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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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Erika

8/14/2017
It is really easy to submit all claims electronically without the hassle of papers and "snail mail". Communication is quick and reimbursement process is fairly short. I like that I with my plan get reimbursement for yearly check ups and maintenance of my dogs health (vaccines etc.) after I reached my deductible. I don't have to worry about keeping my dog healthy and safe.
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Luis M

8/14/2017
I had to take my dog to emergency in the middle of the night. He had to go under surgery and took him back home next early morning. Nationwide was very fast to process my claim and refund. First time I had to use them and I am very happy to have them as my two dogs pet insurance. I feel that my dogs have a great protection with nationwide. Thanks Nationwide.
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Linda G

8/14/2017
Excellent customer service, fast and timely processing with detailed explanations! High recommend and have already highly recommended them to many!!
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Sherri

8/14/2017
I wish more companies responded to claims the way Nationwide does. There are very fast with submitting the refunds on the claims for pet insurance. My husband thought I was crazy when I took out pet insurance on our puppy. He was thrilled when it saves us in excess of $1,000.00 on one claim. You never know with pets what is coming your way. This is by far the best thing I have done for my fur baby! Nationwide is amazing!
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CMH

8/14/2017
Best decision I ever made was going with Nationwide for my Irish Setter. They're on my side for sure! - - CMH
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B.Yowell

8/14/2017
Nationwide was right there when Chester, our black lab, needed it most. He needed some pretty major dental work and it was so comforting knowing Nationwide was right there to help us through the costly situation.
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Karen G

8/14/2017
I was extremely happy i had Nationwide when my Doxie was diagnosed with IVDD a serious condition in many breeds.Nationwide paid over half of the cost of this very expensive surgery. Everyone should consider coverage on their animal. I certainly would recommend this company to everyone.
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Scott B

8/14/2017
Outstanding coverage and timely service. I was worried if Nationwide would honor our claim as this is my first pet health insurance policy. We hadn't quite paid off our deductible and had about $27 left before our 90% coverage kicked in. Our 4 month old puppy swallowed an entire small Kong toy and had to undergo anesthesia in order to extract it using an endoscope. After all was done, it cost over $2000. Nationwide came through and honored the claim and our policy did exactly what I expected it to do. It reimbursed me for the 90% of all costs after we had satisfied our deductible. Thank goodness we had Nationwide...the really were on our side.
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M
Michael B

8/13/2017
We are so happy with nationwide insurance. They love our puppy like it was there own.
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J
Jacquelynne G

8/12/2017
I got the major medical insurance for my pet, in case emergencies such as this were to occur. I am glad I have it, because I did not anticipate my dog having to get her lymph nodes checked. Her vet is an expert I trust, so I knew when she said this needed to be done we had to have the extraction and analysis done. The insurance is really there when we need it just for situations like this one, and fortunately the sample was negative.
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