Nationwide | Pet Insurance Review

Our three dogs have been with VPI/Nationwide for over 10 years. The service is unparalleled in the health insurance industry (whether pets or people). Customer service reps are always courteous, helpful and knowledgeable. The policies are explained well, and reps answer any questions. VPI/Nationwide will usually cover a percentage of issues - with exceptions of course. You just need to read the policy. Covering preventatives like part of the flea/tick/heartworm and vaccines is wonderful.. We've had a dog with back surgery and another with corneal ulcers. Nationwide has paid a good percentage of those issues. Best pet insurance, ever.

We have two great dane puppies. One month after we had both insured one of them injured their front leg, needing surgery to fix (carpal Valgus). They denied the claim, stating it was pre-existing. We sent ALL vet records from their breeder in GA and our vet showing this 4 mo old pup had not prior leg injury or issues. They still denied the claim. It's taken over 60 days, meanwhile they keep charging my credit card for both pups policy (158.00) each month. This company sold me two policies for my danes and never asked for a certification of good health. I sent them this after they denied my claim, but they refused to pay and kept referring to "pre exisitng" condition clause. I'm so frustrated with this company. I pay them and the vet....what a waste of $$.

I really wish I would have done more research before getting insurance from Nationwide. My dog has a leg injury, 2 partially torn tendons and my expenses are well over $3000. Nationwide said they would only pay $575 which is the max benefit for this condition. Well I looked up the fine print on the policy and that is what it says. However, just the x-rays and ultrasound were close to $1000. So all Nationwide is paying for is to diagnose the problem. They refused to pay for any of the treatment to get my dog better which included injections and physical therapy. I feel that their refusal to pay for my dog's treatment is extremely unethical. I wrote letters and of course got only a form letter back saying that's what the policy says. So now I will be getting insurance from a company with no claim limits. So beware and do thorough research before getting insurance.

To make this story short my pet began to have a problem 1 month after his policy became effective and NationWide did not cover anything because according to them my 2 month old puppy had a "pre-existing" condition (which is not true) Their "What we do not cover section says: "a chronic condition is a pre-existing condition UNLESS IT BEGAN AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS POLICY".( as I said my puppy started to have the problem 1 month after his insurance became effective) I spent about $450 AFTER MY $250 DEDUCTIBLE and NationWide paid back $0 to me.

Folks should pay close attention to what the company will pay per incident and compare that amount to monthly premiums. This isn't much of an issue when your pet is young and healthy. However, when your pet is older and premiums rise you will likely find that the amount you pay in premiums is much greater than the amount the company is willing to reimburse. For example, my dog is almost 13 years old and was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure because of a heart murmur. My insurance is currently $95 per month and VPI is only willing to pay $294 total for this type of illness.