Nationwide Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet (Birds and Exotic Pets)
Updated 8/19/2023

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

NOTE: Nationwide is in the process of updating their Avian and Exotic plans.



Company Info
Company Name Nationwide
Also Known As / Affiliates / Partners Formally Known As: VPI or Veterinary Pet Insurance
Address P.O. Box 2344
Brea, CA 92822-2344
Phone 1-888-899-4874
Website www.petinsurance.com
Plan Name(s) Avian and Exotic Pet Plan *
States Covered 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 8/19/2023.

National Casualty Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A+" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 8/19/2023.

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 Not Clear
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? Not Clear
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? No
What Happens when the Policy Renews? Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual and per incident payout limits. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.

Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? No
Choice of Vet? Not Clear
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

 

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 Behavioral problems not listed in the Benefit Schedule are not covered.
Alternative Therapy Coverage Not Clear
Pre-existing Conditions Policy Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

"...Injury or illness contracted, manifested or incurred prior to the policy effective date, unless such injury or illness has been cured and there has not been a reoccurrence or manifestation of the injury or illness requiring treatment. Support documentation from a licensed veterinarian must be submitted to us for consideration of removal of any medical exclusion."

**See actual policy or call Nationwide for complete a description of their pre-existing conditions policy.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage [NO] Hereditary and Congenital conditions are not covered.

**See actual policy or call Nationwide for complete description of their Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Policy.
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions [INCLUDED] Continual coverage for chronic conditions is included in policy.

Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual and per incident payout limits. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. If the condition is not on the Benefit Schedule, it is not covered.
Chronic Conditions Policy Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual and per incident payout limits. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. If the condition is not on the Benefit Schedule, it is not covered.

They do not cover chronic conditions that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

**See actual policy or contact Nationwide for complete description of their Chronic Conditions Policy.
Cancer Coverage [LIMITED COVERAGE] Cancers listed in the benefit schedule are covered up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual and per incident payout limits. If the cancer is not on the schedule it is not covered. If the cancer condition is not on the schedule it is not covered.

They do not cover cancers that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

Cancers that are considered to be hereditary or genetic may not be covered.

For ferrets, diagnosis, medical management, or surgical correction of any endocrine tumors (benign and malignant), endocrine hyperplasias of any kind, and associated splenectomy are not covered.
Cancer Coverage Limits Coverage for eligible cancers in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual and per incident payout limits. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.

(See 'Chronic Conditions Policy' section above)
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED] Coverage for prescription drugs for covered medical conditions is included up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment

**See actual policy or contact Nationwide for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage [NO]
Routine/Wellness Coverage [NO]
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) [LIMITED COVERAGE] Only the dental conditions listed in their benefit schedules are covered.

Orthodontics, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth are not covered

**See benefit schedule, actual policy or contact Nationwide for full list of inclusions and exclusions.
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)
Diagnostics and treatments of eligible illnesses and accidents. Diagnosis/treatment must be listed in the benefit schedule to be covered.

**See benefit schedule, actual policy or contact Nationwide for full list of inclusions, exclusions, limitations and conditions.
What's not Covered - Overview
(partial listing, please read policy for full details)
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Conditions that occur during the waiting period
  • Congenital & Hereditary Conditions
  • Conditions not listed in the benefit schedule
  • Breeding or conditions related to breeding
  • Special diets, pet foods, vitamins, mineral supplements, boarding or transporting expenses and grooming costs
  • Treatment for internal or external parasites
  • Orthodontics, teeth cleaning, polishing, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth.
  • For ferrets, diagnosis, medical management, or surgical correction of any endocrine tumors, both benign and malignant, or endocrine hyperplasias of any kind, or associated splenectomy.
...See policy for a complete listing

 

How The Policy Works
Reimbursement According to their website, they "...will pay 90% of the current Avian & Exotic Pet Plan Veterinary Services Benefit Schedule as established and published per incident during each policy term after the deductible for eligible expenses submitted."
Deductible Not Clear
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Not Clear
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Not Clear
How is Reimbursement Determined Nationwide Bird and Exotic plan uses a benefit schedule to determine how much you will be reimbursed per diagnosis/treatment per policy year. The benefit schedule allowances are reset each year.
Max Payout Annually For Birds and Exotic Pets, Nationwide has a maximum annual payout of $7,000
Max Lifetime Payout Nationwide does not have a maximum lifetime payout
Max Payout per Incident The Bird and Exotic Plan has a per incident maximum of $2,000
Max Payout Based on Body System Nationwide does not have a maximum payout based on body system
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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