Does your pet currently need emergency & specialty care?
At Nationwide, we’re here for your pet’s health journey, but it’s important to know that pre-existing conditions and active emergencies aren’t eligible for coverage. We recommend securing insurance before issues arise, so we can help keep your furry friend happy and healthy without interruption.
Please note - any condition (including emergencies) that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred before the effective date of this policy or during any waiting period, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated is considered to be pre-existing and will not be covered.
Protect your pet against the unexpected
Choose an emergency pet insurance plan tailored to your pet.
There for you when you need us most
We’ve designed our emergency pet insurance coverage for those critical, unexpected moments when your pet needs immediate medical attention. Whether it's a severe injury from an accident, a sudden serious illness, or a toxic ingestion, our plans ensure you're prepared to handle the situation promptly and focus on your furry friend’s recovery, not your finances. Here are just a few common pet emergencies your pet could face that we cover:
- Lacerations
- Poisoning
- Falls
- Car accidents
- Broken bones
- Heatstroke
- Seizures
- Animal attacks
- Foreign body ingestion
- Snakebites
- Vomiting
- Infections
- Inflammation
- Pneumonia
- Choking
- Diarrhea
- Eye trauma
- Limping
- Urination issues
- Lethargy
- Hypothermia
- Dental injuries
- Broken nails
- Lethargy
- Hypothermia
Please note - any condition (including emergencies) that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred before the effective date of this policy or during any waiting period, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated is considered to be pre-existing and will not be covered.
Average cost of emergency pet visit
Odds are your pet will likely need emergency care at least once during their lifetime. Emergency vet visits can be costly too, ranging from the initial exam fees to advanced surgeries and diagnostics. Hospitalization and special treatments add further daily expenses, not to mention recovery and prescription medications. Depending on your pet’s condition, your vet bill could end up costing you thousands of dollars out of pocket without pet insurance for emergency care.
The Nationwide difference
Nationwide pet insurance is the only provider that includes comprehensive coverage, multiple wellness options, exam fees, and 24/7 telehealth access — all in one plan.
| Plan Feature |
|
Trupanion | Healthy Paws | Embrace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive coverage that lets you visit any hospital or specialist |
 Nationwide: Yes
|
Trupanion: Yes
|
Healthy Paws: Yes
|
Embrace: Yes
|
| Multiple wellness coverage options available |
Nationwide: Yes
|
 Trupanion: No
|
Healthy Paws: No
|
Embrace: Yes
|
| Exam fees covered |
Nationwide: Yes
|
Trupanion: No
|
Healthy Paws: No
|
With purchase of optional coverageEmbrace: With purchase of optional coverage |
| Telehealth - 24/7 access to veterinary experts |
Nationwide: Yes
|
Trupanion: No
|
Healthy Paws: No
|
Embrace: No
|
Pet insurance provider comparison: Comprehensive coverage - Nationwide: Yes, Trupanion: Yes, Healthy Paws: Yes, Embrace: Yes. Multiple wellness coverage options - Nationwide: Yes, Trupanion: No, Healthy Paws: No, Embrace: Yes. Exam fees covered - Nationwide: Yes, Trupanion: No, Healthy Paws: No, Embrace: With purchase of optional coverage. Telehealth 24/7 access - Nationwide: Yes, Trupanion: No, Healthy Paws: No, Embrace: No.
Emergency pet insurance coverage
Life-threatening dog or cat emergencies can strike at any time. Our emergency vet insurance provides comprehensive support to ensure your pet has access to the care they need without the additional stress of significant medical expenses.
- Diagnostic and testing
- X-Rays
- MRIs
- Emergency surgery
- Ultrasounds
- End-Of-Life care
- Prescription medications
- Stomach pumping
- Tracheostomy
- Blood transfusions
- IV fluids
- Hospitalizations
- Follow-up visits
Specialist coverage
When your pet faces a medical emergency, access to specialized care is crucial for effective treatment and recovery. Nationwide’s emergency pet insurance includes coverage for veterinary specialists, ensuring that your pet receives the care they need.
- Critical care specialists
- Surgeons
- Toxicologists
- Anesthesiologists
- Oncologists
- Internal medicine specialists
- Neurologists
- Cardiologists
- Ophthalmologists
- Radiologists
- Rehabilitation & physical therapists
What’s not covered
When choosing emergency pet coverage, it's essential to know what the insurance does not cover to avoid unexpected veterinary costs during stressful times.
Here are the typical exclusions from Nationwide emergency pet insurance coverage:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Cosmetic procedures
- Elective procedures
- Illegal Substances (under Federal/State Law)
Please note - any condition (including emergencies) that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred before the effective date of this policy or during any waiting period, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated is considered to be pre-existing and will not be covered.
As fellow pet owners, we know how frustrating it can be to discover that not everything is covered. We strive to limit exclusions as much as possible while maintaining affordability in our plans.
See a full list of exclusions or refer to your policy for further information.
How emergency pet insurance works
Navigating a pet emergency is stressful enough without worrying about the financial implications. Nationwide’s pet insurance for emergency care simplifies the process, so you can focus on what matters most—your pet’s health.
Visit any vet
As soon as an emergency strikes, take your pet to any licensed veterinarian in the United States or anywhere else in the world. This includes emergency clinics, specialists, and hospitals.
Submit your claim
After your pet receives treatment, filing a claim is simple. Just log in to Nationwide’s online portal and upload the veterinarian’s invoice along with any treatment notes.
Receive reimbursement
Nationwide processes emergency claims promptly, ensuring that you receive reimbursements for eligible costs covered by your policy without delay.
Plan ahead to protect your pet
Choose an emergency pet insurance plan tailored to your pet.
Frequently asked questions
There is a 14-day waiting period for your policy to go into effect once your enrollment has been processed. Certain conditions have additional waiting periods that vary by policy. Please refer to your policy details for specific waiting period information.
You are free to visit any licensed veterinarian, emergency care facility, or specialist. Nationwide pet insurance allows you to receive care from any provider.
Yes, our emergency pet insurance includes an annual deductible, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your coverage starts. Some plans reimburse a percentage of your eligible expenses; other plans reimburse based on pre-set benefit allowances. Depending on the plan you choose, an annual maximum may apply to your reimbursements. All reimbursement maximums are replenished in full at policy renewal.
The specifics of coverage limits depend on the chosen insurance plan. Please check your policy for exact details.