- Nationwide Pet Insurance Overview: Nationwide is the oldest pet insurer in the U.S., offering comprehensive coverage since 1982, but recent controversies and limitations mean pet owners should research carefully before choosing.
- Who Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Best For?: It is ideal for owners of exotic pets like birds and reptiles, employees benefiting from workplace coverage, and those needing international travel and 24/7 vet telehealth support.
- Strengths of Nationwide Pet Insurance: With over 1.1 million pets insured and coverage for exotics, Nationwide offers unlimited 24/7 veterinary support and international coverage, making it a strong choice for diverse pet owners.
- Weaknesses and Concerns of Nationwide Pet Insurance: Recent mass cancellations, high premiums, slow claims processing, and limited customization options pose challenges for pet owners, especially those with senior or chronically ill pets.
- Coverage, Claims, and Customer Service Highlights: Nationwide provides a variety of plans including accident, illness, and wellness coverage, but faces criticism over slow claim payouts, issues with policy cancellations, and mixed customer reviews despite a solid BBB rating.
- Get a quote from Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Overview
If you’ve been scrolling through pet insurance options and landed on Nationwide, you’re probably wondering if America’s oldest pet insurer is actually worth your hard-earned money. Honestly? It’s complicated. Nationwide has been in the game since before most of us were born (1982, to be exact), and they’ve built a solid reputation for comprehensive coverage. But recent controversies and some frustrating limitations mean you really need to go in with your eyes wide open.
Nationwide Pet Insurance earned a 7.0 out of 10, which wasn’t high enough to place on our list of the best pet insurance. That doesn’t mean Nationwide isn’t right for you, though. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right fit for your pet.
Who Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Best For?
Nationwide is genuinely the move if you have birds, reptiles, rabbits, or other exotic pets, since they’re basically your only option for comprehensive coverage. It’s also solid for people who get pet insurance through their employer, as 9,000 companies and associations offer Nationwide pet health insurance as an optional benefit. If you value 24/7 vet telehealth support and need coverage that works internationally, Nationwide delivers on those fronts.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Strengths
Nationwide now protects more than 1.1 million pets, making it one of the largest pet insurers in the country. As the only U.S. pet health insurer that provides coverage for avian and exotic animals, Nationwide serves a wide range of pets, which is genuinely impressive if you’re a proud parent to a bearded dragon or cockatiel. VetHelpline provides unlimited 24/7 veterinary support included in your policy at no additional cost, connecting you with licensed veterinary professionals via video chat. Your coverage works the same no matter where you go, including international travel.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Weaknesses
Nationwide announced it will cancel coverage for about 100,000 animals, which honestly shook a lot of pet parents’ trust in the company. Claims can take up to 30 days to process, and complex claims may take even longer. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end as opposed to those of other companies. The lack of deductible options (mostly stuck at $250) limits your ability to customize costs.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Overview
The company was originally founded as Veterinary Pet Insurance in 1982, making it the first pet insurance company in the United States. After being acquired by Nationwide in 2008, the company began operating as Nationwide Pet Insurance in 2015 following a rebrand.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is a Fortune 500 company. Nationwide currently insures over half a million pets. Their pet insurance is available in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
Nationwide pet insurance covers dogs, cats, and select exotic pets. Its policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and National Casualty Company in all other states.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Reliability
Years in Business: Nationwide Pet Insurance has over 40 years in business, with the parent company selling other forms of insurance since 1926.
Financial Strength: As a Fortune 500 company, Nationwide has significant financial backing. Their 2024 results showed top-line growth of 13% to $68.5 billion and operating income growth of 150%.
Regulatory Standing: Currently facing a class action lawsuit. Nationwide is the subject of a class action lawsuit as a result of canceling more than 100,000 Whole Pet Wellness plans. As of June 2025, a jury trial has been requested.
Notable Concerns: Nationwide cited the escalating cost of veterinary care in axing the product in some states. The suit accuses Nationwide of falsely promising pet owners that their policies would never be canceled due to a pet’s age.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Coverage Options
Plan Types Offered
Nationwide has been shifting its plan structure, which has honestly been confusing for consumers. Currently, they offer:
Modular Pet Insurance Plan: All customers can enroll their pet in a Modular Pet Insurance Plan that can be customized to include accident, illness, and/or wellness coverage.
Major Medical Plans: In New York, dogs and cats can enroll in a Major Medical or Major Medical With Wellness plan.
Employer Plans: Nationwide also partners with many employers to offer two unique accident-and-illness plans: My Pet Protection and Whole Pet.
Wellness Add-ons: Nationwide offers two levels of optional wellness coverage. The first level provides $450 in annual benefits, and the second level provides $800.
What’s Covered
Treating a simple ear infection can cost, on average $250. If your dog breaks a bone, you could be looking at bills anywhere from $200 to $5,000. Coverage typically includes:
Accidents and injuries, illnesses and diseases, cancer treatment (with some age restrictions), emergency care, prescriptions (under certain plans), diagnostic tests and lab work, surgeries, specialty care, and 24/7 pet telehealth support.
What’s NOT Covered
Like standard pet insurers, Nationwide does not cover pre-existing conditions, which are essentially illnesses or injuries that were diagnosed before your pet had coverage.
Common exclusions include: Pre-existing conditions, waste disposal, boarding, grooming, and expenses not directly related to veterinary services.
Conditions such as feline leukemia virus make your pet ineligible for Nationwide’s pet insurance policies.
Policy Terms
Waiting Periods: The accident and illness waiting periods are 14 days, which is average. Orthopedic conditions (including hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and intervertebral disc disease): 365 days.
Age Restrictions: Enrollment age: 8 weeks to no upper age limit for some plans, though pets 10 years or older may not be eligible for all plans.
Cancellation Policy: You can cancel anytime. There’s a 30-day free look period during which you can terminate your policy at no charge if you haven’t filed a claim.
Pre-existing Condition Reconsideration: Nationwide does allow members to request reviews of pre-existing conditions that have been cured, which is actually pretty cool.
Any Vet Policy: There are no networks or pre-approvals to worry about.
International Coverage: Whether in the U.S. or abroad, you’re free to visit any licensed veterinarian, anywhere.
Special Features
VetHelpline provides unlimited, 24/7 veterinary support from the comfort of home at no additional cost. In most cases, you’ll be able to speak with someone in 30 minutes or less. If Nationwide considers your situation to be critical, they’ll connect you with a licensed veterinarian within 5 minutes.
Nationwide PetRxExpress offers discounted pet medications at participating pharmacies. Nationwide pet insurance members save 10% on every visit to a Vetco Total Care Hospital or Vetco Vaccination Clinic inside Petco.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Affordability
Typically, pet insurance rates range between $15 and $50 per month for dogs, depending on breed. Cats tend to start at a lower price point, closer to $5 per month.
Nationwide charges $41 monthly for cat insurance and $94 for dog insurance on average, ranking 13th and 14th, respectively, in affordability.
For context, for dogs, accident & illness pet insurance policies cost an average of $749.29 per year, according to NAPHIA. For cats, the average monthly cost is $32.21.
Pricing Factors
Premiums are based on: A pet’s age, breed, location, or claim history, depending on the plan selected.
Customization Options
Annual Deductible Options: Choose your annual deductible from $250, $500, or $1,000 options. However, the company is unusual in offering no choice in deductible for some plans, with all policies set at $250.
Reimbursement Percentage Options: Choose between a 50%, 70%, or 80% co-insurance rate.
Annual Coverage Limit Options: Varies by plan, with some offering unlimited coverage and others capped at $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000.
Discounts Available
Multi-pet Discount: Nationwide’s pet insurance plans start around $25/month for two dogs or $13/month for two cats, which includes a 5% multi-pet discount. Adding four pets or more pills increases your discount to 10%.
Existing Nationwide Customer Discount: Current Nationwide members may be eligible for a 5% discount when purchasing pet health insurance policies.
Employer Discounts: Preferred pricing and unique plan benefits are only available to employees.
Value Assessment: Nationwide’s plans are comprehensive, but you are going to pay the price. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end compared to competitors.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Claims Process
Claims Submission Methods
You can file a claim at my.petinsurance.com, or by email, mail, or fax.
Average Reimbursement Timeframe
Please allow up to 30 days from the time Nationwide receives all required information. According to Nationwide’s website, they can typically review and pay claims within 5 days of receiving all of the necessary documentation. Complex claims take more time.
Reimbursement Process
Fast, convenient electronic reimbursement is available; sign up at my.petinsurance.com, and we’ll deposit your claim reimbursements directly into your bank account. If you haven’t signed up for electronic reimbursement, we’ll mail you a check.
Direct vet pay: No, so you’ll need to pay upfront and get reimbursed.
Digital Claims Tracking
Please allow up to 48 hours from the time Nationwide receives your claim for it to appear in your account.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Customer Service
Accessibility
Phone Support: Contact a Customer Care Representative toll-free at 800-540-2016, Mon-Fri from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or Sat from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Pacific Time).
VetHelpline: No longer offers a direct phone number, but you can still get experienced veterinary support through the VetHelpline app.
Digital Experience
Mobile App: The VetHelpline app allows 24/7 video consultations with veterinary professionals. VetHelpline’s staff of licensed veterinary professionals includes veterinarians certified in internal medicine, emergency and critical care, and toxicology.
Website: The page for selecting coverage was confusing and difficult to use, according to some customer feedback.
Online Account Management: Available through my.petinsurance.com for claims tracking and policy management.
Customer Satisfaction Metrics
BBB Rating: Nationwide has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau and is accredited by the site.
BBB Customer Reviews: Though the company has a high rating, the customer reviews are low, earning just 1.13 out of 5 stars.
Trustpilot Score: Nationwide earns a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from verified customers, though other sources report a mediocre 3-star rating on Trustpilot.
Consumer Affairs: On Consumer Affairs, the company has 1.1 out of 5 stars based on 530 Nationwide Pet Insurance reviews.
Reddit Sentiment: Reddit users are split on Nationwide pet insurance. Analysis found 43% positive, with six favorable reviews and eight negative ones.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Customer Highlights
Positive Feedback:
“I can’t say enough about this insurance. I wish every company operated as they do. The vet was super friendly and knowledgeable.”
Users tend to enjoy the claim process and quick refunds that can be posted in as little as 24-48 hours.
“Nationwide has really made it possible for me to take the best possible care of my elderly cat. This year alone, I have been reimbursed around $2,800 for $3,300 worth of pet care.”
Negative Feedback:
Customers express frustration over denied claims, often due to disputed pre-existing condition labels, lengthy processing times, and the company’s practice of dropping coverage for senior pets.
“Nationwide had been a good pet insurer for our family until recently, when they more than tripled the monthly cost for less coverage.”
“Your promises were fraudulent… Nationwide is NOT on my side, you deliberately punished me for having an animal that got the worst disease possible.”
Pros and Cons of Nationwide Pet Insurance
Pros
- Exotic Pet Coverage: As one of the only U.S. pet health insurers that provides coverage for birds and other exotic pets, this is a genuine differentiator. If you have a parrot, iguana, or guinea pig, Nationwide might be your only real option.
- Industry Experience: With over 40 years in pet insurance, they’ve seen pretty much everything. A lot of pet insurance companies have had false starts and ultimately gone out of business. The key to picking a pet insurance company you can count on is stability and experience.
- 24/7 VetHelpline: Get experienced care for every pet covered by your Nationwide policy via video chat in 30 minutes or less at no additional cost.
- Employer Benefit Options: Preferred pricing and unique plan benefits only available to employees through workplace programs make this more affordable for many.
Cons
- Policy Cancellation Controversy: Nationwide announced it will cancel coverage for about 100,000 animals, leaving many pet parents scrambling. Nationwide may cancel your policy when your pet reaches senior years.
- Higher Than Average Pricing: Nationwide ranks 13th for cats and 14th for dogs in affordability, meaning you’re paying more than most competitors.
- Limited Customization: The company is unusual in offering no choice in the deductible for some plans. Benefits schedules and no choice in customizing the reimbursement percentage in the top-tier limit the flexibility.
- Slow Claims Processing: Claims can take up to 30 days, which is on the longer side compared to competitors who process in days.
Our Verdict & Score for Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide is best for exotic pet owners who have limited alternatives and for employees who can access discounted rates through workplace benefit programs. The company’s long history and comprehensive coverage options are appealing, but the recent mass policy cancellations and higher-than-average pricing make it hard to recommend wholeheartedly for standard dog and cat coverage.
Recommended For:
- Pet owners with birds, reptiles, or other exotic animals who need specialized coverage
- Employees with access to Nationwide pet insurance through workplace benefits
- Pet parents who prioritize 24/7 vet telehealth access
- Travelers who need reliable international coverage
Not Ideal For:
- Pet owners of senior animals or those with chronic conditions who may be at risk of policy non-renewal (consider Pumpkin pet insurance)
- Budget-conscious pet parents looking for the most affordable options (consider Pets Best pet insurance)
- People who want maximum flexibility in deductible and reimbursement customization (consider ASPCA pet insurance)
Other Nationwide Offers We’ve Reviewed:
- Nationwide Car Insurance
- Nationwide Home Insurance
- Nationwide Life Insurance
- Nationwide Travel Insurance
Methodology
Our evaluation weighted five categories based on their importance to the average pet insurance buyer:
Affordability (30%): We compared pet insurance premium costs across multiple pet profiles, factoring in available discounts and fee structures. Pets Best’s industry-low prices drove their strong score here.
Claims Process (20%): We evaluated submission options, processing times, reimbursement speed, and the availability of direct vet payment. Multiple submission methods and reasonably fast processing earned a solid score, though customer friction reports prevented a higher rating.
Customer Service (20%): We assessed accessibility, digital tools, and customer satisfaction metrics from Trustpilot, BBB, and Reddit. The BBB complaint situation and app issues significantly impacted this score.
Stability (20%): We examined A.M. Best ratings, years in business, corporate backing, and regulatory standing. Strong financial backing, offset by mixed underwriter ratings, resulted in an above-average score.
Coverage Options (10%): We reviewed plan variety, what’s covered and excluded, waiting periods, and special features. Comprehensive offerings with genuine customization options earned a high score, with waiting periods being the main drawback.
Our review methodology weighs five key factors to generate overall scores. We analyzed 20 pet insurance providers across identical criteria, then applied a curve based on the top performer to ensure fair comparisons.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Category Scores
- Financial Strength: 7/10
- Coverage Options: 6/10
- Affordability: 5/10
- Claims Experience: 5/10
- Customer Experience: 6/10
- Overall Score: 7.0/10
Check out our complete methodology and see how every provider stacked up in our Pet Insurance Reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to your questions about Nationwide Pet Insurance.
Nationwide Pet Insurance is one of the oldest pet insurers in the U.S., founded in 1982. It covers dogs, cats, and select exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, and rabbits, with plans that include accident, illness, and wellness coverage, as well as emergency care, surgeries, and diagnostic tests.
Yes, Nationwide is particularly suitable for exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, and rabbits, as it is one of the only providers offering comprehensive coverage for these animals.
Nationwide insures over 1.1 million pets, offers 24/7 vet telehealth support through VetHelpline at no extra cost, and provides international coverage, making it a strong choice for pet owners who travel or have exotic animals.
Weaknesses include recent cancellations affecting about 100,000 animals, claims taking up to 30 days to process, higher premiums compared to competitors, and limited options for deductible customization.
Claims can be filed online, by email, mail, or fax, with reimbursements typically within 5 to 30 days. Customer support is available via a toll-free phone number, and the online account system allows easy management of claims and policies.
