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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
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Customer Comments

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Bill B

6/15/2015
yea im cancelling VPI. been paying since my rottie was a puppy. Hes 8 now, never had anything wrong. Had fatty tumors removed. Vet Bill was 1450 for everything. VPI covered 240. Not worth it at all
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Dave S

10/4/2015
I have major medical coverage with $100 annual deductible with %100 payout plan which is the top tier plan they offer for dogs. My dog has been to the vet twice this year and both times the plan failed to pay out. My dog was diagnosed with with coccidia and was given an antibiotic for treatment as well as diagnosed with a unrelated hormonal issue that wasn't the primary issue or causing her to be sick. After I filled the claim not expecting reimbursement for the hormonal issue since my coverage only covers sick/accident care but just expecting reimbursement for the antibiotic and exam. Of the $174 bill VPI payed me $68 for the exam and medicine for the hormonal issue and not anything... Read More
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Nicole R

10/2/2015
VPI aka Nationwide is HORRIBLE! My dog had diarrhea when he was a puppy and we found out that it was a chicken allergy. Of course after jumping through hoops to get them all the documentation they have denied the $1500 claim. He was vomiting for an unknown cause and then his lung filled up with fluid and he got pneumonia. They said because he has a sensitive stomach anytime he throws up or gets diarrhea or apparently anything, it is a permanent exclusion. They just find whatever loophole they can to NOT reimburse you. What a waste of $45 a month for the last 3 years!
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JE

10/1/2015
insure your dog the second it comes from the womb in order to avoid use of the "pre existing" condition from these crooks. Our dog needed ear surgery and VPI would not tell us prior to surgery if they would cover, since our policy had no pre existing conditions listed, we went ahead and spent over $3000 only to be declined because our vet put ear drops in her ears several years prior.
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F
Felix.R

9/28/2015
Just cancelled my policy with VPI. I had policy since my English Bulldog was born. Almost two year with policy and never submitted claim until now for Elongated Soft Palate surgery that Spike needed due to brachycephalic syndrome. Paid $3,812.13 what I got back was only $70.00 $20 was for physical exam and $50 for X-Rays. A friend has pet insurance that his dog has been in and out of vet hospital and gets full reimbursement minus $100 deductible and he showed me proof. Now it's for me to call and ask lots of questions before I sign up.
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C
Cindy P

8/21/2015
I have been with VPI for over 15+ years now for all my dogs. However, this will be my last year with them. I noticed one of my dogs wasn't at the same level of coverage as my other dogs, so I called to get him upgraded. They asked if he was in good health, which he is, but I said I'm going to get his teeth cleaned at my own expense (which I automatically do every 1-2 years), being proactive, it was not recommended by our Vet and isn't covered under the plan I have with them. They called me back today and said that because of that, issues could arise from a teeth cleaning and that I would have to supply them with the past year of medical records in order to have his coverage... Read More
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M
Minh T

8/11/2015
I called in to obtain a quote from VPI. The customer service rep Phillip Gordon was helping me and gave a quote for my dog and my cat. He said he will send out the brochures so we can take a look over to determine if we really want it or not. He will check back with us in the next 4 weeks to finalize the policies. Never heard back from him. I called back in today and I tried to cancel the policy, that I never approved to be activated. They informed me that since they sent me emails and letter mail, it is considered a contract between them and I. Since I had just moved to a new house, there is some mail I never received. Also, my email has a strict spam filter. I have never received any... Read More
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Don P

8/10/2015
VPI/Nationwide has no business being in healthcare, they are thugs. I signed up for VPI because their premium was low and they were owned by a well known company, however little did I realize that they are big thugs. My pet had an "accident" and I took him to the Specialists hoping that I am covered. During his expensive treatment, I kept the VPI customer service apprised of the treatment and charges my pet was going through. While they seemed artificially polite (as if caring for the pet), however they send scary vibes - 'we have your recordings', 'everything you say, will be used'... as if I was being questioned. After I submitted my claim, they took a long time, and during that time, it... Read More
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M
Mike C

8/6/2015
DO NOT SIGN UP! We signed up in case our dog needed another TPLO. VPI was the only pet insurance that claimed to cover TPLOs for dogs that have already had a TPLO. As long as the knee in question wasn't damaged prior to the 12 month probationary period, they claimed they would cover approximately $2,500 of the surgery and rehab costs. I've spoken to at least 4 different agents between the time I signed up up until my dog's TPLO last month. Each and every time they confidently assured me they'd cover it and that all I needed to do was make sure the surgery was after the 12 month probationary period. They were so reassuring I didn't think I needed proof of their verbal agreement to... Read More
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T
Tina A

4/17/2015
I have had my insurance for a couple of years for my dog. I was thinking of canceling it because I didn't use it. Luckily, I didn't, my dog was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and the cost were huge. I turned my claim into VPI and they paid all but $250.00 of it. Wow!! Not only that but, I was paid with each claim in less than 14 days. Very convenient you can follow your claim on thier website. Thank you VPI. It was worth every penny I paid into it.
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Top Rated
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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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