Compare Nationwide Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet (Birds and Exotic Pets)
Updated 03/01/2025

To get the most from these sheets, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.

PLEASE NOTE
In the spring of 2024, Nationwide unexpectedly announced it was canceling 100,000+ policies. This left a lot of pet owners in an extremely bad situation. Pet owners reported that they were not grandfathered into another policy with Nationwide.

This meant that any medical conditions covered under the canceled policy could be deemed pre-existing under a new policy within Nationwide or under a new policy with a different pet insurance company. This may be okay for young pets with no conditions, but many people reported that their older pets with chronic incurable conditions were dropped.

None of this is acceptable no matter what reasons a company may give. A pet owner needs to have assurance that the policy will be there for them for the life of their pet. Otherwise, what is the point of having insurance. Also trust is earned, not given.

For these reasons, I cannot recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance at this time.



Company Info
Company Name Nationwide
Also Known As / Affiliates / Partners Formally Known As: VPI or Veterinary Pet Insurance
Address P.O. Box 183143
Columbus, OH 43218-3143
Phone 844-397-8937
Website www.petinsurance.com/exotics
Plan Name(s) Whole Pet Plan *
States Covered May not be available in all states.
Underwriter and AM Best Financial Strength Rating Insurance underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (in California) and National Casualty Company (in all other states)

Veterinary Pet Insurance Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 3/1/2025.

National Casualty Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 3/1/2025.

For the most recent ratings go to: AM Best
Year Company Started VPI was started in 1982. Nationwide acquired VPI in 2015.

 

Policy Basics
Policy Term Not Clear
Effective Date The Effective Date will be listed on the Declarations Page of your policy after you apply and are accepted.
Enrollment Age Must be at least 8 weeks of age
Cancellation Policy Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy.
Waiting Period Not Clear
Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury -
Coverage When Travel Out of State or Country? You can use any licensed veterinarian, but it is not clear if this includes vets in other countries
Can the Price of the Policy Increase as my Pet Ages? Yes, the policy premium can increase as your pet ages. The premium may also increase due to inflation or other reasons.

Contact the company for more information on when and by how much your premium may increase.
Does Coverage Stop Due to Age? Not Clear
What Happens when the Policy Renews? Not Clear
Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? Not Clear
Choice of Vet? You can use any licensed veterinarian, but it is not clear if this includes vets in other countries
Money Back Guarantee? Not Clear
Surcharge for Visiting a Specialist or Emergency Clinic? No
Referral needed to Visit a Specialist? No
Pre-certification Required? No
Additional Requirements **See actual policy or call Nationwide for a complete list of the requirements you are expected to adhere to in order to maintain coverage.
Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review? Sample policy available online

The benefit schedule plan for exotic pets has been discontinued.

The new policy appears to be related to the Whole Pet Plan but it is unclear if there are any coverage differences pertaining to exotic pets.

 

What's Covered
Species Covered Select Birds and Exotic Pets
Accident/Injury -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.

It is not clear if exams are covered.
Illness -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.

It is not clear if exams are covered.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage Not Clear
Alternative Therapy Coverage Not Clear
Pre-existing Conditions Policy Pre-existing conditions are not covered.


**See actual policy or call Nationwide for complete a description of their pre-existing conditions policy for exotic pets.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage Website states Hereditary & Congenital conditions are covered

**See actual policy or call Nationwide for complete description of their Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Policy for birds and exotic pets.
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions Not Clear
Chronic Conditions Policy Not Clear
Cancer Coverage Not Clear
Cancer Coverage Limits Not Clear
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED] Coverage for prescription drugs for covered medical conditions is included.

**See actual policy or contact Nationwide for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage Not Clear
Routine/Wellness Coverage [NO]
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) Not Clear
Bilateral Conditions Policy Not Clear

**Contact the company for a list of medical conditions that are considered bilateral for the purpose of exclusion and for a complete description of their Bilateral Conditions Policy.
Coverage - Overview
(please read policy for full coverage details)		 Not Clear
What's not Covered - Overview
(partial listing, please read policy for full details)		 Not Clear

 

How The Policy Works
Reimbursement Choose from 50% or 70%
Deductible Annual Deductible

$250
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Flat Deductible
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Annual Deductible
How is Reimbursement Determined Not Clear
Max Payout Annually For Birds and Exotic Pets, Nationwide has a maximum annual payout of $10,000
Max Lifetime Payout Not Clear
Max Payout per Incident Not Clear
Max Payout Based on Body System Not Clear
Client Reimbursed or Vet Paid Directly You pay the veterinarian and then you are reimbursed after you file the claim.

 

Pricing
Approximate Monthly Costs Not Clear

 

Additional Info
What are Customers Saying? PetInsuranceReview.com; Yelp.com

Also check with your state's Department of Insurance to see if any complaints have been filed for this company
Better Business Bureau bbb.org
Additional Info  

**Disclaimer: These charts are created based on my research. While I do my best to stay current, information can change quickly. Also, terms and conditions can vary from state to state. Before buying a pet insurance plan, confirm all information by contacting the company or reading the most current policy for your state. We will not be held liable for errors or omissions. If you see something that is incorrect or needs clarifying, please let me know.

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