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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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James T

9/1/2017
I am new with this pet insurance policy, but not new to Nationwide. I am happy to report that so far, your service on this policy has been impeccable. Your professionalism, attention to detail , timelyness in reinbursment & just showing that you care about your customers is something your industry should emulate. I especially liked this email asking me how my dog was doing. You were not trying to sell me anything, you were just asking about the current state of health of my pet. Love it, James T Brewer
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Gianpaolo

9/1/2017
Nationwide insurance has reassured me when I most needed it regarding the wellbeing of my pupperoos... Highly recommend that you have some sort of insurance for all your pets and if you want the best go with Nationwide.
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Shelly A

9/1/2017
How grateful our family is for the amazing care and compassion our family dog, Hara, has received during her most recent illness! We are so grateful to Nationwide for their support in continually processing our claims quickly and efficiently. Their team is incredibly professional and always available for a question or inquiry. Thank-you Nationwide! How grateful we are for you!!!
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Gerri E

9/1/2017
never covers everything the policy says they cover. Vpi was a much better company.. wait forever till you get your payments back in your hands. However the alternatives are just as bad....great for the insurer not the insured pet and their owner.
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Ruth E

8/31/2017
Jackson being the indiscriminate eater bull terrier that he is...finally met his match in swallowed items that would not pass. The surgeon at Veterniary Specialty Services told us he has taken quite a few unusual objects out of many pets but NEVER the NUMBER of unusual items out of ONE PET. Hooray Jack...you get the award!! As ALWAYS Nationwide was "on our side" and stood by to help us pay for this cost that Jackson's life might be spared. This is the second time he has resembled a cat more than a dog. He has now officially used up TWO of his NINE lives. Nineteen staples later...officially out this week he is now recovering his old bounce and "bullyisms" that endear him so to our... Read More
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nrohde5

8/31/2017
the claims have been covered timely basis excellent!
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Laura S

8/31/2017
Thanks for your sweet follow up email, that means so much!
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Wally O

8/31/2017
My claim was processed quickly and fairly. Absolutely no problem what so ever. The faxing option also makes things very easy..... Very happy with Nationwide...
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Susan H

8/31/2017
I wish I had heard more about your insurance when we got her 4 years ago. We had such a horrible experience with Trupanion and will never recommend any pet insurance except for yours. Pet owners really check all the insurances there are out there and what they do or don't cover. Thank goodness, our Vet told us about you and boy are we glad. I will pass this on to many of my pet friends because you are great and prompt. You say what you do cover and what you don't as others don't do a good job of letting us know. GREAT INSURANCE Thanks Nationwide. Bella is doing well and your quick response was amazing. Thank you for being their for us
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Rich

8/31/2017
When I got my dog, I had no idea I could get health insurance for him. I promised to love and care for him, and after finding this out, I immediately purchased a policy. Being able to care for him properly means everything to me and I am so thankful for Nationwide Pet Insurance.
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