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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.

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
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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Gregory E

12/22/2017
We are longtime members of Nationwide Pet Insurance, dating back to when it was Veterinary Pet Insurance (1996). We have always had positive experiences with VPI/Nationwide. When there have been issues the customer service has been exceptional. I work with gaming professionals developing educational gaming apps and have to say VitusVet (not sure if owned by Nationwide) is an exceptional application and works wonderfully! It is the best app I know of and if all apps were designed this well would allow people to leverage their smartphones by two orders of magnitude! Keep up the good work!
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Barbara S

12/22/2017
My dogs are my service dogs as i am an amputee and my older one is semi retired as his age is too hard to pull a wheelchair - so his pinched nerve has made him very uncomfortable- my younger one got a back sprain from pulling and carrying luggage - so it is very important to keep my boys healthy - thank you so very much for assisting me with all of this as it happened all at once- and around the holidays - being on a set income you came to my rescue fast with re-imbursments- that’s why i have all the coverage and haven’t had to use it much until now after being with you for over 14 years - thank you
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Maggie T

12/22/2017
I do not like that Nationwide does not account for living in the most expensive place in the U.S. My Great Dane had to get surgery in the Silicon Valley ( Bay area, California) which is very expensive. They covered less than half of the surgery with the Major medical plan. I was very disappointed, since I could have driven elsewhere for the surgery where it would have been less expensive. Nationwide would account for areas that are typically more expensive than others (San Francisco bay area, NYC, etc.).
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Steve N

12/22/2017
We had to take our dog into emergency care due to excessive vomiting. We were confident that Nationwide Insurance would be helping with the costs of the care and they came through! Thank you! I tell all my friends that won pets that they need to sign up for your program.
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Jerry S

12/22/2017
Really great service!
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Jim K

12/22/2017
Thank you for your kind assistance. Quick resolution.
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Liz T

12/22/2017
Augie is doing well on his medication and because he can be on it, he avoids terrible skin inflammation and loss of hair. We can continue him on the medication thanks to support from Nationwide.
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Richelle N

12/21/2017
Have had nice customer service the few times I’ve called. Also had quick turn around times for claims. However, the first claim I never received the check so after having to wait until the check could be canceled it did take some time. I set up auto deposit after that and got econd claim no problem! So glad I purchased this for my pup as he seems to be accident prone with first a cut eyelid and most recently a trip to er with an allergic reaction.
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P
Pandie M

12/21/2017
100% satisfied with Nationwide. Thank you for your excellent service.
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A
Andrea T

12/21/2017
we are so glad that we had nationwide pet insurance for our dog. We were able to give him the best care and keep Him with us, knowing we had insurance to help with the cost.
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  • No enrollment or administrative fees
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