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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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Edward O

7/11/2017
Having Nationwide Pet Insurance gives me peace of mind knowing that any large or even small vet bills can and will be covered so I will never have to decide whether to treat Sammie or not. Thank you.
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Jane

7/11/2017
Great service from the start. Fast review of services. Excellent customer service
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Michelle T

7/11/2017
NPI quickly reimburses via automatic deposit. They also follow up to check on your pet. I am pleased with NPI!
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Jamie W

7/11/2017
I had my first claim with Nationwide and everything was so easy! Just filled out my form and sent it over and within days had a response and a credit for the charges! So very I signed up for Nationwide Pet Insurance as soon as a brought my new puppy home!
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Stephen S

7/11/2017
My only issue is pre-existing condition. So the policy pays for next to nothing. Better off banking the money
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Diane D

7/11/2017
I have had Nationwide for 3 years, and they have been awesome covering my Great Pyrenees. Their customer service staff is knowledgeable and caring and you don't feel like you are talking to a canned script. Their coverage has been top notch.
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John M

7/10/2017
Thank you for your thoughts in reaching out to check on my Miya's current state. She is doing a lot better but still has an active infection in her bladder as shown by recent urinalysis x 2, followed by positive urine culture. This resulted in her being placed on Cipro for another 14 days which will require another follow up urinalysis in approximately 3 weeks. I really appreciate all you do to assist in Miya's health maintenance. We just want to say thank you from John and Miya.
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Jenifer T

7/10/2017
We have insured our pets with VPI/Nationwide for many years. We have probably had 6 cats on this plan...some have passed (old age) and some are still here. Your vet will submit the forms you EASILY print from home and bring with you. Nationwide let's you know very quickly that they have received the forms and are processing them. Within days they let you know the amount of money you will be receiving or if there is additional info they need. They are quick and friendly! I cannot boast load enough about this company. Everyone who owns an animal should have insurance. It is so comforting when something large happens and you actually have to think about the cost...this plan has paid for... Read More
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sandy.winklerhensley

7/10/2017
Scout (English Bulldog 3 yrs old) was out playing outside at a friends home. He wandered under the deck and came out all covered in spider webs. Soon thereafter he began to have breathing difficulty and was getting sick. We rushed him to an Emergency Vet clinic. They put him in an oxygen tent and provided treatments to offset the effects of what we think was a spider bite. Good news - within a few hours - he was responding well and was released several hours later. Now the tough stuff - the cost of this Emergency Vet clinic was ~$1200. Now the good news - the pet insurance policy paid everything but $100 deductible. I was so surprised when I reviewed the explanation of benefits...... Read More
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Jennifer W

7/10/2017
Ai pleased I have full wellness protection ans to get $ back, costs can be so high. Received $ back in a timely manner. DR. IS NOT SURE WHAT IS causing, so you never know when more tests are needed.
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