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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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M
meredith

7/14/2017
The care and help through Nationwide for my little puppy Ozzy has been phenomenal! My puppy was unfortunately in a car accident when he was 8 months old where he broke his leg. The break was pretty bad and caused him to have surgery. Without Nationwide I am not sure how we would have covered the cost to get my sweet baby back to normal and walking again. The overall wellness plan was great for us covering all types of vet visits and random medicines puppies have to be on sometimes. But again the accident coverage was the true saving grace for us and Ozzy. I have been recommending Nationwide to all my friends now because you never know what could happen to your dog. The help and care from... Read More
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Linda H

7/13/2017
We were pleased to receive a check to help us financially.
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Jake S

7/13/2017
Just wanted to say thank you Nationwide for reimbursing the claims that I have submitted so far. I have a two year old Rottweiler that recently tore his ACL. Since getting the insurance I have not used it until that time and I was pretty skeptical that Nationwide will not give me anything back from the claim but to my surprise they did and in a timely manner. Now the real test will come when I do file for my dog's TPLO surgery that he recently received. The claims that I have submitted are nickel and dime items but this one is the big one that had put a big dent in my pocket. More to follow if Nationwide can come through to their words according to the coverage I have. But so far I'm... Read More
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James F

7/13/2017
Our policy for our dog Tater has been a god send. Our breed (English Bulldog) does have problems and its really helped us out when needed tremendously. I highly recommend working with them even if you don't have a breed such as ours having a policy in place for your pet is important because you have no idea when something could happen :)
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J
Jonathan T

7/13/2017
Dexter is our first dog. We have heard horro stories from friends & family about how their dog needed surgery and it cost thousands of dollars. The 1st thing we did after getting Dexter was to go online and search & compare the available options for pet health insurance. You guys were VPI back then and it was a 'no-brainer' that VPI had the best plans available. We signed up immediately and have been VERY satisfied & VERY HAPPY clients from day1. There was the time Dexter got into a fight with another dog and needed stitches... VPI paid for that. There was the time that Dexter stepped on a hornet while walking at night and he went into anaphylactic shock - we rushed him the animal ER... Read More
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Sandy H

7/13/2017
The feedback I have received from Nationwide so far has been excellent. I also posted on your FB account to confirm my experience with your company. Keep up the good work! Sandy Hettinger - Chloe's Mom
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Catherine S

7/13/2017
Fast and convient reimbursement for vet costs covered gives me peace of mind. I know I can take care of any of Toby's health issues immediately.
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L
Liz S

7/13/2017
Your insurance for Chloe, our standard poodle, has been invaluable. Chloe has developed Von Wildensterns disease which will be fatal unless caught early and treated, and your insurance has enabled us to treat her as well as we treat the rest of our family. Fitzgerald Animal Clinic takes care of the paperwork for us, and your payments are prompt and your coverage is fair. We never had insurance for any of our dogs prior to getting it for Chloe as a puppy, and it has made a world of difference. I would never have another pet without buying VPI, now Nationwide Insurance. Thank you for making it available.
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Donna J

7/13/2017
This is my first experience with having pet insurance & I couldn't be happier. It is so easy to file a claim & they keep you informed throughout the process. Louie my 6 month old French Bulldog has had a couple of unexpected illnesses which Nationwide helped to cover the cost & being retired & on a fixed income this gives me peace of mind
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Mary R

7/13/2017
Nationwide is awesome. You don't have to wait long for your check. Then they send a e-mail asking how your pet is
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