Our Take on Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide Pet Insurance scored 4.2 out of 5 stars and is the best pet insurance option for people who already have another insurance policy, such as home or car insurance, with Nationwide. Although the company scored well in our cost category, earning full points for keeping premiums under the industry average, it doesn’t offer coverage for more unique coverages such as alternative therapy or prescription food.
Nationwide Pet Insurance began under the name VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance) and was the first pet insurance company in the United States. (Fun fact: The first pet insurance policy was issued to TV’s famous Lassie in 1982). Nationwide, an auto and home insurance company bought VPI in 2008 and rebranded as Nationwide Pet Insurance in 2015.
Headquartered in Brea, Calif., Nationwide insures more than 1.1 million pets in the United States and is the only pet insurance provider that covers birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles and amphibians. It’s also the only provider that offers unlimited wellness care and medical coverage in its standard plan.
How Does Nationwide Compare to Other Pet Insurance Companies?
See how Nationwide Pet Insurance compares to other top competitors in the pet insurance industry.
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days* | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | up to 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$72 | B+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans |
Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$15-$30 | B- | 2 days* | Compare Plans | ||
$34-$75 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$73 | A+ | 2 days | Compare Plans | ||
$18-$44 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$45-$90 | A+ | up to 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$24-$54 | A+ | 15 days | Compare Plans | ||
$25-$54 | B | 1 days | Compare Plans | ||
$39-$72 | B+ | 14 days | Compare Plans | ||
$16-$65 | A+ | 14 days | Compare Plans |
*Lemonade may offer shorter waiting periods depending on where you live.
Pros and Cons of Nationwide Pet Insurance
Here are Nationwide’s key pros and cons:
What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
Nationwide covers 50% to 90% of your vet bills, depending on your selected reimbursement rate. Each plan has a $250 deductible that you will pay before coverage begins.
Nationwide offers a few pet insurance plans with different coverages. The Whole Pet plan covers typical accident and illness-related expenses, while the Major Medical Plan covers more broad medical conditions with set limits for each condition. We’ve broken down the details of each so you can better understand how they work and what’s covered under each plan.
Whole Pet
The Whole Pet plan is a more traditional pet insurance plan, providing comprehensive accident-and-illness coverage and reimbursing a percentage of your vet bill. It provides access to a 24/7 vet helpline and reimburses pet owners for the following costs:
- Behavioral evaluations and therapy
- Chronic conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Dental illness
- Diagnostic testing
- Emergency care
- Eye disorders
- Hereditary conditions
- Hospitalization and surgery
- Prescription medication and supplements
- Respiratory conditions
- Specialist visits
- Veterinary exam fees
Major Medical
Nationwide’s Major Medical plan is an accident-and-illness plan that can be purchased alone or with an added wellness benefit (Major Medical with Wellness). It works differently than a traditional pet insurance policy. Reimbursements are capped at a set amount per condition regardless of the treatment cost, but customers are reimbursed 100% of their costs until that amount is reached. Like the Whole Pet plan, Major Medical includes access to a 24/7 vet helpline. It covers cancer, some hereditary conditions, infectious diseases and more. Typically, the Major Medical plan is more affordable than Nationwide’s other offerings.
Major Medical with Wellness offers the same coverage, deductible and per-condition benefits as the Major Medical policy, but also covers wellness exams, vaccinations, bloodwork, urinalysis, and flea and heartworm prevention. However, wellness plans are not available in all states.
Avian and Exotic Pet Plan
Nationwide is the only pet insurance provider to offer policies for birds and exotic pets. Below are the pets Nationwide covers besides dogs and cats:
- Amphibians
- Ferrets
- Geckos
- Goats
- Guinea pigs
- Hamsters
- Hedgehogs
- Iguanas
- Mice
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Snakes
- Turtles
Pricing and coverage varies by species and the pet’s medical history. Pet owners must call Nationwide directly to get a quote or enroll in a policy (888-899-4874).
Nationwide’s Exclusions
Nationwide has similar exclusions to its competitors, including the following:
- Boarding
- Breeding
- Cosmetic procedures
- Cruciate ligament injuries (before the first 12 months of coverage)
- Preexisting conditions
- Routine care (unless you enroll in the wellness benefit)
- Sales tax
- Waste disposal
Additionally, the Major Medical plan excludes the following:
- Any conditions listed as exclusions in the benefits schedule (such as hip dysplasia)
- Behavioral therapy
- Congenital or developmental disorders
- Prescription food or supplements
- Some hereditary conditions
- Various dental problems (such as gingivitis)
- Vision or hearing degeneration
Pets enrolled in the Major Medical plan must be under 10 years old.
Waiting Periods
Nationwide’s Whole Pet and Major Medical policies have a 14-day waiting period with or without the optional wellness plan. There’s also a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries.
Nationwide Annual Limits, Deductibles and Reimbursement Options
Nationwide doesn’t offer many customization options. The Major Medical plan has no customization features and the Avian and Exotic plan is specific to each pet.
- Annual Coverage Limits: The Whole Pet plan has an annual coverage limit of $10,000. The Modular plan allows for a $5,000 yearly coverage limit or unlimited coverage. For Major Medical Plans, each individual condition has a set annual limit. The maximum coverage for routine expenses is $500 per year.
- Reimbursement Rates: The Whole Pet plan offers a choice between 50% or 70% reimbursement. Modular plans have higher reimbursements, ranging from 50-90%. Major Medical Plan reimbursements are in-full up to the per-condition limit.
- Deductible Options: Every plan comes with a standard $250 deductible.
For exact annual limits on specific conditions, check out this benefit schedule.
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
Nationwide’s monthly premiums vary depending on a few factors, such as your pet’s species, age, gender, and breed as well as your location and selected deductible.
Here’s a sample of Nationwide’s monthly pricing based on quotes we received for various cat and dog breeds in Raleigh, N.C. We used a 70% reimbursement rate for the Whole Pet plan to gather data. You’ll need to reach out directly for an Avian and Exotic Pet Plan quote.
Animal Breed | 1-year-old Medium Mixed Dog | 4-year-old Medium Mixed Dog | 1-year-old Labrador Retriever | 4-year-old Labrador Retriever | 1-year-old Mixed Cat | 4-year-old Mixed Cat | 1-year-old Persian Cat | 4-year-old Persian Cat |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whole Pet Plan | $60.71 | $75.99 | $80.85 | $97.21 | $22.71 | $30.85 | $37.94 | $53.32 |
Major Medical Plan | $25.07 | $33.34 | $33.81 | $44.97 | $11.37 | $13.07 | $16.03 | $18.43 |
Major Medical with Wellness | $48.67 | $56.94 | $57.41 | $68.57 | $34.97 | $36.67 | $39.63 | $42.03 |
Fill out Nationwide’s online form to get a free, personalized quote.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Reviews
We analyzed more than 100 customer reviews for Nationwide pet insurance. Customers widely praised its customer service team, sign-up process
and exotic pet insurance coverage.
One Nationwide customer on Yelp said,
"I decided to purchase Nationwide pet insurance after researching their online policy, finding it to be one of the best in terms of value. Despite coming across numerous negative reviews on Yelp and Google, I was concerned about the insurance's reliability. Even though my pet was healthy, I felt it was important to have comprehensive coverage given her age. I made the choice to proceed with the insurance, curious to see how they would uphold their commitments. After 7 months, my pet encountered a teeth issue that resulted in an unexpected chain of expenses, including specialist consultations and high bills. Initially skeptical due to the negative comments, I questioned the insurance's efficacy, especially after waiting three months for claim resolution. However, I'm pleased to share that Nationwide stood by their policy and fully covered my pet's expenses. As a content customer, I believe it's only fair to provide an honest review, expressing my gratitude to Nationwide for their support in caring for my pet. My decision to choose your company has proven to be a good one. Thank you, Nationwide. Warm regards."
Another user on Trustpilot said,
"I cannot believe there’s actually a Pet Insurance company that not only accepts exotic animals, but makes claims easy to file, pays 90% and gets you your money back quickly. Also, in my case, when my pet passed, they did not make it difficult to cancel. Cynthia, who handled my case, was the most empathetic and helpful person I’ve ever spoken to in insurance. Thank you to Nationwide for hiring people who are caring."
Other Nationwide members criticized its lengthy claim processing time, expensive premiums and denied claims.
One Reddit user said,
"Our beautiful Vizsla was recently bit by a rattle snake while out hiking, we of course rushed her to an emergency vet for immediate treatment. Thankfully everything went well, after an overnight stay at the vet, 2 doses of antivenom and pain medications she is making a full recovery. The vet bill came out to about $4500, I submitted my claim to Nationwide pet insurance. I am on the Major Medical plan and pay about $45 a month, after they processed my claim they will be covering only $1000 of the cost. This is my 2nd claim for a big medical bill with them and have found that their policy in the end only covers about 25% of the actual costs given that their schedule of benefits is very strict and quite frankly low when compared to what veterinary offices actually charge. For the money I know there are much better options to cover your pet."
Another reviewer on Yelp said,
"Nationwide will do anything to avoid paying a claim. My 10 year old Westie has a bad liver and our vet recommended Denamarin to help him. Nationwide has decided that is a supplement. WRONG. IT IS A MEDICINE. The person who wrote this guide is wrong!"
We reached out to Nationwide for a comment on the negative reviews but did not receive a response.
Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Right For You?
We’ve analyzed hundreds of pet insurance providers based on policies, pricing, add-ons, exclusions and more. Nationwide stands out for its customer service and 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. Its low reimbursement levels, limited customization options, and per-condition and age limits may not appeal to some pet owners.
Consider Lemonade or Spot for higher annual coverage limits and 70% to 90% reimbursement rates. We recommend comparing policies and rates from at least three pet insurance providers before enrolling your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nationwide Pet Insurance
Visit petinsurance.com/submit-claim, select your state and download a claim form. Once completed, you can submit your form and any other necessary bills and paperwork through your online account on Nationwide’s website, via email (submitmyclaim@petinsurance.com), via fax (714-989-5600), or by mail (Nationwide Claims Department, P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA 92822).
Nationwide’s waiting period is 14 days for accidents, illnesses, wellness and orthopedic coverage. The Major Medical Plan also has a 12-month waiting period for hereditary condition coverage.
You can contact Nationwide’s customer service via phone (800-540-2016) or email through its website. Representatives are not available 24/7, so check the website for the most current customer service hours.
Yes, Nationwide customers can visit any licensed vet, specialist or emergency provider in the United States.