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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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Debbie B

5/10/2017
I have been very satisfied so far. Reporting a claim is a very easy process
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M B

5/10/2017
I was skeptical whether the Whole Pet with Wellness plan would be and do all that is advertised. However, I have to say that in the +8 months I've had it for my kitten, Livia, it has been just as advertised and we've been very happy with it. I provide Nationwide with Livia's medical records from each visit with the claims, and so far, the claims have been processed very quickly and have paid as stated they would be (90% of charges) once the $250 deductible was met. And....I should add we've had some major charges with Livia as it was determined as she got a little older, and the policy had been in effect a few months, that she needed rhinoplasty to open her tiny nostrils more. This was... Read More
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Michael D

5/10/2017
It has been so easy to file claims when we have needed care for Sophie. We have recommended Nationwide to all of our friends that have Pets. Keep up the good work. Michael Donnelly
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Alicia B

5/10/2017
Excellent company, I just fax a copy of the bill and a fax cover sheet. The best caring company, I always recommend them to my friends.
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Vernon M

5/9/2017
We have had insurance on our dogs for several years with VPI and now, with Nationwide. With Nationwide's new plan, we feel that the coverage is excellent. It really helps to feel that decisions based on costs are reduced.
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Debora

5/9/2017
I would never be without pet insurance, ever. Nationwide makes it easy, and there is no excuse not to get insurance for your furry family member. Thank you Nationwide for giving us peace of mind, and always responding quickly to our questions and reimbursement requests.
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Amanda G

5/9/2017
My 1 year old dog Oakley was diagnosed with Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia a few months ago. We had no idea what this disease was but learned very quickly how serious and costly it would be. Oakley was very sick and spent alot of time in an emergency animal hospital, sees a specialist as well as our regular vet. We are so thankful that we have Nationwide Pet Insurance for Oakley because it made making costly decisions easy. We have a deductible and once it was met our bills have all been covered at 90%. There has been no issue at all with reimbursement. So thousands of dollars only cost us hundreds. Having this insurance has allowed us to give our baby the best care possible.
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Barbara R

5/9/2017
We love having our pets insured by you. Your coverage is great and very good response time. Thank you.
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Kristen L

5/9/2017
Once a claim is finally covered- which takes months as there are numerous steps involved and they never have ENOUGH information, then you actually get reimbursed the 90%. However, by the time that reimbursement comes you are already in debt from the interest charges you've accumulated over the MONTHS they've taken to actually support. Then, they tell you X, Y and Z are not covered either. I am physically and mentally exhausted from the process as it requires one to be a FULL TIME administrative assistant on top of having an actual career AND dealing with a sick dog. The latter being what we are in the business relationship for in the first place let's not forget. With that said, I... Read More
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Nichole S

5/9/2017
Very easy to use, quick returns and well worth the money for coverage on our beloved pet.
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