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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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hecategdess

1/2/2019
I signed up for pet insurance back in March 2018. The monthly rate was $41 for Nationwide's top tier plan. I was very happy with this rate as one could imagine. I submitted three claims which were reimbursed within a month. Then I receive an email informing me that monthly rates would be going up. As with everything else in life I figured this would happen, though I thought it was odd that the new rate was not quoted in this letter. I went online to see how much my new monthly rate would be. I was absolutely floored when I saw that my new rate was $98!! I called and was informed that there was a rate increase across the board and did I need to speak to someone about another plan to lower... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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L
Lauren

8/31/2018
I adopted a puppy recovering from Parvo in February. She was pulled from a shelter in the south. She's had a few health issues aside from Parvo, such as skin sensitivities, a sensitive stomach, and a sprained paw. At the urging of my boss, after I shelled out $400 for an X-Ray, I got a quote from Nationwide. Since I applied and had coverage, I've been reimbursed 95% of the ~$500 I spent at the vet in these past few months between routine checkups, booster shots, medication for an ear infection, kennel cough and so on. I was so relieved I could cry. $50 is not too much to pay for peace of mind, knowing that my next vet visit won't punch me in the gut. The only things that were considered... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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Michelle S

8/30/2018
Love Nationwide Pet Insurance. The coverage is just right, and allows me to take care of my pets without worrying about cost of check-ups and vaccines. Payment is super quick! I typically get reimbursed within a few days. I also love the content they send or post on their facebook, instagram and the magazine. The couple times I had to call, the customer service person was incredibly helpful and nice. Their site is also great for tracking past claims and other policy information, such as what's covered. Best part? I love that payment comes directly out of my paycheck through my employer. Great benefit!
1 People found this helpful.
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Kate

8/30/2018
So far I have had no problems with the claims I have submitted over the last year and a half, which have been quite a few. My little guy is getting on in age and things just keep popping up. Most claims were paid within two weeks or so. I would like them to narrow their statement on payment in their policy to two week instead of 30 days since we all have to file as reimbursements. The customer service has been very helpful and very nice.
1 People found this helpful.
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Patricia P

8/29/2018
I love Nationwide Pet Insurance and wouldn't be without it! They make it easy to file claims and reimbursement doesn't take long at all! It's so worth it because you never know what could happen as your pet/pets get older. I strive to keep my chihuahua, Rocky, healthy. We have health insurance, why shouldn't they??
1 People found this helpful.
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M
Mark

2/3/2015
If you have any financial sense in you, you will NOT sign up with this company. I have been with VPI for 5 years, and I would have been better off burning my money. I had a 95% rejection rate of all claims. Out of over $4000 in outgoing costs, I say about $400 throughout the years. There was an excuse for everything on why it wasn't covered. Nationwide is on your side?? I DONT THINK SO!!!! Stay away from VPI. I moved to Healthy Paws.
1 People found this helpful.
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J
Jude B

1/17/2015
Paid monthly premiums for three years. My dog required emergency care when he had an inflamed colon. Took him to the vet - bill: $485; admitted to Cornell Vet Hospital - bill: $2,000. Total covered by VPI Pet Insurance: $800! The explanation was because there is a reasonable amount they will cover based on a national average (?). I'm switching plans...
1 People found this helpful.
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Vincent P

1/2/2015
Never again will I sign up with this insurance company. I could not believe all these years I have had pets. first my dog of 9 years was rejected because they stated that my dog's cancer was pre-existing while he had the benign lump after 5 years of being covered and 5 years of monthy payments. I should have learned from that experience then I signed up again with them for my 2nd dog. Tried claiming for his allergic medication for the first time after being covered under their plan for almost 7 years and they said again it was pre-existing while he was already covered under their plan when he was still a puppy. I have been paying for meds under his plan and in this case this would have... Read More
1 People found this helpful.
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Karen K

1/9/2024
We had this insurance for our beloved family dog nearly all of her 11 1/2 years of life. In the early years, before Nationwide got involved, VPI was great. They processed claims extremely quickly, were helpful and reached out if they needed more documentation, and we were charged something on the order of $45/mo for the best policy they offered. As she aged, Nationwide knew we couldn't go elsewhere for coverage, and for the last half a dozen years their rates have been horrible. In 2021 we had to pay $137 per month, in 2022 we paid $156 per month, and in 2023 we paid $174 per month. They were trying to get rid of us at the point when we were most concerned that she might need care and... Read More
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jcip25605

6/14/2022
We have dealt with Nationwide Pet Insurance since 1992. They have always been there for our 2 Shih-Tzu's, Cleo and Bella. We had to euthanize Bella last month due to many medical problems. I called Nationwide and explained our situation. They offered condolences and said to send in the final bills. They paid them within 2 weeks. A few days later, they mailed us a check for the remainder of her policy, which was paid for the year. They also enclosed a message of condolences with the check. Thank you Nationwide!
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