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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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Lisa B

5/30/2017
I have been very pleased with the insurance policy with the exception when he was hopsitalized in December of 2016 the policy didn't pay for all of the hospital stay! He was very critical and it was touch and go everyday! Thanks to the awesome vets at PVSEC that saved him but not to the insurance for not paying what I owe or even half of what I owe! Therefore I have acrewed debt because of that! What bothers me the most is that I have carried this insurance on him since he was born and when I needed it the most it didn't help! Thank you in advance for your concern. Lisa Beighley
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Carol W

5/30/2017
Love Nationwide pet insurance. It's helpful when you have an ailing pup and know you don't have to hesitate! Thank you
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Angela H

5/30/2017
They are fine unless you have to have something extreme done to your animal. The underwriters will hold on to the claim for 2 months until they can RIP apart every diagnosis to fit their " not covered " column. my dog was only six months old. My vet and vet surgeon even talked to their vet svcs ( who would only say not covered, not covered. ) Those are the med pros of the outfit. They could care less about you or your animal. Find a better company.
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Tawny C

5/30/2017
We are still working with the vet to help Memphis with his eye. We are seeing a specialist this coming week to see what can be done the help him. Thank you and we will be sending in new expense sheets soon. T
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Kim A

5/30/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been awesome to deal with!
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Nadine m

5/30/2017
This has been the best decision after picking my young dog out of a shelter. I wouldn't have been able to afford all the treatments and surgeries that he needed unexpectedly even though I work for a veterinarian. Thank you nationwide for helping titan living a great life!
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Debbie K

5/29/2017
I had other insurance for our boxer but it was so difficult to work with them. You really had to jump through hoops to complete a claim and then there always seemed to be a hidden reason that they couldn't cover it. Nationwide is incredible!!! We have always trusted them with our autos but pet insurance was new to us. Only two weeks after being insured, our dog was bitten by a copperhead and required an overnight stay in the emergency vet. There claim process was simple, they didn't flinch because we were new, and my money was in my bank account in no time at all. We highly recommend Nationwide!!!
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Alicia G

5/29/2017
I never have any issues, but this time around I had to fax the paperwork 3 times. If there is information missing I think it would be best to reach out to the veterinarian rather then the customer having to chase the correct information down. Thank you for all you do
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Joseph S

5/29/2017
Very impressed about how seemless the claim process was and how hassle free. Very happy about the service and to be with Nationwide
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Kim D

5/29/2017
I came to Nationwide Pet Insurance by recommendation from co-workers. I have a 5 month old Dachshund and have visited the vet several times as she is just a pup. Each time I have turned in the proper paperwork and received reimbursement in a timely manner. The process to turn in a claim is very easy and can be done electronically which is convenient as I have a very busy work life. The return time to receive a check/claim is very quick, I would say within a week, no longer than 2 after submitting the claim. I would definitely recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to my friends and family, I have no affiliation with this company.
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