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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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Michaela N

7/6/2017
Lucky is doing fantastic!! I appreciate you checking in on her. We had a scary incident on the trails. She was running off leash and sliced her ear all the way through! I was very happy to get her seen immediately. The ER vet I took her to was amazing. It was costly. I was thinking I'm glad I have the insurance, but still wasn't sure how much it would help. I was so relieved when I got the statement and check covering everything minus a few dollars! Thank you Nationwide!! I'm so glad my friend Nikki Galman suggested I get the insurance when I became a dog-mom:) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
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Mary J

7/6/2017
I really loved Nationwide, then they refused to pay some recent bills until they review all of the paperwork from the beginning of 2016 (we didn't even get the dog until December, 2016). Soon after we got Daisy (1 year old Schnauzer mix) she was stepped on accidentally by a friend and began having an intermittent limp. We brought her to the vet to make sure there wasn't a break, and because she's a small dog, he wanted to rule out patellar luxation. He sent us to a another doctor. Again, the doctor said she's small and it may be patellar luxation, or it may be because someone stepped on her. Nationwide seems to think Daisy had a condition from before they began covering her. I sent them... Read More
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Cyndi F

7/6/2017
I am so happy with Nationwide Pet Insuance. When my pup Bayleigh started throwing up and not keeping down nothing for 7 hour's I got worried. My worse fears if she ate something I did not see or if she contacted something from another dog. Call my ver and they said take her in to the emergency vet.I took her in and they check to out. She had nothing in her tummy but she had alot of gas in her intestines which was a real bad tummy ache they said. She was sent home with baby food for 24 hours...They said she could of ate something that did not agree with her and it was good to get her checked out.Getting a new puppy you never know what they can get into the first years of their lives. They... Read More
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Tracey H

7/6/2017
I am so glad I have Nationwide Pet Insurance on my Scarlett. So easy to deal with & the claims are processed & reimbursement is made in a very timely manner. Would highly recommend.
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Lori

7/6/2017
The claim process was easy and the reimbursement was received quickly. I'm so glad we have pet insurance to support us in caring for our dog.
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Ruth E

7/5/2017
SO APPRECATE Nationwide Insurance.. Jack had not one hematoma in his ear but BOTH ears were afflicted..one after the other. The first time Nationwide paid almost the entire cost of the surgery. The second time not so much but our annual provision for that benefit had been used by the first surgery. I am truly blessed that Nationwide pays almost always for his allergy medications. Being a white bull terrier he is very much subject to allergies here in MO. and the apoquel helps his itching tremendousely. THANK YOU NATIONWIDE for helping our Jackson!!
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Margot D

7/5/2017
Medical insurance for Gunner has been the best investment I made for him. After his first ACL surgery, I didn't want to ever be in the position to worry about paying for his medical care again. Now, I don't have to!
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Lynne P

7/5/2017
They make it easy to file a claim, and are prompt with payment, and provide the best customer service. I recommend them highly to anyone I meet who has a pet and needs insurance.
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Donelle L

7/5/2017
I have been with NW Pet since January and I am very pleased with the service so far. Once we met the deductibles, every subsequent claim has been paid as agreed and in excellent time. The claim process itself is very easy. I love the peace of mind that having our fur kids covered gives us. Thank you!
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Frank S

7/5/2017
Nationwide has been execllent in service, claims and care. Pua is great after her spaying and in very good health and spirits. Thank you and it is a pleasure being a client. Frank Smith
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