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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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Cecilia S

9/4/2017
I was very glad that I got this insurance for my pets at the most opportune time. My cat, Mo got an injury to his eyelid which cost us $850.++. I was resigned to the expense because we love our pets. Then I remembered I had this pet insurance. I have never had pet insurance before, until my employer offered this salary deduction insurance. I was dreading having to file a claim because of reviews I have read from before. However, to my surprise and delight, Nationwide made it sooo easy to file a claim with online submission and payment. It was done in less than a month with the money sent to my bank. Of course I was not reimbursed the whole amount, but it certainly helped. Thanks... Read More
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David B

9/4/2017
Coverage was every thing I expected. Reimbursement was timely. Entire experience was A +.
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Susan S

9/4/2017
Submitting our claim to nationwide was uncomplicted and quick . We had a response immediately to say it was being processed and a check within two weeks . At a stressful time like this with our dog Spike it gave us one less thing to worry about .
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Ghislaine T

9/4/2017
We adopted two Fox Terrier brothers in 2008, Oliver and Jasper. They are a great joy in our lives. We decided to obtain medical coverage for them at an early age and although the monthly premiums are somewhat of a financial burden, it has been a blessing. They both are in relatively good health, although they have had their fair share of issues over the years. We began with VPI and now with Nationwide for the past few years. We are very happy with the services. Nationwide has been very professional and equally important very caring. We take very good care of our pups, but on occasion they had some serious health issues and it was a comfort to know that we could rely on Nationwide to be on... Read More
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Eileen

9/2/2017
We decided to look for pet insurance because our vet gave us an estimate of $600 to have Sadie's teeth cleaned. This seemed extreme to us, but evidently there is a lot involved in little dog teeth cleaning. We were told by Nationwide that they will cover blood tests, X-rays, anesthesia and extractions. We never thought extractions would be necessary, but when we took our little Sadie for her teeth cleaning, she had 13 extractions! Our bill was over $1600! What a shock! Our vet submitted our claim electronically and within 3 weeks we had a check from Nationwide for more than $1400. We are now convinced it is a good idea to have pet insurance.
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Margie S

9/2/2017
We have spent thousands of dollars purchasing a special puppy to be trained as a therapy /comfort dog. As much time as I spent finding a breeder that specializes in "imprinting puppies" for this service, I wanted an equally comprehensive insurance company to follow us in this journey. I needed a company that wouldn't fight with every claim, a company that was timely with their reimbursements and a support system I could call if there was a problem. I also wanted a company that would serve us WHERE EVER we traveled with ANY board certified veterinarian. I bought the best policy Nationwide could offer. Am I pleased? You betcha! Will I renew my second year policy? Yes, and I did! My dog... Read More
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Susan S

9/1/2017
I just feel it's unfair that I pay so much and it increases every year- Ella is a 5 yr old Golden and pay almost $55 a month - not sure it's worth it
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Paula T

9/1/2017
Nationwide DID NOT Help with the cost of Riley's SURGERY!!!!
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Daisy L

9/1/2017
Nationwide came through very quickly with the large claim I recently submitted. I was happy to pretty much get all of my cost back except for the specialize food I had to purchase for my Yorker, Dakota. Thank you Nationwide.
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Kelly B

9/1/2017
I was skeptical when evaluating pet insurance after reading internet reviews for many providers. Most people said the insurance carriers were reluctant to pay out claims and sounded pretty dissatisfied. I ultimately decided to go ahead knowing that there is no obligation to continue the coverage if I felt the same way. My experience with Nationwide Pet Insurance has been positive. While they don't reimburse me for every dollar I spend, I have certainly received enough to justify what I'm spending on the premiums. My dog has a pre-existing condition that I knew would not be covered. Excluding the money I have spent on that, Nationwide has covered almost 50% of the claims I submitted. And... Read More
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