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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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R
rolandoe

12/27/2016
These people, without warning me before I pay the policy, decided that my pet had a "previous condition" I only learned that when I submitted my first claim, that was denied , and went to the policy where I read that condition. Of my claim of over $ 500 they accepted ZERO. ON top of that the arrogance and bad manners of their customer service representatives are appalling. Choose somebody else !!!
3 People found this helpful.
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M R

10/14/2016
They took over 2 months to decision a claim. All documentation was provided quickly - always faxed, never mailed, and it still had to keep going thru review, after review, after review. As well, they can never provide any updated information. No matter when you contact them, whether it be by phone or email, you get the same response. A very frustrating experience. From this end, it was as if they didn't want to pay the claim.
3 People found this helpful.
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Cynthia S

9/30/2016
Horrible service and I experienced several very rude customer service representatives which caught me by surprise. When a pet has an accident, you expect empathy and assistance in the process. I received little to no assistance. I also experienced drop calls. No return calls as promised and questions came about forms which did not appear to acknowledge documentation that was submitted. Everything was delay, delay and delay. It felt like any excuse to not pay or delay payment. This is not a company I can recommend. They are not worth the premium.
3 People found this helpful.
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Lisa D

9/28/2016
Do your research! Horrible customer service! They won't let the public speak to claims representatives and make continue requests and excuses for more time to review claims. Have not received a dime. They leave the consumer feeling hopeless and now it's too late to look for an alternative insurance company because companies don't pay for existing medical issues. Now we have to consider putting down are pet because we can't afford the surgery. Nationwide is definitely not on your side.
3 People found this helpful.
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R.D. S

9/25/2016
I had insurance for my dogs for 16 years with VPI before it sold out to Nationwide. VPI was fairly good insurance with the ins and outs of the vet care for my dogs of all ages and sizes, spay/neuter, dental cleanings, bloodwork,etc. Same great vet all the years. Then Nationwide took over & WATCH OUT!!!!!!! DENY, DENY, DENY, NOT COVERED,NOT COVERED, NOT COVERED!!!! They cover no preventative. Then, one of my pups had complications with her first & only anesthesia at the beginning of her planned surgery for dental cleaning & spaying. The surgery had to be aborted & it became an emergency of keeping her alive. She went into seizures & nearly died. It required great skill & time to keep her... Read More
3 People found this helpful.
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J
Judy

9/23/2016
Pet Plan used to offer the best deal on pet insurance. However, Pet Plan has recently switched underwriters and now they are charging $200 more for far less coverage than my expiring plan. To get the same coverage I have as my current plan, I would have to pay over $600 than what I am currently paying. I regret purchasing a policy from Pet Plan and now I'm going to have to pay more for worse coverage with Pet Plan or buy a policy from another pet insurance company for higher premiums because my dog is now older. Awful.
3 People found this helpful.
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M
Marilyn S

11/2/2015
I have for the most part been satisfied with the major medical coverage I have had on all 3 of my dogs. Until NOW. VPI/Nationwide has denied coverage on a very large hospital bill for my Boston Terrier Ruby. Asking for more hospital records twice. Which I have had Ventura Medical and Surgical group fax over only to be lost in VPI"s system. Customer service wasn't much help and could not make a lot of sense out of there own records. Very disappointed and I am presenting this issue to my dog and agility club members as many of them have VPI and are watching the out come of this "run around".
3 People found this helpful.
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S
sgfluellen

10/26/2015
Loved this insurance 6 years ago. Now, not so much. If l could give no stars l would have.
3 People found this helpful.
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Jean H

1/6/2015
I think your review is really unfair to VPI. I had VPI when I owned a very ill great dane and they paid out more than they would have recouped if the dog had lived 10 years. I currently have Pet Plan because of all the GLOWING reviews that I had read and am on the verge of dropping them because I'm paying more for their coverage than I did with VPI and they have NEVER paid out a SINGLE DIME! Not even for an animal attack. With Pet Plan, you are banking on your dog getting some hereditary illness later in life that will be costly, but the day to day costs of owning a pet? Forget it. I'm going back to VPI.
3 People found this helpful.
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R
Riddle c

8/16/2016
This insurance company does not guarantee coverage. These people bait and switch. The supervisor would not answer my question when I asked if they would pay for this coverages
3 People found this helpful.
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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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