Hambone nominees at work

Some workplace perks are exciting on their own merit, like discounts on vacations or educational opportunities. Other benefits are popular not because you want to use them—but because you’re really glad to have them when the unexpected happens.

Our annual Hambone Award highlights the latter category. This annual contest features the most unusual veterinary claims that we see each year, and how pet insurance helped. Many of our nominees are insured through voluntary benefits plans, which is no big surprise: Nationwide was the first to offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit through brokers and employer groups more than 20 years ago—and continues to be their #1 choice.

This year, half of all Hambone Award nominees were insured through work. We reached out to learn more about what inspired them to sign up.

Boone: Golden retriever in New Jersey

Nationwide member Amanda S. wasn’t sure she needed pet insurance at first. But when her pup plundered poultry from a hot grill, she was glad she had it.

“I don't know why, but I had this notion that insurance was a lot of money out of pocket,” she says “Which is why I didn't get it for my first dog. I just was like, ‘Oh, I think it's too expensive.’”

However, when Amanda saw the group rates available through her employer's voluntary benefits, she reconsidered her opinions. She continues, “I was like, ‘Wait, is that how much it costs for all that?’ It was so affordable, and it came right out of my paycheck, like I don't see it.”

When Boone snatched hot chicken right off the grill, Amanda was left with some not-so-mouthwatering veterinary bills. Thankfully, her Nationwide coverage was there to help cover her eligible expenses.

Foxtrot: Great Dane in Texas

On the other hand, Nationwide member Beth T. had experience with pet insurance from a previous dog who needed allergy care. She chose Nationwide in part because her husband’s voluntary benefits package made getting coverage effortless. “My husband retired from the military, and got a job here locally,” she says. “One of the benefits they offer is Nationwide pet insurance. Because we love our animals so much, we got coverage.”

That was nearly ten years ago. Their coverage has come in handy a few times, most notably when Foxtrot gobbled up a whole turkey leg (and turned Thanksgiving leftovers into a costly veterinary trip). Luckily, her coverage made getting reimbursement for Foxy’s eligible veterinary bills easy.

Maddie: English bulldog in Virginia

Nationwide member Gina A.’s workplace was an integral part of bringing her pup home: Her boss helped find Maddie, then her voluntary benefits package helped protect her.

“One time, I mentioned that I would love to have an olde English bulldogge. My boss said, ‘I know somebody that has puppies, are you interested?’ I just fell in love with Maddie. I couldn't say no.

“I heard about Nationwide through my job, too,” she continues, “My experience talking with someone in Nationwide, it's always great. They make sure that they answer all my questions.”

She adds, “It gives me a lot of security knowing that I have insurance in case anything happens. When you have a pet, anything can happen.” In Gina’s case, “anything” involved her pup munching on a taxidermied alligator head. Anything indeed!

Salem: Black cat in New York

“When I adopted my cats, my friends who were pet owners said, ‘You should get insurance, especially if you adopt, because if something happens, you're going to be very in debt with all these different claims,’” recalls Nationwide member David S. "So, when I first got my cats, the first thing I did was look for insurance. I went to my company portal, and I was like, ‘Is there any pet insurance that my company provides?’”

Luckily his company offered Nationwide pet insurance. “Coverage was pretty affordable through my company. So, it wasn't too big of a hit monthly.”

When one of his earbuds went missing, that protection allowed David to bring Salem to the emergency veterinarian twice to make sure she hadn't swallowed anything dangerous. The mystery of the lost earbud was never solved, but Nationwide did a little abracadabra for his eligible veterinary bills nonetheless.

Wash: Mixed-breed dog in Tennessee

“I heard about Nationwide pet insurance through my employer,” says Nationwide member Chris W. “I never had pet insurance on any of my pets before, but I realize how expensive pet care can get—especially as the pet gets older.

“Having already experienced a few things with Wash prior to starting at that company, I figured it probably was a really good idea to get the insurance for him,” she adds. “I was really thankful that that was something that [my employer] offered.”

This was especially true when the cicada incident occurred. Wash pigged out on some emerging bugs and got a nasty stomachache for several days. Luckily, Nationwide was there to help cover his veterinary bills.

The first and finest pet insurance for employees

More than half of Fortune 500 companies and nearly 10,000 organizations across the U.S. offer Nationwide pet insurance. Exclusive pricing and unique plan benefits are only available through workplace-based benefit programs, and unlike other voluntary benefits, enrollment in pet insurance is available year-round.

Check if your employer offers Nationwide pet insurance.