Who underwrites Nationwide pet insurance
Nationwide bought Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) in 2009, which is why it's often described as one of the oldest pet insurers in the country. Nationwide's employee-benefit disclosure has listed Veterinary Pet Insurance Company as the underwriter in California and National Casualty Company in all other states, both based in Columbus, Ohio. Policies run for 12 months and renew automatically.
Nationwide sells in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but plan menus differ by state. You can use any licensed vet, including specialists and emergency hospitals.
The 2024–2025 non-renewals: what happened
In a May 29, 2024 statement, Nationwide said "inflation in the cost of veterinary care and other factors have led to recent underwriting changes." Trade press reported that about 100,000 policies would not be renewed, with notices running from spring 2024 into summer 2025. Nationwide didn't confirm that number at the time or say which plans or states were affected. NerdWallet's 2026 review states that Nationwide canceled about 100,000 pet policies between 2024 and 2025.
Why it matters if you're shopping now:
- Non-renewal resets your coverage. A new insurer will treat your pet's existing conditions as pre-existing.
- Renewal terms aren't guaranteed. Ask any insurer how it handles renewals and price changes as your pet ages.
- Reviews reflect it. Insurify reports Trustpilot 3.9 stars, Google 2.4 and BBB 1.15, with complaints about renewal increases and strict pre-existing reviews.
Plan options
| Plan | What it is | Where sold |
|---|---|---|
| Modular | Accident coverage as the base, with optional illness, prescription food and wellness add-ons | Most states |
| Whole Pet | Nationwide's most comprehensive plan; can't add wellness | New York only |
| Major Medical | Pays from a benefit schedule; excludes congenital conditions | New York only |
| Wellness add-on | Routine-care allowance on Modular or Major Medical | Varies |
| Avian & Exotic Pet Plan | Birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals, including goats and pot-bellied pigs; venomous and endangered species excluded | By phone |
Source: NerdWallet Nationwide review (May 2026); Money (October 2026).
Deductibles, reimbursement and limits
- Deductible: $250 by default, with $500 and $1,000 also listed. Other amounts may be offered online or by phone.
- Reimbursement: 50% to 80% on Modular; 50% or 70% on Whole Pet. NerdWallet notes 80% is the top rate in most states, while many rivals offer 90%. Money reports exotic-pet owners can pick up to 90%.
- Annual limit: $2,500 to $10,000 on Modular and $10,000 on Whole Pet. There's no unlimited option.
Nationwide subtracts the deductible before applying your reimbursement rate. On a $2,000 bill with a $250 deductible and 70% reimbursement, it pays $1,225 and you pay $775. If the order were reversed, you'd pay $850.
The $10,000 ceiling matters most for serious illness. If you want unlimited coverage, compare Healthy Paws or other insurers in our best pet insurance comparison.
Waiting periods and age limits
| Item | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| Accidents and illnesses | 14 days (generally) |
| Cruciate ligament (knee) problems, dogs and cats | 12 months in most states |
| Spay/neuter and dental cleaning (Modular wellness) | 90 days |
| Hereditary conditions (Major Medical) | Possibly 12 months |
Source: NerdWallet Nationwide review, May 1, 2026; Money, October 2026.
Anything that shows up during a waiting period becomes pre-existing. The 12-month knee wait is long. ASPCA, by comparison, uses the same 14-day wait for orthopedic issues.
Pets can enroll from 6 to 8 weeks old, depending on the plan. NerdWallet reports a maximum enrollment age of 8 or 9 may apply, and older pets may only be offered accident coverage. That's the single biggest reason to look elsewhere for a senior pet.
Sample prices: young vs older pets
NerdWallet's Katy, Texas quotes used a $250 deductible, $5,000 limit and 80% reimbursement. The 2-year-old prices include accidents and illness. The 8-year-old prices are for accident-only coverage, because that's what Nationwide offered at that age.
| Pet | Age 2, accident & illness | Age 8, accident-only |
|---|---|---|
| Medium mixed-breed dog | $43 | $18 |
| Golden retriever | $50 | $21 |
| German shepherd | $51 | $21 |
| Labrador retriever | $53 | $23 |
| French bulldog | $82 | $19 |
| Domestic shorthair cat | $19 | $6 |
| Ragdoll cat | $23 | $6 |
| Maine coon or Persian cat | $32 | $7 |
Source: NerdWallet Nationwide review, May 1, 2026 (monthly premiums). Your quote will differ.
Don't read the cheap age-8 prices as a bargain. They exclude illness, which is where most big bills for older pets come from. For reference, NAPHIA's 2025 averages were $836 a year for dog accident-and-illness plans and $190 for dog accident-only plans; for cats, $435 and $112.
Insurify's Connecticut quote for a 2-year-old mixed-breed dog with accident and illness coverage, 80% reimbursement and a $500 deductible was $32 a month; a 2-year-old American shorthair cat was about $18.
Discounts: 5% if you have another Nationwide policy, such as auto or home; 5% to 10% for multiple pets; 5% if your employer offers Nationwide pet insurance; and possible fee savings when you pay annually.
Wellness options
Wellness is an add-on to Modular or Major Medical (not Whole Pet). Depending on the plan, it can pay toward checkups, vaccines or titers, heartworm and FeLV/FIV tests, fecal tests, deworming, microchipping, flea, tick and heartworm preventives, screening tests, spay or neuter, and dental cleanings. Insurify lists annual allowances of $450 or $800.
Two things to check before adding it: the price compared with the allowance, and the 90-day wait on spay/neuter and dental cleaning. If you'd rather not prepay, set the money aside in an emergency fund for your pet.
Exclusions
- All plans: pre-existing conditions, grooming, boarding, knee problems in the first 12 months, experimental treatment, waste disposal fees and taxes. Preventive care is excluded unless you add wellness.
- Major Medical also excludes: congenital and developmental disorders, some hereditary conditions, several dental issues, behavioral therapies, age-related eye and ear changes, parasites including heartworm, prescription food, and breeding costs.
- Joint conditions: Insurify flags breed-related hereditary issues and chronic joint conditions such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation as common exclusion problems, and Money notes limited hip dysplasia coverage. Read the hereditary section of your state's sample policy.
Claims
You file online or by emailing, faxing or mailing a form, and you're paid electronically or by check. Nationwide says it usually processes claims within five days, though some take 30 days or more. Policyholders get a 24/7 vet helpline, and Money reports telemedicine through VetHelpline in 11 states and D.C.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Covers exotic pets: birds, reptiles, rabbits, small mammals | Reimbursement capped at 80% in most states; no unlimited limit |
| Modular plan lets you build coverage piece by piece | 12-month knee wait; limited hip dysplasia coverage |
| Multi-pet, multi-policy and employer discounts | Enrollment age may cap at 8–9; older pets may get accident-only |
| Deductible applied before reimbursement | About 100,000 policies non-renewed in 2024–2025; weak third-party review scores |
| 24/7 vet helpline; any licensed vet | Not all options available online; best plans New York only |
How Nationwide compares on the key terms
| Term | Nationwide | ASPCA | Healthy Paws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top reimbursement | 80% (most states) | 90% | 90% |
| Highest annual limit | $10,000 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Knee/orthopedic wait | 12 months | 14 days | 15 days (hip dysplasia 12 months) |
| Upper enrollment age | May be 8–9 | None for dogs and cats | Generally before 14 |
| Wellness add-on | Yes | Yes | No |
| Exotic pets | Yes | Horses only | No |
Source: NerdWallet reviews of Nationwide, ASPCA and Healthy Paws (May 2026); Healthy Paws FAQ. Terms vary by state.
The pattern is clear: Nationwide trades lower caps and longer waits for breadth of species and discounts. See our ASPCA review for the closest alternative with no age cap.
Who it suits
Nationwide is a natural fit for exotic pets, households that already insure cars or homes with Nationwide, and owners who want a young dog or cat covered with modest limits. It's a weaker fit for senior pets, large breeds prone to knee and hip problems, and anyone who wants 90% reimbursement or no annual cap. Our pet insurance guide walks through how to compare quotes at matching settings.
Frequently asked questions
Did Nationwide cancel pet insurance policies?
Yes. In May 2024 Nationwide said rising veterinary costs had led to underwriting changes, and about 100,000 pet policies were not renewed between 2024 and 2025. Nationwide did not publicly say which plans or states were affected.
What is the Nationwide pet insurance waiting period?
Generally 14 days for accidents and illnesses, 12 months for knee (cruciate ligament) problems in most states, and 90 days for spay/neuter and dental cleaning under wellness.
Does Nationwide offer 90% reimbursement?
Not for dogs and cats in most states. Modular plans offer 50% to 80%, and Whole Pet 50% or 70%. Money reports that exotic-pet owners can choose up to 90%.
Is there an age limit for Nationwide pet insurance?
Pets can enroll from 6 to 8 weeks old. NerdWallet reports a maximum enrollment age of 8 or 9 may apply, and older pets may only be offered accident coverage.
Does Nationwide cover exotic pets?
Yes. Its Avian & Exotic Pet Plan covers most birds, rabbits, reptiles and small mammals, including goats and pot-bellied pigs. Venomous and endangered species are excluded, and you must call to buy it.
Does Nationwide have a wellness plan?
Yes, as an add-on to Modular or Major Medical plans. It can pay toward checkups, vaccines, tests, preventives, microchipping, spay/neuter and dental cleaning. Insurify lists allowances of $450 or $800 a year.
Sources
- NerdWallet – Nationwide Pet Insurance Review 2026
- Insurify – Nationwide May Drop 100K Pet Insurance Policies
- Insurify – Nationwide Pet Insurance Reviews
- Money – Best Pet Insurance Companies of October 2026
- Nationwide – Pet insurance employee FAQ (Purdue University HR)
- Insurify – Best pet insurance 2026
- NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights
- NerdWallet – ASPCA Pet Insurance Review 2026
Rates, fees and terms change often. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm current details with the provider before you apply.