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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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Mario r

5/17/2017
It is easy to file a claim online and refund is fast. Very satisfied so far. We may want to upgrade
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Lina

5/17/2017
Nationwide is great! Customers service is excellent, and knowing that they'll be there to help out with the cost is a piece of mind. I highly recommend this to pet owners
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Mary A

5/17/2017
I signed my puppy, DeeDee, up for Nationwide Insurance after comparing rates and conditions against other companies. I am so glad I chose Nationwide! They make things super duper easy. There was on incident that they would not cover an illness but after speaking to a representative and having Dee's vet call them, everything was settled within 72 hours and my check was in the mail soon after! Thank you Nationwide!!! The VetHelpLine is also a blessing! The operators are always friendly and ready to help. That service alone has probably saved Dee from like 3 vet appointments. The advice is always reasonable and logical and whenever I call Dee's vet she agrees with the advice given. Your... Read More
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Vicky L

5/17/2017
I have been very pleased with Nationwide Pets Insurance. They have answered all of my questions and processed my claims in a timely manner. I highly recommend them.
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Nancy F

5/17/2017
We couldn't be happier with this policy. Our Vet bills directly , it's so simply. We have a puppy and he's came with come GI issues. All getting resolved quickly .
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lynn c

5/17/2017
Nationwide has been great. Having a pup with IBD, cysts, allergies, the cost of keeping him well can be challenging. Here at Nationwide they cover a good portion of the costs so it makes my life a little simpler and reassuring, and quick turnaround time is always a plus. Thanks Nationwide - you are definitely on my side!
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Andrew G

5/16/2017
We are in the 2nd year of our policy with Nationwide for our puppy Dakota. Unfortunately, we have had to take full advantage of our coverage through Nationwide. Our puppy has had many ailments during the past year and a half. Each time we have had to file a claim, and there have been several, Nationwide is prompt at notifying us of the receipt of the claim and sends us an Explanation of Benefits within 30 days. They even suggested to provide a summary of Dakota's medical history to be able to eliminate a previous exclusion from the policy's inception since he had been symptom free for 6 months. This allowed them to cover an expensive vet bill that would have been denied. This has... Read More
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Maria V

5/16/2017
I love the friendly service, the quick response with my questions and claims. Also everything is easy to do and the price is very reasonable. Love all the advice and the way you take care of my dog
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Barbara N

5/16/2017
I wrote you a detailed letter recently explaining in detail why I was unhappy with the way I was being treated in regard to Trouble's recent claims for his neck and back strain. Your customer service rep and her supervisor were not helpful and the supervisor was so rude to me that I had to hang up on him! I received no response to that letter which left me even more dissatisfied with Nationwide.
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J
Jon

5/16/2017
We have two German shepherds covered by Nationwide and we could not be happier with the service we receive. One in particular has had a rough start to his 20 months having spent more time at his vet and at the emergency vets then a "normal" dog would ever have ina lifetime. With that being said, the insurance has more than paid for itself and Nationwide has been there for us with quick reimbursements each time. I would highly recommend them.
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