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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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Steve

6/30/2017
I took my plan out a few years ago. Not only is the coverage worth the piece of mind, but the times I have had to use coverage, everything has been covered exactly as understood. I recommend this coverage to all pet parents I meet. In addition, I can share a true story on how this coverage saved my pets life and made all the difficult decision much easier, void of financial considerations and focus on quality of life. THANK YOU! Steve M. (Pet parent) & Eddie (Jack Russell Terrier )
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J

6/29/2017
Teddy, our chocolate lab, is a day away from his first birthday. It has been a great year but with a few more visits to the "vet" than I was counting on. Two emergency visits, one was a vomiting scare, the other was an eye problem that required two visits. This Nationwide pet health insurance has been great and generally super prompt with a very simple reimbursment process. I expect to keep the policy for as long as I can and in fact I am very grateful that I have not had to struggle with decisions to take my young dog to vet because of the expense. One claim required submission of some records and got me a bit worried but resolved with no problem.
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Deb M

6/29/2017
I have two American Bulldogs and can't say enough about much Nationwide Pet Insurance has been a life saver financially. People complain of the high costs of pet insurance, but let me tell you, that after spending about $360 per dog annually, I was covered at close to 80-100% after deductible for three ACL repairs (their are exceptions we learned from our first one not covered, I.e., insurance needs to be effective a certain amount of time before diagnosis)', along with several unforseen ER visits for one of our dogs. So long and short, we got our premiums back and so much more. Most importantly, our claims were always considered in the most efficient and courteous way! I even told... Read More
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Kathy M

6/29/2017
We couldn't be more pleased with Nationwide Pet Insurance for Zoey's glaucoma the past 3 1/2 years. Recently after previously having her left eye removed and 2 previous laser surgeries to try to save the vision in her right eye (these surgeries were covered expenses as well), Zoey lost her battle with glaucoma and had to have her right eye removed on May 25th. We received our check within 4 weeks of submitting our detailed claim. Our check was for over $2,000.00 which was most of the cost of her surgery less our yearly deductible of $250.00 and waste disposal, which is not a covered fee. We highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance for your pets insurance needs.
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Kim H

6/29/2017
I adopted two long haired dachshunds who were born on January 11, 2017 when they were 8 weeks old. As soon as I got them I insured them through Nationwide Pet Insurance. Although they had had their initial puppy vet visit and shots prior to me adopting them, there were more to come, until this last month where they had finally had their rabies shot. Nationwide has been extremely responsive to wellness visit needs and they've already met their deductible and reimbursement me on alot of the expense of the remainder of their "wellness visits and shots". We have them both scheduled to be spayed in July, with the estimate of $280-300 per puppy, and am happy that I have Nationwide on my side... Read More
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Gloria D

6/29/2017
I was so relieved to know that my fur baby had coverage with Nationwide on less issue to worry about during her recovery period. She is doing so much better after the excellent care she received from the pet hospital. Nationwide's processing of my claims were very quick and detailed as to what was covered and items that did not qualify under my plan. Bottom line, if you have a fur baby or babies, it's best to have some type of pet insurance coverage, the vet care and emergency pet hospital care is very costly! I would highly recommend Nationwide to my family and friends! Thank you for being prompt and efficient when processing my claims.
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Marsha M

6/29/2017
Nationwide has been great on coverage and reimbursement. I have not had an ounce of trouble submitting my claims or getting reimbursed. I wish I had know about Nationwide in the past. I also love the fact they have a free vet help line 24/7. You never know when you need to talk with someone in an emergency as I had to when my dogs were poisoned by raisins.
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Kalista A

6/29/2017
Nationwide is the best! They provide quick turn-around in claims processing and payments have been made 100% according to the plan!! They also were 100% to their word about reviewing a pre-existing condition and after the review it was removed!!! See I got tricked in to a different plan that was not as good but for some reason had been ranked higher.... I have NO IDEA WHY?!!!! Maybe because they have a phone app but who cares if they don't pay anything but catastrophic!! This is whole pet coverage nose to tail for like the price of fancy coffee twice more!!! I can afford that!!! And a phone app is in test!!! Woo hoo!!! Don't be fooled by others they also get incentive bonus.... do your... Read More
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L
Luis R

6/29/2017
Best coverage and fast money back.
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D
Dgrinager45

6/29/2017
Conrad had a torn cruciate ligament and was in alot of pain. He received a few laser treatments, some anti inflsmatories, and his initial diagnosis. Nationwide helped out with those however Conrad needs continued treatment and meds and I just received notice from Nationwide that Conrad has used up all his insurance for this year. I feel that for all the years (11) I have paid for Conrad's insurance and he never used it that he should be covered for this issue. Also Conrad is too old according to national wide to get dental insurance. Sometimes I'm happy with the coverage but seems like lately customer service is rude and it is shame that Conrad's coverage is so limited when he has the... Read More
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