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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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Hector R

1/3/2018
Your service is fast and first class. There is good communications at all times.
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Sharon L

1/3/2018
I have used a Nationwide when it was VPI for all three of the dogs I’ve had. For the dog I have now, I purchased a Major/Medical only with a $250 deductible. I have very pleased with Nationwide as a whole. I was surprised however that a Nationwide paid huge amount of my last bill, but when my dog had to repeat the tests as a follow-up, very little was paid. I felt I should have had more paid, since my dog was diagnosed with a disease, and I needed to know if the medicine was working!
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Alexis W

1/3/2018
This insurance has been so great! It covers the wellness visits and you get paid pretty quick with direct deposit set up. I use the vitus vet app to submit my claims that it is so easy all I have to do is take a picture! I have no had any emergency related claims and hope to never have those but I am sure nationwide will be just a great to work with if that ever happens.
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Julie D

1/3/2018
Thank you Nationwide for helping me give my pets, Butter and Butter the best care that they deserve. No hassles, timely return. I recommend you to everyone.
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J E

1/3/2018
Everything is quick and easy and the coverage is generally great.......except for one thing. The pre-existing condition clause seems to be an excuse for some issues my pet is having because it is similar to an illness she had when i rescued her. Every vet has told me that the current condition is NOT related to the old one (I kept asking because I was trying to figure out how she got sick) but i still get denied for many claims which is disappointing and why I won’t give another star.
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DebnJerry D

1/3/2018
Nationwide is A LIFE Safeline!! We would not go a Day without it !!
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Carol P

1/3/2018
I have had VPI/Nationwide Pet insurance for most of Bax's life. He's 10 now and has had a few health issues, a couple of them quite costly. I'm so thankful for Nationwide Pet. It means I can take him to the vet and make decisions based on what is best for him, not what is best for my bank account. He is family and Nationwide understands that! Thank you for helping us take such good care of our precious baby boy.
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Ana B

1/2/2018
My dear dog Fitz passed away at Thanksgiving, after a night in the hospital, a ton of medication, from a surprise diagnosis of lymphoma. Your company promptly processed my claims which was greatly needed before Christmas. I have been procrastinating in calling you to let you know I would no longer need insurance because it makes it so final. But today I came home, determined to make the phone call and instead I found a letter from you, offering your condolences and a refund. I can't thank you enough for your services, your sympathy, and your understanding. I have recommended you in my Facebook dog group pages and I will soon be adopting two pups who I will have covered through your... Read More
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frankhi c

1/2/2018
ARKIN is doing better his surgery was a life treating and the recuperation time is estimating to be 6 months. He has being vomiting a few days ago and if he continue I would have to take him in again. I spoke with the VET today I infoemed him about Arkin and he said he would like to do some blood testingso I'll be making an appointment. Thank you for asking
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Kristin K

1/2/2018
I was a little apprehensive about this claim, having read A LOT of negative reviews from people who submitted similar ones (teeth cleaning with extractions). You guys should know that out there in the Internet Universe, Nationwide Pet Insurance has a pretty poor reputation. I can honestly say that for me, the process has been easy and there have been no problems so far. I submitted the claim and was concerned that it seemed (to me) to be taking a little while. I called and was told that maybe I should submit some additional paperwork just in case. I did that, and while I still had a little wait (which was by no means unreasonable, just longer that an earlier claim I had submitted), my... 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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