Embrace and Nationwide are often shortlisted together because both are long-established and offer broad coverage. They approach the hard questions, such as pre-existing conditions, premiums as pets age and routine care, differently. This comparison uses what each company says on its own website.
Information checked October 13, 2026 on each insurer’s public website. Both sites send readers to full policy documents for waiting periods and limits, and we did not find those figures on the pages we read, so we do not state them. Terms change by state. Sources are listed at the end.
At a Glance
| Embrace | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement | Says it pays up to 90% back on bills | Reimbursement by the percentage or benefit schedule you select. Its examples use 90% and 70% |
| Deductible | Details are in the policy terms on its site | Some plans as low as $100, and it says most owners choose $250 |
| Claims | You pay the vet, submit a photo of the invoice, with no claim form. Says 90% of claims are paid in 10 days | Submit online, any licensed vet. Reimbursed for eligible costs |
| Waiting period | See policy terms | Most plans start 14 days after the application is approved and payment is received |
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered, but curable ones may be covered after 12 months symptom free | Not eligible for coverage |
| Premiums and age | Based on current age and may increase at renewal due to age | See policy documents |
| Routine care | Optional Wellness Rewards, which it says is not insurance | Optional wellness coverage: checkups, vaccines, flea and tick prevention |
Embrace: The Curable Condition Rule
The most unusual thing about Embrace is how it treats pre-existing conditions. It says “no pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions,” but it separates curable conditions from incurable ones. Its examples of curable conditions are ear infections and undiagnosed vomiting or diarrhea, and it says they could be covered going forward if the pet goes 12 months symptom free. Incurable conditions, such as diabetes and allergies, remain excluded. Embrace reviews the previous 12 months of medical records before purchase, and offers a free Medical History Review on request.
This is important for a pet with a minor past issue. A cat with one ear infection last year might become eligible later, instead of being excluded for life. For a dog with chronic allergies it will not help. Its optional Wellness Rewards is an annual membership that Embrace says is not insurance, with a maximum per year, and can reimburse items such as vaccines and spay or neuter surgery.
Nationwide: Modular Plans and a Low Deductible Option
Nationwide describes a modular approach: you choose the coverage you want for accidents, illnesses and wellness care, for dogs, cats and exotic pets. Some plans have a deductible as low as $100, and it says most owners choose $250. Most plans begin 14 days after the application is approved and payment received. It states that pre-existing conditions are not eligible, and points to the policy documents for the list of exclusions. You can use any licensed vet. It fits owners who want to pick coverage components, and who value a familiar, long-established insurer.
Where They Actually Differ
- Treatment of past conditions. Embrace’s 12-month curable rule is a real difference for pets with a small history. Nationwide excludes pre-existing conditions without describing a path back.
- Deductible flexibility. Nationwide states a low $100 option. Embrace’s deductible options are in its policy terms, and it is known for a diminishing-deductible feature, which you should confirm in the policy.
- Premium changes with age. Embrace says premiums may increase at renewal due to age, as with most insurers. See why premiums rise with age.
- Routine care. Both offer optional wellness, but Embrace’s is a membership and Nationwide’s is part of its plan options. Read our wellness add-ons guide before paying for either.
An Example: A Pet With One Past Ear Infection
This is an illustration of how the rules differ, not a real case. A dog had one ear infection six months before applying and has had no symptoms since. At enrollment, the ear infection is a prior condition. Under Embrace’s stated rule, a curable condition like this could become eligible once the dog has gone 12 months symptom free. Under a policy that excludes all pre-existing conditions without a path back, an ear infection a year from now might be excluded permanently. Over a dog’s life, that could mean a few hundred dollars of difference per episode (BestMoney’s typical cost for an ear infection is about $400). It will not change the result for a major condition like cruciate injury or cancer.
Which Fits Which Owner
- A pet with a minor medical history: Embrace’s curable condition rule is worth a detailed look.
- An owner who wants a low deductible or to mix coverage components: Nationwide’s modular plans and $100 deductible option.
- Either way: get the full policy document, because waiting periods and limits are not on the marketing pages.
See how pre-existing conditions work, deductibles explained and our Lemonade, Trupanion and Healthy Paws comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which one pays faster? Embrace says 90% of claims are paid in 10 days. Nationwide does not give a figure on the page we read.
Which is cheaper? It varies by pet and location. Quote both with the same deductible, reimbursement rate and limit.
Can I cancel? Nationwide says you can cancel anytime online, and some states offer a free look period if no claim has been filed.
The Bottom Line
Choose Embrace if your pet has a minor past issue that might clear under its 12-month rule, and Nationwide if you want modular coverage and a low-deductible option. For both, the real terms are in the policy documents, so read them before paying.
Sources
- Embrace Pet Insurance, embracepetinsurance.com, accessed October 13, 2026.
- Nationwide Pet Insurance, petinsurance.com, accessed October 13, 2026.
- BestMoney via MediaFeed, The 17 Most Common Pet Health Issues Will Set You Back This Much.
This article is general information, not insurance advice, and we are not affiliated with any insurer. Details come from each company’s own public statements and may have changed.