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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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Selina K

6/12/2017
I'm am very pleased & thankful to have Nationwide Pet Insurance. Our furbaby had an emergency that she had to spend the night @ the vets w/IVs, etc. I filed our insurance claim & was reimbursed for what our insurance covered very quickly. I highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance.
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Gim B

6/12/2017
We have been a client since 2003. Our first yorkie, Rumpole, cross the rainbow bridge in 2013 and we were heart-broken, said we would go through this experience again. It is too hard emotionally. But after 7 months, we adopted a 9 wk old yorkie, Sherlock. We love him just as much as Rumpole. We signed him up for pet insurance coverage with VPI now Nationwide Ins. Co., you guys/gals at Nationwide are awesome. Thank you for being there when the needs arrived. Sincerely, Gim B.
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Michele K

6/12/2017
My dog has had a rough year. He has always suffered allergies, but this year has been over the top. Twice he's dug into hotspots which created large open wounds. He also has had to go to physical therapy for osteoarthritis, ACL tear & hip dysplasia. Nationwide has paid his medical bills each time, which has been a wonderful experience. I can get my dog the care he needs and not be stressed about the cost. I have the Major Medical Plan so it costs more in premium, but covers me in full when these types of unforeseen issues arise.
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Jennifer G

6/12/2017
VPI insurance has been awesome for my dog, you're processes are easy to use and you are very quick processing claims.
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Richard R

6/12/2017
Nationwide has been quick in handling insurance claims when submitted. Price is reasonable for my coverage. I would recommend to friends and neighbors.
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Brooks G

6/12/2017
My little dog became very ill with a severe bout of colitis. I had to take her to the vet three times and get meds for her as well. My pet insurance was the easiest part of this ordeal. Nationwide was prompt and paid for all of her care minus my deductible. My insurance certainly kicked in when I needed it!
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Linda R

6/12/2017
We switched to Nationwide when we discovered after a rude shock that our previous pet insurer had a $200 deductible FOR EVERY CONDITION. So, basically, every vet visit had a $200 deductible. We are thrilled with the coverage we get from Nationwide. It pays the claims quickly with no fuss, and the coverage is outstanding. The eligible Wellness claims are paid at 100 percent, and we are surprised at how many things are covered -- for instance, nail clipping. If it's not during an annual checkup, where it's free, my vet charges $15. Nationwide paid it at 100%. It also covered his sonogram, surgery, bee stings -- we just could not be more pleased.
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Dorothea A

6/12/2017
I am so pleased and happy with Nationwide Pet Insurance, my English Bulldog Brice, had a recent visit with our Veterinarian, due to an ulcer in his eye, He was examined , tests were run, also the eye was stained and blood was drawn for a new procedure of this kind of ulcer that was found, all in all, the visit was costly, but necessary. then we went back for a re check in 3 days to see if the ulcer had healed , and it had, praise the Lord, I submitted my two invoices to Nationwide , within a few weeks, I was reimbursed for what was paid out to the Vet, all itemized based upon my deductible, I was so happy and relieved to get some money back, thank you Nationwide for your... Read More
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D
donna.pollard.us.ky

6/12/2017
I love my animal truly more than life itself and I have always worried about taking care of his health thank you you have provided me piece of mine you allow me to give him a good life
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A
Arlene J

6/10/2017
When I renewed my policy, I specifically asked, if I took the most expensive package if there would be a deductible. I was told no deductible. I asked it a few times, and each time was assured there would be no deductible. Now I learn, when I submitted my bill, that there is no deductible on the second part of the package, but there is $100 deductible on the original part of the policy. I truly feel as though your sales people deliberately misled me (and I'm sure I'm not alone). That is truly malpractice!
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