{"id":1159,"title":"Walmart vs. Costco Pet Insurance: Real Coverage Options for Dog and Cat Owners","slug":"walmart-vs-costco-pet-insurance-real-coverage-options-for-dog-and-cat-owners","lang":"en","description":"Dogs and cats are a major part of daily life in many U.S. households, and rising veterinary costs have made pet insurance more important for everyday budgeting. That is why more owners are comparing options like Walmart Pet Insurance Coverage and Costco pet insurance, especially when looking for Pet Insurance for Seniors, Low-income Pet Insurance, Low Income Pet Insurance Coverage, Families Pet Insurance Quote, or a Quote for Dog Insurance through familiar and easier-to-use retail platforms.","content":"

Why pet insurance has become a more serious budget issue

Pet insurance is no longer a niche purchase for only high-spending pet owners. It has become part of ordinary household financial planning because vet care is increasingly advanced and often expensive. NAPHIA’s 2025 public report shows strong growth in insured pets and premium volume, while APPA says affordability and access to veterinary care are active concerns for U.S. pet owners. In APPA’s 2025 release, 37% of U.S. pet owners said they were concerned about access to veterinary care, and 60% of that group cited affordability as the top concern.

This is especially relevant for:

seniors living on fixed income,
families balancing rent, childcare, and food costs,
households looking for Cheap Pet Insurance for Low Income situations,
owners who want predictable budgeting instead of sudden emergency bills.

A reimbursement-based policy cannot eliminate vet bills, but it can turn some large and irregular costs into a more manageable monthly expense pattern.

How Walmart Pet Insurance Coverage currently works

Walmart does not appear to underwrite pet insurance itself. On Walmart’s official pet insurance page, the site explains the basics of pet insurance and then directs users to get a free quote from its partner, Nationwide. Walmart’s insurance-services page also describes Walmart pet insurance as budget-friendly coverage for vet bills and medications.

Nationwide’s official pet insurance page says policyholders can use any vet, anywhere, including specialists and emergency providers. It also describes a reimbursement model: the pet owner visits the vet, submits the claim, and is reimbursed for eligible expenses after meeting the annual deductible. Nationwide lists examples of covered areas including:

accidents and injuries,
common illnesses,
serious illnesses,
chronic illnesses,
hereditary conditions,
testing and diagnostics.

For users searching Walmart Pet Insurance Coverage, the practical takeaway is that Walmart functions as a retail access point, while the actual insurance structure, claims process, exclusions, and underwriting are handled by Nationwide and its policy terms.

How Costco pet insurance currently works

Costco follows a similar partnership structure, but with a different provider. Costco’s official pet insurance page states that members may be eligible for an exclusive discount through Figo Pet Insurance, and that the policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company. Costco also states that Gold Star and Business members may receive a 15% discount, and Executive members may receive additional benefits.

Figo’s own pet insurance pages say its plans cover unexpected illnesses and injuries for dogs and cats and work on a reimbursement model. Figo also states that there are no network restrictions and that policyholders can visit any licensed vet practice, emergency hospital, or specialist worldwide. That flexibility is especially relevant to people thinking about International Pet Insurance, even though buyers should still review policy documents carefully to confirm how claims, exclusions, and geographic terms apply in real situations.

What both retailer-linked options have in common

Although Walmart and Costco use different partners, the coverage structure is broadly similar. In both cases, the retailer helps the user enter the process, but the insurer or insurance partner handles the actual policy mechanics. In practical terms, pet owners are usually comparing the same core variables:

Decision factor	Walmart-linked option	Costco-linked option	Why it matters
Access point	Walmart page directs to Nationwide quote	Costco member page directs to Figo quote	Helps simplify first-time shopping
Provider role	Nationwide handles policy and reimbursement	Figo / underwriting partner handles policy and reimbursement	The retailer is not the insurer
Vet choice	Any vet, anywhere, according to Nationwide	Any licensed vet worldwide, according to Figo	Useful for travel, emergencies, and specialist care
Cost controls	Deductible and reimbursement model	Flexible budgeting and reimbursement design	Affects premium and out-of-pocket costs
Extra value	Familiar Walmart entry point	Costco member discount	Useful for comparison, but not the only decision factor

Pet Insurance for Seniors

Pet Insurance for Seniors is often less about maximizing every policy feature and more about reducing financial shock. Older adults may rely heavily on pets for companionship, routine, and emotional support, but they may also be managing a fixed retirement income. A reimbursement-based policy can help make unexpected illness or injury costs more predictable over time.

Retail-linked programs may also feel easier to approach because they use familiar consumer brands, simple quote flows, and digital claims systems. That does not automatically make them the best option, but it does make them accessible starting points for seniors who want to compare plans without navigating dozens of insurers at once. Walmart and Costco can both serve that role.

Low-income Pet Insurance and budget-focused planning

For households researching Low-income Pet Insurance, Low Income Pet Insurance Coverage, or Cheap Pet Insurance for Low Income, the goal is usually not full reimbursement for every possible pet expense. It is usually protection against the most financially disruptive events, such as emergency treatment, serious illness, surgery, or ongoing medication.

That means budget-focused shoppers often do best when they compare:

annual deductible,
reimbursement percentage,
annual coverage limit,
waiting periods,
pre-existing condition rules,
optional wellness add-ons.

A plan with a lower premium may still cost more overall if the deductible is high and the reimbursement rate is low. On the other hand, a more expensive plan may be worthwhile if it fits a household with a high-risk breed or a pet with a greater likelihood of needing diagnostics or specialist care. For low-income households, the best fit is usually the plan that protects against large setbacks without creating unsustainable monthly costs.

Families Pet Insurance Quote and Quote for Dog Insurance

A Families Pet Insurance Quote is not only about the pet. It is also about how the pet fits into the household budget. In a family setting, a dog or cat often affects multiple people emotionally, especially children. When a pet becomes ill, the financial stress and emotional stress can happen at the same time. That is why many households start with a Quote for Dog Insurance or a cat-insurance quote early, before major symptoms develop. Walmart’s page specifically recommends enrolling before the pet needs care because pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded and late enrollment can raise costs. Figo also states that pre-existing conditions are not covered, with details depending on the condition and policy rules.

This makes timing important. Families that wait until a condition is already visible may find that the part of care they most wanted covered is excluded.

International Pet Insurance and travel considerations

Many U.S. pet owners do not need global coverage, but some do travel often, relocate, or spend extended time outside their home state. For these households, International Pet Insurance becomes a real consideration. Costco’s partner Figo says policyholders can visit licensed vets worldwide under its reimbursement model. Nationwide says its plans allow use of any vet, anywhere, but users should still review policy documents and quote details to confirm how location rules and reimbursement conditions apply in practice.

The safest planning approach is to treat travel flexibility as a policy detail to verify, not to assume. This is especially important for longer trips, relocations, or owners whose pets may need specialist care.

Common mistakes that reduce value

Pet insurance often feels disappointing when buyers choose too quickly. Common mistakes include:

waiting until after symptoms appear,
focusing only on the cheapest premium,
overlooking deductibles and reimbursement percentages,
assuming all chronic or hereditary conditions are treated the same,
forgetting to review renewal terms as pets age.

Those mistakes matter because the pet insurance market is growing fast, but it is still a policy-based product with exclusions, waiting periods, and plan design differences. A familiar retail brand can reduce confusion, but it does not remove the need to read the details carefully.

Conclusion

Walmart and Costco both offer practical ways for U.S. pet owners to begin comparing dog and cat insurance, but they do so through insurance partners rather than by acting as insurers themselves. Walmart currently routes pet insurance shoppers to Nationwide, while Costco offers members discounted access to Figo. Both models can be useful for people looking for a clear starting point, especially when comparing Pet Insurance for Seniors, Low-income Pet Insurance, Low Income Pet Insurance Coverage, Families Pet Insurance Quote, and a Quote for Dog Insurance.

The best choice depends less on the store name and more on the policy structure. Deductibles, reimbursement rates, exclusions, vet flexibility, and long-term affordability all matter. For some households, the right move will be a retailer-linked plan that feels simple and familiar. For others, the better option may come from comparing several insurers side by side. Either way, the most useful approach is to plan before a crisis happens and choose coverage that fits both the pet’s risk profile and the household budget.

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Walmart and Costco do not directly underwrite the pet insurance policies discussed here. Coverage, exclusions, reimbursement terms, discounts, underwriting, and geographic availability can vary by provider, state, and policy. Always review official plan documents and quote details before enrolling.

References

Walmart Pet Insurance page.
Walmart Insurance Services page.
Costco Pet Insurance page.
Nationwide pet insurance official page.
Figo pet insurance FAQ page.
NAPHIA State of the Industry 2025 report highlights.
NAPHIA U.S. premium volume page.
APPA 2025 State of the Industry release.

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