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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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Eric M

8/17/2017
I am now a second year member (English Bull Terrier) with nationwide pet insurance. We have Whole Pet + Wellness (The Top-Tier) coverage. We signed up just before I turned 3 years. With a clean bill of health and no pre existing conditions. An easier question to ask yourself when choosing the right coverage is "what's not covered" or eligible for coverage the list is a lot shorter than trying to find out what it does. We submitted 4 claims in the last month of the policy before needing to renew for 2017-18 after we met our policy year deductible they covered 90% of all the claims! even cut a $1550 check for when I chewed up a bottle of Naproxen Sodium and my dad didn't know if I actually... Read More
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Babette C

8/16/2017
Thank you for inquiring about Tara. She is doing great, fully healed. However I submitted a review for the claim 201707241428 and a removal of bites and laceration from the policy. Tara was bitten 2 years ago by a dog and had a very minute event, I took her to the vet to make sure she was ok. You then excluded bite and lacerations. Laceration can happen due to many accidents. her condition was not a pre existing condition, it was an accident, her paw got hurt running in the back yard an a blood vessel was severed. she needed a little surgery and several visits to the vet for the after care, you denied the claim. very upsetting. the review is in your hands and hopefully you will take care... Read More
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Barbara T

8/16/2017
You couldn't make it easier to submit claims. First offering email and now the easy to use app. payment is so quick! I also appreciate the easy to read EOBs. I clearly understand what's covered and why certain expenses are not reimbursed.
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V
Vito F

8/16/2017
Excellent policy for the dogs; fast convenient service. No gimmicks; no hidden fees everything up front. Have been insured with the company for the past 20 years when it was originally VPI through 3 dogs. No Regrets Vito Fortuna
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Michelle L

8/16/2017
My dog, Bug, had an operation to remove 2 fatty lumps. The vet sent in the Nationwide paperwork I had pre-filled that very day. Within days, I received an email asking me how I'd like to receive my reimbursement. I asked that it be put in my bank account, and within 2 days the reimbursement was there. Nationwide covered a big part of the cost of the operation. I'm very impressed with Nationwide and your prompt service for your customers. Thank you!
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Diane R

8/16/2017
I am so thankful that we have pet insurance we love the Peace of mind best insurance plan. Thank you Diane Gray
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G
G

8/16/2017
I'm very happy with Nationwide pet insurance. They have been very helpful in answering any questions I've had. They care so much for my baby (Charlie). I very happy and refer them to anyone, they don't have to ask, I tell them!
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Chris A

8/16/2017
Very easy claims process that quickly reimburses you. Would recommend it to anyone that wants to insure their furry family members.
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Kathy M

8/16/2017
I am extremely pleased with Nationwide Pet Insurance. The ease of enrollment, claim submission and payment is phenomenal. I also appreciate the follow up emails checking on my pet - that is a great personal touch.
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C
caroltate

8/16/2017
couldn't have asked for better service and quick turn-around on processing my claims. It is also nice to know that the rates are NEVER affected by the # of claims you submit. Just more peace of mind. The insurance is worth every penny.
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