Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5
Nationwide Pet Insurance (formerly VPI, the original U.S. pet insurer founded in 1982) holds a unique market position: it is the only major provider that covers birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, and other exotic pets. For dog and cat owners, its Whole Pet with Wellness plan is one of the most comprehensive all-in-one options — covering accidents, illnesses, and wellness care under a single premium. However, Nationwide's pricing is higher than most competitors for comparable dog and cat coverage, and its benefit schedules on some plans limit reimbursement below actual invoice amounts.
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage breadth | 4/5 | Only major insurer covering exotic pets; Whole Pet plan comprehensive |
| Price / value | 3/5 | Higher pricing for dogs/cats vs. competitors; exotic coverage is unique |
| Plan flexibility | 3/5 | Three plan tiers; less customization than Spot or ASPCA |
| Claims experience | 3/5 | Mixed reviews; benefit schedule plans may reimburse less than actual invoice |
| Exotic pet coverage | 5/5 | Unique in market — no other major U.S. insurer covers birds/reptiles |
Best for: Owners of birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, or other exotic pets; owners who want an all-in-one plan (accident + illness + wellness) under a single premium.
Not ideal for: Budget-conscious dog and cat owners (better value at Spot, Lemonade, or ASPCA); owners who want unlimited annual benefit (Nationwide's Whole Pet plan has a $10,000 annual limit).
Nationwide Pet Insurance Plan Options
| Plan | Coverage | Annual Limit | Starting Price (Dog) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Medical | Accidents and illnesses only; benefit schedule reimbursement | Varies by benefit schedule | ~$35/mo |
| Whole Pet | Accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions; actual invoice reimbursement | Up to $10,000 | ~$55/mo |
| Whole Pet with Wellness | Everything in Whole Pet + routine wellness care, vaccines, dental cleaning | Up to $10,000 | ~$65–$80/mo |
Important — Benefit Schedule vs. Actual Invoice: Nationwide's Major Medical plan uses a benefit schedule for reimbursement — fixed dollar amounts per procedure rather than actual invoice reimbursement. If your vet charges $350 for an X-ray but the benefit schedule pays $150 for X-rays, you receive only $150. The Whole Pet and Whole Pet with Wellness plans use actual invoice reimbursement, which is the industry standard. Avoid the Major Medical plan if possible.
Exotic Pet Coverage: Nationwide's Unique Offering
No other major U.S. pet insurer covers exotic pets. Nationwide's avian and exotic pet coverage includes:
- Birds: Parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, macaws, canaries
- Reptiles: Bearded dragons, geckos, iguanas, turtles, tortoises, snakes
- Small mammals: Ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters
- Other exotic pets: Hedgehogs, sugar gliders (varies by state)
Exotic pet coverage is available in most states and covers illnesses, injuries, and some wellness care depending on the plan selected. Pricing varies significantly by species — a large parrot may cost $30–$60/month to insure; a small rabbit $10–$20/month.
Whole Pet with Wellness: All-in-One Coverage
Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan is designed for owners who want to pay one monthly premium for complete coverage:
- Accidents and injuries
- Illnesses including hereditary conditions and cancer
- Annual wellness exam and vaccines
- Dental cleaning (prophylaxis)
- Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Spay/neuter benefit
The all-in-one premium ($65–$80/month for dogs) is higher than buying equivalent components separately from providers like ASPCA + Embrace Wellness Rewards (~$50–$60/month combined). However, the convenience of a single policy and single claims system has value for some owners.
Nationwide Waiting Periods
| Condition Type | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Accidents | 3 days |
| Illnesses | 14 days |
| Orthopedic conditions | 14 days (Whole Pet plans) |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Only major insurer covering exotic pets and birds | Higher pricing for dogs/cats vs. Spot, Lemonade, ASPCA |
| Whole Pet with Wellness — all-in-one convenience | Major Medical plan uses benefit schedule (not actual invoice) |
| Employer group program available | $10,000 annual limit cap (no unlimited option) |
| NAPHIA founding member — established since 1982 | Mixed customer service reviews |
| No upper age limit | Less plan customization than Spot or ASPCA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nationwide pet insurance good?
Nationwide is the best — and often only — option for exotic pets (birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits). For dogs and cats, it's a reasonable choice for the Whole Pet with Wellness all-in-one plan, but most owners can build equivalent coverage at lower cost by pairing a Spot or Lemonade A+I plan with an Embrace or Pets Best wellness add-on.
Does Nationwide cover exotic pets?
Yes — Nationwide is the only major U.S. pet insurer that covers birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other exotic pets. Coverage includes illnesses, injuries, and some wellness care depending on the plan selected. Pricing varies by species. No other major competitor offers this coverage.
What is the Nationwide pet insurance waiting period?
3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and orthopedic conditions (under Whole Pet plans). No extended orthopedic waiting period on standard plans.
How much does Nationwide pet insurance cost?
Nationwide Whole Pet starts at approximately $55/month for dogs and Whole Pet with Wellness at $65–$80/month. This is higher than comparable coverage from Spot (~$26/month A+I) or ASPCA (~$31/month). The all-in-one wellness inclusion partially justifies the gap, but building an equivalent combination plan from lower-cost providers typically saves $10–$25/month.