A Vet's Guide To Pet Insurance
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Comparison Fact Sheet (Dogs and Cats)Updated 2/3/2023
To get the most from these sheets, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.
| 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 |
| Plans That Provide Both Accident and Illness Coverage | Whole Pet Plan * Major Medical 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 2/3/2023. National Casualty Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A+" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 2/3/2023. 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 | Maximum age is less than 10 years old |
| Cancellation Policy | Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy |
| Waiting Period |
Whole Pet Plan Not Clear Major Medical Plan Not Clear |
| Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury |
Whole Pet Plan
14 days for illness 14 days for accidents 12 months for cruciate and meniscal damage or rupture Major Medical Plan 14 days for illness 14 days for accidents 12 months for cruciate and meniscal damage or rupture 12 months for hip dysplasia **Waiting Periods can vary by state. See actual policy or contact Nationwide to confirm the waiting periods for your state. |
| Coverage When Travel Out of State or Country? | You can choose any licensed veterinarian worldwide |
| 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? | Whole Pet Plan Chronic conditions will continue to be covered each year as long as you do not go over your Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below) Major Medical Plan Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. |
| Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? | No |
| Choice of Vet? | You can choose any licensed veterinarian worldwide |
| Money Back Guarantee? | There is a 10 day money back guarantee. They will refund your money in full as long as you have not filed a claim.
*May vary by state |
| 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 contact 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 | Dogs and Cats |
| Accident/Injury - Baseline Coverage |
Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication. |
| Illness - Baseline Coverage |
Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication. |
| Behavioral Therapy Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan According to their website, They do not cover "...behavioral training, therapy or treatment that is: (1) not prescribed by a veterinarian or (2) pet obedience training, , regardless of who performs it" **See actual policy or contact the company for a complete description of what types of Behavioral Therapy are covered Major Medical Plan Not Covered |
| Alternative Therapy Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan [INCLUDED] Alternative therapy must be performed or prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for a covered condition. Major Medical Plan Not clear if it is covered. ***See actual policy or contact Nationwide for a complete description of what types of Alternative Therapy are covered. |
| Pre-existing Conditions Policy | Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Whole Pet Plan & Major Medical Plan According to the Whole Pet policy a pre-existing condition is "...any condition that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred up to twelve (12) 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." **See actual policy or contact Nationwide for complete description of their pre-existing conditions policy. |
| Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan Their website explicitly states Hereditary conditions are covered. However, it is unclear whether or not Congenital conditions are covered. Conditions that are covered are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below) Major Medical Plan [VERY LIMITED COVERAGE] Congenital/developmental defects are not covered. Certain hereditary conditions are excluded. With the Nationwide Major Medical Plan, coverage for "specified ineligible conditions" (many of which are hereditary conditions) becomes available after you've had the plan for one year. The monetary limits on this coverage are $275 per policy term toward diagnosis or medical treatment and $550 per policy term for surgical treatment. These monetary limits are per policy term and are for any incident or treatment of the conditions in their 'Ineligible Conditions' list. So if you use up your $275 or $550 on one condition in that list, no more money is available for any other condition on that list until policy renewal. **See actual policy or contact Nationwide for a complete description of their Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Policy. |
| Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions |
Whole Pet Plan [INCLUDED] Continual coverage for chronic conditions is included in the policy. Major Medical Plan [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. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. The condition must be listed on the Benefit Schedule in order to be covered. |
| Chronic Conditions Policy |
Whole Pet Plan Chronic Conditions are covered as long as they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period. Chronic conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below) Major Medical Plan Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. The condition must be listed on the Benefit Schedule in order to be covered. Chronic conditions that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period are not covered. **See actual policy or contact Nationwide for a complete description of their Chronic Conditions Policy. |
| Cancer Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan Cancer conditions are covered as long as they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period. Major Medical Plan [LIMITED COVERAGE] Cancers listed in the benefit schedule are covered up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. If the cancer is not on the schedule, consider 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. (See 'Chronic Conditions Policy' section above) |
| Cancer Coverage Limits |
Whole Pet Plan Cancer conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below) Major Medical Plan Coverage for eligible cancers in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. |
| Hip Dysplasia |
Whole Pet Plan Hip Dysplasia is covered as long as it is not pre-existing and has not occurred during the waiting period. This condition is covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below) Major Medical Plan [LIMITED] With the Nationwide Major Medical Plan, coverage for hip dysplasia becomes available after you've had the plan for one year (This may vary by state). The monetary limits on this coverage are $275 per policy period toward diagnosis or medical treatment and $550 per policy period for surgical treatment. These monetary limits are per policy term and are for any incident or treatment of the conditions in their 'Ineligible Conditions' list. So if you use up your $275 or $550 on one condition in that list, no more money is available for any other condition on that list until policy renewal. (See 'Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage' section above) |
| Prescription Drug Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan Coverage for prescription drugs for covered medical conditions is included. Major Medical Plan Coverage for prescription drugs for covered medical conditions is included up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year. The condition must be listed on the Benefit Schedule in order to be covered. **See actual policy or contact Nationwide for full list of inclusions and exclusions |
| Pregnancy Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan Not Clear Major Medical Plan Not Covered |
| Routine/Wellness Coverage |
Whole Pet Plan [OPTIONAL] Major Medical Plan [OPTIONAL] **See actual policy or contact Nationwide for complete description of their Wellness Coverage |
| Vaccinations | See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details |
| Spay/Neuter | See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details |
| Dental Care (Routine) | See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details |
| Dental Care (Illness/Accident) |
Whole Pet Plan Covers tooth removal including retained deciduous (baby) teeth. It is not clear whether periodontal gum disease, endodontic or orthodontic coverage is provided. Major Medical Plan [LIMITED COVERAGE] Only the dental conditions listed in their benefit schedules are covered. **See benefit schedule, actual policy or contact Nationwide for a full list of inclusions and exclusions. |
| Bilateral Conditions Policy | Whole Pet Plan Not Clear Major Medical Plan 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) |
Whole Pet Plan Diagnostics and treatments of eligible illness and accidents Major Medical Plan 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) |
Whole Pet Plan
Major Medical Plan
|
| How The Policy Works | |
| Reimbursement |
Whole Pet Plan Choose from 50% or 70% Major Medical Plan Reimbursement is based on defined via a Benefit Schedule |
| Deductible |
Whole Pet Plan $250 annually Major Medical Plan $250 annually. |
| Flat Deductible vs % Deductible | Flat |
| Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible | Annual deductible |
| How is Reimbursement Determined |
Whole Pet Plan Reimbursement is based on UCR (usual and customary). It is not clear if the reimbursements are calculated by taking the deductible first or the reimbursement percentage first. Major Medical Plan Benefit Schedule - This 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 |
Whole Pet Plan This plan has $10,000 annual maximum payout. Major Medical Plan This plan has a maximum payout based on a benefit schedule allowance that resets every year. |
| Max Lifetime Payout | Nationwide Pet Insurance does not have a maximum lifetime payout |
| Max Payout per Incident |
Whole Pet Plan This plan does not have a maximum payout per incident. Major Medical Plan This plan does not have a maximum payout per incident, but there is a maximum payout based on a benefit schedule allowance. This allowance is reset every policy year. |
| Max Payout Based on Body System | Nationwide Pet Insurance 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 | Approximately $22 - $120 depending on plan, your location, etc |
| Additional Info | |
| My Review | Nationwide Review |
| 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 | |
*The information in the above charts applies to Nationwide's Whole Pet and Major Medical plans only. For information on other plans, please contact Nationwide.
**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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