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Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

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Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company with unparalleled financial stability and claims-paying ability that has recently ventured into the pet insurance marketplace.

The company stands out because they offer expanded coverage beyond just cats and dogs, as well as wellness plans that cover things like checkups and vaccinations.
 
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How is Nationwide rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
3.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan is one of the most comprehensive on the market, and it will, as a result, cost you more than most standard pet insurance plans.

Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that will extend coverage beyond dogs and cats, covering birds and all manner of other pets.

Truly unlimited coverage, however, is only offered if you choose the top tier plan.

Be aware that all plans besides Whole Pet with Wellness operate on a benefit schedule.

Nationwide Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan is a great option for a complete pet insurance plan.

In addition to the normal accident and illness coverage, it also provides for yearly physical exams, vaccinations, and flea/heartworm prevention. It is, however, on the pricey side as a result. Its Major Medical plan is more in line cost and coverage-wise with the standard accident and illness plans offered by most companies.

You can also purchase the wellness plan on it's own, and it is relatively inexpensive. Finally, Nationwide recently released a more inexpensive Whole Pet plan without the wellness component.

This plan has many of the same characteristics of Whole Pet with Wellness, operates on a percentage reimbursement basis, but is subject to different annual caps.

It is interesting to note that Nationwide is the only company we are aware of that extends pet insurance beyond cats and dogs.

The company will cover most birds and a wide range of exotic pets.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Birds
Exotic Animals
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 5 / 5

Both Nationwide models -- Whole Pet with 90% reimbursement, and all other plans with a benefit schedule -- offer unlimited annual maximums. The new Whole Pet plan without wellness, though, is subject to a $10,000 annual cap.

Additionally, you must remember that any plan but the Whole Pets are going to limit you by condition or procedure.

So even though technically there is no limit to the dollar amount they will spend on your pet in a year in total, there are limits on a condition and service basis with the lower two plans.
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Nationwide's top tier Whole Pet with Wellness, as well as the new Whole Pet (alone) plan, both reimburse 90% of the total vet bill.

However, Major Medical and Pet Wellness reimburse according to a benefits schedule.

These schedules cap payouts by condition or service. If you are going with one of these plans we suggest you scrutinize your policy carefully before purchase, as your pet's breed may be susceptible to certain conditions with low coverage limits in the plan.

Benefits schedules, and no choice in customizing the reimbursement percentage in the top tier plan, limit the flexibility of Nationwide's offerings.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Benefit Schedule
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 5 / 5

Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness offers one annual deductible of $100.

This is in some ways good because it is so low. But you will not have the flexibility of choosing higher deductibles should you want a lower monthly premium or should it somehow fit your needs in other ways.

Most of our top companies offer customizable deductibles.

The new Whole Pet without the wellness component, as well as the Major Medical plan, both have annual deductibles set at $250.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$250

Pricing: How much does Nationwide cost?

Cost - 3 / 5

Nationwide's plans are comprehensive, but you are going to pay the price. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end as opposed to our other companies.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$34.25
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$18.84
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $250, Benefits Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: Benefits Schedule
Available Discounts: 5% discount on current Nationwide member

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 3 / 5

Like our other companies, Nationwide will enroll pets starting at 6 weeks. Unlike our other companies, Nationwide has a relatively lower age restriction with older pets at 10 years.

However, if the pet is enrolled before age 10, and the policy never lapses, they will be covered for the duration of their lives.

Waiting periods are industry standard at 14 days, although Wellness starts 24 hours after approval.
Min Enrollment Age
6 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
10 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
14 days
Free Look Period
10 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4 / 5

Nationwide's claims procedure is standard for the pet insurance industry.

Like other companies, you must first pay the vet directly, download Nationwide's claim form, and submit the form with all paid invoices. You can submit via mail, fax or email.
Advertised Response Time
14 days
Claim Form
Mail
Email
Fax

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.petinsurance.com/
Headquarters Address
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH, 43215
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA, 92822
Year Founded
1981
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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E
Erik

4/4/2021
Do not purchase this insurance. The major medical plan is a scheme with the benefits schedule. We filed a $17,000 claim and only received $6,000. All of our dog's cancer treatments were "covered" under the major medical plan, but a fraction of their actual cost. They also group radiation AND chemotherapy together so when our vet told us our only option was to do radiation to shrink and hopefully regress the tumor, then follow on with chemo, we thought no issues. Nationwide won't cover them separately even though they treat cancer in different ways.
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Isana L

3/31/2021
I have had my daughter's two rats insured with Nationwide for about 10 months. And so when we got a cat, I went back to Nationwide. It just happened to be that I was on the phone with Nationwide signing my cat for coverage when my cat, using the time when I was busy on the phone, stole a piece of garlic chicken and ate it. Garlic could kill a cat. I tried calling my vet. It was somewhat late evening, 9 pm or so. The vet receptionist couldn't find any doctors available to talk to me. Not to waist time, she referred me to ASPCA help line, but they charge $75 just to talk to me. I remembered that a veterinary help was available 24/7 with my newly opened insurance policy for my... Read More
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deangelis86

3/14/2021
Wish I had read these reviews before enrolling. Adopted a rescue last year and enrolled with Nationwide through my employer. It was expensive but thought I was going with a reputable company. First wellness exam claim went well, quickly reimbursed 90% as expected and though "Great". Well just three month later, poor Teddy Boy was scratching a lot after a grooming so my Vet (whom I trust dearly and have used for many years) suggested a shot and monitoring o condition, food, activities etc. Submitted claim, waited almost 30 days called and they said they needed back records to determine if this was pre-existing. OK, I knew it wasn't as none of the vet records provided by the rescue stated... Read More
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S
Sharon

2/6/2021
We are so pleased with Nationwide! We insured 2 puppies at 8 weeks through my employer. From day one it’s been nothing but professionalism and peace of mind! Nationwide really is on our side!
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lindafaithharrison

2/3/2021
They used to be incredible, extremely expensive but worth it in NYC. But they started after Covid rejecting valid claims, meaning you do not get refunded your vet bills a single penny. They ignore your wellness benefits, they stretch any type of pre-existing to block payments. My dog went to a chiro for his back, rejected because of his knee. My boyfriend cat has never been diagnosed we anxiety, alopecia, or allergies. But because his doctor notes said his cat bit off some hair they claimed he was. They no longer pick up their costumer service phone line nor respond to emails. So when they do something they shouldn't you have no way of fixing it. Any reviews that say their great make... Read More
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J
James T

2/2/2021
Great, helpful suggestions that are easy to understand with a follow up e-mail. Representatives are always kind and caring about our kitty. We always call the VetHelpline first!
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T
Talia D

1/20/2021
This insurance company is the biggest scam and I cannot express how awful they are. I signed up with them in August 2020 and our pup was a rescue who had a lot of appointments when we first got her. I submitted about 5 claims over a 4 month period and they didn't process any of my claims until I threatened them with a lawyer. After that, they said NONE of my claims qualified for reimbursement because they are considered "preexisting conditions". I'm sorry what?! How is a dog's UTI with urinalysis a preexisting condition? Not only that but if you want to speak to someone in customer service you will be on hold for up to 45 minutes until you can talk to someone, only for them to feed you the... Read More
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roislb01

1/6/2021
This company cheats! I purchased this insurance through my work in September, filed a claim that was of course denied in October. Then came January of next year, I was told my policy has had been left unpaid for months. How funny that this issue came about after I filed a week before another claim amounting to $500 plus. Don’t get fooled by this company. They’re no good .
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M
Marion

12/8/2020
Excellent coverage and very fast reimbursement. They even covered flea and tick prevention.
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L
Leslie J

11/3/2020
I originally submitted a claim at the end of August for what had been a pre-existing condition (for a UTI). They promptly turned down the claim in record time. Since my dog hadn't had any issues with the condition for about a year, I submitted it for medical review to remove it from pre-existing condition status. After 30 days, I received a notice saying they need another 30 days. I was frustrated and complained, but I waited the additional 30 days. Now I received ANOTHER notice saying they need yet another 30 days. That'll make 90 days with no promise of them making a decision. They can continue to do this indefinitely. I have to figure out what recourse I have. This is ridiculous!!
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Top Rated
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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options

 

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