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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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Yvonne N

7/25/2017
We have been very pleased 😁 with Nationwide. We tell many that they should get it for their animals.
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Debbie A

7/24/2017
So far I have been extremely pleased with your service and reimbursements. However, if I had my choice I'd rather my dog be healthy all of the time! haha
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Julie R

7/24/2017
This insurance is only for a severe emergency. If you expect your pet will get hit by a car, jump off a roof, eat a piece of wire and you want insurance for that, this will work fine...maybe. Otherwise for routine things, they will find any excuse not to pay you. They even told me that the vet should have given a different diagnosis so they still can't pay me because now that diagnosis will be excluded. They only ruled that way because I sent in a bill at the same time I was asking for the excluded wrong diagnosis to be removed from the list of pre-existing. We sent them hundreds $$$ every year, they worked overtime to find ways never to pay. They're awful!!!
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Maria M

7/24/2017
Anyone who has a pet should get nationwide pet insurance. Cost is reasonable and processing claims is a snap. Turn around is quicker than I would have ever thought. So happy I invested into this plan. Especially now that I have a dog with problems. One extremely happy customer here
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Lisa

7/24/2017
Customer service is great never had a problem with them, they are very professional
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pamela c

7/24/2017
This is my first experience with Pet insurance and I must admit its been so easy. The website is easy to maneuver, submitting claims is a breeze. Overall I am very satisfied!
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pjreska

7/24/2017
Thank you so much for reimbursing me for Mikey and Teddy's tooth extractions. I am a senior citizen and every dollar is an important one. I would not want to not be able to give my tiny rescue dogs a better chance at a healthier life than they had before coming into our home and hearts. Thank you.
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Jacqueline B

7/24/2017
Hi I just received an email wishing my dog Luna is feeling better after her vet visit. She didn't have a vet visit. We took her to be euthanized. It would feel nice if you read what the claims were being sent in for rather then sending generic emails just wishing well. I never felt like anyone cared about me or my dog for the 8 months that I've had this insurance. We found out she had bone cancer in April and it took until a week before we put her down for anyone to tell us if we were going to be covered for treatment for her or even have our claim answered as to what we would get back from her $1000 treatment. I felt so helpless during her last month's because we couldn't afford to flat... Read More
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Michelle F

7/24/2017
Our claim was received and processed in a timely manner! We are very appreciative of Nationwide's great customer service.
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Gigi S

7/24/2017
I can't thank Nationwide Pet insurance enough. Our Lily has had some bad luck the last 2 years with a bout of Thyroid cancer ( she is cancer free) and she tore her right ACL last summer and tore her left ACL a few weeks ago. Nationwide was right by our side and paid out almost the full hospital and medical bill. Our younger dog Sophie has had a policy with Nationwide since we got her at 12 weeks old. We were able to get Lily a policy when she was 6 years old...so it's never too late to sign your dog up with health insurance. I don't know what would have happened if we did not have Nationwide. Thank you - you are a great company and they pay their claims very quickly.
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