance coverage search.
Methodology
My workforce and I conduct intensive analysis on essentially the most respected pet insurance coverage corporations, analyzing buyer suggestions, coverage modifications, and trade traits. Our licensed insurance coverage agent fact-checks every thing, and we replace our evaluations year-round as insurers modify premiums, protection, exclusions, and customer support.
We rank every U.S. pet insurance coverage supplier utilizing a 100-point scale, making certain an unbiased breakdown of how corporations carry out in real-world claims.
Our Rating Standards
- Protection & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze insurance policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding corporations with fewer protection limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run 1000’s of pattern quotes and think about further charges, reductions, and add-ons.
- Buyer Service & Fame (12%) – We evaluate tons of of buyer experiences, assess the sign-up course of, and consider declare help.
- Monetary Power (10%) – We look at A.M. Finest & Demotech rankings to make sure corporations will pay claims reliably.
- Customization Choices (10%) – Suppliers with extra deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank larger.
- Ready Intervals (5%) – Shorter sickness & accident ready durations lead to a greater rating.
- Declare Processing (5%) – Corporations providing quick reimbursements and direct vet pay rating larger.
- Innovation (3%) – We acknowledge distinctive choices and superior know-how within the trade.
Unbiased Pet Insurance coverage Rankings: Placing Pets First
In contrast to many evaluate websites, we don’t promote rankings—each supplier earns its spot based mostly on actual efficiency. Our in-depth comparisons assist pet dad and mom make knowledgeable choices, whereas insurers use our evaluations to enhance their insurance policies. We solely advocate the very best as a result of that’s what our readers deserve.
Why Belief Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been protecting pet insurance coverage since 2012, lengthy earlier than different main retailers acknowledged the rising demand for pet healthcare. A lot of our writers, together with Kimberly Alt, carry private expertise with pet insurance coverage, and Kimberly has been our go-to skilled on the subject for over a decade. She has written extensively on almost each facet of pet insurance coverage, and her deep data permits her to reply a variety of questions with ease. On the uncommon event she doesn’t have a solution instantly, her huge community of sources lets her discover it inside minutes. Kimberly additionally collaborates with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance coverage agent, to make sure our content material is correct and dependable, offering authoritative steering to readers as they navigate insurance coverage choices. Kimberly has devoted over 100 hours to researching Figo and Nationwide—fastidiously reviewing their insurance policies, consulting with their groups, and accumulating quotes—to give you essentially the most correct and up-to-date data attainable.