Nationwide made history by issuing the first U.S. pet insurance policy to TV star Lassie in the early 1980s. The pet insurance world has changed dramatically. Dog insurance now costs averaging $676 per year, making the right provider selection a significant decision for pet owners. Nationwide and Embrace pet insurance companies have established strong market presence. Nationwide boasts 73,520 reviews while Embrace has gathered 51,515 customer experiences. Nationwide’s decades of experience stands out, yet Embrace provides more flexible options. A notable difference is Embrace’s coverage for pets up to 15 years old, which exceeds Nationwide’s 10-year age limit. Our analysis of both providers’ plans, hidden fees, and coverage details will help you protect your furry friend effectively.
Basic Plan Features: Embrace vs Nationwide
Embrace and Nationwide both offer strong accident and illness coverage with unique features that make them stand out.
Coverage Types and Limits
Embrace has one detailed accident and illness policy you can customize. The annual payout options range from $5,000 to $30,000, and they also offer unlimited coverage options. Nationwide takes a different approach with two main plans: WholePet® and Major Medical. Both providers cover emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, specialized exams, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, and cancer treatments.
Deductible Options
Embrace gives you flexible annual deductible choices from $200 to $1,000. Your annual deductible drops by $50 each year you don’t file a claim with Embrace. Nationwide keeps it simple with a fixed $250 annual deductible.
Reimbursement Rates
Each provider handles reimbursement differently. Embrace lets you pick between 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses. Nationwide offers like options but goes further, letting pet owners choose between 50%, 70%, or 90% reimbursement rates.
Key Differences in Simple Features:
- Embrace accepts new pets until age 14 for illness coverage
- Nationwide limits new enrollments to pets under 10 years old
- Embrace’s wellness plan, Wellness Rewards®, pays back 100% of preventive care costs up to your chosen annual allowance
- Nationwide’s WholePet plan has a $10,000 annual maximum reimbursement
Hidden Fees and Extra Costs
Pet owners need to understand costs beyond simple premiums to make informed insurance decisions.
Enrollment and Administrative Fees
A new policy with Embrace requires a one-time administrative fee of $25. Embrace’s coverage includes medical waste fees at no extra cost. However, Nationwide excludes these charges from their policies.
Monthly Transaction Charges
Each provider structures monthly payments differently. Embrace adds a transaction fee of $3.25 per month. They also charge an installment fee between $1.00 and $2.00, depending on your state. These additional fees can total $50-60 yearly above regular premiums.
Policy Cancellation Costs
Cancellation policies differ between providers. Embrace gives a full refund if you cancel within 15 days of starting your policy, assuming no claims exist. You might receive a pro-rated refund for cancellations after this period. The refund calculation starts the day after cancellation until your billing cycle ends. Important considerations for canceling with either provider include:
- New policies will carry over pre-existing conditions
- Coverage waiting periods start over
- You must continue monthly premium payments if you filed claims
- You may need to pay administrative fees for cancellation paperwork
Changing providers can lead to coverage gaps and higher costs over time. Starting with an eco-friendly plan makes more sense, since frequent changes could affect your pet’s coverage eligibility and total expenses.
Waiting Periods and Coverage Restrictions
Pet insurance waiting periods protect against fraud and change depending on the type of coverage.
Accident Coverage Timeline
Embrace has a quick accident coverage waiting period of 48 hours. Nationwide takes longer at 14 days before accident coverage kicks in. Pet owners who need quick accident protection will likely prefer Embrace’s shorter timeline.
Illness Coverage Start Date
The standard 14-day waiting period for illness coverage applies to both providers. This timeline stays the same across most illnesses. Cancer treatment coverage starts right after the illness waiting period ends if it’s not a pre-existing condition.
Orthopedic Condition Rules
The longest waiting periods from these providers apply to orthopedic conditions:
- Embrace requires a 6-month wait for orthopedic conditions
- Nationwide needs 365 days for conditions like:
- Hip dysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Intervertebral disc disease
All the same, Embrace gives you a chance to cut down orthopedic waiting periods through their Orthopedic Exam and Waiver Process. Coverage for bilateral conditions like hip dysplasia includes both sides of the body after the waiting period if the condition wasn’t there before.
These providers handle curable and incurable pre-existing conditions differently. Embrace covers curable conditions after 12 months without symptoms. This works well especially when you have pets with past minor health issues who need new coverage.
Claims Process Comparison
Filing insurance claims is easy with both providers’ digital platforms.
Online Claims Filing
Both companies let you submit paperless claims through their portals. Customers can use MyEmbrace or the mobile app to submit claims quickly. Nationwide customers can process claims through their Pet Account Access Page. These platforms walk pet owners through each step, so you won’t need traditional claim forms.
Reimbursement Speed
Each provider handles claims differently. Embrace processes claims within 10-15 business days. You’ll get your reimbursement through direct deposit within 3 business days, or by check within 10 business days. Nationwide is quicker and handles most claims within 4 days. They also pay through direct deposit or check.
Required Documentation
Your claim needs these items to process:
- Complete itemized invoice showing all charges
- Pet’s name and treatment dates
- Detailed list of services and associated costs
- Total amount including taxes and discounts
The insurers give you plenty of time to submit claims. Embrace lets you submit claims during your policy term plus 60 days after renewal. Nationwide gives you 365 days after treatment to file, but they suggest submitting within 90 days.
Real-life examples show Embrace’s quick processing, and some customers get their direct deposits within three days. The company handles dozens of claims each year for individual pets quickly, even when they receive many submissions.
Real Customer Experiences
Pet insurance customers see clear differences between these providers.
Claims Approval Rate
Embrace shows steady claim approvals, with reimbursement rates reaching 74-80% for various treatments. Their claims examples show big payouts, including $2,371 for intestinal surgery and $1,396 for toxicity treatment. Some Embrace customers file up to 57 claims each year and get consistent approvals.
Customer Service Response Time
Embrace handles most claims in 10-15 business days. Digital submissions get confirmation in 2 business days. Nationwide says they process claims in 4 days, but customer experiences tell a different story, with some delays lasting over 45 days.
User Reviews Analysis
Recent customer feedback shows key differences between providers:
- Embrace customers praise:
- Fast digital claims processing
- Direct deposit payments within a week
- Quick customer service responses
Embrace keeps high satisfaction rates, especially with their customized coverage options. On the other hand, Nationwide’s customers report mixed experiences, with some noting claim disputes and slow processing times. Several Nationwide policyholders face problems with pre-existing condition interpretations that lead to denied claims.
You can see the difference in customer satisfaction through reimbursement patterns. Embrace’s straightforward approach gets positive feedback, especially for their digital claims platform. Nationwide’s customer experiences vary based on plan type and claim complexity.
Comparison
| Feature | Embrace | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Structure | One detailed accident and illness policy | Two main plans: WholePet® and Major Medical |
| Annual Payout Limits | $5,000 to $30,000 (unlimited options available) | $10,000 (WholePet plan) |
| Deductible Options | $200 to $1,000 (drops $50 yearly without claims) | Fixed $250 annual |
| Reimbursement Rates | 70%, 80%, or 90% | 50%, 70%, or 90% |
| Age Limit for New Pets | Up to 14 years | Under 10 years |
| Enrollment Fee | $25 one-time administrative fee | Not mentioned |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $3.25 + $1.00-$2.00 installment fee | Not mentioned |
| Accident Waiting Period | 48 hours | 14 days |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Waiting Period | 6 months (reducible through waiver process) | 365 days |
| Claims Processing Time | 10-15 business days | 4 days (advertised) |
| Claims Submission Window | Policy term plus 60 days after renewal | Up to 365 days after treatment |
| Claims Approval Rate | 74-80% | Not mentioned |
| Wellness Coverage | 100% reimbursement up to selected annual allowance | Not mentioned |
| Medical Waste Fees | Included in coverage | Excluded from coverage |
A detailed look at Embrace and Nationwide pet insurance shows clear differences in what they offer and how happy their customers are. Embrace leads the pack with flexible coverage choices, shorter waiting times, and quick claim payments. They reward pet owners who don’t file claims by reducing annual deductibles. Their detailed accident and illness policy covers up to $30,000, with unlimited options available.
Nationwide’s decades-old reputation comes with some drawbacks. Customers wait longer for coverage to kick in, and reviews are mixed at best. They say claims get processed quickly, but real customer stories tell a different tale when you match them against Embrace. Some pet owners might find their options limited by Nationwide’s fixed deductibles and age rules for new pets.
These companies provide good basic coverage. Embrace pulls ahead because of better customer service, clear pricing, and happy customers. Their claims get approved 74-80% of the time, and digital processing makes everything quick. Pet owners who want customizable coverage and proven customer satisfaction will love Embrace. Those who prefer a traditional approach might feel more comfortable with Nationwide’s established name.
Your final choice depends on your pet’s needs, your budget, and what coverage matters most to you. The quickest way to find the right protection for your furry family member is to look closely at waiting periods, age limits, and how you get paid back.
