When selecting the finest pet insurance coverage on your furry pal, two distinguished names typically come up are Figo and Nationwide Pet Insurance coverage. Each firms supply complete protection choices designed to supply peace of thoughts in case of sudden veterinary prices. Nonetheless, they differ in a number of key areas, equivalent to coverage choices, protection and exclusions, and total worth. Figo, identified for its aggressive charges, offers extra complete dental protection and customizable plans, whereas Nationwide, a longstanding supplier within the insurance coverage world, presents 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 closely fits your pet’s wants.
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| Star Ranking | 4.9/5.0 | 3.9/5.0 |
| Greatest | Worth | Unique Pets |
| 12 months Based | 2013 | 1982 (as VPI); 2015 (as Nationwide) |
| Buyer Help | 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. Greatest Ranking* | A-, A, A | A+ |
| Demotech Ranking* | Not Rated | Not Rated |
| Declare Processing Common | 3 Days | 10-14 Days |
| Reimburse Vets Immediately | 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 presents 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 diseases, together with testing and remedy for the situations. Each firms cowl emergency care, surgical procedure and hospitalization, specialised exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood assessments, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, most cancers, persistent situations, hereditary situations, congenital situations, non-routine dental remedy, prescription medicines, and extra. Neither insurer covers pre-existing situations, being pregnant, breeding, or pointless beauty procedures (e.g., tail docking, dew claw removing, ear cropping).
Examples of coated situations from each suppliers’ base pet insurance coverage insurance policies embrace most cancers, hip dysplasia, allergy symptoms, canine cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, persistent situations, hereditary situations, and congenital situations. Nevertheless, if signs for a situation have been current earlier than enrollment or through the insurer’s ready durations, the situation just isn’t coated 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 diseases. Figo has a 6-month ready interval for hip dysplasia, cruciate ligaments, and different orthopedic situations. 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 an extra price referred to as Powerups, whereas Nationwide has one rider. Figo has a rider for examination charges referred to as Vet Examination Charges, which covers the price of examination charges for coated accidents and diseases. On common, pet house owners spend $93 per vet go to on examination charges. Every supplier has an elective routine care add-on; Figo’s Powerup known as Wellness, and Nationwide’s is Wellness. These riders embrace 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 presents no protection for these situations.
In its base coverage, Figo covers curable pre-existing situations if there have been no indicators or signs inside the final 12 months. Nationwide doesn’t supply protection for curable pre-existing situations.
Premiums & Pricing
Insurers decide premiums primarily based on the plan protection stage you choose and your pet’s particulars (age, breed, and site). Nationwide was sometimes dearer than Nationwide within the a whole bunch 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 diseases through the coverage interval (one 12 months) since you’re chargeable for paying the deductible as soon as per coverage time period.
Figo requires a one-time payment of $15 in some states and a $2 month-to-month transaction payment. In the meantime, Nationwide has no one-time charges and the highest month-to-month transaction payment that I’ve seen within the trade, $3.25. The transaction payment could be waived from each insurers in the event you decide to pay for the whole 12 months directly.
The desk under shows the month-to-month premiums for Figo and Nationwide primarily based on pattern quotes with totally different reimbursement charges and deductibles. I supplied 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 could be difficult as a result of Nationwide has extra restrictions on its plan choices and solely presents 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 on your canine to check pet insurance coverage prices. You should utilize our pet insurance coverage quote kind under to request quotes from a number of firms.
Reductions
Pet insurance coverage suppliers generally supply reductions to pet house owners who insure a couple of pet, bundle different insurance coverage insurance policies, are army or veterans, work as a veterinarian, work at an animal shelter, pay yearly, and extra. Figo presents Canine Journal readers 5% off their coverage and 5% off for a number of pets. And for every year you don’t obtain a declare fee, your deductible mechanically goes down $50. However, Nationwide presents 5% off for 2-3 pets and 10% off for 4 or extra pets.
Buyer Service & Popularity
It’s simple to miss customer support and popularity when a lovely insurance coverage quote catches your eye, however these are two of a very powerful facets to recollect. Whereas I sincerely hope you by no means have to file a declare, if the scenario arises, I wish to be certain that the method is as seamless and worry-free as doable for you and your pricey pet.
It doesn’t matter how a lot you pay; in the event you name an organization and by no means get your questions answered or issues solved, you’re feeling such as you’ve wasted your cash. Each firms supply a number of assist choices, together with cellphone, e-mail, and reside chat. Figo additionally has textual content and fax. A 30-day money-back assure is out there by means of each insurers. So, in the event you discover that the plan you selected isn’t working for you, you possibly can cancel and get your a reimbursement, so long as you don’t have any reported or paid claims or advantages used.
I seemed by means of a whole bunch of Figo and Nationwide buyer critiques from the Higher Enterprise Bureau (BBB), Yelp, and Trustpilot. Total, the variety of buyer critiques and rankings was greater for Figo than for Nationwide. It’s additionally value noting that the pages visited for Nationwide have been relating to all of its departments, not simply pet insurance coverage. Figo has a greater historical past of responding to prospects and aiding when wanted.
The commonest criticism I examine Figo was relating to unsubstantiated reasoning for denied claims. As for Nationwide, policyholders complain concerning the Main Medical profit plan not having excessive sufficient limits for every vet price, excessive premium will increase, and denying claims stating pre-existing situations when they aren’t 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 influence some pet house owners’ choices. Some can not wait weeks for reimbursement, whereas others are positive with ready a little bit longer. Figo has one of many quickest declare reimbursement occasions, averaging three days. Nationwide averages 10-14 days for declare processing, which is longer than most opponents.
There isn’t a time restrict for declare submissions by means of Nationwide. Figo requires claims to be submitted inside 180 days of the accident, sickness, or wellness go to. Each firms 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 could be made by way of direct deposit or examine by means 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 firms 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 could be restricted per situation or separated to accidents at $2,500 or $5,000 and diseases at $5,000 or $10,000.
Nationwide additionally presents an accident-only pet insurance coverage plan, protecting situations related to a sudden bodily harm. Nationwide’s accident insurance coverage covers situations like damaged bones, international physique ingestion, poisoning, and different accidents. Accident-only plans are sometimes 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 |
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This Figo and Nationwide FAQ is designed to deal with widespread questions. In case you don’t discover your query, please attain out within the feedback.
Is Figo Accepted In all places?
Figo is out there in all 50 states and is ready to reimburse you once you take your insured pet to any licensed veterinarian inside the U.S.
Is Nationwide Getting Rid Of Pet Insurance coverage?
In 2024, Nationwide introduced it might 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 group considerably.
So, why is Nationwide making this transfer? The corporate cites inflation as a significant factor, particularly the rising price 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 troublesome decisions are essential for long-term monetary stability.
Nationwide has emphasised that cancellations will not be primarily based on elements like a pet’s age, breed, or claims historical past. Nevertheless, the truth is that many affected pets are prone to have pre-existing situations, making it troublesome for house owners to safe protection elsewhere. With cancellations anticipated to proceed by means of the summer time 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 on elements such because the protection you select, alongside along with your pet’s kind, breed, gender, age, and site. Primarily based on hundreds 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 Greatest, 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 most effective pet insurance coverage coverage for my 10-year-old Coonhound combine, Sally. I in contrast quotes from 10 totally different pet insurance coverage suppliers, specializing in essentially the most aggressive pricing and complete protection. After cautious consideration, I made a decision to go along with Figo.
Inside the first 4 months of insuring Sally, I filed three claims and reached my annual deductible. The claims course of was easy, the advantages have been defined clearly, and reimbursements have been fast.
Which Is Higher For Your Pet?
Figo’s base plan was extra inexpensive than choices supplied by Nationwide in many of the pattern pets we ran quotes for. Moreover, Nationwide’s latest 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’d be extremely regretful if I really useful Nationwide to you after which your protection was lower, particularly in case your canine had pre-existing situations that different suppliers would exclude.
I’ve gone much more in-depth with particular person critiques of Figo and Nationwide so you possibly can develop your comparability. It’s also possible to learn concerning the finest pet insurance coverage, together with my high picks and particulars on the preferred pet insurance coverage firms. So, if you wish to know the way different suppliers examine in opposition to each other, you could discover this evaluation useful in your pet insurance coverage search.
Methodology
My staff and I conduct intensive analysis on essentially the most respected pet insurance coverage firms, analyzing buyer suggestions, coverage modifications, and trade traits. Our licensed insurance coverage agent fact-checks every thing, and we replace our critiques year-round as insurers alter 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 firms carry out in real-world claims.
Our Rating Standards
- Protection & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze insurance policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding firms with fewer protection limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run hundreds of pattern quotes and consider additional charges, reductions, and add-ons.
- Buyer Service & Popularity (12%) – We evaluation a whole bunch of buyer experiences, assess the sign-up course of, and consider declare assist.
- Monetary Energy (10%) – We study A.M. Greatest & Demotech rankings to make sure firms will pay claims reliably.
- Customization Choices (10%) – Suppliers with extra deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank greater.
- 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 greater.
- Innovation (3%) – We acknowledge distinctive choices and superior expertise within the trade.
Unbiased Pet Insurance coverage Rankings: Placing Pets First
In contrast to many evaluation websites, we don’t promote rankings—each supplier earns its spot primarily based on actual efficiency. Our in-depth comparisons assist pet dad and mom make knowledgeable choices, whereas insurers use our critiques to enhance their insurance policies. We solely advocate the most effective 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. Lots of our writers, together with Kimberly Alt, convey private expertise with pet insurance coverage, and Kimberly has been our go-to professional on the subject for over a decade. She has written extensively on practically each side of pet insurance coverage, and her deep information 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 steerage to readers as they navigate insurance coverage choices. Kimberly has devoted over 100 hours to researching Figo and Nationwide—rigorously reviewing their insurance policies, consulting with their groups, and gathering quotes—to give you essentially the most correct and up-to-date info doable.
