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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.

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
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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C
Carrie

6/3/2017
Lucy has fully recovered and is back to her crazy & happy doggy-self! Without our Nationwide Pet Policy we would have been a financial struggle to get her the care she needed & deserved at that time. It was a good feeling not to panic saying it's okay have insurance on her. Her Nationwide Pet Policy has always honored their word on her claims and I've never had any issue unlike some other pet insurances I've had on my other dogs. In fact I'm getting ready to cancel my other dogs policies & switch them full coverage under Nationwide.
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K
Kristina F

6/2/2017
I recently purchased Nationwide Insurance after my dog had to have emergency stomach surgery. I knew they would not help with any preexisting injuries when I purchased the insurance. I was encouraged by my vet, friends, and family to get insurance in case of any more emergency medical expenses. Unfortunately my dog developed severe allergies soon after I got Pet Insurance. My poor pup was miserable. I was going to pay for whatever I needed to whether it was going to be covered or not. Nationwide was completely understanding and to my surprise covered the expenses after I met the deductible. They were responsive, communicative, and very helpful. I am extremely impressed with... Read More
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Shari W

6/2/2017
Y'all have been phenomenal with both of our pets! They have both come close to death and you helped us immensely with the medical costs. Thank you so much!
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Rolando G

6/2/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been amazing. I have gladly recommended it to fellow pet owners!
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M
Marissa

6/2/2017
Having pet insurance from Nationwide has been so great! Because they're a big company, they are capable of covering a wide variety of ailments that my sweet dog has had to endure. I believe that most people would quickly shy away from getting certain medical procedures done simply because of the cost, but when you have pet insurance, people are more likely to have their furry family member get the treatment he/she may need. It is because my doggie has had her treatments that she is able to live a fuller life.
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Kathy R

6/2/2017
Your pet insurance is a good sent . As having a puppy can get pretty expensive . But thanks to Nationwide pet insurance I've been able to keep up with everything our Maggie needs from shots, medications, surgery.ect . Your invoicing is so easy to do and you get my claims taken care of within weeks . I would highly recommend your company to all pet lovers as myself to definitely get their pet insured through you . Thanks again for making health insurance for my Maggie so easy
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J
joseph h

6/2/2017
My experience with Nationwide Pet Insurance has been excellent! Claims have been handled and paid very quickly.
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R
rcantler

6/2/2017
Thank you for inquiring about how Nikki is doing after her last visit to the Vet. She is doing well and back to her "Naughty Nikki" (as the people at Swan Creek Vet call her) self. It is a relief to know that we have Nationwide Pet Insurance. I cannot express how easy it has been to file claims and receive reimbursement for the covered expenses. Nikki is our third dog and in the past we did not buy health Insurance. Needless to say, we learned our lesson since both of our Cocker Spaniels had significant health issues. We are also hopeful that changing breeds to a Yorki-Poo will be a good move healthwise.
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Fretzie V

6/2/2017
My Shiro was having stomach problem for days. We brought him to the ER. It was scary coz vet bills are very expensive. We felt comfortable spending the money for the treatment coz we are covered. The claim process is very easy and quick! Thank you!
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Andrea N

6/2/2017
I love nationwide. My last invoice was the highest I have ever turned in and nationwide paodb100%. I was shocked and so happy!
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