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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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Kimberly B

6/27/2017
I am so hesitant whenever I submit a claim, thinking the worst...that it will get kicked back, that I will be denied, etc. This is due to me having such bad experiences with my previous pet babies insurance companies. So far I have had no issues whatsoever. My experience with Nationwide has been so pleasant, everything promised is covered, and I even get follow up emails asking me how my pup is doing. My dog is only 1 and I am hoping he has a very very long healthy life, but if my Milo needs anything I feel a little more secure with Nationwide. I have so far recommended this company to two friends and they are so far happy as well. One had stipulations to the plan due to the breed,... Read More
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Don B

6/27/2017
I am retired on a modest budget. I have had pets most of my life. Unfortunately some of those times I could not afford to take them to vet. Some have passed. When we decided to get 2 pets, we had to treat them as our family. Nationwide offers us the peace of mind of knowing we can always take our loving "family" to the doc if needed and to maintain their health! NATIONWIDE PET INSURANCE is fantastic to work with!
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sue c

6/27/2017
I was reimbursed quickly and appropriately. I wish the wellness package covered tick and flea control.
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Pam S

6/27/2017
So happy with nationwide insurance making it possible to get Bella treatment whenever she needs it.
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Leesa E

6/27/2017
The claim process has been easy and payment of claims timely. We finally signed up for electronic payment, which definitely got us paid faster. A few more steps involved in getting the electronic payment, but nothing that took more than a few minutes.
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Vivaan

6/27/2017
Thank you! I was not sure if I had made the right decision in taking a policy for Cara after bringing her to the US. But given her age and her recent unscheduled emergency visit to the vet, I am glad I did! I liked the way the claim was managed in a simple and fast manner. The website is great too.
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N
Nancy R

6/27/2017
Clarisse was diagnosed with a tumor in her bladder last summer. After researching this diagnosis, I found an NSaid that was tested on dogs for treatment of arthritis pain and one of the side effects was that it destroyed bladder tumors in dogs! Clarisse is back to her fat, old happy self today. The Vet was thrilled with how healthy she has stayed. I was able to get the diagnosis, treatment and recovery thanks to Dr. Grant and Nationwide Pet insurance. Every visit and every claim I have had with Nationwide has been a rewarding experience. Nationwide provides Clarisse with exceptional coverage and Nationwide always exceeds my expectations when it comes to Customer Care. I am... Read More
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M
M. D

6/27/2017
I am so appreciative of this insurance for my Winston. When I've had questions, they've had answers. Response time to my claims has been prompt. Thank you so much.
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Olivia

6/27/2017
I have nothing but good things to say about nationwide insurance. They have helped Seamus and I out more than I could have ever imagined. This is the second time this year he has been to this vet for emergency situations. The first time around he went in for a teeth cleaning and ended up getting 8 teeth extracted. Even though it was unplanned I knew his vet would help him feel better. After the surgery was over I went through the process of submitting my claim for his bill. Submitting my claim with nationwide was so quick and easy and they only came back to ask for additional documents once and they were able to cover almost all of his unexpected bill. The second time I was... Read More
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Dana C

6/26/2017
Nationwide saved us! Our Pup Suomy was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer that would not go away. We had to be referred to a specialist to had to complete another more invasive procedure. While healing from that procedure, Suomy had some urinary incontinence and we had to take her to emergency and get her checked out. Emergency wanted to complete all these exams and tests to find out what it was. We ended up taking her home, rather than subject her to tests that even they didn't know were necessary. The next day we brought her to her regular vet and found out it was a bladder infection. Ugh! If not for Nationwide Pet Insurance we wouldn't have been able to afford to get our pup the best care... Read More
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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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