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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
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Customer Comments

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Darry P

7/20/2017
I am on my 3rd dog with Nationwide. Two have now crossed rainbow bridge but were only able to live to the ages of 16 and 12 due to the care they were able to receive through Nationwide Pet Insurance (formerly VPI). My older dog Taz was diagnosed with Cushings at an early age and I was able to provide the very best care for him to have quality of life until he was just shy of his 16th birthday. His rescued sibling brother Tyke was taken with a life-threatening case of Meningitis and with Nationwide's support, the Specialists were able to save him. He lived several more happy years as Nationwide continued to allow me to provide for his ongoing health needs. My current fur-baby is Tobi,... Read More
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Bob-Deb O

7/20/2017
My kits BW and GiGi have been insured for the past 7 years. Love the pet insurance and would never go a day without it. Thank you for offering it.
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Erin-Leigh V

7/20/2017
We have been members of the Nationwide family for many years. They have covered cases of bloat, emergency splenectomy, dental care, routine wellness exams, and ultrasounds of our cat's heart -Pip has cardiomyopathy and needs to be monitored. The coverage is great, the customer service can NOT be beat. The submission process is very easy, and you can even monitor claim status online. If there is a problem, you can call and speak to a HUMAN. That's right, no automated click system that makes you wait 10 minutes to get to someone who has no idea how to help you - you get a helpful, knowledgeable person RIGHT AWAY. Some packages even cover preexisting conditions - which is very helpful for... Read More
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Ashley M

7/20/2017
I've had my 4yr old dog insured with Nationwide since he was 4 months old and I added my new puppy to the policy too. I love that I can get reimbursed for preventative care like flea and tick medication.
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deb.adams129

7/20/2017
We have had Nationwide Pet Insurance for our current labrador retriever that we rescued in 2011 and our previous lab that we rescued in 2003. Nationwide has paid for ACL surgeries, cancer treatments and random issues that both labs had over time. Whenever I have called to speak to someone the people on the phones are kind, compassionate and most helpful. We would never be without Nationwide for our pets.
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Lisa B

7/20/2017
My vibrant, energetic Pekingese started to slow down on our walks until one day she laid down and just looked at me with a sad face. Her vet confirmed back issues, and he put her on meds and bed rest. I know Tallulah so well and realized that she was only getting better to a point, but not her usual self. Her MRI confirmed compressed discs and she had to have emergency surgery. My husband and I are so thankful we had pet insurance to cover the $15,000. Nationwide sent a check two weeks following my claim submission and covered the MRI and surgery costs. My heart breaks for the pups I see on Instagram, who are forced to delay their treatment while in pain. Their parents try to fund raise to... Read More
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Hope A

7/20/2017
I have loved my experience with the phone reps at Nationwide Pet Insurance! I knew I had to get pet insurance for our kitten, Eleven. Not only were the reps helpful, but genuinely cared about Eleven's well-being. They walked me through the different plan options (mentioning the pros and cons and helping think of future options as he gets older) They even took the time to ask and listen to the backstory behind Eleven's name: He's named after Stranger Things and was the eleventh kitten born out of two litters (Mama Cat Wednesday Adams had two litters in a year!). For any of my friends who were and are thinking of getting pet insurance for their fur babies, I will always recommend Nationwide!... Read More
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Mary B

7/20/2017
I was so relieved that this bill was taken care of in it's entirety. We never anticipate accidents on top of all the other charges we incur with our pets so this was a load off my mind. Thank you for being there.
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Julia H

7/20/2017
I signed up Tessie after she suddenly got ill and had an expensive emergency clinic hospital stay. Since then, she has underwent surgery for a mast cell tumor and yet another surgery when we thought it returned. One month later, she tore her ACL and meniscus!. I am so happy that I made this commitment to keep her healthy. Nationwide gives me confidence that I am doing the absolute best for her and I tell all of my friends who are pet moms and dads they should do the same.
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Dianne L

7/20/2017
I signed Nike up for pet insurance when I got him. Several weeks later he ate a sock and needed to have it surgically removed. Thankfully, he received the best of care and came out of that adventure safe and sound. As usual, I submitted my insurance papers to Nationwide and two weeks later Nationwide emailed me to say they were paying the claim. There was a substantial amount of money involved in my pet's accident but they backed what they said they would in their advertisement. My pet's health is important to me and I am happy to say it is important to Nationwide as well.
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