{"id":1411,"date":"2025-07-16T05:56:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T05:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/is-the-nibbles-card-worth-it-i-ask-our-insurance-experts-bankrate\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T05:56:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T05:56:07","slug":"is-the-nibbles-card-worth-it-i-ask-our-insurance-experts-bankrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/is-the-nibbles-card-worth-it-i-ask-our-insurance-experts-bankrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Nibbles Card worth it? I ask our insurance experts. – Bankrate"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

A recent veterinary exam for my 10-year-old cat and three-year-old miniature dachshund cost me about $870. Maybe I\u2019m a sucker for throwing in extra laboratory tests and vaccinations, but I care about the health of my pets and want to make sure I do everything in my power to stay ahead of any health issues they could experience. Not only for their sake, but for the sake of my peace of mind, too.<\/p>\n

The week after I paid for that visit, the Nibbles Pet Rewards Credit Card<\/span> landed in front of me. This card not only offers pet purchases as a rewards category, but it also features pet insurance coverage. It was the first I ever heard of the card. I\u2019ve been considering pet insurance for a few years now, but just haven\u2019t committed to any of the current providers. So I took a sharp interest in the Nibbles Card and wanted to figure out whether it was worth the hype.<\/p>\n

Nibbles recently updated this card to get rid of its $249 annual fee; the card now has no annual fee. This has all but secured my motive to apply, but it\u2019s still a credit card with a complex blend of benefits, so I don\u2019t want to go in unprepared. I reached out to the experts on Bankrate\u2019s insurance team to see how the coverage Nibbles offers compares to traditional pet insurance<\/u>.<\/p>\n

Like it or not, pet insurance is important<\/h2>\n

Experian found that 92 percent<\/u> of pet owners who have pet insurance claim the coverage is worth it. I\u2019m not normally skeptical of surveys like this, but 92 percent seems like an overwhelming percentage of people. I\u2019m inclined to wonder if they have really done the math to realize that it is truly worth it, or if they\u2019re saying it\u2019s worth it simply because they are already paying for it.<\/p>\n

But I also know it\u2019s not that simple. From a purely financial perspective, insurance is probably not worth it for the majority of people who purchase it. However, insurance thrives on the unknown as a business model. <\/p>\n

\n

Even if I wanted to crunch all the numbers in the world, I won\u2019t be able to reliably predict how much it will cost to take care of my fur babies if the unexpected happens.<\/q> \u2014 Brendan Dyer, CFEI, Bankrate writer <\/cite> <\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

Insurance is important to have because you never know when an emergency might happen, and it can help you avoid the uncomfortable question that inevitably arises: Do I save my emergency fund, or do I save my pet? <\/i><\/p>\n

I would choose my pet every time. But from there, new financial problems will surface.<\/p>\n

Crunching the numbers<\/h3>\n

For instance, I\u2019m concerned about intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in my miniature dachshund because of how prone the breed is to suffering from this disease compared to other dogs. I want to avoid this as best I can, so I take preventive measures like providing him with a little ramp to access areas (like the couch) without having to jump on and off of it. However, this isn\u2019t a foolproof safety net. We can\u2019t prevent everything, but we can prepare for it. That\u2019s where insurance comes in.<\/p>\n

According to PetMD, IVDD treatment costs<\/u> anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 (not including any added costs based on location, lab tests and other exams). That\u2019s a large chunk of change for an unexpected expense.<\/p>\n

To determine if pet insurance is worth it for you, consider what you worry most about when it comes to your pet and familiarize yourself with the potential costs of treating it.<\/p>\n

Why I\u2019m considering the Nibbles Card<\/h2>\n

The Nibbles insurance coverage would cover IVDD treatment for my dog assuming the condition was diagnosed outside the Nibbles waiting period and it\u2019s not a pre-existing condition. Using a projected $5,000 cost for IVDD treatment, I\u2019d pay the first $500 (my deductible) and then I\u2019d owe 20 percent of the remaining $4,500 balance since Nibbles pays 80 percent as my coinsurance. I\u2019ll owe a total of $1,400 ($900 plus my deductible) instead of $5,000. That\u2019s a savings of $3,600, and the potential savings are even higher for more costly procedures. Nibbles will also automatically file claims for me without requiring me to scan receipts, which is a very appealing service for a card like this.<\/p>\n

To get more expert advice on how this card compares to standard pet insurance, I spoke with Natasha Cornelius, CLU. She\u2019s an editor on Bankrate\u2019s insurance team and has written a lot about pet insurance.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s her expert take.<\/p>\n

How the Nibbles Card pet insurance compares<\/h2>\n

According to Cornelius, when comparing pet insurance policies, which can vary a lot, you should look for features such as:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Coverage options<\/li>\n
  • Reimbursement and copay variations<\/li>\n
  • Pet age limits<\/li>\n
  • How to process claims<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cA good pet insurance policy provides the coverage you\u2019re looking for with a price that fits your budget<\/u>,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

    Cornelius believes that even though the Nibbles credit card base insurance policy does not include vet exam fees or medication (a benefit other insurers do provide), it might still be worth a look, especially since Nibbles has the option to customize your pet insurance<\/u> policy for additional fees. She notes, \u201cFor an accident and illness policy, the cost of pet insurance<\/u> averages $56 per month for a dog and $32 for a cat, so the included policy for Nibbles cardholders may definitely be something to consider.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Cornelius compared Nibbles with popular pet insurance policies. Here\u2019s the rundown:<\/p>\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \u00a0<\/td>\n\n

    Coinsurance options<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Annual deductible options<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Annual limit options<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Nibbles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    80 or 90 percent<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $100, $250 or $500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $10,000, $25,000, or $45,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Lemonade<\/u><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    70, 80 or 90 percent<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $100, $250, $500 or $750<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $5,000 to $100,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    ASPCA<\/u><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    70, 80 or 90 percent<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $100, $250 or $500<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $2,500, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Embrace<\/u><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    70, 80 or 90 percent<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $100, $250, $500, $750 or $1,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000 or unlimited<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    Also, unlike traditional pet insurance policies, Cornelius notes that the insurance offered by the Nibbles Card is contingent upon maintaining an active cardholder status in good standing. She warns, \u201cSo, if you decide this card is no longer right for you or you forget to make a payment, your pet\u2019s coverage may be canceled. You would be free to find pet insurance coverage elsewhere, but any pre-existing conditions will likely not be covered.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Is the Nibbles Card a good credit card?<\/h2>\n

    It has a relatively high ongoing APR, no intro APR offers, a modest boosted rewards rate in a niche category and a thinner perks portfolio than many no-annual-fee cards. It may not be the best rewards credit card, but I wouldn\u2019t consider using it the way I use my other credit cards because it\u2019s entirely unique.<\/p>\n

    This credit card offers some pet insurance for no annual fee and increased coverage for additional fees, which I don\u2019t think is a bad thing at all. In fact, I hope that someone who can\u2019t afford insurance from providers like Lemonade or Nationwide<\/u> finds this card if it means they\u2019ll get a big enough break with their veterinary bill that they can afford the care their animal companion needs.<\/p>\n

    Alternative rewards cards<\/h3>\n

    If you want a top credit card for earning points from purchases you make for your pets, the Prime Visa<\/span> and Blue Cash Preferred\u00ae Card from American Express<\/span> are some alternatives worth considering. While these cards won\u2019t be the most valuable for vet visits, they could earn a favorable chunk of rewards or cash back for pet food, toys and supplies.<\/p>\n

    Bottom line<\/h2>\n

    Don\u2019t expect to earn a hearty sum of cash back or rewards with this card; it isn\u2019t the best option for that. Many of our best rewards cards can help you earn more cash back or rewards. If you\u2019re considering the Nibbles Card like I am, it\u2019s only worth it for its insurance benefit. However, you need to make sure to keep your account in good standing and if you ever close your card account, make sure you have another insurance plan in mind.<\/p>\n

    Natasha Cornelius, Bankrate insurance editor<\/i>, contributed to this article.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
    \n

    Did you find this page helpful? <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

    Help us improve our content<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A recent veterinary exam for my 10-year-old cat and three-year-old miniature dachshund cost me about $870. Maybe I\u2019m a sucker for throwing in extra laboratory tests and vaccinations, but I care about the health of my pets and want to make sure I do everything in my power to stay ahead of any health issues<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1.jpg",1280,720,false],"thumbnail":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-1024x576.jpg",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1.jpg",1280,720,false],"2048x2048":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1.jpg",1280,720,false],"morenews-featured":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"morenews-large":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-590x410.jpg",590,410,true],"crawlomatic_preview_image":["http:\/\/ft365.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1411-Cards_Is_the_Nibbles_Credit_Card_worth_it-1-260x146.jpg",260,146,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"henry","author_link":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/author\/henry\/"},"category_info":"Latest News<\/a>","tag_info":"Latest News","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1411"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1411\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1411"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1411"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1411"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}