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Nationwide Pet Insurance has offered pet coverage since 1982 and has policies in force across all 50 states. In mid-2024, Nationwide paused new pet-insurance enrollments and later announced a non-renewal program affecting roughly 100,000 pet policies due to rising veterinary costs (Reuters; Bloomberg). Financially, Nationwide remains strong: AM Best affirms core Nationwide companies at A+ (Superior) with a Long‑Term ICR of ‘aa‑’ and a Stable outlook, and assesses balance‑sheet strength as “strongest” (AM Best).
Nationwide’s portfolio has long included wellness coverage (routine exams, vaccines, dental cleanings, parasite prevention). These predictable costs differ from accident-and-illness risks, and ongoing veterinary-services inflation is shaping premiums and availability. The U.S. Consumer Price Index shows elevated price increases for veterinary services (BLS). While Nationwide isn’t quoting new policies during the sales pause, current market context from independent sources indicates average monthly accident-and-illness premiums around the mid-$50s for dogs and low-$30s for cats (NAPHIA; Forbes Advisor).
However, if you have a bird or exotic pet, Nationwide remains a standout because it is widely cited as the only major U.S. insurer offering avian/exotic-pet insurance at national scale (Forbes Advisor; USA TODAY Blueprint). Note that the 2024 sales pause may also limit new exotic enrollments; verify current status on Nationwide’s page or with an agent (Bloomberg).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
The Pet Insurance Factors We Analyzed
Pricing
New Nationwide quotes and enrollments are paused (Reuters), but premiums for existing policyholders still vary by pet age/breed/ZIP and plan type. Nationwide has historically offered several plan families you may still see as a renewing customer: legacy plan types like Whole Pet (with wellness included), Major Medical (benefit schedule), and a more customizable “Modular” option introduced after 2020 (configurable annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement levels), as summarized by independent reviewers (Forbes Advisor).
Structure matters for price: Whole Pet historically uses percentage reimbursement (often up to about 90%), Major Medical pays via a benefit schedule, and Modular plans let you select combinations of annual limit (e.g., $5k, $10k, or unlimited in some states), deductible (commonly ~$100–$1,000), and reimbursement (about 50%–90%) (Forbes Advisor). During the current sales pause, use the What’s Covered tool to review per‑condition allowances or reimbursement details by plan. For market context (not Nationwide quotes), industry data show average accident‑and‑illness premiums around the mid‑$50s for dogs and low‑$30s for cats, with notable variation by pet and location (NAPHIA), and inflation in vet services continues to pressure renewals (BLS CPI).
Customer experience
Online quoting for new Nationwide policies is paused, and online quotes for birds/exotics have historically required a call. For claims, Nationwide supports 24/7 reporting and status tracking via web, mobile app, and phone (Nationwide Claims Center). Some pet policyholders have previously submitted claims through the VitusVet veterinary records app. Nationwide does not publish a standard “average claim processing time”; turnaround depends on claim type, documentation, and plan.
Current satisfaction signals should be interpreted in light of 2024 portfolio actions. Independent benchmarks like the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Pet Insurance Study emphasize that price and claims communication are major drivers industry‑wide. For brand‑specific indicators, consult Nationwide’s profiles on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and ConsumerAffairs, which display rolling star averages, review volumes, and complaint counts; these metrics saw heightened activity following the mid‑2024 non‑renewal announcements (Bloomberg).
Coverage
Nationwide’s portfolio for existing customers includes Pet Wellness (routine/preventive), Major Medical (accident & illness via a benefit schedule), Whole Pet (accident & illness plus wellness in one plan), and a Modular plan (configurable annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement) as summarized in independent reviews (Forbes Advisor). The What’s Covered tool shows plan-by-plan allowances for common conditions and services. For non‑dog/cat species, Nationwide also offers a separate avian/exotic program (Nationwide).
Preventive/wellness benefits can smooth out routine expenses but differ from the core purpose of insurance (unexpected accident/illness). The AVMA advises reviewing policy forms carefully for covered services, exclusions (e.g., preexisting conditions), and add‑ons like exam‑fee or prescription coverage to decide whether a wellness rider adds value for your situation.
Waiting periods and orthopedic/ligament rules vary by plan and state. Independent reviews note that illness/accident waiting periods and longer waits for cruciate/orthopedic conditions may apply on some Nationwide forms; verify your specific effective dates and exclusions in the policy packet (Forbes Advisor).
Nationwide Pet Insurance Overview: Financial Strength, Availability, and History
Nationwide Pet Insurance is underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and by National Casualty Company in all other states. AM Best affirms Nationwide’s core companies at A+ (Superior) with a Long‑Term ICR of ‘aa‑’ and a Stable outlook, and describes balance‑sheet strength as “strongest” (AM Best). Nationwide has been offering insurance since 1925 and began offering pet insurance in 1982. Given the company’s strong ratings and long operating history, financial stability is a relative strength, though availability has been constrained by the 2024 sales pause and non‑renewals (Reuters).
- In business since: 1925 (offering pet insurance since 1982)
- BBB Rating: A+ (see current customer reviews and complaints on the BBB profile)
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating: A+ (FSR A+ (Superior), Long‑Term ICR ‘aa‑’, outlook Stable)
- States served: 50 (policies in force nationwide; new enrollments paused since mid‑2024)
The Competition
| States Available | 24/7 Claims Service | Wellness Coverage* | |
| Nationwide | 50 (in‑force; new sales paused) | Yes | Yes |
| Figo Pet Insurance | 50 | Yes | No |
| Healthy Paws | 50 | No | No |
| Embrace | 50 | Yes | Yes |
| 24 Pet Watch | 50 | Yes | Yes |
| Trupanion | 50 | No | No |
*Coverage for routine care like vaccinations, flea/heartworm prevention, etc.
All information accurate as of 11/08/2025.
The Bottom Line
If you need insurance for a bird or exotic pet, Nationwide may be your only national-scale option, though new enrollments—including exotics—may be limited by the 2024 sales pause (Bloomberg). For dogs and cats, alternatives like Figo Pet Insurance (configurable A&I with optional wellness, up to 100% reimbursement and unlimited annual limits in many states) and Healthy Paws (single A&I plan with no annual or lifetime caps; no wellness) are actively enrolling. Compare quotes with identical assumptions and consider add‑ons (exam fees, wellness) to evaluate true price‑to‑coverage value (Figo coverage; Healthy Paws coverage; market averages via NAPHIA).
Nationwide’s strengths are financial stability and breadth (including exotics). Its challenges in the current cycle include constrained availability (sales pause and ~100,000 non‑renewals in 2024) and pressured customer sentiment. The 2024 J.D. Power Pet Insurance Study highlights that price and claims communication drive satisfaction across the industry; prospective buyers should review plan structures (benefit schedule vs. percentage reimbursement), waiting periods, and claims channels (24/7 online/app/phone) before deciding.
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