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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.

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
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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C
CHUCK L

7/8/2020
NATIONWIDE IS THE FIRST & CONTINUES TO BE THE BEST PET INSURANCE COMPANY. THE TERM "UNPARALLELED" IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. SIMPLE CLAIM FORMS. COURTEOUS KNOWLEDGEABLE PHONE PEOPLE. REIMBURSEMENT VALUE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. AUTOMATIC RENEWAL IF DESIRED. MANY OTHER PETS THAN DOGS & CATS MAY ALSO BE INSURED.
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T
Thomas S

6/10/2020
In a short statement, the insurance sucks. I signed up in February through my company. Have filed 3 claims and exceeded my deductible. (Healthy 9 year old Beagle) .But every claim has been rejected due to "insufficient documentation." So I call them and ask them EXACTLY what they need. I then send them EXACTLY what they asked for. (more than 200 pages). And they're still "reviewing" it. I jump through every hoop, and then they set up another hoop. Some of these claims are more than 3 months old. It's quite obvious that they're jacking me around. I'm giving them until tomorrow morning and then I'm canceling it. (costing me to date, $288, $48 a pay period) . I'd like to make both the... Read More
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L
Ling

6/2/2020
I have a healthy cat less than 1 year old. I have submitted a minor claim less than $150 ... It has been back and forth for over 4 -5 months. Nationwide asked medical records ; then questionnaires to be filled out by the vet. Responses are very slow and even got lost twice and had to follow up. It feels like they are trying to label the condition as preexisting ... I’m seriously looking for other companies now! If they’re goals are trying all their power not to pay even if a minor claim.. what happens if my cat has an emergency or more money evolved in the future? Lack of trust in Nationwide now. Any other advice regarding pet insurance company choice ?Thanks
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omecind

5/26/2020
Started the claims process in early April, today is May 26th and the claims are still pending review. Every agent I have spoken to has a different version for the duration of the claims process. Now they say it takes 30 days, so don't believe the advertised 14 day response time.
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68kaluza

5/1/2020
Nationwide has been a TERRIBLE company to work work. I can't believe how bad they are at customer support. They take forever respond if they do at all. They are rude to you on the phone and claims take forever to complete a claim.
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mktown1979

4/10/2020
Be very careful after you submit a claim, I had two claims denied for two of my dogs for reasons that did not even relate to the dog's treatment. Only after I complain did they pay out both claims to me. Pay attention to the stated reasons for denied or partially denied claims. I don't believe the underwriters look at the claims in detail which was my case for both claims. In the past I did not pay a lot of attention to this. Probably should have.
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K
Kevin C

4/3/2020
Since Nationwide acquired my pet insurer, costs have more than doubled.
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Rhett S

3/15/2020
I have dealt with them for approximately 10 years they bought the company I was previous will they have paid like clockwork and have provided excellent service there a great organization would highly recommend them
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Jessica L

2/24/2020
I am so grateful to Nationwide. My Great Dane has severe allergies and being able to make decisions based on what's best for her and not cost is such a blessing. Thank you so much for allowing me to be the best fur Mom to my Puppygirl!!
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stephanie.shane

2/20/2020
From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank Nationwide Pet Insurance enough. Both of our dogs were diagnosed with two different types of cancer this winter, a devastating prognosis in each case. I can't imagine what we would have done and the choices we would have had to make if we didn't have pet insurance to cover injury/illness. Thankfully, Nationwide was there for our family. Their customer service reps have been so kind and sympathetic on the phone, especially when I was blubbering, and their reimbursement department has been very responsive. Both dogs are currently in treatment, and (knock on wood) doing really well. Thank you Nationwide for giving our four-legged family members... Read More
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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options