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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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J
Jamie

1/27/2019
I have 4 dogs currently enrolled with Nationwide Pet Insurance. I will not be renewing any of their policies. If and when you submit a substantial claim, be prepared because they will have every excuse under the sun not to payout. I submitted a claim of 1225.00 and still haven't received the 84.00 they have listed as payout.
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John L

1/25/2019
Please be super careful with Nationwide Pet Insurance---big scam and fraud. They are good at taking your monthly payment and when it comes to reimbursement, they would come up with excuses. Terrible customer services and the staff are super rude and unprofessional. I have switched to Healthy Paws. Nationwide is being rated the lowest so far.
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F
Frida

1/17/2019
I was happy with my insurance from puppy to age 6. When my dog got really sick and the bills where about $6800.00 the reimbursement was barely anything. Even after a review procedure Very disappointing! Great if you have healthy dog! Not if dog gets sick!
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Lewis M

1/13/2019
Only covers accident/injuries. No illnesses. In ten years never received any benefits just premiums.
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L
Lori G

1/9/2019
I have purchased pet insurance from them for more years than I can remember. The policy is became a major medical policy and the premium keeps going up by double digits. I am now looking for a new carrier.
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A
Amanda

12/28/2018
Amanda Mc Manassas, VA When I first got insurance for my 3 animals in 2011, I was very happy with Nationwide. However over this last year(2018) they have denied claims that use to be just plain routine, like an urine analysis that was always part of my wellness plan!!!! Really! They have also taken a very long time processing claims?!?!? As of 2019 this family will be covering our fur babies elsewhere!!
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S
Sunshine

12/28/2018
2018 was my first year ever of having health insurance coverage for my dogs. I chose a plan that covers wellness as well as emergencies. I've been pleasantly surprised - everything has been reimbursed as promised, including costs for a surgery. I upload my vet's invoice on the mobile app, and a few weeks later I get a text that a payment is ready for my bank account. I appreciate the simplicity of the process. I don't know why my experience has differed from so many of the negative comments below, but I'm really happy I made the choice to cover my dogs with Nationwide Pet Insurance. *Only four stars because of the rate increase for 2019. Hopefully the high percentage of... Read More
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C
Chris

12/7/2018
I have three dogs on my policy and thus far have had no problems with reimbursement. When my youngest turned one I wanted to upgrade to the whole Pet with Wellness plan that I have for my other two dogs. They wanted to change my monthly rate from $49 to $113!!!!!! I only pay $52 and $68 a month for my other two pets that are a year older....his is absolutely absurd! I have referred five friends/family to Nationwide and am now shopping for a better plan/price and you can bet I will convert all of those that I referred to my new insurance company!
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S
Sonya

11/30/2018
Barely had them for a year or maybe 2? They increased my rates by 20% and didn't even bother to tell me!!!!! I HADNT EVEN USED THEM YET! On top of that, that was WITH my company discount. They didn't even give me a DEFINITIVE REASON as to WHY. As a customer I deserve at least that, told me it MIGHT be due to age, location, etc. I hadn't moved, my dog is 3 he is young, and his breed didnt magically change. They are shady horrible people and can go to heck.
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T
Tamara

10/29/2018
I have had insurance on my dog for 5 years, she got diabetes this year and they raised my premium $350, WTF????
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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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