We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. Learn more
  1. Home
  2. Pet Insurance
  3. Nationwide Review

Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

2,370 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
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.
 
View Top 10 List

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
Are you a customer of Nationwide Pet Insurance?
Submit a comment and tell other people about your experience!
Our Comment GuidelinesTips for Writing Effective Comments
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

Customer Comments

Loading Reviews ...
Brandy S

8/8/2017
While I do find the cost coverage for any sort of incident, i.e. surgery, emergency services, appropriate, I do think medication for such things should be separate. For example, my dog as surgery and I am reimbursed for that, but medication also gets lumped into that reimbursement. And if my dog needs to be on antibiotics longer than normal, they would not be covered because I already maxed out the diagnosis. Medication should be covered separately from the diagnosis. Also, I think spay/neutering should be offered on all policies.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Tim A

8/8/2017
Nationwide is prompt in their response to my claim submission. Their email confirmation and notification help me know that claims are being processed. I just had a claim amount deposited directly into my bank account for the first time. The security steps I took to accept the deposit gave me peace of mind that the transaction was secure, safe, and private. It was more convenient that making a trip to the bank.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

B
Betty F

8/8/2017
I received five-star service from Nationwide. Thanks for being there when Skeeter and I needed you.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

M
Meredith

8/8/2017
Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan truly is the best pet insurance plan out there. When my puppy fell ill, their coverage was just as promised. After my $250 deductible was paid, I only paid 10% of her medical bills. The claim was processed promptly and without complaint. Puppies are so vulnerable to illness, I think every puppy should have this plan before they are even brought home. Its so hard when puppies are sick, so it makes it so much easier knowing that their medical bills are not an additional burden. I never had to choose whether or not to get my puppy the treatment she needed for financial reasons. Even if she had not fallen ill at this time, I would still recommend this... Read More
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

R
renekoss

8/8/2017
The ease of submitting a claim at a difficult time, when you pet ( family member) has been injured and the quick turnaround in getting reimbursement made a terrible situation better. I have been a customer since 2008 and I know Nationwide has my back!
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

A
Andres

8/8/2017
Great service and never any issues. Highly recommend this insurance.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

T
TuckerLilly

8/8/2017
Nationwide has been absolutely WONDERFUL during my cat's illnesses this year. They have paid the claims promptly and always made certain I understood the payment. I only wish human medical insurance was as efficient and fair as Nationwide. I think all responsible pet owners would benefit from a Nationwide pet policy. The small amount you pay reaps large benefits in terms of piece of mind and the ability to provide quality medical care for your pet or pets. I had one wish for my Nationwide insurance it would be a "mega" pet insurance policy that includes both wellness care and major medical in one policy. Thank you for being there for me, Nationwide, as I spent a scary year... Read More
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Tamara N

8/8/2017
The best decision we ever made was to chose Nationwide for our Pet Insurance! This is the first year we did this for our three dogs and we should have done this a long, long time ago!! Thank you Nationwide...
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Giselle S

8/8/2017
Thank goodness for Nationwide pet insurance. Our otherwise healthy dog Trudy started having seizures. We were able to see a specialist and get her on the correct medication. The new vitus vet app let us quickly submit claims and get reimbursed promptly. Trudy is feeling better and we are grateful for such great coverage. Thank you Nationwide for offering a great plan and coverage.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

J
Jo E

8/8/2017
Very very pleased with quick turn around on payment for claim
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
  • Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days
READ FULL REVIEW >
VIEW RATES

Related to Pet Insurance

Top Articles
Suggested Comparisons