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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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Marilyn R

5/31/2017
I was very happy and a bit surprised when I received the check for Mickey's vet appointment recently. And I am also very, very elated that during the three months we spend in Mazatlan, Mexico, he will be covered. Thank you Nationwide. Marilyn Rodriguez
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Nancy s

5/31/2017
I have had only good experiences with VPI
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Dianna E

5/31/2017
She is feeling better and you guys are totally awesome! I tell everyone I see with a pet about how wonderful you are. You take the worry out of having a pet that needs care!!!!!!! Thank you so much!
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Claudia l

5/31/2017
I am so glad I had your insurance- we would have been devistated if it wasn't for your insurance and prompt reimbursement I don't know what we would have done. Marty is back to his old self - thank u
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A
Alexis

5/31/2017
My beagle, Zoe, is a maniac. And as a result, has now had ACL surgery (or the doggy version of it) TWICE—once on each hind leg in back-to-back years. Oye... Going through the surgery, the recovery, and the rehabilitation is a lot of work—more than I can really express. Add on the fact that this surgery costs thousands of dollars, and it quickly becomes an overwhelming prospect. Thankfully, Zoe (as well as her siblings) has Nationwide Pet Insurance. Nationwide covered BOTH of her ACL surgeries and follow-up visits, providing complete stress relief of the financial obligations needed to help keep her healthy and happy. I tell everyone how great Nationwide is because it really, really is an... Read More
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Rodrigo I

5/31/2017
Our coverage (which includes wellness) from Nationwide Pet Insurance has been very good to excellent. We rated it at 4-1/2 stars because of one issue which was eventually found in our favor. Other than that, it should have been 5 stars. Taz was given a clean bill of health by our vet (place where I was introduced to NPI, we used to be insured with Healthy Paws) when we enrolled him in NPI. We even had a vet visit after we got the email confirming Taz is now fully fully enrolled (September) and "we can take off the bubble wrap". After a couple of months (December), he developed a bump on his left side, which our vet said was nothing serious and if we considering getting him neutered, we... Read More
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L
Liliya M

5/31/2017
I believe we have the best pet insurance ever! I have three pets enrolled and must say it has been an amazing experience with Nationwide. the coverage is great and always on time! Thank you!
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Cherie M

5/31/2017
The insurance is helpful but it took 2 phone calls to get the claim filed properly on Nationwide side. I have 2 pets that I took in for shots and exams at the same time. (Why get hairy twice? Right?) Paperwork was filed properly with pets names on invoices and proper cover sheets but the processor logged as duplicate and deleted the claim. Frustrating that I had to pull the paperwork scans and note this for the customer service rep.
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T
Teresa

5/31/2017
Thanks so much for asking about Josie. She is doing very well now. We are so thankful we have insurance coverage on her. She has had several health issues over the past 7 years and I'm not sure what we would have done without the insurance. Nationwide has been great to work with! The reps always ask how Josie is doing and they really listen to what you have to say. You can tell they are genuine animal lovers! Pretty fast claims processing and awesome customer service! If you happen to have a question that the rep isn't able to answer, they find someone who can and call you back. Keep up the great work, Nationwide!
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James R

5/30/2017
Can't say enough!
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