(WSVN) – They spent thousands of dollars making sure their pet’s medical needs were met. But now, just when your pet needs it most, you’ve received word that your policy won’t be renewed. Some people contacted us because they didn’t know where to turn. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.
People are posting and getting angry on TikTok, Reddit, and Facebook.
An estimated 300,000 pet owners received letters in the mail informing them that their nationwide pet insurance policies “will not be renewed,” The Canine Review reports. Nationwide blames “economic pressures from inflation, rising interest rates and rising costs.”
Robin Tobias and Scott Proxy were notified that their dog Ginger’s insurance would not be renewed.
Robin Tobias: “It’s completely unfair. If this happened to someone’s child, I’m sure more action would be taken.”
When they brought Ginger back to Aventura, they wanted to give her the best life possible.
Robin Tobias: “We took insurance 90% on wellness, so we took the best insurance they had available at the time. We wanted to make sure she had everything covered.”
Scott and Robin insured Ginger from an early age to cover any illnesses she developed as she got older.
She currently has heart murmurs and other issues that will make it nearly impossible for her to get new insurance.
Robin Tobias: “So under those two conditions, no one is going to cover them.”
They contacted Nationwide to see if Ginger could be enrolled in a new insurance plan, but were told no.
7 Investigators contacted the company and asked about options for pet owners.
Nationwide ignored our questions and instead sent the following statement: “We are taking the necessary steps to ensure our long-term viability. These are difficult decisions, but they are the right ones that will allow us to be here for our customers in the long term.”
But not everyone is convinced.
Mark Lewis just purchased national pet insurance for his dog Tommy.
National Habit’s Mark Lewis: “We’re obviously concerned right now.”
Heather Walker: “What are you worried about?”
Mark Lewis: “You may need to look for a new insurance company. Finding an insurance company isn’t easy. We did a lot of research, spent a lot of time on it, and we’re happy we did. I did.”
Pet insurance is largely unregulated in the United States, and all efforts to pass legislation in Florida have failed, leaving pet owners at the mercy of insurance companies.
Robin Tobias: “We’re not asking you to do much, just make sure we’re covered. To some extent, make sure we’re covered. please.”
Robin and Scott aren’t sure how they’ll pay for Ginger’s future vet bills. Because they say Nationwide is definitely not on their side, at least for now.
Heather Walker, 7News.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
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