Overview
Nationwide (formerly VPI, the oldest pet insurer in the US) is unique in offering coverage for avian and exotic pets. If you have a parrot, a bearded dragon, a rabbit, or a ferret, Nationwide is essentially your only major-insurer option — every other carrier on this list covers dogs and cats only.
For dog and cat coverage, Nationwide is middle-of-pack on price and features. They offer two main plans: Major Medical (accident + illness, no wellness) and Whole Pet (accident + illness + wellness combined into one). The Whole Pet plan is unusual in bundling wellness directly rather than as an add-on. Reimbursement is benefit-schedule-based on Major Medical (lower than typical 70-90% percentage plans) and 90% on Whole Pet.
The benefit schedule model on Major Medical is the catch — instead of paying a percentage of your vet bill, they pay a fixed amount per type of procedure. If your vet bill exceeds the schedule, you eat the difference. The Whole Pet plan switched to percentage reimbursement, which is what you want.
Owners of birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, or other exotic pets that other insurers won't cover.
✓ Strengths
- →Only major US insurer covering exotic and avian pets
- →Bundled wellness in Whole Pet plan (not just add-on)
- →Long history (since 1980 as VPI)
- →Strong financial backing (Nationwide parent)
- →Direct vet pay available at select hospitals
⚠ Drawbacks
- →Major Medical uses benefit schedules (can pay less than expected)
- →Whole Pet plan is pricier than competitors for dog/cat coverage
- →$10,000 annual max on Whole Pet (no unlimited option)
- →Customer satisfaction trails Healthy Paws and Trupanion in surveys
- →Discontinued some legacy plans recently — confirm current options at quote time
Pricing on Long Island
Exotic pet plans typically $9-$22/month depending on species. Major Medical plan is cheaper but uses benefit schedule.
Plan structure
What's covered
Our take
Skip Nationwide Pet Insurance if: Dog/cat owners wanting unlimited annual coverage at competitive prices (try Healthy Paws or Trupanion).
Pick Nationwide Pet Insurance if: Anyone with a bird, reptile, rabbit, ferret, or small mammal needing real medical coverage.
Fine print to know
- Exotic pet plans have species-specific exclusions — review carefully.
- Major Medical's benefit schedule changes occasionally — check the current version.
- Whole Pet's wellness component isn't optional — you pay for it whether you use it.
Get a real quote for your pet
Pricing varies by breed, age, and ZIP. Always quote on the carrier's own site.
Visit Nationwide Pet Insurance →We don't take commissions from insurers. This is an independent review.