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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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anilkumartp

10/21/2020
I started the insurance for our two pets recently through my employer and experience so far is bad. Submitted a claim for one of the pets on Aug 14, 2020 and still awaiting the claim to be added to the deductible. First Nationwide asked us to submit medical reports and on follow-up, asked us to wait for one more month. Today when we called, they are saying Nationwide requires 60. days to review the documents. They seem to have a delay and decline strategy in place. Do not fall for the fraud. Find a different provider.
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R
Rose

10/3/2020
They are the worst insurance company!  They take your payments a month in advance- they send a notice " your payment is over  due" when you are on auto pay.  They deny every claim- then drag it out by saying the claim is in review.  I submit  claims  the same day as the vet visit.  It is not enough to submit a paid invoice  from the vert- you need doctors notes and still they question every single claim just not to pay.  My puppy is 13 weeks , came home with a clean bill of health , and 150 genetic tests from the breeder - AND STILL- NO PAYMENT.   It's like a full time job to try to get reinbursement  for money I laid out on top of the  very expensive $233.00 I pay monthly to have whole... Read More
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S
Sam

10/1/2020
We had our 9 week puppy insured with Nationwide soon after we adopted her in June. Unfortunately after the 14 day "waiting" period had passed, just as most puppy owners have probably experienced, our puppy had to be rushed to the emergency room on a weekend. Nationwide asked us for her medical records which we thought was fair and provided every single one they requested for by following up with our Vet and the Emergency room where she was treated. Nationwide still kept extending , delaying the processing of the claim after every single record they had requested were submitted. Everytime we call they claim they are "still backed up in underwriting" and are still reviewing the records of... Read More
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K
keith

9/30/2020
Biggest mistake of my life going with this company, my puppy got pneumonia at 8 months old and had all of her shots from a dog park they denied my claim saying it was pre existing condition , then they changed there mind and said my 5000.00 vet bill they only paid 750, and i had to fight and fight to get that, to many other problems i have had with them if u love your pet u will never go with nationwide
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S
Susan m

9/11/2020
I think Nationwide is a scam. My dog has cancer and after 10 years of paying premiums, saying probably existing due to skin problems. This is the way you treat a long time customer???
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L
Lucy D

8/26/2020
We used VPI Pet Insurance (now Nationwide) for 9 years for both our dogs from 2011- 2020. One died after 4 years and having the peace of mind from the pet insurance really helped, especially in the later years when she developed cancer. We could make the decision on the dogs treatment based on what was best for the dog, not what we could afford - knowing we would be reimbursed for alot it. Our other dog died in June 2020 and had a number of ailments in his later years, as well as being a naughty dog who got into trouble a couple of times eating things he shouldn't. Having the pet insurance really paid out for the emergency vet visits - gingerbread house with plastic clips on Christmas... Read More
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newaarongd201

8/22/2020
What is the deal about sending in doctor's notes and extensive medical records, I have on had my dog for a few years at most and she has not had that many visits, my doctor sent records, but they insist on November 1, 2018 records if any, there maybe shots if anything, prior to that my dog is from the adoption agency and the records I have are from them prior to Doctor Carter Animal Hospital in Cathedral City CA , they sent history report, but what constitutes as complete medical records? I'm I being toyed with here..., if so "For Shame"..Can we trust any company in America anymore..., probably best to just save your money instead of giving it away to greedy insurance companies and the... Read More
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Debbie S

8/18/2020
They do not cover ANYTHING! Do not get this insurance. Every claim I submit is denied on my 3 dogs. Move onto another insurance please. Don’t waste your $$ on their monthly premiums.
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weissman.stewart

8/5/2020
Nationwide will do whatever they can to deny a claim, calling it pre-existing, i have had three dogs insured with them and each one has been an issue on claims, i have no idea why i bother, but i am going to cancel now. Here is a example, i give my puppy coconut oil to keep his coat shinny, i bought at the market, no one prescribed it, they are claiming this predates the policy and he has dry skin so now that is pre-existing. They try and call every claim submitted pre-existing. The worst company, I would recommend you look elsewhere for pet insurance.
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Mihir P

7/31/2020
The worst and full of dooky than your pet can give out, false coverage - states coverage of surgery - denied more than 3 times and took more than 60 days to give me a run around, hence there was no prior injury but they made it up eventho my doctor never stated that. Worst pet insurance and waiting period of 60 days. Bad customer service in responding - had to call over 5 times to finally get a response on what was missing
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