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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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Nerol

6/21/2017
We are very pleased with Nationwide Pet Insurance. Charlie, our Lab, recently had some major surgery and we were pleasantly surprised at how much was covered by Nationwide. Over the years, the payments from Nationwide have significantly helped with the Vet costs. We plan to continue with Nationwide and i would encourage others to also sign up as the service is excellent.
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Jennifer M

6/21/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance is an excellent way to insure pets get the right medical treatment for the write costs. Having pet insurance on both my pets has made my life and theirs much better. You just never know when a injury or catastrophe will occur with your pet.
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Deborah P

6/21/2017
Nationwide has been a blessing. The submitting claims process was very easy and quick. I've also spoken to a representative, twice and it was friendly and efficient both times.
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linda l

6/21/2017
I am glad I decided to get this insurance for my dog. Claims are processed quickly and the website is easy to use. However, I did not give 5stars because Nationwide has a preeixting condtion clause on our policy that is unreasonable. By coincidence, my dog had an ear infection from the bath at the groomer within 6 months of the initiation of our policy. Consequently, they have this as a condition they will not cover even though he is almost 7 and only had 2 ear infections in his life. If this situation were resolved, I would gladly provide a 5 star review.
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Bonnie S

6/21/2017
I greatly appreciate all the support
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Debora S

6/21/2017
I signed up for the insurance for this puppy before I brought her home. One frustration was that the site would not let me sign her up before she was 8 weeks old, but due to the period that it takes before the policy is in effect, she was not covered for her first check up at 9 weeks (the day I brought her home). Whereas, if I had been able to sign her up the day I initially tried to do so when she was 6 weeks old, she pretty surely would have been covered for that first visit. A second issue involves one of the first claims that I submitted. My vet determined that the puppy required a procedure of plucking hair deep in the ear canal to prevent a type of ear infection that are... Read More
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M
Margery E

6/20/2017
Nationwide used to be VPI and I had their insurance for my two Shelties. It was okay, but the amounts they reimbursed were on a schedule, so it was very limited as to what they paid you. Now, Nationwide has totally revamped the insurance and offers virtually unlimited reimbursements at 90%. After one annual (not per incident) $250 deductible on the Whole Pet with Wellness, they paid 90% of my new guy's dental, 90% of the cost of a bronchoscopy and 90% of the cost of the acupuncture treatments with the integrative vet. Plus, they have something nobody else has, a 24 hour vet helpline. I can't say enough about how wonderful this is, especially when you have a dog in the process of... Read More
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Lisa G

6/20/2017
It's always easy and fast to submit and receive a claim. Thank you for being there for Misty! I love not having to worry about whether or not I can afford to take Misty to the vet.
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Patricia L

6/20/2017
Nationwide is the best ! I am so grateful that my Alex is insured! The claims are processed very quickly and having the major medical plan has been extremely beneficial! Thank you Nationwide for the amazing service!
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Steve F

6/20/2017
I have had pet insurance for 20+ years starting with VPI and now nationwide. This was for our dogs Barney, Sadie, and Frank who recently died. We maintain our policy on Cali. As you see, she has cancer requiring chemo infusion 3 times a month as well as other issues that have occurred including skin lesions, oral issues, pancreatitis, etc. This is of course costly as we have her care done at a great tertiary veterinary hospital. I wanted to increase our plan to help us with these large expenses. You denied me. Your "limit" on coverage is woefully inadequate. It is unrealistic in light of long term chemo and evaluation for response. I have always been very happy with the insurance... 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

 

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