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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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Barbara H

6/26/2017
I am so glad that I got Nationwide Pet Insurance. With a puppy you never know, and things always worry you. With the insurance I don't feel I need to hesitate to make sure she is all right. She just went through spaying and had the best care from the Vet Hospital.
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Kyle M

6/26/2017
I was recommended to Nationwide from my puppy's vet, but I never thought I would have to use the insurance coverage more so than just the typical wellness check/shots etc. When my 7 month old puppy got diagnosed with a rare case of puppy arthritis and couldn't even walk, I wanted nothing more than for him to get the medical treatment he deserves. As the vet bill grew larger every hour and each day he was at the hospital, I was becoming frightened that I wouldn't be able to afford the care my little guy deserves. I also didn't have much faith in the insurance company compensating me due to the amount of the claim. Boy was I wrong. I immediately submit my claim with Nationwide and I was... Read More
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Janet C

6/26/2017
Filing my claims and receiving my reimbursements was an extremely easy and quick process. Thank you Nationwide! Everything was exactly as expected. Once my deductible was met (which was less than 1 vet visit bill), Nationwide reimbursed me exactly what I was due in accordance with my policy (% Nationwide / % out of pocket). Annual dental cleaning is expensive but Nationwide made it extremely affordable!
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Maren

6/26/2017
I'm so happy to have support from Nationwide for my cat's health! I am overall quite satisfied with the process. That said, I would have liked clearer information on how bills are split. Based on the information I received upon signing up for insurance as well as the documentation I could find in my account online, I was under the impression my vet bills would be covered in full (rather than the 90% or so that was covered). That is still a generous amount, but knowing that up front would help me much more when budgeting.
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Lise C

6/26/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has always been fair and quickly paid for our claims on our two dogs. We always recommend it to people we meet at the Vet. When we are waiting and the other pet owners asks if we recommend Pet Insurance for different problems with their own pet.
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Josh A

6/26/2017
I love Nationwide Pet Insurance and I never say I love insurance but Nationwide Pet insurance is the exception. They actually care about the health of my animals and show compassion when they aren't feeling well. They don't try to deny every claim or fight me on what portion they pay. The company and the employees care and that's what makes them stand out above other insurance companies I've ever dealt with.
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ramiro829

6/26/2017
Thank you nationwide for making insurance affordable. Our pet is like our daughter. Great feeling you are there for us.
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Bobbye m

6/26/2017
I have been very happy with nationwide as I was happy with VPI. I know there are a lot t of agencies out there but I cannot complain. Sadie and is doing really well for a 13 year old. B marcus
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Lynn D

6/26/2017
My Doxy got sick. We tried boiled rice and hamburger, but he wouldn't even eat that. It took two visits, but he is better now. Saved me quite a bit since I had the insurance.
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Geoffrey M

6/26/2017
Horrible pet insurance. They practice the standard insurance drill. The day you clear your deductible for the year, they begin to deny claims and make it difficult to get any claim done on time. DO NOT HET THIS INSURANCE!!!!
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