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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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M
Misty S

9/18/2018
I have been with Nationwide insurance (formerly through VIP) since my dog was 6 months old and she turned 11 this year. She recently ran into some health problems (cancer) and we had been treating her for the last few months. Nationwide has been great. When we started insurance for Sadie, we were not sure if it was real or if they would try to get out of paying for anything that came up. We have had some very high claims in the last few months and they have paid for almost everything. Nationwide has well exceeded our expectations. The claim process is easy to submit and easy to track. We will definitely use Nationwide for our next pet as well. Our dog has just passed and it is heart... Read More
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Nichole T

9/14/2018
Nationwide Pet Insurance is a waste of money! They are not on your side when you need assistance. My paycheck was messed up this month, and they flat out refused to work with me until my paycheck came through since it was going to take 10 to 15 business days. All I asked was that they hold my automatic payment until I finally got the money in my account to make payment. They told me it is not their problem that I was acquiring a $35 overdraft fee every time they ran my card after notifying them of the issue with my paycheck. They still ran my card refusing to hold the payment until I finally had my check. I ended up having to cancel my account since there were no other options. I would not... Read More
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Ena A

9/1/2018
9/1/2018 I am a fairly new customer (January 2018) for two dogs, and a new Major Medical + Wellness plan for my new puppy. I would not recommend this insurance to anyone. Their on-line claim for processing is 14 days for a claim. I submitted claims in May for both of my dogs, then had to submit detailed medical records with all test results and vet notes from both the vet and emergency hospital. These were submitted at the end of June. It is now September 1. Called them today and was told that they are 70 days behind in the underwriting department. Also was advised that I will not covered for spaying or a vet recommended gastropexy procedure on my new puppy. AND would... Read More
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Beverly C

9/1/2018
It's the best insurance so far. I have recommended it to multiple people. My vet was impressed with it and has asked me a couple of times to provide name of my insurance company to other clients at her practice.
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B
Bernie

8/27/2018
Waste of money. False sense of security. They covered almost nothing when my dog had a bleeding tumor and needed emergency surgery. Less than 15%. Did not cover the chemo afterwards. Doubled my premiums over the years so after paying for 12 years they didn’t cover legitimate claims so no point in having this plan.
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Kay A

8/27/2018
I have five dogs insured with Nationwide. One required a TPLO for a right cruciate ligament tear. Less that five months later he tore the left and again requires a TPLO. The first surgery with rehab after was over $6000.00. I don't know how I could have covered two without Nationwide. They paid 90% of everything, even his accupuncture.
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M
Matt

8/24/2018
Really fortunate that we had coverage when our dog was diagnosed with lymphoma. We've been able to get the treatments that she needs without having to worry too much about the cost
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Aylish C

8/17/2018
I am very satisfied with my Nationwide Pet Insurance. This coverage has allowed me to provide my pet with excellent health care. While the coverage isn't 100% I don't feel like it significantly lower than it was when VPI owned the policy. The Payment processing could be faster, but I am still satisfied with the coverage. My only issue with Nationwide is that I was not given the promised gift card for signing up my Mother's puppy (the second family member I got to sign up for pet insurance). When I emailed to inquire about the referral credit, I was ignored.
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R
Robert P

8/3/2018
Our dogs have been covered by Nationwide Pet (VPI Pet Insurance) for several years. Each year the premiums were raised and the service quality declined. Nationwide Pet Major Medical & Wellness Plan is great until your pet has a major illness. After our lab was diagnosed with cancer we had to deal with multiple mistakes made on claims. A dog's illness is stressful dealing with Nationwide customer service is even more stressful.
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Ann J

8/2/2018
I had VPI, then Nationwide, insurance for 12 years for my French Bulldog, getting it when he was 10 weeks old. Since my puppy had a mass cell tumor before he was 2 years of age, I was never able to upgrade his coverage. However, they never had a problem with upping the premiums every year. Which means the schedule used for claims was 12 years ago. I paid more in premiums than I ever received back in reimbursements. It would not cover his holistic care. My puppy just passed away and the charges were $750, I was reimbursed $66 with a sympathy note. My monthly premium was $84!!!! I was lucky if I got a fourth of what I paid out reimbursed.
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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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