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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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Amanda

10/2/2017
I have been pleased with Nationwide's coverage so far. Claims are easy to process and their online platform makes them easy to track. My only complaint is that things that should be covered must be performed by a licensed vet, so if procedures that should be covered are performed by someone who is not a vet, they are not covered which seems like a cheap way for them to get out of paying for procedures that should be covered.
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Joy V

10/2/2017
She is much better. Thank you.
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Louis W

10/1/2017
When Nala got sick I took her to the vet hospital. She was cared for and treated appropriately. In a few days she was good as new. Our health insurance company, Nationwide, received our insurance claim. Within a few days Nationwide processed it and reimbursed us based on the level of coverage the policy we selected. Our experience with Nationwide with this claim and for all our insurance fillings for Nala have alway been handled professionally seamlessly beginning to end. Nationwide has been my best choice in pet insurance I could have made. Thank you Nationwide! Louis
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J
Jessica

10/1/2017
Roxie recently had a tooth extraction for a cracked tooth, and the cost of dental surgery is expensive. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much I was reimbursed for this procedure. My policy covered almost all of the surgery costs. Thank you so much, Nationwide.
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Barbara P

9/29/2017
Nationwide has far exceeded our expectations as our dog's insurance provider. Prior pet insurance we had was very disappointing . We are Nationwide customers for life!
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Pam M

9/29/2017
Have been with Nationwide (VPI) many years now 3 dogs and consistently have received excellent service! If you call Nationwide their reps are professional and utilize their active listening skills to assist and or resolve any issues. Claims processed fast - easy to do electronically! If you do not have access to processing electronically, if mailed claim turnaround within 14 days. Nationwide prioritizes their customers!!
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P
Pamela S

9/29/2017
We are very pleased with our pet insurance coverage. It is very comforting to know that we can afford the care our dogs need if they become ill or injured. I tell everyone they should have pet insurance and that Nationwide is the best!
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Birgit B

9/29/2017
While the premiums are not cheap, I am so glad that I got health insurance from Nationwide for my puppy. Like most little critters she got into something that caused a case of gastroenteritis that ended up with her spending a night a the vets. She has fully recovered and my experience with Nationwide was excellent. The response to my claims was speedy and the insurance coverage took care of a major part of a big vet bill. Nationwide is on your side..... thank you Nationwide.
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S
Sharon S

9/29/2017
I have had this insurance for only a couple months and have found them very quick with their responses to submitted claims and reimbursement. And its easy using the app.
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S
Sharo

9/28/2017
I honestly don't know what I would do without Nationwide insurance for my dogs, we have had a rough year with our dogs, and I would be absolutely broke if it wasn't for Nationwide.
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