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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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Deb M

10/3/2017
I'm so happy we purchased pet insurance with Nationwide. We submitted quite a few claims that were processed quickly and love the direct deposit which enables to receive your payment faster. The few times I had to call, the reps were very friendly. Premiums are affordable too! The only thing is, wish they offered dental and pay towards a year's worth of flea and heartworm meds, instead of 1 month only..
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Monica u

10/3/2017
I love how sample when filing a claim and easy the explanation is. Also it truly wonderful to see they do email about Lion well being as well
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Cheryl D

10/3/2017
My dog was diagnosed and treated for a life threatening event. He was stabilized by my primary vet, then sent for emergency treatment to a specialized hospital. Admitted in Critical Care, and then Cardiology. He spent a total of four days in Hospital. While this was not a pre-existing condition, I feel that more coverage should have been afforded to his condition. I have "top" coverage, major medical and a rider, but was only compensated about one fourth of the total cost of his treatment. I understand about limits, but paying out every month what we are paying for coverage, I feel the coverage should have been more complete. He has now reached his "limits" for something that will... Read More
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Benjamin M

10/2/2017
Nationwide has treated my house and our four cats wonderfully! So many other insurance companies look for ways to get out of paying money to you, Nationwide is different; one of our cats had several very expensive issues within a couple months time Nationwide didn't stall or try to put us in an endless loop of giving them more information, they looked over the medical records and paid out the money without any headache. It is so wonderful to not have to worry about where you are going to get the money to afford Vet care for your pets, I use my credit line to pay and Nationwide pays me back without any fuss! This has removed one of the very large stresses in our life. One of our... Read More
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Raquel M

10/2/2017
All the process went so smooth. No need for a phone call , the hospital sender the claim , the insurance kept me updated with email .
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Gloria Y

10/2/2017
I have been insured by Nationwide over several years. When my first dog became sick in her advanced age and needed frequent visits and test by the vet the reimbursements for services were very quick. When my Angel Alysia became sick my children gave me a new puppy who I added to my policy. Reimbursements have been made just as prompt and because of the online app to submit claims it is much easier and faster.
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Jill C

10/2/2017
I am so glad I purchased this insurance for my dog. When my dog gets sick I don’t want to have to think about how I am going to afford the vet bill. Recently (last month) my dog had to go to the vet a few times for different reasons. My bills were almost $1000!! Once I reached my $250 deductible I was reimbursed by Nationwide for the remainder. Piece of mind and a healthy dog - what more could I want/need. Definitely worth the money.
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Patrick B

10/2/2017
Nationwide services and insurance coverage for my pets have far exceeded my expectations. Great company with great services and friendly customer service. Thank you Patrick
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J
Jeff

10/2/2017
We have been very fortunate to have Nationwide Pet insurance and are thankful every time we go to the vet. Nationwide has made visiting the vet a more tolerable experience when your pet is sick the last thing you want to worry about is the cost and having this insurance has been a great way not only to defer some of the costs but a lot of the worry as well. Thank you Nationwide! Nationwide has been so good about checking back to insure that our pets are doing well after the visit.
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Amara B

10/2/2017
Can always count on help financially from nationwide with our puppy who loves to get into trouble! Even love the follow up emails making sure she is ok 😍
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