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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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H
hozer2118

6/22/2017
We have had Skye covered for about 2 months and have used it 2x for puppy vaccinations and wellness. we are very pleased with the coverage and the prompt responses to claims and questions. Look forward to being with Nationwide as Skye grows up.
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Ken H

6/22/2017
A Godsend! I've had dogs all my life, and can't imagine the heartache of having to make health care decisions based upon finances ever again. Last year, we lost our twin yellow labs to chronic kidney disease, and Nationwide's coverage allowed me to provide them with the absolute best care to give them as much quality of life as we possibly could - something I could not have done without the insurance because of the cost. Now, we're pet parents to a new pup, and the first thing I bought her was her own policy. Already, it's helped with exams and vaccinations, most recently her spay surgery. Now, as canine influenza creeps closer, we've added that vaccination to her regimen to keep my... Read More
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S
Stephanie T

6/22/2017
The insurance coverage is very good, and provides a lot of value for the cost. The process to file claims is easy, and the normal time to process is reasonable. I deducted half of a star for some communication issues that seem inconsistent. I had a claim that needed additional records, and the request was sent directly to me to coordinate with our veterinarian. However, when an additional request was made to our surgeon, it went directly to their office and I was not notified. Their response was extremely delayed, which in turn delayed my claim processing. Had I known that the records request was sent to the surgeon's office, I could have reached out to them to encourage a more... Read More
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A
Amy

6/22/2017
Given the state of human health insurance I was VERY skeptical that pet insurance would be a waste of money. We have the full coverage w/ Wellness - and sure enough, the first bill submitted was rejected for payment. It came back with 3 different issues that had been read as pre-existing - even though Finley was only 5 months old. I was so frustrated. I spoke with a Supervisor, and she said there was a form my vet hadn't filled out, requesting more information - she resent it to me and I brought it to the vet. The supervisor also took notes in our call about one of the other issues and resubmitted everything for review. And in a week the supervisor called to say Nationwide had reversed... Read More
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S
Sandy

6/22/2017
Love this product. Gives me peace of mind.
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Tami F

6/22/2017
Very past payment! Appreciate the new and improved policy, where even wellness visits are covered up to a certain percentage.
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Ed

6/22/2017
I was excited to be reimbursed 100% for medical expenses. I am at ease knowing my dog can receive proper care that I otherwise could not afford.
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V
vicki

6/21/2017
I compared several pet insurance plans and felt Nationwide was the best for us. I spoke to a representative who explained everything and answered all my questions, Everything has been so easy with them.Submitting the claims are easy and they email you all the details of the progress of the claim and the payment comes in a timely manner.I have already recommended this company to a friend ( and got a $20 referral fee). I am very pleased
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Susana L

6/21/2017
Always keep me posted on the my claim, very easy to use forms, very fast on processing my claims. We love our insurance!!
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Vickie D

6/21/2017
I took Huckleberry recently for his yearly checkup and the vaccinations he was due and stocked up on his heart worm meds. I was surprised how good Nationwide Pet Insurance paid. It also didn't take them long to process the claim after I sent it in.
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Top Rated
Our Partner
  • No enrollment or administrative fees
  • Accidents, illnesses & emergency care
  • Most claims are processed within 2 days
  • Flexible premium & deductible options

 

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