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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.

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
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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Cornelia C

9/13/2017
Hi, Cagney doing well. Got to a Doggie swim which was great. So glad for the Pet Insurance, just an ear infection but with meds the bills added up.
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Alex

9/13/2017
I like how easy it is to file insurance claim, no one send me emails or mail stating that they need additional information.
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Cristy

9/12/2017
Our Frankie is getting older and had a couple of health issues lately. VPI was super prompt with some reimbursements and I love the follow-up.
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Lynn B

9/12/2017
My Wishbone had to have expensive dental surgery last month. Nationwide insurance paid 90 per cent of the cost. I have a policy on all three Chinese Cresteds and I have been nothing but happy with the policies.
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Linda M

9/12/2017
Very good experience.
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Eve M

9/12/2017
Amazing ty they were very nice and the whole process was painlesss thank u again
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Barbara C

9/12/2017
You have been nothing but great!!! To know that Parker has pet insurance, makes all the difference in the world. I have a friend who told me way back when Parker was just a puppy, your wasting your money on pet insurance. They know firsthand at getting caught with no pet insurance, they had to put there beloved pet down because they couldn't afford the medical bills. They also see with Parker what a difference you've made. They will be getting pet insurance when they are ready for a beloved pet again. Of course they asked me what's the name of that company again. 🐾
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Eric G

9/12/2017
My sweet girl cat Astrid got a nasty cut/gouge on her side and needed stitches and an exploratory evaluation to rule out further damage. Long story short, $1061 later, she's doing great and so am I as Nationwide made it so easy to file my claim. Not only is my girl better, my bank account is too as my claim was easy to file andcame very fast . I'm very pleased with the ease of using this insurance.
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Adel M

9/12/2017
Getting whole dog insurance for my 6 dogs was the best thing I have done. It wasn't inexpensive but I don't have to worry that I can't get vet care for my canine family when they need it. Two of my dogs had injuries this year. They received the best care and rehabilitation. All the dogs received well care, heart worm and flea medication, and a couple had preventive dental cleanings. I filed their insurance claims on the same day they received services. I put the charges on my credit card and received payment on their claim within 30 days. The vets were very cooperative about giving me their clinical notes for that days visit before I left the practice together with the receipt for... Read More
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Susan H

9/12/2017
I've had many pets in my life but when we adopted our new puppy I decided to look into pet insurance. I'm so thankful I stumbled across Nationwide Pet Insurance. After the deductible it, has covered his wellness visits, which included his inoculations and also his heart worm medication, plus his flea and tick medication. Filing a claim couldn't be easier and the claims are processed quickly. I would recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to everyone and with 3 different policies to choose from you should be able to find the one that's right for you.
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