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Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

G. John Cole
Written by
G. John Cole
Written by
G. John Cole
Senior Writer
Graeme is a senior writer at ProtectMyPaws, working with our in-house team of data analysts and researchers to produce original studies and reports you will find under the Pet Care section of the site. Even though he doesn't have any pets at home now, Graeme grew up with a yellow Lab called Jake and a goldfish called Rudolph.
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ProtectMyPaws is an independent publication with no ties with companies mentioned on the site. We don’t accept free products in exchange for glowing reviews. Instead, we report our own findings to help you make an informed decision.

Selling a variety of insurance policies since 1926, Nationwide is one of the giants of the insurance industry in the USA. Ever since its inception, the company often finds its spot among the top 100 on the Fortune 500 list.

In 2009, they acquired VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance), a Californian pet insurance company that was the first ever to sell a pet insurance policy (they insured the famous TV dog Lassie). From that moment onward, they provide pet insurance policies that protect pets and pet owners across the nation from accidents, illnesses, emergencies, and liabilities.

Other than Nationwide’s monthly premiums which are a bit on the expensive side, the provider is trusted at large by many pet parents. Lots of companies have the practice of offering Nationwide’s pet insurance policies with a sizable discount as a benefit to their employees.

Another notable fact about this pet insurer is that it’s the only company in the US that accepts exotic animals such as birds, rabbits, reptiles, and rodents in its family of insurable pets. 

With a vast number of obtainable pet insurance plans, Nationwide’s policies can be a bit overwhelming to comprehend. That’s why we created this ultimate Nationwide pet insurance review where you can discover everything about the company’s offers.

Nationwide’s Pros & Cons

ProsCons
A+ rated with both the AM Best and the BBBLack of flexibility when designing your pet insurance plan
Pet insurance plans valid when traveling worldwideThe major medicalSM plans reimbursement is based on a benefits schedule system
Unlimited payout limits for their top tier Pets older than 10 can’t sign up for accident and illness coverage
The only company that offers pet insurance for exotic pets$2.00 monthly transaction fee
Standalone wellness plans availableOnly one annual deductible option – $250
Accident-only plan availableNo option for direct vet bill payment
Pre-existing conditions may be reinstated if the pet is classified as “cured” for the last six monthsMany negative experiences regarding customer support
Up to 10% discount for multiple pets
Coverage for exam fees
No bilateral exclusions
No entry fee

Nationwide’s Key Attributes

  1. Underwriter:
    • Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (for California):
      • AM Best Rating: A+
      • BBB Rating: A+
    • National Casualty Company (for the rest of the US):
      • AM Best Rating: A+
      • BBB Rating: A+
  2. No exam required prior to enrollment;
  3. Price of monthly premium increases by 12% on average, annually;
  4. Claim submission doesn’t have a time limit;
  5. Claim processing is resolved within 30 days (4 days on average) after all documents are submitted;
  6. Waiting periods are within the average for illnesses and wellness, but quite high for accidents and cruciate ligament instances:
    • Accidents – 14 days;
    • Illnesses – 14 days;
    • Wellness – 24 hours;
    • Cruciate ligament instances – 12 months.
  1. Pet insurance coverage is available worldwide;
  2. Bilateral conditions are covered with Nationwide.

Nationwide’s Insurance Plans for Cats and Dogs

There are four plans that you can choose from Nationwide to enroll your young puppies and kittens or adult cats and dogs. Their main differences lie in what they cover and the reimbursement methods they use to compensate you for your veterinary costs.

whole pet®

The first plan – whole pet® works on the percentage reimbursement model. When you go through the process of obtaining a quote for your pet, you’d be given the options to choose from 50%, 70%, or 90% reimbursement rate for your covered expenses. 

That means that depending on which reimbursement option you’ll go for, you’ll be assigned with your part of the deal, and that’s the copayment percentage and the deductible.

The plan comes with three copayment options – 10%, 30%, and 50%, and a fixed annual deductible of $250. The annual payout limit of the whole pet® plan is $10,000.

The whole pet® plan is great if you don’t want to bother with how much your vet bill would cost because, in the end, you’ll be reimbursed with your preferred percentage.

whole pet with wellness®

If you seek the ultimate pet health coverage, you can find it with Nationwide’s whole pet with wellness® plan. It’s the whole pet® plan upgraded with a wellness option to cover important routine care procedures.

The annual deductible and the reimbursement and copayment percentages remain the same as the whole pet® plan, but there’s one major difference. There’s no limit on the annual payout with the whole pet with wellness® plan.

major medicalSM

The major medicalSM plan is quite different from the whole pet® plans. It uses a benefits schedule system to appoint the maximum amount that you can be reimbursed for each veterinary procedure.

This option is great if you live in an area with lower veterinary costs and think your pet won’t face many serious conditions that result in expensive medical bills. While you’ll get less reimbursement than the whole pet® plan and more limited coverage, your monthly premiums will be significantly lower.

The annual deductible stays the same though – $250.

major medicalSM with wellness

Following the practice of the whole pet with wellness® plan, Nationwide adds routine care options to the major medicalSM plan to design their fourth insurance plan for cats and dogs – the major medicalSM with wellness plan.

This plan adds a bit more to the monthly premium that you’d otherwise get with the ordinary major medicalSM, but in turn, your pets will enjoy preventative treatments that can prolong their lifespan.

What’s Covered With a Nationwide’s Policy

whole pet®

The whole pet® and the whole pet with wellness® plans come with one of the best policy protection clauses for both cats and dogs. All kinds of diagnostics, illnesses, accidents, and injuries are covered, including:

  • Accidents and injuries: poisonings, sprains, puncture wounds, fractures, cuts or bite wounds, foreign body in stomach, facial and jaw trauma, ACL ruptures, and other cruciate ligament incidents;
  • Chronic illnesses: allergies, arthritis, and skin conditions;
  • Veterinary procedures: exam fees, specialty and emergency visits, hospitalization, surgeries, Caesarean section, endoscopies, and chemotherapy;
  • Common illnesses: ear infections, eye infections, bladder infection, bladder stones, FLUTD, vomiting, and diarrhea;
  • Dental illnesses: pulpitis, teeth extractions, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and ulcerative stomatitis;
  • Serious illnesses: cancer, heart disease, inflamed pancreas, diabetes, kidney disease, Addison’s disease, and respiratory conditions;
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions: hip dysplasia, tracheal collapse, eye disorders, blood disorders, hyperthyroidism, cryptorchidism, and musculoskeletal disorders;
  • Holistic and alternative treatments: acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and laser therapy;
  • Behavioral exam and treatments;
  • Testing & diagnostics: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, blood tests, and urinalysis;
  • Prescriptions: prescribed medication, therapeutic diets, and nutritional supplements;
  • Routine care treatments: plaque and tartar cleaning, treatment of internal and external parasites, spaying/neutering, deworming, vaccinations and titer, health certificate, and more;
  • Euthanasia, cremation, and burial.

major medicalSM

The major medicalSM and the major medicalSM with wellness plans cover fewer instances than the whole pet® plans and operate on a benefits schedule system.

For the full list of everything that’s covered by these plans, check this sample policy by Nationwide

What’s Excluded From Nationwide’s Coverage

Every pet insurance company out there imposes some exclusions in the pet insurance policies they provide. Here’s what’s not included in Nationwide’s plans:

  1. major medicalSM with wellness:
    • Pre-existing conditions: something that no other company includes at the start of their policy terms. Illnesses and injuries your pet had before you enroll with Nationwide won’t be included in your policy, however, if your vet confirms that your pet’s pre-existing condition has been cured for at least six months, you can resume coverage for it;
    • Grooming: this includes baths, shampoos, nail trims, and dips;
    • Aesthetic and cosmetic procedures (unless medically necessary): elective surgeries, ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal;
    • Breeding, pregnancy, and whelping procedures;
    • Boarding, storage, and transportation services;
    • Administrative taxes and fees such as taxes, waste disposal, bank or credit card fees, and record access and copying;
    • Any experimental diagnosis or treatment that’s not standardized by the veterinary medical board of your state.
  2. All other plans:
    • All of the above;
    • Congenital anomalies or developmental disorders;
    • Hereditary disorders;
    • The first 12 months of when a cruciate ligament injury occurs are not included in coverage;
    • Wellness procedures and exams aren’t included unless you purchase a wellness plan, either standalone or as an add-on.

Nationwide’s Insurance Plans for Exotic Pets

It’s a rare occurrence to discover a pet insurance company that is, in fact, an exotic pet insurance provider at the same time. Nationwide happens to be exactly that.

Their Avian & Exotic Pet Plan is a uniquely designed feature that provides protection for those unusual pets that are actually quite common in American households.

The exotic buddies that Nationwide is willing to insure are divided by size into four main groups:

  • Group 1 – small exotic animals: lizard, chameleon, hamster, mouse, rat, amphibian, hedgehog, gecko, gerbil, guinea pig, or small bird (less than 50 grams in weight);
  • Group 2 – medium-sized exotic animals: opossum, chinchilla, iguana, sugar glider, tortoise, ferret, turtle, rabbit, medium-sized bird (between 50 and 300 grams in weight), or snake of a small, medium, or a large size;
  • Group 3 – large exotic animals: large bird (from 300 grams to 10 kilograms in weight);
  • Group 4 – extra-large exotic animals: goat, pot-bellied pig, extra-large bird (more than 10 kilograms in weight), or extra-large snake (python, anaconda, boa constrictor).

In terms of claim limit options, this plan is a bit different than the plans designed for cats and dogs. It has a $50 per-incident deductible, reimbursement is up to 90% on a pre-defined benefits schedule per each veterinary procedure, and has no lifetime payout limit.

It does have annual payout limits though – the maximum reimbursement payout you can receive for each incident is $2,000, and you won’t get anything above $7,000 in reimbursements annually.

Exotic Animals That Are Ineligible For a Nationwide Pet Insurance Coverage

It’s worth mentioning that the following species can’t be enrolled on the Avian & Exotic Pet Plan by Nationwide:

  • Any species that are venomous or poisonous;
  • Any species that are in danger of extinction;
  • Any species that you might keep in flocks, such as chickens or pigeons;
  • Any species that you’re required to have a permit, registration, or license to own;
  • Any species that you can’t own legally;
  • Any species that are a result of breeding domestic pets with wild species.

Nationwide’s Wellness Plans

Pet wellness plan by nationwide featuring a puppy, a kitten, a bunny, and a parrot.

Nationwide offers a standalone pet wellness plan which is a pretty rare occurrence in the pet insurance world. However, you can choose to obtain the whole pet® plan and the major medicalSM plan packed with a wellness add-on for more complete coverage.

And since they offer pet insurance for exotic pets, it’s logical that they have designed something to provide preventive care for some of those. We’re talking about the Avian Supplemental & Routine Care Coverage – a wellness plan catering exclusively to pet birds.

When it comes to cats and dogs, there are two wellness plans dedicated to their routine care needs – pet wellnesssm basic and pet wellnesssm plus

This table explains how much you can get for each preventive care treatment on an annual level:

Benefitspet wellnesssm basicpet wellnesssm plus
2 wellness exams$50 ($25 max per exam)$60 ($30 max per exam)
Microchipping$40$40
Behavior exam + treatment$30$30
Flea/tick control + heartworm prevention$50$75
Vaccinations or titer$50$75
Nail trimming$20$20
Heartworm or FeLV/FIV exam$30$35
Deworming$25$25
Fecal exam$15$25
Health certificate$40$40
One of the following:Blood test;X-rays;EKG.$50$75
Maximum annual benefit$400$500
Pricing$12-18/month$17-22/month

Similarly, the table below shows what you get with a subscription to the Avian Supplemental & Routine Care Coverage that comes with a price tag of $99/year.

BenefitsAnnual Allowance
Physical Exam/Office Call$25
Parasite Test/Fecal Exam$10
Parasite Treatment$20
Beak Trim$7
Nail Trim$7
Wing Trim$7
CBC$20
Culture$45
Panel or Titer$40
Maximum annual benefit$181

Extra Features

There are two additional benefits that you can use to leverage your pet insurance policy with Nationwide:

  • The vethelpline® – live veterinary guidance that you can call anytime you wish and get an answer to your pet-related questions. This type of 24/7 assistance can certainly come in handy in situations when you need to urgently respond to a critical situation concerning your pet’s life. Nationwide values this service at $150, but provides it to each of its members as a free perk.
  • Exclusive discounts available to employees. If you’re working for a medium-sized to a large-sized business, chances are your employer already offers pet insurance benefits through Nationwide. Using this benefit can greatly reduce the price of your pet insurance monthly premium.
vethelpline service by Nationwide featuring a dog dressed as a superhero.

Nationwide’s Pricing Quotes

Remember that every pet has a unique quote with a monthly premium price that’s based on their breed, gender, age, size, location, and medical conditions. In this article we’ll review some sample quotes for the most popular pet breed in the US, so you’ll get a general understanding of where the price of your monthly premium will fall.

After comparing Nationwide’s prices to those of other similar companies, we came to a realization that they come a bit on the higher end. You’ll notice below that as pets get older, so do their monthly premiums, and some plans aren’t even available for older pets. However, that’s quite understandable when you consider the reliability of the provider and the vast number of conditions and procedures they cover.

Pricing Quotes for Dogs

  • whole pet®:
BreedGerman ShepherdFrench BulldogLabrador Retriever
GenderMaleMaleFemale
Age2 years 4 months4 years 2 months6 years 6 months
LocationNew YorkCaliforniaColorado
Deductible$250$250$250
Reimbursement90%90%90%
whole pet with wellness® (unlimited annual benefits)$131.83/month$134.39/monthN/A
whole pet® ($10,000 total annual benefits)$94.92/month$98.54/monthN/A

*quotes obtained in June 2021

  • major medicalSM:
BreedGerman ShepherdFrench BulldogLabrador Retriever
GenderMaleMaleFemale
Age2 years 4 months4 years 2 months6 years 6 months
LocationNew YorkCaliforniaColorado
Deductible$250$250$250
Claim LimitPer incidentPer incidentPer incident
ReimbursementPer incidentPer incidentPer incident
major medicalSM with wellness$61.24/month$64.65/month$97.63/month
major medicalSM$43.24/month$46.65/month$79.63/month

*quotes obtained in June 2021

Pricing Quotes for Cats

  • whole pet®:
BreedSiamesePersianAbyssinian
GenderMaleMaleFemale
Age2 years 5 months4 years 1 month8 years 2 months
LocationNew YorkColoradoCalifornia
Deductible$250$250$250
Reimbursement90%90%90%
whole pet with wellness® (unlimited annual benefits)$84.84/month$70.04/month$105.15/month
whole pet® ($10,000 total annual benefits)$61.08/month$53.12/month$83.03/month

*quotes obtained in June 2021

  • major medicalSM:
BreedSiamesePersianAbyssinian
GenderMaleMaleFemale
Age2 years 5 months4 years 1 month8 years 2 months
LocationNew YorkColoradoCalifornia
Deductible$250$250$250
Claim LimitPer incidentPer incidentPer incident
ReimbursementPer incidentPer incidentPer incident
major medicalSM with wellness$39.62/month$39.46/month$54.66/month
major medicalSM$21.62/month$21.46/month$36.66/month

*quotes obtained in June 2021

Pricing Quotes for Exotic Pets

The Nationwide Avian & Exotic Pet Plan offers affordable pet medical coverage for a large number of exotic pets and pet birds. With a fixed low deductible of $50 per incident, Nationwide will reimburse you with up to 90% of the veterinary bill for treating your exotic pet.

Each of the four groups of exotic pets is uniquely priced with monthly premiums varying depending on the pet’s species, breed, age, sex, size, and location.

The monthly premiums for insuring an exotic pet start as low as:

  • $6.65/month for small animals (Group 1);
  • $9.50/month for medium-sized animals including small and large snakes (Group 2);
  • $12.35/month for large birds (Group 3);
  • $15.68/month for large animals, extra-large snakes, and extra-large birds (Group 4).

Pricing Plans for Pet Wellness

We mentioned that with Nationwide you can obtain a standalone pet wellness plan for your pet to cover their routine care needs.

You can enroll a cat, a dog, or an exotic pet (except a bird) on the pet wellnesssm basic plan for $12-18/month and on the pet wellnesssm plus plan for $17-22/month. Note that variations in premiums are based on plan type, species and breed of the pet, and state of residence.

Nationwide offers the Avian Supplemental & Routine Care Coverage to birds for a $99 annual premium.

Discounts

Even though Nationwide’s monthly premiums are on the higher end, the pet insurance provider does offer discounts as an incentive to attract more customers and keep their costs a bit lower.

If you sign up a second and/or a third cat or dog with Nationwide, you’ll receive a 5% discount on their dedicated plans. The multi-pet discount extends to 10% if you enroll a fourth cat or dog for an insurance policy. The same goes for every subsequent cat and dog.

The discount for adding more than one exotic pet to your Avian & Exotic Pet Plan is 15% off their monthly premiums. 

If you happen to be an already existing Nationwide customer (enrolled in some of their other insurance plans like homeowners, renters, or auto insurance) you’ll be automatically eligible for a 5% discount on any of Nationwide’s pet insurance plans.

How Does Nationwide Compare With Its Competitors?

In this section, we’ll set Nationwide against some of its fiercest rivals. The three companies reviewed below are some of the most popular, well-renowned pet insurers that deserve to stand side by side with Nationwide.

Nationwide vs. Trupanion

Trupanion is widely known for their unique approach to pet insurance. They offer one of the best pet dental policies in the industry and coverage for bilateral conditions as well.

FeatureNationwideTrupanion
Coverage EffectiveWorldwideUSA, Canada, and Puerto Rico
ReimbursementChoice of 50%, 70%, and 90% for the whole pet® plans;
Fixed benefit schedule amount for the major medicalSM plans.
90%
Co-Payment10%, 30%, or 50%10%
Deductible$250$0 – $1,000
Type of DeductibleAnnualPer condition
Claim Limit Options$10,000 or UnlimitedUnlimited
Accident-Only PlanAvailableNo
Wellness PlanAvailableNo
Unlimited Benefits Plan YesYes
AccidentsYesYes
IllnessesYesYes
Illness Waiting Period14 days30 days
Accident Waiting Period14 days5 days
Cruciate Ligament Waiting Period12 months30 days
Bilateral ExclusionsNoNo
Chronic ConditionsYesYes
Hereditary and Congenital ConditionsYesYes
CancerYesYes
Dental CoverageYesYes
Prescription MedicineYesYes
Alternative/Holistic TherapyYesOptional add-on
Behavioral IssuesYesOptional add-on
Exam FeesYesNo
Exam Required for EnrollmentNoNo
Available At Any Vet ClinicYesYes
MicrochipYesNo
Minimum Pet Age Limit6 weeksNo limit
Maximum Pet Age Limit10 years14 years
Entry Fee$0.00$35.00
Monthly Transaction Fee$2.00$0.00
Multi-Pet Discount5% for second and third pet;
10% for fourth and subsequent pets.
None
Claim RepaymentWithin 30 days (4 on average)Within 60 days (14 on average)
Direct Vet Bill PaymentNoYes
Money-Back Guarantee10 days30 days
AM Best RatingA+Unrated
BBB RatingA+A+

*companies’ features compared in June 2021

Read the full Trupanion Pet Insurance review.

Nationwide vs. Embrace

Embrace is a company that highly values comprehensive coverage for each pup and kitten, so they’re always perfectly protected from any harm. Just like Nationwide, their policy is valid with every veterinarian in the world and they also boast a medical history review for every enrolled pet.

FeatureNationwideEmbrace
Coverage Effective WorldwideWorldwide
ReimbursementChoice of 50%, 70%, and 90% for the whole pet® plans;
Fixed benefit schedule amount for the major medicalSM plans.
Choice of 70%, 80%, and 90% of covered expenses
Co-Payment10%, 30%, or 50%10%, 20%, or 30%
Deductible$250$200 – $1,000
Type of DeductibleAnnualAnnual
Claim Limit Options$10,000 or Unlimited$5,000 – $30,000
Accident-Only PlanAvailableAvailable
Wellness PlanAvailableAvailable
Unlimited Benefits Plan YesNo
AccidentsYesYes
IllnessesYesYes
Illness Waiting Period14 days14 days
Accident Waiting Period14 days2 days
Cruciate Ligament Waiting Period12 months6 months (14 days with orthopedic report card)
Bilateral ExclusionsNoYes
Chronic ConditionsYesYes
Hereditary and Congenital ConditionsYesYes
CancerYesYes
Dental CoverageYesYes
Prescription MedicineYesYes
Alternative/Holistic TherapyYesYes
Behavioral IssuesYesYes
Exam FeesYesYes
Exam Required for EnrollmentNoNo
Available At Any Vet ClinicYesYes
MicrochipYesYes
Minimum Pet Age Limit6 weeks6 weeks
Maximum Pet Age Limit10 years14 years
Entry Fee$0.00$25.00
Monthly Transaction Fee$2.00$1.00
Multi-Pet Discount5% for second and third pet;
10% for fourth and subsequent pets.
5%-10% (depending on state) for each pet
Claim RepaymentWithin 30 days (4 days on average)Within 14 days (8-9 days on average)
Direct Vet Bill PaymentNoNo
Money-Back Guarantee10 days30 days
AM Best RatingA+A+
BBB RatingA+A+

*companies’ features compared in June 2021

Read the full Embrace Pet Insurance review.

Nationwide vs. Figo

A relatively young company in the pet insurance world, Figo is one of the very few to offer a complete reimbursement for your pet medical expenses. They also boast an amazing smartphone app where you can submit and review your claims, access a licensed vet 24/7, and connect with fellow pet owners.

FeatureNationwideFigo
Coverage Effective WorldwideWorldwide
ReimbursementChoice of 50%, 70%, and 90% for the whole pet® plans;Fixed benefit schedule amount for the major medical℠ plans.Choice of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% of covered expenses
Co-Payment10%, 30%, or 50%0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%
Deductible$250$100 – $1,500 depending on pet’s age
Type of DeductibleAnnualAnnual
Claim Limit Options$10,000 or Unlimited$5,000, $10,000, or Unlimited
Accident-Only PlanAvailableNot available
Wellness PlanAvailableAvailable in most states except AK, CO, FL, ID, MO, NJ, NY, UT, and WA
Unlimited Benefits Plan YesYes
AccidentsYesYes
IllnessesYesYes
Illness Waiting Period14 days14 days
Accident Waiting Period14 days1 day (3 days in AK, CO, FL, ID, MO, NJ, NY, UT, and WA)
Cruciate Ligament Waiting Period12 months6 months (only applies to dogs)
Bilateral ExclusionsNoYes
Chronic ConditionsYesYes
Hereditary and Congenital ConditionsYesYes
CancerYesYes
Dental CoverageYesYes
Prescription MedicineYesYes
Alternative/Holistic TherapyYesYes
Behavioral IssuesYesYes
Exam FeesYesOptional add-on
Exam Required for EnrollmentNoNo
Available At Any Vet ClinicYesYes
MicrochipYesOptional add-on
Minimum Pet Age Limit6 weeks8 weeks
Maximum Pet Age Limit10 yearsNo Limit
Entry Fee$0.00$15.00
Monthly Transaction Fee$2.00$2.00
Multi-Pet Discount5% for second and third pet;10% for fourth and subsequent pets.5%-10% for each additional pet (depending on the state)
Claim RepaymentWithin 30 days (4 days on average)Within 10 days (1-4 days on average)
Direct Vet Bill PaymentNoNo
Money-Back Guarantee10 days30 days
AM Best RatingA+A-
BBB RatingA+B

*companies’ features compared in June 2021

Customer Service

You can reach Nationwide’s customer service by phone or email.

Their customer support is available Monday through Friday 5 am – 7 pm and Saturdays 7 am – 3:30 pm Pacific Time.

Given the above, it is a bit of a downside to not have a support agent available 24/7 through live chat or social media, as is the case with many of the current competitors.

Claims can be submitted via email, fax, or mail, either as scanned documents or in a digital PDF format.

Customer Reviews

It’s our customary practice to weigh a company’s reliability by reviewing hundreds of real customers’ testimonies. Fortunately, there are tons of places on the internet where you can research what existing Nationwide users have to say about their personal experiences with the pet insurer.

Here are some of the positive and negative customer reviews from around the web:

Positive Nationwide Pet Insurance Reviews

Reading through these reviews for Nationwide, I’m actually shocked. My experience has been the complete opposite of the reviewers. I adopted a kitten in June of 2017 and purchased the Whole Pet with Wellness plan for him. I had originally only gotten the insurance to cover his shots through the first year. However, it turned out my cat was a cryptorchid and had to undergo surgery. He had a difficult time healing and nearly died. In total, he underwent 4 total surgeries and I spent almost $5,000 in vet bills.

I don’t know what I would have done without Nationwide. They reimbursed me 90% of my vet bills with no questions asked. I only had one claim rejected and, when I called customer service, they instructed me on how to resubmit my claim with the appropriate documents. My claim was later accepted. I do pay $35 a month for the plan and have a $250 deductible but it’s all been worth it.

Nationwide has saved me so much money on these unexpected vet bills. I’m not sure why my experience differs so much from other reviewers but I honestly don’t have one negative comment to make about my insurance. Everything has gone smoothly and it rarely takes more than 2-3 weeks for my claims to be processed. I wish everyone else good luck and for those of you considering this insurance, I hope your experience is as positive as mine.

Charlene from Orlando, FL

I have had Nationwide Pet Insurance (originally VIP Pet Insurance) and have been very happy with the entire process. Payments are made within 10 days, and very few times have I had any need to provide more documentation. Customer service is excellent. They are compassionate, professional, and knowledgeable. I have been very happy with my coverage, it’s the best that I have found available, and a fair price per month. I highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance.

Vicki B. from Paradise Valley, AZ

I was really hesitant because of all the bad reviews but decided to try Nationwide for my new puppy because my employer offers it. Had the policy ~3 months and so far there have been zero issues. I have the “with wellness” plan and have filed 4 claims for regular vet visits so far, all of them very easy to submit online and processed quickly.

Then last weekend my poor puppy had to spend 2 days in an expensive ER for xylitol poisoning (he’s okay!!!) He was discharged Monday, I filed a claim that night, and the payment just showed up in my account this morning (Thursday) and everything that my policy claims to cover was covered. No questions or delays despite a long, complicated-looking bill in the thousands. If I ever have issues with Nationwide I’ll update my review but so far I’m extremely happy that I decided to buy it.

Kirsten B. from Seattle, WA

Negative Nationwide Pet Insurance Reviews

They used to be incredible, extremely expensive but worth it in NYC. But they started after Covid rejecting valid claims, meaning you do not get refunded your vet bills a single penny. They ignore your wellness benefits, they stretch any type of pre-existing to block payments. My dog went to a chiro for his back, rejected because of his knee. My boyfriend’s cat has never been diagnosed with anxiety, alopecia, or allergies. But because his doctor notes said his cat bit off some hair they claimed he was.

They no longer pick up their customer service phone line nor respond to emails. So when they do something they shouldn’t have, you have no way of fixing it. Any reviews that say they’re great make sure it’s not dated pre-covid, because they were (back then).

Linda H. from San Francisco, CA

I just had a call with one of their customer representatives as I am interested in opening up a policy with Nationwide. It was the weirdest and worst call I’ve ever had. The representative interrupted me 5 times as I was trying to explain my needs. Every time, she’d say “I’m sorry to interrupt, but what kind of insurance would you like for your dog?” And I would explain the overall needs, I have and she would interrupt again before I could get into it and would say again, “I’m sorry to interrupt but, what would you like covered?” and on and on.

I did not get her name, but I was very frustrated and let her know that constantly interrupting me is not giving me a good feeling about Nationwide. Why won’t their representatives let prospective clients explain or talk? What is wrong with them?

Lily N. from Venice, CA

Conclusion

Going through everything that Nationwide provides, we came to a conclusion that their best option is the whole pet with wellness® plan – it includes complete coverage for accidents, illnesses, emergencies, and preventative veterinary procedures to keep your pet’s health at an optimal level.

As per usual, we’re no fans of benefits schedules, so our recommendation is to try and skip the major medicalSM plans if it’s all-encapsulating coverage of what you’re after.

Additionally, offering the only exotic pet insurance coverage makes Nationwide a one-stop shop for everyone that deviates from ordinary cat/dog parenting.

That being said, Nationwide’s pet insurance policy is indeed a valuable asset to possess, although it comes with a hefty price tag. There are cheaper alternatives that we review at ProtectMyPaws – take a look at some below.

Nationwide’s Alternatives

ASPCA Pet Insurance is similar to Nationwide in that it offers comprehensive accidents and illnesses coverage for more affordable prices. They also have better claim repayment turnarounds and pre-existing conditions are erased if your pet goes symptom-free for at least 6 months. Helping stray animals is another strong suit of ASPCA that simply always draws our attention to their pet-related work.

Petplan is amazing when it comes to lowering the price of your monthly premiums by applying various discounts. They have zero restrictions whether that concerns your furry friend’s age, gender, breed, and size, and annual, per-incident, and lifetime limits are non-existent as well. When in an emergency, Petplan will do their best to cover your pet’s kennel or cattery boarding fees, vacation-cancelation payments, and advertising and reward costs in case your pet is lost or stolen.

Another cheap solution for insuring your pet is Pets Best. They constantly optimize their policies to keep premium prices budget-friendly without taking away important clauses that protect your pet’s wellbeing. Besides being fast and flexible, Pets Best can even pay the veterinary clinic for you, saving you time by simplifying the claim submission process.

F.A.Q.

Do I need to change my vet if I sign my pets with Nationwide?

Absolutely not. You can keep visiting the vet you’re comfortable with. Nationwide approves all medical receipts obtained from a licensed veterinarian anywhere in the world.

Does an enrolled pet lose its Nationwide pet insurance coverage as it ages?

That is never the case with Nationwide. While the company won’t accept new pets that are older than 10 for accident and illness coverage, any already signed-up pet will continue to enjoy their coverage benefits.

Am I able to cancel my subscription if my term hasn’t ended yet?

Yes, you are. You can cancel your policy whenever you wish. Note that Nationwide offers a 10-day money-back guarantee when you can get 100% of your money back if you cancel within that time frame.

Is Nationwide pet insurance suitable for any pet?

Mostly yes. Nationwide has proven times and times again to work great for pet parents with younger pets that are not overwhelmed with serious issues. However, older pets that are prone to diseases may not find a suitable partner at Nationwide.

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