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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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D
D H

7/19/2017
Ideal coverage for my beagle. After researching several pet insurance companies, I chose Nationwide for their extensive coverage tiers at reasonable costs. The wellness rider is also great for routine exams and other essentials, such as flea treatments and vaccinations. I also like the ease of submitting claims electronically via email and appreciate the fast processing and reimbursements. The new electronic deposit feature is also very fast and convenient. Their customer service department was very friendly and helpful in answering my questions during enrollment and made sure I had the right level of coverage to fit my and my pet's needs without trying to sell me additional,... Read More
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Michael

7/18/2017
Do not buy, they advertise covering 90%, but they don't tell you the allocated amount is super low. Figure if lucky to get back 50%. Recently had to put my dog to rest, $595 bill got reimbursed $64. Much better choices the VPI -Nationwide
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B
Becca

7/18/2017
LOVE my pet insurance for my puppy dog, Zoe. It allows me to be stress free when worrying about her health because I do not have to worry about the cost of going to the vet! Every time I talk to someone they are very polite and want to help me and ensure all my questions are answered.
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J
Jackie L

7/18/2017
When I adopted my Shih Tzu, the owner told me he was AKC registered so I thought AKC Insurance would be the best. I was wrong. After one year, I was not happy with them. After some research, I found VPI and bought insurance with them. Peppy Tu is 11 years old - I have had Nationwide Pet Insurance for 10 years, and I have never regretted it. Nationwide Pet Insurance pays well and in a timely manner. The only problem I've had is that toward the end of the year, they will not pay for Peppy Tu's medicines that he has to take daily. He has terrible allergies and is a miserable little fellow if he doesn't get his meds. They are expensive, but I buy them and cut back on something for... Read More
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Lynda W

7/17/2017
Nationwide has been great🐶🐶
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Jyll M

7/17/2017
I've had insurance with Nationwide since I got my Siberian husky as a puppy 6 years ago. I use it for the routine stuff like shots and wellness visits all the time. Recently though I've had some bigger scares come up with his health which financially were more challenging. I submitted my vet bills much to my relief that almost everything was covered with his medical plan. The amount of stress that this relieves has been great. I'm so thankful for the ease of submitting my invoices and the amount of things that are covered. Hopefully my husky's future is a healthy one but if we do have any issues in the future it's so nice to know that I have Nationwide on our side.
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J
Juiching L

7/17/2017
I have the whole pet insurance for my 8 month old golden retriever puppy Riley, pay a bit more every month, but have the peace in mind. The past few months, Riley started to cough, vomit and keep losing weight. He was diagnosed with lungworm. All the tests and treatments are just overwhelming to us to see a puppy went through all this, not to mention about all the associated costs. Now Riley is recovering although still not 100%. Nationwide pet insurance is just so easy and quick in reimbursement. I just filled out the form, attached the invoices, and emailed in the claim, then in a week the check is in the mail. If you love your pet, you have to have this. I am so grateful!!
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C
Claire L

7/17/2017
The insurance is expensive, but we have found that Nationwide has given us great reimbursement for our golden retriever, Lily. Your representative have answered questions we have had about the policy at renewal and and it is reassuring to know that we have coverage for unexpected events. The forms are easy to fax, your email notifying us that you have received our request arrive quickly and our reimbursements arrive in a reasonable time. Your website is easy to use to check on the status of our requests. Thank you for your help in keeping Lily healthy.
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A
Ann M

7/17/2017
When we first started with the insurance we had two dogs and shortly thereafter one of them died. But, before he passed away he incurred some pretty hefty medical bills. If we hadn't had the insurance it would have been a tough decision to make because of all the expense but because we had the insurance we were able to tell the Vets to do whatever they felt like was necessary. In the long run, after his death, the insurance ended up paying out more than we had paid in to them -- at that point. And since, then we have really used the insurance -- a lot. We now have three dogs and one of them is in pain a lot and has had a lot of problems which we have been able to have taken care of... Read More
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K
kimberly t

7/17/2017
I have never had any issues being reimbursed quickly, accurately, and fairly for all claims for my dog in the last 13 years I have had pet insurance with the company. They clearly state the reimbursement schedules so you know exactly what to expect. If you ever have questions, the customer service agents are extremely knowledgeable and helpful in getting you the right information. I love that you can email claims and that you rates do not go up with use, but by the age of your pet.
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