Exclusive: Nationwide Pet Insurance Now Axing New York Dogs, Cats
TCR has obtained docs sent from Nationwide to NYC owner slashing her coverage
The Canine Review obtained a written notice Sunday informing the owner of a 9-year-old cat in Brooklyn, New York, that Nationwide Pet Insurance would be reducing her policy’s reimbursement rate to 50% upon renewal on September 24, 2026. The notice, dated July 27, 2026, is what’s referred to as a “conditional renewal” notice; and it states, in part:
“We’re writing to inform you of changes to your coverage that will take effect at policy renewal in accordance with our underwriting guidelines. We encourage you to review your renewed policy to become familiar with its new terms.
Here are some key things to know:
Beginning on the effective date or your upcoming renewal, reimbursement for eligible expenses will be reduced to 50%.
The terms of your coverage, including the annual deductible and covered conditions, will otherwise remain the same.
Discounts you currently have will be applied if eligible.
These actions are necessary so we can continue to offer pet protection solutions to our members at a competitive price.”
In April 2024, The Canine Review first reported that Nationwide had begun “non-renewing” some policies and substantially reducing coverage for others across the country. For insurance industry insiders and readers of this publication, our 2024 reporting should not have come as a surprise. TCR exclusively reported Nationwide’s plan to unload the unlimited, 90% reimbursement policies – called “Whole Pet with Wellness” in November 2021, with Nationwide officials noting that the timeline would depend largely on state regulators:
Nationwide is cutting its losses–literally. The company’s 90%-reimbursement, unlimited pet insurance offering has been deep-sixed, spokeswoman Karen Davis confirmed to TCR. The genesis of the decision, although seemingly crystallized in recent company statutory filings with state insurance regulators (see below), is not something Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker would comment on. Now, consumers can take their pick between 50% or 70% reimbursement levels. And, they can take the $10,000 annual limit whether they like it or not.
“We’re adjusting our product offerings to reflect the changing demands of the marketplace and to help us provide the best pet protection at a competitive price,” Davis wrote in email when asked about the genesis of the decision to drop the high value offering. She added: “Our data shows the highest levels of satisfaction from customers enrolled at the 70% level.” No data accompanied Davis’s answer.
However, until Sunday, TCR had been unable to confirm any “conditional renewal” or “non-renewal” notifications issued by Nationwide to owners in New York, the second largest pet-insurance market. Now, it seems, New York regulators may have finally caved.
Here is the notice Nationwide sent to a Mrs. K. Loeffler of Brooklyn, NY:
Neither Nationwide nor New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), the entity responsible for regulating pet insurance in New York state, immediately responded for requests to comment. More to come.
If you live in New York or California and have recently received a notification from Nationwide regarding a major change in your pet insurance policy, please contact emily@thecaninereview.com.
Related:
Nationwide Continues Axing Pets As Petco Helps Sell New Policies
Nationwide Now Axing Pet Insurance Policyholders Everywhere.