Nationwide pet insurance review 2023
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BLUEPRINT
Published 5:00 a.m. UTC Nov. 28, 2023
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Nationwide
Pros
- 24/7 access to veterinary experts through the VetHelpline app.
- Nationwide customers get a 5% discount on pet health insurance.
- One of the few companies with coverage for avian and exotic pets.
- Preferred prescription pricing at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Cons
- 14-day waiting period.
- Limited coverage choices, such as only one deductible option of $250.
- Wellness plans can’t be added to some policies.
About Nationwide pet insurance
Nationwide has been providing property and casualty insurance for almost 100 years. In 2009, Nationwide acquired Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), expanding its coverage options to include pet insurance. National Casualty Company underwrites Nationwide’s pet insurance policies in all states except California. In California, the underwriter is Veterinary Pet Insurance Company.
If you’re looking to bundle all your insurance policies with one company, you may want to consider Nationwide. It offers a 5% discount to policyholders with at least one other line of insurance with the company. It’s also one of the few pet insurers that offers coverage for birds and exotic pets.
Paw Protect
Nationwide pet insurance coverages
Modular pet insurance plan with wellness is the most comprehensive pet insurance plan you can buy from Nationwide. The coverages available include:
- Accidents, like broken bones, sprains and poison ingestion.
- Behavioral exams and treatment.
- Chemotherapy.
- Common, chronic and serious illnesses.
- Congenital and hereditary conditions.
- Dental illnesses.
- Diagnostic testing such as CT scans, MRIs and X-rays.
- Hospitalizations.
- Prescription medication, supplements and therapeutic diets.
- Preventive and routine care, like vaccines and wellness exams.
- Surgeries.
- Veterinary exam fees.
Other Nationwide pet insurance plans include:
- Major Medical plan. This plan includes coverage for accidents, illnesses, cancer and some hereditary conditions. It also has an option to include wellness coverage. Rather than offer a maximum annual limit, it has defined annual benefits per condition. This plan may be best for pets without congenital and hereditary conditions.
- Whole Pet plan. This type of policy includes coverage for accidents and illnesses as well as hereditary and congenital conditions. Though this plan extends coverage to include more conditions, it does not allow you to add the wellness plan to your policy.
- Wellness plan. This plan provides coverage for routine care such exams, vaccinations, flea and tick treatments and nail trimmings. This plan is available as an add-on to some policies, and you may be able to buy it as a standalone policy in some states.
- Avian and exotic pet coverage. Avian and exotic pet owners can purchase a Whole Pet plan that will cover accidents and illnesses for many exotic pet groups, including small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
You may also be eligible to buy a Nationwide pet insurance plan through your employer.
Nationwide members have access to Pet RX Express, which offers discounted pricing for prescriptions at Sam’s Club and Walmart pharmacies. The pharmacy counter can also process your prescription insurance claims directly.
Eligible pets
Nationwide provides for many types of pets including:
- Dogs.
- Cats.
- Amphibians.
- Chameleons.
- Chinchillas.
- Ferrets.
- Geckos.
- Gerbils.
- Goats.
- Guinea pigs.
- Hamsters.
- Hedgehogs.
- Iguanas.
- Lizards.
- Mice.
- Opossums.
- Potbellied pigs.
- Rabbits.
- Rats.
- Snakes.
- Sugar gliders.
- Tortoises.
- Turtles.
Some pets are excluded from coverage, such as:
- Any animal that requires a license, permit or registration with the state or federal government.
- Endangered or threatened species.
- Hybrids of domestic and wild/non-domesticated specials.
- Pets that are kept on display or in flocks.
- Poisonous or venomous animals.
What Nationwide pet insurance doesn't cover
As with all pet insurance companies, there are some things Nationwide pet insurance doesn’t cover, like:
- Breeding.
- Congenital or developmental disorders.
- Cosmetic procedures.
- Credit card or bank fees.
- Grooming.
- Pre-existing conditions.
- Record copies or access fees.
- Taxes.
- Waste disposal.
- Wellness, preventive or routine care (unless specified under a wellness plan).
More exclusions may apply, depending on the plan you buy. For instance, Nationwide excludes routine and preventive care unless you buy a plan with wellness coverage. Likewise, the Whole Pet plan will cover hereditary and congenital conditions, but those are limited under the Major Medical plan.
Some pre-existing conditions that are curable, like ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea, may not be excluded forever. If your pet’s medical records show the condition has been treatment- or symptom-free for at least six months, there may be coverage in the future.
Nationwide pet insurance discounts
Nationwide offers a few pet insurance discounts you can use to save money on coverage:
- Existing customer discount (5%).
- Employer/organization association discounts.
- Multi-pet insurance discount (starting at 5%).
How Nationwide compares to other pet insurance companies
Nationwide pet insurance will cover neutering and spaying if you buy a policy with a wellness plan, or a standalone wellness plan where available.
For instance, if you buy Nationwide’s Major Medical Plan, there is no coverage for spaying or neutering. If you don’t add the wellness plan, it would not be covered.
To cancel your Nationwide pet insurance policy, log into your online account or notify the company in writing. In some states, a Nationwide pet insurance policy may include a “Free Look Period” or Right to Exam and Return a Policy rule. If you wish to cancel and have not filed a claim during that period, you can get your premium payment back.
Yes, some Nationwide pet insurance plans, like the Modular pet insurance plan, will cover end-of-life expenses, such as euthanasia, cremation, paw prints and burial fees. However, not all plans will cover these costs. It’s a good idea to always check your policy or contact an agent to verify coverage.
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Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
