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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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Tim Y

8/25/2017
Our little Rusty is doing good. What a comfort to know we were going to have assist with the cost of taking care of our little guy. You have also helped us in taking care of our little Ginger as well. Thank you!
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Susan M

8/25/2017
At a time when our hearts were breaking because our mini dachshund needed spinal surgery, Nationwide gave us the peace of mind that the majority of the financial burden for this surgery was completely covered. We received our check in about two weeks and Nationwide even followed up to see if we had any additional concerns or needs regarding the procedure. I cannot stress enough how grateful we are and how important it is to have the coverage available for when you need it.
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Susan M

8/25/2017
At a time when our hearts were breaking because our mini dachshund needed spinal surgery, Nationwide gave us the peace of mind that the majority of the financial burden for this surgery was completely covered. We received our check less in about two weeks and Nationwide followed up to see if we had any additional concerns or needs regarding the procedure. I cannot stress enough how grateful we are and how important it is to have the coverage available for when you need it.
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Wendy L

8/25/2017
Finn is doing much better now. I appreciate how easy it was to submit my claim via VitusVet for his treatment. This is the first time I have used this insurance as my pets have been healthy. I plan to use it for my cats who are due for their vaccinations.
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Chuck S

8/25/2017
Claim was processed quickly Very easy to deal with Thank God we had the insurance
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Joan F

8/25/2017
Bess, our 2 year old Newfoundland began having diarrhea the end of March. The conservative treatments of pure starch diet did not help, probiotics were also not helpful, a prescription diet and medications did not resolve the problem. Her lab tests and fecal parasites and pathogens were all negative. She was referred to a Board Certified internist who did biopsies by endoscopy. She was on prednisone and other meds, plus several prescription diets. After 3 months of weight loss and hair loss, we decided to get another opinion. She was seen by the chair of the medical department at University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital. No tests were repeated, but a few additional were done... Read More
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Pattie K

8/25/2017
We have been with nationwide pet insurance (formally VPI) for years and gave always received terrific service and generous benefits. We decided to go with pet insurance after our 2 yr old boxer boy was diagnosed with bone cancer and after spending almost $6,000 to save him, we unfortunately lost him to the disease within 6 months. Knowing we couldn't afford to pay for that treatment again for another pet we decided we needed pet insurance . We also had a past emergency of gastric torsion for one of our boxers and though the surgery was in the middle of the night and very expensive we were able to save our girls life and ultimately were reimbursed for most of the expenses . We would never... Read More
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Lana S

8/25/2017
Nationwide has been extremely good at processing my claims really fast.... I have an elderly dog who has needed a lot of careened Nationwide has been wonderful. Thank you Nationwide
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Karen B

8/25/2017
Gus is back to his old self. I would truly like to thank you for the service you provide. It makes taking care of my fur baby that much easier, and allows me to give him the best care possible without worry of the financial part. Thank you for all you do.
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Gerry W

8/25/2017
I have two special needs Westie's that are in need of continual (life long) medical attention. I will be forever grateful to Nationwide Pet Insurance and couldn't be more pleased with their customer service, ease of claim submissions, and most recently the electronic bank deposits. I don't know what I'd do without you!
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