Pet Insurance
Pets are part of the family. Whitestone Insurance Services offers pet insurance through Nationwide Pet Insurance. Coverage may help reimburse eligible veterinary expenses when a dog, cat, or other eligible pet becomes sick or injured, allowing you to focus more on care and less on the unexpected bill.
Veterinary Care Can Be Unpredictable
A pet can become sick or injured without warning. Emergency examinations, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, medication, specialist care, and surgery can create a substantial bill at a difficult time.
Pet insurance is intended to help with eligible veterinary expenses according to the policy's deductible, reimbursement method, annual limit, exclusions, and other terms. It does not eliminate every veterinary expense, but it may make unexpected care easier to manage.
Accidents and illnesses can happen at any age. Coverage may help reimburse eligible treatment expenses.
Insurance may give a pet owner more financial flexibility when discussing eligible care with a veterinarian.
Coverage may reduce the impact of a large, unexpected veterinary bill, subject to the policy terms.
Planning ahead can help a pet owner focus on the animal's recovery rather than relying only on emergency savings or credit.
Coverage for Accidents, Illnesses and More
Available coverage depends on the selected plan, pet, state, carrier, and policy. Depending on the plan, eligible expenses may include:
Covered accidents may include cuts, bites, swallowed objects, and other qualifying traumatic events.
Orthopedic injuries from accidents may be eligible for reimbursement under qualifying plans.
Emergency treatment for toxic ingestion may be covered, subject to policy terms and exclusions.
Emergency office visits and examinations may be eligible depending on the plan selected.
Many plans cover a range of illnesses, from ear and skin infections to more serious conditions.
Blood work, urinalysis, and other diagnostics may be reimbursable when medically necessary.
Radiographs, ultrasounds, MRI, and CT scans may be eligible under qualifying accident and illness plans.
Overnight or extended veterinary stays for covered conditions may be reimbursable, subject to limits.
Surgical procedures for covered accidents or illnesses, including anesthesia, may be eligible.
Medications prescribed for a covered illness or injury may be reimbursed under certain plans.
Referrals to veterinary specialists for covered conditions may qualify for reimbursement.
Chemotherapy, radiation, and related oncology treatment may be covered under qualifying plans.
Some ongoing or recurring conditions may be eligible when coverage began before diagnosis, subject to terms.
Coverage for inherited or breed-specific conditions varies by carrier, plan, and enrollment timing.
Some plans may offer routine or preventive benefits when an eligible wellness option is selected.
Understand the Exclusions
Pet insurance policies do not cover every expense. Common limitations may include:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Conditions arising during a waiting period
- Grooming
- Boarding
- Taxes or non-medical fees
- Elective or cosmetic procedures
- Breeding or pregnancy-related costs, depending on the plan
- Routine or preventive care unless included through an eligible wellness option
- Services exceeding policy limits
Pet insurance commonly excludes conditions that existed before the policy effective date. Definitions and lookback periods vary by carrier. Ask your agent how the carrier defines and reviews pre-existing conditions before enrolling.
How the Process Usually Works
Most pet insurance plans follow a visit-then-reimburse model. Steps may vary by carrier, plan, and state.
Select available accident, illness, and optional wellness coverage based on your pet's needs and your budget.
Receive care from an eligible licensed veterinarian according to the plan's terms.
Most pet insurance uses a reimbursement model, so the pet owner generally pays the veterinary provider first.
Submit the required invoice and claim information. The carrier reviews the claim and reimburses eligible expenses according to the selected deductible, reimbursement level, policy limit, and coverage terms.
Choose Coverage That Fits Your Pet
Plan types and availability vary by carrier, state, and pet. Nationwide currently offers accident, illness, and wellness-oriented coverage options, but availability and terms vary.
Designed primarily for eligible injuries and emergencies caused by accidents. It may be a lower-cost option, but it generally does not provide the same illness protection as broader coverage.
May help with eligible accidents, illnesses, diagnostic testing, medication, hospitalization, surgery, and other covered treatment.
Some plans may offer or include benefits for eligible routine services such as examinations, vaccinations, or flea and tick prevention. Availability and benefits vary by state and plan.
What Determines the Premium?
Pet insurance premiums can vary based on several factors, including:
- Pet species
- Breed
- Age
- ZIP code or state
- Selected coverage
- Deductible
- Reimbursement percentage or benefit schedule
- Annual benefit limit
- Optional wellness benefits
A lower monthly premium may come with a higher deductible, lower reimbursement level, narrower benefits, or a lower annual limit. Compare the total policy design — not only the monthly price.
- Is the plan accident-only or accident-and-illness?
- Are hereditary and congenital conditions eligible?
- How are pre-existing conditions defined?
- What waiting periods apply?
- Is the deductible annual or per condition?
- What reimbursement method is used?
- What is the annual or per-condition limit?
- Are examination fees eligible?
- Are prescriptions eligible?
- Is specialist or emergency care eligible?
- Is routine wellness coverage included or optional?
- Can the plan be used with a preferred veterinarian?
- How are claims submitted?
- Can premiums change at renewal?
Pet Insurance Through Nationwide
Whitestone Insurance Services offers pet insurance options through its partnership with Nationwide Pet Insurance. Plan availability, coverage, eligibility, waiting periods, exclusions, premiums, and terms vary by plan, pet, and state.
Nationwide is one of the largest providers of pet insurance in the United States, offering a range of accident, illness, and wellness-oriented coverage options for eligible pets. Review the Nationwide policy documents for the full terms before enrolling. Use the quote section below to explore available plans, or call our office for assistance.
Get a Pet Insurance Quote
Explore available pet insurance options based on your pet and location. Coverage, eligibility, pricing, and effective dates depend on the carrier, plan, pet information, state, underwriting requirements, and policy terms.
Get a quote on the Nationwide partner portal. You'll be asked for your pet's species, breed, age, and ZIP code. Coverage, pricing, and eligibility depend on the plan and state selected.
You will be leaving this website and opening a Nationwide-hosted page. Coverage, availability, and enrollment are subject to Nationwide's terms, eligibility rules, and applicable state requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pet insurance?
Can I use my current veterinarian?
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Does coverage begin immediately?
Does pet insurance pay the veterinarian directly?
Is routine care included?
Can older pets qualify?
What information is needed for a quote?
Help Give Your Pet the Care They Deserve
Explore pet insurance options through Nationwide before an unexpected illness or injury occurs. Start a quote online or call our office and we'll help walk you through the available plans.