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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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K
Kristine S

7/8/2017
My husband and I have only great things to say. Have been with you for many years. In good times and not so good times. Nationwide has been doing an excellent job in taking care of our four legged babies. Just recently, we brought home a new lil guy. And yes , he is covered also. Last PM spoke with a family that has one of the lil guys liter mates and they will be calling about your medical insurance. The Name is BOJAN. Thank you for inquiring about Hanna. She is doing great. The doctors have her allergies pretty well under control. Thank you again for asking and taking such good care of the Pursino Family fur babies.
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Margie S

7/7/2017
Our "Opie" is nearly a year old. In that year, we have had regular check ups, vaccinations, and a couple runs to the vet, crying "help!" Every turn along the way has been covered for us by Nationwide Pet Insurance. Because we bought a very expensive dog to train into a working Therapy/Comfort dog, we wanted the best coverage we could find. We researched other companies, but found the best service for the money - right HERE! Reimbursement from Nationwide is quick and easy. We will retire within the year and we wanted a reliable insurance to travel with us wherever we go. We hope to be with Nationwide for a long, long time. Thank you for being there for Opie and us!
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C
Chuck

7/7/2017
I would not spend one cent on this sham of a company. I am disgusted to have spent one cent on this company.
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Cbeglis

7/7/2017
So glad we have their pet insurance! Coverage is great and reimbursement is so easy now with Vitus Vet app.
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R
Richard W

7/7/2017
Some people consider pet insurance a waste of money, others contemplate getting it but have doubts if it is worth it. Well consider this: what if you did not insure your home or auto and the house burnt or car totaled in an accident. Where would you be? True, you probably pay both yet don't file a claim for years. Same with pet insurance. You may pay for years and not file a big claim, but then a catastrophe happens with your loved pet and you don't have the cash to cover the costs. Then what? Take the alternative and put your pet out its misery -- for good? If you still doubt if it is worth it, do the math. Add up the cost to have all the wellness services your pet should have... Read More
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Brenda V

7/6/2017
So far, I have been very pleased with my 3 pomeranian's coverage. Two of my poms are healthy and have had no continuing medical issues, but the other pom has had several medical issues that I feel have been handled fairly as far as compensation when I have filed claims. My only suggestion would be for the insurance to cover all heart worm/flea/tick prevention, as this is a major part of pets being in a wellness program. These medications get rather expensive.
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W
Wayne P

7/6/2017
I would have never thought that medical insurance on my Airedale Fiona would have been a good investment. Little did I know that she would have needed extensive medical care. Nationwide Pet Insurance is easy to communicate with and very prompt paying claims. In short I would recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to any one that owns a dog.
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Shannan M

7/6/2017
This is a Great Insurance company for your pets! They've helped so much with out JoeJoe.
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Rona R

7/6/2017
Nationwide is so awesome !! If I could give 10 stars I would!! I have have been with them since 1996 with my first dog Ginger. She had cancer and went through a lot. My bills were overwhelming . Nationwide saved the day and helped me through so much. My dog I have now has also been through very much. Nationwide there for me again. They are very compassionate and helpful. Thank you Nationwide!!!!!!
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M
maria m

7/6/2017
i love nationwide the customer service is great. very helpful on my sofy claim and fast. very pleased
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