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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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Susan C

9/15/2019
We use to love Nationwide as it does process claim quickly however..........they just raised the cost 80%! Yes, 80% you read right. And all they could say was sorry. And we do not even have claims other then routine check up, shots and flea and tick medicine! From what I am reading we are not the only ones who are experiencing this increase. We will be shopping around! BUYER BEWARE!
1 People found this helpful.
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S
S. O

9/3/2019
I've had VPI/Nationwide for more than two decades covering multiple animals. They've always been consistent and the rates have been fair. That is until now. In just a two year period, my current dog's premium has almost DOUBLED! No kidding. In 2017 the renewal rate was $660 per year for Major Medical. This year, I just received the renewal rate, and it's gone to $1220! This is for my mixed-breed dog who went from 7 years old to 9 years old during this same period. When I called them, they attributed it to both across-the-board increases for my region and due to my dog's age. But, over the many years I've been with VPI, I've never had any type of annual increase that even comes close to... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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J
Jacqueline S

8/29/2019
Not happy at all with their policy. I have had my boxer with them since he was 8 weeks and he is now 2. I have the major medical plan. He was recently diagnosed with a heart murmer. I was informed that since he's a boxer they won't cover anything related to the heart. I am switching to healthy paws where they don't discriminate even if it's hereditary. So I've been paying for 2 years and they always deny my claims. Very displeased!
1 People found this helpful.
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Janni C

8/26/2019
I have been a customer for 8 years now, when the company that I signed on with was bought out by Nationwide. I have never submitted a claim because basically nothing is covered! I have called twice, months apart to inquire about adding a second pet. Both times I have spoken with rude, non customer service oriented representatives. And mind you I am a paying client. They do not cover spay/neuter, bloat, and several other things. Stay away, lousy coverage and rude people
1 People found this helpful.
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Jodie S

7/3/2019
DO NOT USE NATIONWIDE KNOWN AS PETINSURANCE.COM I have been insured through Nationwide since 2011 for one pet, and since 2013 for my second pet. I have been paying around $750 since 2011 until 2013, and then $1500 since 2013. I purchased the most comprehensive insurance since I got both of my dogs at 12 weeks old. The company was originally known as VPI Pet Insurance, but sometime during my time it changed or was bought by Nationwide. Last year, I was notified that my automatic payment did not go through, due to a change in my debit card details / expiry date. I went into their portal to update my card, and when I hit submit (on both policies) it deducted the remaining payments for the... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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K
Ken

6/25/2019
NATIONWIDE PAID NOTHING NO VISIT NO MEDICATION NO SURGERY NOTHING AFTER PAYING 3YEAR PREMIUMS Hello. If we’re talking about NATIONWIDE? THUMBS DOWN! We are Loyal premium paying customers of Nationwide 3 years paying on 2 Pug Brothers. One had palette, throat & nasal surgery Two weeks before surgery I called a rep. The rep explains for 30 minutes the diagnosis most likely to pay benefits also they always pay for Medications. Not so. Not a penny. After 3 years? Talk to the Vets they agree. Bill Nationwide 1ST CLAIM after 3 years not one claim? Two Dogs? Look at first line! Not a penny from Nationwide’s C Suite is using people’s genuine love for their... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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R
Robert B

6/25/2019
Nationwide has insured our two schnauzers since they were 9 weeks old. The only insurance we have had. No problems with them at all. Quick response to a claim and great coverage. Highly recommend them for all you pet insurance needs. They have saved us financially more times than we can count!
1 People found this helpful.
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C
Christina S

6/5/2019
If you are insuring a Bulldog (Frenchie, English etc) do not use Nationwide they will not cover nares and palate surgery. But, they sure will collect the premiums
1 People found this helpful.
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Christine M

2/28/2019
This is a good company and we have never had any problems. Quick reimbursement decent customer service. However, with that being said our premium went up 80% from $85 a month to $148 a month... When I called their reasoning was a market refresh! When I went on line to requote a new policy the quote came back at my old premium of $85. NO Claims or any use other than for our wellness plan and teeth cleaning which I pay extra for! Sorry too many other insurers to stay with a company that approves an 80% premium hike out of the blue!
1 People found this helpful.
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Derrick F

2/26/2019
They jacked up my cat's monthly rate from $68 to $173 overnight just because she turned 10 years old. Evil.
1 People found this helpful.
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