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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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Nancy M

5/21/2017
I signed up for Nationwide in Nov 2016 and was very happy with all claims made within the first 6 months. Then, our dog needed ACL surgery in May 2017 and of course we had the surgery. We filed the claim and were surprised to receive only $100 back on our $3800 claim. Of course, I read the EOB and saw that this particular surgery is not covered if performed within the first 12 months of the policy. Although very disappointing, I understand the reasoning. I went back and read the policy and saw the disclaimer. I imagine some dishonest people may sign up for a policy knowing that their pet needs an expensive surgery then may cancel after being reimbursed. We had no idea we would need... Read More
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Eric G

5/21/2017
I am so glad to have Nationwide Pet Insurance covering our two dogs. It gives me great peace of mind to know that they have insurance protection when they need it. Thanks Nationwide!
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Rannah J

5/20/2017
An excellent rate of return on invoices and fairly quick response. I am very happy with this insurance for my dogs.
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Bob M

5/20/2017
We have used Nationwide Pet Insurance on several occasions. We currently insure a yellow lab. The policy has paid our vet expenses as stated in the policy and has done so quickly. Previously, we had a chocolate lab that developed cancer and had to be put down. I was surprise that we were reimbursed for some of these expenses as well. I would totally recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to my friends and relatives.
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mary c

5/20/2017
Processed all my claims in a timely manner. Very courteous and helpful when I called with ?
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Katherine B

5/19/2017
Whenever I have to contact you, your staff is very friendly , courteous and very professional. You can tell that they really care about your pet
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Brian F

5/19/2017
Nationwide insurance processes claims quickly and accurately. We couldn't ask for a better inurer.
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Joseph T

5/19/2017
My dog, Maxie is about 12 years old, because of aging even tough we try to take care of her as much as possible, she has many health problems. Lucky she is insured with Nationwide , they really help us a lot with the cost of the medicines, veterinarian. thank you for your excellent insurance for pet.
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Grace C

5/19/2017
My Bernese Mountain Dog, Genna, had a large lump on the back of her thigh. I called the vet immediately after I discovered it, and made an appointment for her. My vet recommended surgery to remove the growth and it was scheduled for 5 days later. A biopsy was done on the mass, and the results came back "benign." What a relief! Nationwide did not question any part of the claim. They simply reimbursed us the amount we were owed. Another relief! Thank you Nationwide!
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D
devils39

5/19/2017
The pet insurance that we have for our dog is great. They have covered a lot. If we did not have this insurance we would have had to spend a great deal of money on our dog. They are very prompt after we file a claim and are very prompt in paying the claim. I know many people who do not have pet insurance and it cost them a lot of money when their pet need surgery. I am very happy with Nationwide pet insurance.
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