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Did you know that Nationwide sells pet insurance and its first customer was Lassie? We don’t know about you, but we think it’s pretty cool that Lassie’s pet parents loved her enough to get pet insurance. This first sale by Nationwide (formerly known as VPI) quickly grew into multiple sales throughout California and now the rest of the United States.
While researching Nationwide pet insurance, we found ourselves a little overwhelmed. (To learn how top-ranked pet insurance carriers work, visit our pet insurance reviews.) It displays benefits differently than other companies. For example, it lists specific illnesses that are or aren’t covered, which can be good if your dog’s breed is prone to a particular disease. After digging a little deeper, we unraveled the complexities to help you learn about this product.
Article Overview
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Pros
- Track claims in real-time online and submit them through your smartphone
- Unlimited claims for Major Medical and Whole Pet with Wellness plans
- One of the only pet health insurance companies to offer exotic pet insurance
- BBB rating: A+
Cons
- Wellness plans are not available in all states
- High number of complaints overall (finding negative reviews is not difficult)
- 12 month waiting period for CCL (ACL) surgery
- 14-day waiting period for Whole Pet with Wellness and Major Medical plans. 24-hour waiting period for Pet Wellness plan
- Nationwide BBB page has an alert about fraudulent checks
- Major Medical Plan has annual limits per condition
- $2 transaction fee for those who pay monthly
- Does not cover your pet if they travel outside the U.S. with you
Key Features
Get Free Pet Insurance Quotes
- Underwriter: Nationwide Casualty Company (Outside CA), Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA only)
- A.M. Best rating: A+ (both companies)
- No exam period
- No bilateral exclusions (a condition or disease that affects both sides of the body)
- Pays claims within 30-days after receipt of all documents (averages 5-15 days)
- Must submit claims within 90-days of treatment
- Submit your claim via fax, mail, email or the VitusVet mobile app (see below)
Pre-Existing Conditions
Defined by Nationwide as:
Any condition that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred up to twelve months before the effective date of this policy or during any waiting period, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated. A chronic condition is a pre-existing condition unless it began after the effective date of this policy.
Customer Service Hours
- Phone, email and live chat: 24/7
Waiting Periods
- 14 days: Whole Pet with Wellness and Major Medical plans
- 24 hours: Pet Wellness plan
- 12 months: Cruciate ligament events
What Are My Plan Options?
Nationwide has three different plan options:
- Whole Pet with Wellness
- Major Medical with Wellness
- Major Medical
The Whole Pet with Wellness plan is similar to other pet insurance companies in that it reimburses a percentage of what you paid the vet for treatment.
On the other hand, the Major Medical plans differ significantly from the competition because they use a benefit schedule for any given condition or treatment that outlines the maximum amount that you can ever expect as reimbursement, regardless of how much your vet charges you.
What Does Nationwide Cover?
Nationwide doesn’t simply list what is and isn’t covered the same way other pet insurance companies do. Instead, it’s extremely specific with what’s included in your coverage. Below are some pages we suggest you read carefully since there could be exclusions.
Is Hip Dysplasia Covered?
Nationwide covers hip dysplasia after a 14-day waiting period, but it has the following exclusions.
Certain bone or joint conditions associated with (1) hip dysplasia, or any luxation or subluxation associated with hip dysplasia, (2) elbow dysplasia, (3) patellar luxation or subluxation, (4) osteochondritis dissecans, or (5) any fracture, luxation, or subluxation associated with aseptic necrosis of a femoral head, but we do provide limited additional coverage for specified ineligible conditions
Pricing Quotes
The cost of each policy is unique to your pet and depends on many variables, including your pet’s age, breed, location, health conditions and more. You can go directly to Nationwide’s site to get a better estimate of what your specific price would be. The sample quotes below are from December 2019.
| Breed | Labrador Retriever | English Cocker Spaniel | German Shepherd | Yorkshire Terrier | Mixed Breed Cat (Medium Hair) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 2 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Location | Iowa (50125) | Illinois (60604) | California (90001) | New York (10001) | Ohio (44101) |
| Whole Pet with Wellness (90% reimbursement, $250 deductible, unlimited annual benefit) | $85.45 | $221.16 | $111.86 | $139.01 | $36.98 |
| Major Medical with Wellness ($250 deductible, limited benefits per condition) | $46.82 | $113.74 | $66.32 | $92.37 | $31.03 |
| Major Medical ($250 deductible, limited benefits per condition) | $28.82 | $95.74 | $48.32 | $74.37 | $13.03 |
You can get personalized price quotes for your pet(s) from reputable companies when you fill out just 1 short form. Also visit our pet insurance quotes page to see how the cost of Nationwide stacks up against the competition.
Coupon Code
Use this link to get the best deal we can offer from Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Customer Reviews
Positive Reviews
Nationwide is like any provider and if you read the fine print and the coverage for your pet you will be well informed as to what they do or do not cover. Then you will not be disappointed in your reimbursement. Butter has been cared for due to my policy and expect as dogs get older the policy may go up as care increases. In about 8 years my policy went for $54 to $94 per month. It was worth every penny from eye surgery to back issues to general wellness care. Yes I have to pay up front but grateful for the claims explanations and refunds on my top of the line plan. I recommend filing claims on line rather than faxing as once my claim was lost even though I had a received receipt from fax machine. I would not be without my insurance. Butter throives today thanks to their help. – Terry P., Yelp 11/25/2019
Nationwide Pet Insurance was the perfect addition to my work benefits. Once I enrolled, I designated the premium to be automatically taken out of my paycheck. Because my cat was already up to date with all his health and dental needs prior to me purchasing the “Whole Pet with Wellness” plan, it was simply a precaution against a worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, the scenario came to fruition when my Shadow had to be rushed into surgery for a blockage in his small intestine. He was hospitalized for 3 nights and needed around the clock IV fluids. This was an expensive emergency! While I had to pay the 5k upfront, once I submitted my receipts for reimbursement the processing, approval, and payout time took place within a week. This is why I bought the insurance, for emergencies and I’m glad I did! It saved my wallet, my credit, and most importantly, my Shadowcat’s life! Thanks Nationwide!!! – Jolina, Consumer Affairs 5/22/2019
Negative Reviews
HUUUUUGE SCAM. OBAMACARE FOR PETS! Making claims is practically useless and when we wanted to hear the recordings of what THEY told us and to confirm, they told us we had to subpoena the recordings. Seriously don’t waste your money, it’s better not to have insurance at least you don’t get angry all the time. Switching to another insurance which is only 10 bucks more expensive per month with a $100 deductible instead of 250 and covers 90% on everything except vaccines FOR LIFE. They’re “true companions” (hint hint) when it comes to covering your pets and a real insurance company. We moved here from France and got scammed big time. – Sarah S., Yelp 11/8/2019
I pay to Nationwide over 150 monthly for the Whole Pet with Wellness with 90% reimbursement. My dog thank God is in a good health and once twice a year I take him to his vet for a normal check up like blood work or teeth cleaning BUT NATIONWIDE FIND ANY NONSENSE EXCUSE TO NOT REIMBURSE. THEY ARE GOOD ON JUST TAKING YOUR MONEY! – May, Consumer Affairs 12/8/2019
Need Exotic Pet Insurance?
Nationwide also offers pet insurance for exotic pets, including birds, rabbits, reptiles, rodents and other exotic pets. The plan covers accidents and illnesses in addition to exams, lab fees, x-rays, hospitalization, prescriptions and more.
Why Do I Need Pet Insurance?
Check out our video explaining why we think it would be wise to get pet insurance for your furry companion.
How Do We Rate Nationwide Pet Insurance?
From what we’ve uncovered, we feel that Nationwide strong-arms you into purchasing the Whole Pet with Wellness plan because it’s the only package that offers both prevention and illness coverage.
The lower packages are reasonably priced for the amount of coverage you get, but we’re not sure they cover enough to justify having pet insurance at all. And the price for the Whole Pet with Wellness plan is pretty high. We think there are better options available. To learn about your other choices, take a look at our pet insurance comparison.
Are you considering getting pet insurance from Nationwide?
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I have been insured through Nationwide since 2011 for one pet, and since 2013 for my second pet. I have been paying around $750 since 2011 until 2013, and then $1500 since 2013. I purchased the most comprehensive insurance since I got both of my dogs at 12 weeks old.
The company was originally known as VPI Pet Insurance, but sometime during my time it changed or was bought by Nationwide.
Last year, I was notified that my automatic payment did not go through, due to a change in my debit card details / expiry date.
I went into their portal to update my card, and when I hit submit (on both policies) it deducted the remaining payments for the year.
I rang their customer service hotline, and was told there was nothing Nationwide would do. I did not want $1,600 coming out of my bank when both policies were up for renewal. I was told that I would be posted a renewal notification and can revert back to monthly payments then.
This year, I got a notification from my vet that my dogs were due vaccinations. This prompted me to go online to check my policies. I was surprised to learn that one of my dog’s policies had lapsed.
I called Nationwide, and they created a new policy, even though I offered to backdate the couple of months monthly premiums.
Within a few weeks, my dog fractured his leg. I submitted my claim and the claim was denied.
They said there was a 12-month waiting period for new policies, something that was not discussed with me at the time of renewal. The fact I had been a loyal customer since 2011 mattered for nothing. I would never have renewed this policy had I known it would be another 12 months effectively paying premiums without coverage.
My advice is that you shop around. Since leaving Nationwide (petinsurance.com) I discovered that there are better and cheaper pet insurance companies, that offer immediate insurance starting straight away.
the people are on the phone are basically robots .
Our dog was on the brink of death and was admitted to a veterinary clinic and thankfully survived. The bill was over $10,000 for all the care and life saving care he received from the incredible vets at at Blue Pearl in Waltham MA.
Nationwide/VPI offered a settlement of $1,700 per their fee schedule which is based on outpatient treatment. They hire such stupid people who can’t tell the difference between inpatient and outpatient.
So we’re going to court to fight them. You’ll see it all on Facebook and Twitter.
No point in having insurance if they don’t pay legitimate claims when you need it most
Nationwide continued to ask repeatedly for medical records which had been faxed three times by my veterinarian hospital. It went on for two months then I just decided to Cancel and they continue to deduct from my check . I called and asked why I was told because it’s a fee for canceling the plan early. This company does not care about animals just how much money they can get from clients. Don’t waste your money and time it’s not worth it.
We are seriously reavaluatig whether the cost of this insurance is worth the cost. They sell themselves to us, then all we get for our money are more requests for more information. Trust me, we do not hold back any information and if the expenses come from our vets office and are itemized, they are legit. My husband and I both work at major teaching institutions and you can trust that we have discussed this issue with many colleagues who agree that our experience has been very negative.
We have carried Nationwide Pet Insurance for several years. We are not happy with the constant review of each and every charges and the constant request for additional information. You do not feel as if a partner in the care of our family pet, but an adversary. Our claims are thorough and complete and all requests have been met with information, yet we are still barraged with additional requests.
I was optimistic when Nationwide took over and I signed my new puppy Bleu (French Bulldog) up for their Whole Pet With Wellness plan. Around the time I signed Bleu up, we started to notice his paw turning outwards, got xrays, and consulted with an Orthopedic Specialist who diagnosed him with Congenital (likely) Angular Limb Deformity. Per the specialist, there were no prior signs of injury or infection (aka pre-existing condition) which meant he very well could have been born with it (congenital).
The surgery cost about $2,500. I filed my claim, provided ALL medical records, and waited more than TWO MONTHS with this open payable on my Care Credit account before I finally heard back from Nationwide with the disappointing news that they would not cover a dime. Even though congenital disorders ARE COVERED, since we OBSERVED the resulting symptoms as they worsened (the curved paw got worse as he began to grow) before my policy started they said it is a pre-existing condition.
They stopped just short of accusing me of getting insurance because of this issue when I have been a long time pet insurance holder with them through my original VPI contract. I will likely not renew insurance for either of my dogs with them once up for renewal. I had a very competitive quote with Healthy Paws that I should have stuck with.