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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
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Customer Comments

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Carla A

8/21/2017
Zero hassle! My dog was very ill, and knowing I had the insurance made my decision making easy. The claims process is no hassle and no nonsense. Exceeds my expectations!!! Get this insurance.
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Janine V

8/21/2017
Nationwide has been wonderful to us. We appreciate the checking in on Scarlet! Thank you! Janine
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Karen K

8/20/2017
You have been very nice in getting my refund to me for her medical care. She is doing better.
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Carol Y

8/19/2017
Love the ease of which pet insurance claims were made. Prompt payments, great follow up and highly recommended. All my animals have Nationwide.
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Rosalie A

8/19/2017
What can I say. Nationwide isn't perfect, but no insurance is. I jointed Nationwide when my puppy was 12 weeks old, and, for the most part, have been compensated for my expenses. We all know how expensive pets (in my case, dogs), can be. I'd probably have a slew of them if I could afford it, but I can't. I feel safe with Nationwide and know that they'll be there when I need to care for my precious puppy. He's almost 5, but always a puppy to me. The only negative I found was a communication between my vet's office and Nationwide. When the vet treats a dog for something, and the lab work comes back negative, there's a miscommunication and Nationwide doesn't seem to know it's... Read More
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Don T

8/19/2017
We have had Nationwide coverage since they entered the pet insurance industry. We were previously with VPI and we're concerned when Nationwide purchased them. Since then my concerns are long gone. Nationwide has been with us for the declining years of our last 10 year old rott and now our 2 year old rott puppy. They have helped us with a spleen removal, cancer, plugged intestines from a foreign object and now ongoing GI problems. They stand behind their plans. I never miss an opportunity to sing their praise - most recently to my bank manager that was on the fence to getting pet insurance. She said she would surely investigate Nationwide before her puppy gets any older. They are there to... Read More
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Susan

8/19/2017
I am so grateful for my pet insurance. Without it, I would have still paid for my little girl to recover from near death, but an 8000+ bill suddenly became manageable, thanks to Nationwide. They covered a lot of her expenses. This is not the first time they have come through for us. Emergency visits, surgeries, UTI's.....I could go on and on. I highly recommend Nationwide. They make claims easy, customer service is EXCELLENT. I have been a customer since 2005, and I will remain so as long as I have a pet!
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Paula

8/18/2017
Although I have not ever had to have pet insurance before my experience with Nationwide, I can say with certainty they are the best and overall, I can't imagine there's a comparable choice out there. Every experience thus far has been great!
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T
Trish988

8/18/2017
This is the first year we have had our pet with Nationwide. What a wonderful experience! Our friends have other companies that require much more paperwork and the gray area of what is paid at which percentage is mind numbing! This is so simple. Pay for your pet's visit, send to Nationwide, wait one day for an email telling you they received your uploaded invoice and form, then in about 7 days your monies are sent to you! Thanks!
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Beth R

8/18/2017
Easy claim form to submit and they have been prompt with service
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