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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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Megan V

7/21/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance is the best investment I have made to help and protect my little girl! The payments are so reasonable and the coverage is great. I definitely recommend Nationwide.
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Monica L

7/21/2017
When I first signed up for Nationwide pet insurance, it had never crossed my mind that my dog Forrest Gump would have a serious & costly emergency, but one night he woke me up with a serious condition that involved emergency surgery and follow up visits. I submitted my claim to Nationwide and the response was much quicker than I thought. Within 3 weeks I had a check covering all but the deductible. When I called them with questions they were courteous and caring. Much better than my own health insurance. I highly recommend this company. Nationwide really is on your side.
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Sylvia S

7/20/2017
Nationwide saved my beloved cat Turbo from dying. I am so grateful for Nationwide Pet Insurance and everything they have done to help save Turbo when he became seriously ill. Turbo began losing weight suddenly about 6 weeks after I signed up with Nationwide. He was eating ferociously everything in sight but was losing weight matter what I did. I took him to the vet, which they performed every test possible from blood panels to MRI's, ultrasounds to x-rays and every test came out inconclusive. Finally, Turbo was tested for EPI, and it came back positive. A diagnosis was finally found. The bills were approaching $3000 dollars quickly, but Nationwide covered 90% of each bill without... Read More
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Theresa J

7/20/2017
I have 5 dogs covered with policies since puppies. Now as they age we have multiple claims. Payouts are much appreciated. Theresa Moore +5
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Kymber M

7/20/2017
Love having nationwide for my 3 dogs! Would never have a dog without insurance again! So easy to submit claims and great reimbursement!
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Kaye L

7/20/2017
Getting whole health pet insurance for my rescue Winston was by far the best decision I made for his health. I don't stress about vet visits as I know I only have a 10% copay. Thank you Nationwide for the piece of mind!
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Marissa A

7/20/2017
Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan was a wallet saver. My 7.5 year old Golden Retriever, Halia, was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in December and we were given a very poor prognosis, as is common with this type of cancer. We were able to go to one of the best Vet Hospital in our area for further testing and the start of treatment. Given her condition when we got there, the Vet Hospital staff actually thought maybe the initial diagnosis was wrong and we had a better prognosis. By the end of the day, they had come to the conclusion that the original diagnosis was correct and I had just caught it early; most patients with this cancer are very weak and sick by the time of... Read More
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B
Barbara

7/20/2017
I love this insurance. Let's me take care of Murphy with a peace of mind.
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Alison J

7/20/2017
I have been very impressed by the prompt and helpful response. The claims are paid very quickly. I would not want to insure my pets with any other company. Nationwide is the best!
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Fritz B

7/20/2017
Prompt, complete and uncomplicated! Excellent service.
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