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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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Lana S

5/16/2017
Nationwide has been WONDERFUL with Tilly's claims and her on going ones.. She is a 10 year old Newfoundland.. Thank you NATIONWIDE .............
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Kristi D

5/16/2017
I could not be more happy than I am with Tank's insurance. It took a little while for my first claim to be paid because I lacked proper information, but once I learned what documentation to send, I have had nothing but fast and friendly service with no hassle. I would recommend this insurance for any pet owner as it has helped save a lot and makes having a pet easier!!
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Sally F

5/15/2017
Nationwide is the first insurance company I have enjoyed working with. Easy, professional and caring. We couldn't be in better hands. thanks!
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Cheryl m

5/15/2017
I can't speak highly enough of the care Marcus and I received at the Sacramento VCA referral hospital. I am also grateful for the timely response from nationwide regarding his claims. This has been a very stressful time for us in regards to his medical problems that we had been so lucky to have avoided thus far , both my vet and particularly this hospital and nationwide made this as easy as it could have been, given the acute issues that plagued him.
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Edna P

5/15/2017
Connor is feeling better than ever! Thank you so much for being there for us.
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Margery E

5/15/2017
I am very happy with the new Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness plan. I was hesitant to spend the money, but delighted that I had bought the insurance after I had to spend $3,500 for a bronchoscopy for my rescue. Turns out, he had three antibiotic resistant bacterial infections in his lungs. He could have died if I hadn't been able to do the right tests and give him the appropriate medications. Today, he's healthy and happy and the infections are gone. I still hesitated to spend the money when his policy came up for renewal, but I knew it was the right thing to do, cause anything is possible. Plus, Nationwide's Advise Nurse is something that none of the other pet insurance companies... Read More
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Kevin P

5/15/2017
We can't say enough good things about Nationwide and how Ted, our Lab, is helped by his coverage. He has lots of skin allergies, including hot spots from swimming in our lake. Can't keep him out. Contact dermatitis in Summer from grass. List goes on. Nationwide has never once reduced or questioned the vet's bills, including his monthly Apoquel Rx. Five stars from me!
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William A

5/15/2017
Very pleased with this company. I have the major medical plan that covers only large scale injuries etc. My lab tore her ACL. They covered almost the entire surgery procedure (about 4,000.00 including xrays etc.). I only pay about 35 dollars a month. This was a good decision and a bargain as far as I am concerned.
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Jacqueline G

5/13/2017
I just love the service that you provide to my two Boys. The response time is awesome and very quick. The only thing I wished you offered was direct deposit to the checking account on file to save time and paper. We are suppose to become a paperless society. That's an option your company should offer for people like me who just do not have the time to go to the bank to deposit checks. Thank you! Jacqueline Gelpi
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Anita

5/13/2017
I wish my medical insurance is processed as quickly and efficiently as the claims sent to Nation Wide!! I'm so thrilled with the service that I'm constantly referring folks at the dog park. I'm notified when they receive my claim and shortly after the reimbursement is in the mail. I'm a very happy customer :) Anita F. CT
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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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