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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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Howard F

9/8/2017
I truly appreciate the rapid processing of my claims. The EoB is easy to understand.
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Ken L

9/8/2017
I am so sorry I waited so long (almost a week after we got him) to get Charley insured. Then it took a few weeks to meet his deductible. And soon his first policy will expire. Still, having the coverage makes the decision to go to the vet easier when you are thinking it MIGHT clear up if we wait.
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Chauntae R

9/8/2017
My greyhound Skiddy ate something he shouldn't have and needed emergency surgery. I knew the cost would be a few thousand dollars and was SO thankful I had purchased pet insurance when we adopted him! Had some people question why would I purchase insurance since he was so young (2.5yrs old). I know pups do things they shouldn't and accidents happen; I wanted the peace of mind. Nose to tail coverage was the only option I considered. Nationwide seemed the most upfront with coverage and deductibles. Easy to make claims. Highly recommend!
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M
Malka M

9/8/2017
Millet is doing great. Nationwide is so incredibly efficient and easy to use that I told my husband I wish we were also on your insurance plan. It's sad that we live in a country where my pet's insurance is far better than my own.
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D
Dorcas K

9/7/2017
VPI agents are always very friendly and patient whenever I have questions about my claims. I am grateful I protect my fur babies with VPI! I am assured that I am able to give my babies the best care in the world without worrying too much about the cost. My only feedback would be faster processing time and check received. Thank you VPI!
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Rosemary L

9/7/2017
The insurance is the best thing I have ever purchased for a pet! The claims are processed and paid in a timely manner. Thank you Nationwide!
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P
pat r

9/7/2017
I am not at all impressed. There always seems to be a catch that causes partial coverage. Additionally, one of my dogs had glaucoma. I had no idea that would not be covered. I spent almost $40k, yes $40,000 to pay for her expenses. And what you do cover always has limits. I have put out far more to cover my dogs health than I have received back. Lastly, even my vet agrees and no longer recommends their clients to use you as their insurer.
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Linda S

9/7/2017
Am very, very happy with the claims process when it comes to my two pugs' insurance. We took these policies out when they were 12 weeks old and they are now 8-1/2. As they grew older and their health needs changed, we increased their coverage with the Whole Pet with Wellness policies. They have never had any major health issues in the past, but this year, a couple more urgent health needs took us back and forth to the vet for both pugs. Claim filing is very, very easy. Just have to remember to have your vet supply a full diagnostic report to file the claim. Claims are processed quickly and am very happy with the reimbursements for our vet bills. Allows me to be able to keep both... Read More
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K
Keith

9/6/2017
So far I have never had an issue filing a claim when I need to. Great experience with Nationwide Pet Insurance
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F
Frannie

9/6/2017
my otherwise absolutely charming three-year-old Greyhound, Nakita, hasn't outgrown her chewing stage yet. one evening this summer, she got hold of an old bag of colorful plastic letters of the alphabet with magnets on the back. She managed to swallow one or two of the magnets. Magnetic ingestion is one of those worst nightmares for a pet parent. It happened late at night, and I rushed her to the animal emergency room. The estimated bill was very, very high. If I had not had Nationwide coverage, I may have had to make a decision that no one who loves their pet ever wants to think about. Because I knew Nationwide was there for us, I didn't have to think about anything other than... Read More
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